December’s Festive ITL Report!

“But I’ll have a Blue Blue Blue Blue Christmas…..”

The famous festive edition of Reigate Squash Club’s ITL tournament took place last Friday, with 48 club members forgoing a comfy night in front of the Christmas tree to give all to the cause.  Rhythm & Blues, sleigh riding high in the league table, took on their nearest challengers the Mellow Yellows, whilst the Green Machine were raisin themselves to take on the currant champions Rediculous 5.  There was a welcome injection of new talent from our near neighbours the tennis club, with nine newbies dancing… and taking up the challenge of racketball – those walls just get in the way!

Darren Mackay was the quickest to the presents in taking down Gus Lewis, the latter having driven home from uni, 3-1.  Meanwhile sister Ruth Lewis was up against Richard Allum, the ever present man in the Red suit, Richard taking this one in straight games.  Veteran sage Chris Lucas rolled back the years and defeated Sylvia van Oevern 3-1.  Morgan Stannard, making his ITL debut for the Greens, emptied Andy Catford’s mead cup and drained his barrel, in a close contest 3-2.  Stephen Lewis showed his kids just how it should be done, taking a tight match 3-2 for the Greens against Coleen Cloherty.  Callum Carmichael showed no mercy to Brandon Bratton, stuffing the organiser of many colours in straight games – another Green win.  And Caroline Linton did likewise for the Blues, outwitting the latest ITL youth policy of Freddie Jenkins.  Court D was hosting the first of several racketball doubles matches, old lags being paired with shiny new tennis converts.  First up, Andy Catford and Suzy Driver delivered points for the Reds by defeating Mike Parsons and Sue Denman 3-2.

Julian Griffiths took another tie for the Blues by defeating Jim May in a Scrooge-like performance.  Favourite Corporate five gold ringer Colin Woods returned to give another Reigate regular a basting, defeating Alfie Champion in three tight games.  Gus Garcia made it a silent night in the Jenkins household, taking father Tom out in straight games.  And in the second racketball doubles match, John Miles and Linda Parsons took another tie for the Greens by defeating Paul McKay and Matt Dwyer 3-2.  Ian Drummond decked the halls for the Blues by defeating Guy Huddleston 3-1.  Richard English brought tidings of comfort and joy to the Yellows in defeating Joe Ales 3-1.  In a battle of the barmen there was a welcome return to the ITL fold from Roger Crabb, who defeated Paul McKay 3-2 in a singles racketball match.   And in the doubles variant, Mike Parsons and Janet Kenny took another close match for the Blues against Alan Ellerbeck and Gillian Rae.

Alan took immediate revenge for the Yellows by beating Mike at squash 3-1, in what was most likely Mike’s final ITL match.  He’s been an ever present fixture in the Blues team for years now – we wish him well.  On the showcourt, a cracker of a match saw Godfrey Jordan and his holy green socks defeat Chris Thompson 3-2.  Yellow’s Peter Knee had a ding dong of a match with Jono Smith, making a belated but welcome ITL debut, before Peter took the tie three games to one.  Andy Catford, in his third appearance of the evening paired up with Alison Newman, as they went merrily on high to defeat Guy Huddleston and Tom Gutwald 3-0.

Maggie May, she of the humbug lobs and deadly drops, gave Ed Chapman a torrid time and a sore toe to boot, winning the tie 3-2 for the Reds.  In the final racketball doubles match of the evening, Colin Waite and Vicki Partington took yet another tie for the Reds, beating John Miles and Janet Kenny 3-2.  Fred Taylor, another uni returnee, went two games up against Matt Jones with some deep and crisp and even drives, but Matt dug deep to save three match points, and then proceeded to haul his opponent back in, winning a quality match 3-2.  In the graveyard shift Red Roy Taylor beat the Green Ghost of Machine Past Stef Loucaides 3-1, whilst Colin Waite nutmegged John Miles in three straight games, a final win for the Reds.

Down to the bar to enjoy the Feast of Sarah and the mulled wine of Clive.  The assembled throng reflected on a winning wonderland for the Blues, with their decisive 28 – 17 win against a plum pudding of a performance from the Mellow Yellows.  Rediculous 5 won their first match of the season 31 – 26, undoubtedly punch drunk from the points cascading down from the racketball doubles matches.

Half way through the season, and Rhythm & Blues are undefeated, and have put clear blue water between themselves and the other three teams, who are all within three points of each other.  Mellow Yellows have just about held onto second spot, whilst Rediculous 5 have hauled themselves off the foot of the table at the expense of the Machine.

Watch out for the next round – Friday 17th January!

 

Team Matches Won Ties Won Points
Rhythm & Blues 3 24.0 80.5
Mellow Yellows 1 17.0 61.0
Rediculous 5 1 11.5 60.0
Green Machine 1 14.5 58.5