Date: Mon 2nd March

Venue: O&C Club

Result: Swans 3 – Gradidge 2

Match Manager: Uttara Raju

Hello Swans and Gradidge 

Unfortunately I was not able to perform my captians duties properly on Monday but luckily my opposing captain Allen Hirson has written an excellent match report! Hope you all enjoy

The much anticipated match got underway with perfect timing, with Chohan v Cresswell playing great squash.  However, Cresswell was unable to maintain length and this was punished by Chohan with ruthless efficiency, ultimately powering  through to a 3-0 victory. 

Shortly afterwards Ng was on court with Hirson.  Although Hirson put up a struggle, Ng’s sliced volley drops combined with great length cut through Hirson’s determination like a hot knife through butter: the result, yet another resounding 3-0 victory. 

Things were looking bleak for Gradidge, and at first glance the situation seemed unchanged as Warner put on a magnificent show of high cross-court shots into the nick and some great drops. Despite these virtuosa displays, Graddidge won all 3 games, and so finally got on the scoreboard. 

This turning of the tables continued with Raju struggling to find an answer to Lal’s explosive serves, and disconcerting left-handed play.  Clarky would doubtless have advised that she slow the pace to disrupt her opponent’s rhythm and reduce unforced errors, but the advice was not on hand, and Lal scored a convincing 3-0 victory – levelling the score between the two sides. 

This left the big guns, Goss and Andvig, who fired the ball to all four corners of the court, requiring extraordinary retrieval skills and fitness. The match was a true battle and at 2 games each, the result of the evening balanced precariously on the final game.  Both players continued to play great squash, but no-one had explained to Andvig that fatigue might be appropriate, and Goss eventually succumbed to this impressive combination of skill and fitness. 

So, a perfect result, victory to Swans in the final game, and all players content, even those that had come off second best.  In excellent spirits, therefore all bar Raju retired to the Blomfield Room, to be  pampered with delicious beef wellington, great wine and excellent cheesecake.  (Sadly, Raju had been obliged to return to work, attending to disruption in far-off lands)

I have attached a photo from Allen’s famous book of truth 

See you all at the next fixture

Thank you,

Uttara