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On Monday evening Wellington squash Club 3rd team were the home side against Wellington 2nd team. On court 1 Mike Broom played Barry Bartram and took the first two games 9-5, 9-5. Barry being a few years younger and more mobile clawed his way back into the match and as the clock started to get round to the hour mark Barry secured a 3-2 win by taking the last three games 9-5, 9-4, 9-3. On Court 2 Phil hart played Chris Short. Chris took the first game 9-6, but Phil came back to win the second 9-8. from there Phil took the advantage and won the next two games 9-6, 9-5 to win 3-1. Next on court two was Roger Mason against Martin Rees-Davies. The first game was a close affair with roger having the edge but squandering the chance to win it and letting Martin squeeze home 9-7. The second and third games could not have been closer with Roger winning both games 10-9. Martin came back in the third 9-4. With everything now on the fifth game Roger took control and won it 9-2 for a 3-2 win.
Back on court 1 Gary Hood played Tom MaClure. Gary took the first game comfortably 9-2. Tom came back in the second to win it 9-5 and cruised through the third 9-1. Gary came back to take the fourth 9-5. Everything rested on the fifth game and at 7-7 it could have gone either way. In the end Tom clinched it 9-7 to win 3-2 and make the tie level at 2-2. Everything now rested on the final match between Phil Griffith and Greg Harrison. Phil never got going and Greg was playing a good game and kept things tight with good drop shots and boasts. Greg won easily 9-0, 9-2, 9-3. The final match score was Wellington 2nd 10 Wellington 3rd 15.

Wellington squash club 2nd team started the new season with an away fixture against West Somerset 2nd team. With Brian Davenport having retired from league squash and Phil Hobbs unavailable new captain, Mike Broom, called upon Ken Roberts and new member Gary Hood as replacements.
Mike Broom at no.1 was clearly short of match fitness and against a younger up and coming player lost 9-6, 5-9, 3-9, 5-9. James Luard playing at no.3 narrowly lost his first game but came back with confidence to win 7-9, 9-1, 9-6, 9-6. New member Gary Hood played at no.2 and started well winning the first two games 9-1, 9-4 with little trouble. However, his opponent changed his style of play to win the third 9-5 and was in control of the fourth game at 8-5 up. Gary fought back to win the fourth 10-9 and clinch his match.
The ever youthful Phil Griffith played at no.4 against one of the West Somerset team new young players and had little trouble in winning 9-7, 9-1, 9-1. Ken Roberts also played a new player to team squash and won with ease at 9-3, 9-1, 9-6. The final match score was West Somerset 2nd 5 Wellington 2nd 16.
Next Monday the 2nd team play Merriot 3rd at home.

Wellington 2nd team were playing a rearranged fixture against Westlands. James Luard started the match with a hard fought game which went all the way but unfortunately James lost the fifth 9-10 to lose 2-3. Brian Davenport was next on and looked to be playing good controlled squash having taken a 8-2 lead in the first game. However, he let it slip and ended up losing the first game 8-10. His opponent was now motivated and keen to play a quick game. Consequently Brian lost the next two games 6-9,4-9 to lose his match 0-3. Mike Broom at no.1 was never in serious contention in his match. He lost the first game 1-9. In the second game he started to show some improvement but lost it 4-9. Finally in the third game Mike started to show a bit more determination but still went down 6-9 to lose 0-3. Phil Griffith playing at no. 5 had little trouble in his first game winning it 9-3. In the second he lost his way and the game 8-10. However he got back into the groove and wrapped up the final two games 9-2, 9-1 for a 3-1 win. Finally Phil Hobbs came on at no.2. He took the first two games comfortably enough 9-2, 9-3. However, his opponent managed to pinch the third game 8-10 and took the fourth easily 3-9. Phil managed to regain his concentration and took the fifth 9-3 to win 3-2. The final match score was Wellington 2nd team 8 Westlands 15.

On Monday night Wellington squash Club 2nd team entertained Wyvern 2nd team at the Corrams Lane club.

James Luard played first at no.5 this week as the Wyvern No.4 was going to be late. James took a while to get going on what were very cold courts. James managed to take the first game 9-7. In the second game the Wyvern player came back strongly to win it 9-4. James now took off the cricket sweater and track suit trousers and got down to work. He quickly won the next game 9-1 and the fourth game was his 9-6 after a fight back mid game by his opponent. James won 3-1. Phil Hobbs playing at no.2 resumed his ongoing duel with the Wyvern no.2. Phil was not at his best and whilst the first two games were fairly tight the third went the Wyvern players way quite quickly Phil lost 3-0. Mike Broom at no.1 took on the new Wyvern no.1 who beat Mike convincingly only two weeks ago. Whilst the end result was the same a 3-0 win for Wyvern the game scores of 9-7, 9-7, 9-2 hid a much tighter match particularly during the first two games.
Phil Griffith playing at no.4 had a comfortable win in conditions that suited his type of game to a tee. Phil had a comfortable 9-4, 9-5, 9-7 win. Finally with the match resting on the last tie Brian Davenport took to the court. Brian took the first game 9-6. This however sparked the Wyvern no.3 into action and he made quick work of the next two games winning them 9-0, 9-1. With the conditions not suiting Brian he was unable to make a come back and lost the fourth game 9-4.
The final match score was Wellington 2nds 7 Wyvern 2nds 13.
Wellington 3rd team did not play as their opponents Taunton School claimed they could not get a team together. The fact it is half term and their best players were not available was not lost on the Wellington Club. If Taunton School wish to continue playing in the squash league they should ensure they have a team that can play every Monday. No doubt next week when they visit Wellington to play the 2nd team they will be back to full strength!

Monday night saw all three Wellington squash teams playing at home.
The first team played Merriot 1st team and had a successful evening. Captain of the team Julian Jones played early and won a close match 9/5, 10/9, 10/9. Mark Harrison had one of his usual matches taking the first two games 9/6, 9/1, then lost the next two 8/10, 8/9 and with a couple of fortunate marking decisions won the fifth 9/5. Charles Chappell’s match was another marathon with Charles taking the first two games 10/8, 9/2, but then unexpectedly losing the next three 6/9, 2/9, 0/9. Andy Anderson had a much easier match winning comfortably 9/4, 9/3, 9/7. Last on was no.1 Rob Watkins who after losing the first game 7/9 came through strongly to win the next three games 9/0, 9/5, 9/6. The final match score was Wellington 1st team 17 Merriot 1st team 6. Quote of the evening from Julian Jones –‘ when ever I win the team wins.’ We shall have to watch with interest.

The 2nd team and 3rd teams played for the third time this season and once again the third team showed the old uns a clean pair of heels.
First on were Brian Davenport and Chris Short. Chris never had much trouble in this match and won 9/6, 9/1, 9/7. Greg Harrison then played Roger Mason who was standing in for the apparently sick Phil Hobbs. Greg won the first game 10/8 after being down 8/6 at one point. The second game went to Roger 9/6 and deservedly so. However, Greg came back well and won the next two games 9/2, 9/6. The third match was between the experienced Gary James and Mike Broom. Mike won the first game 9/7, but lost the second 10/8 after being 8/6 up. Gary won the third game 9/5 and Mike took the match to the fifth game by winning the fourth 9/5. After a questionable marking decision at the start of the fifth game Mike Broom was trailing 7/2, but came back to eventually clinch the game 10/9 and the match. James Luard played Barry Bartram who has now swopped the green field sports for the more exhausting squash court. Barry was very quick about the court and even though his shots were not out of the text book he beat James comfortably 9/1, 9/6, 9/3. Finally young Andy Ford took on Phil Griffith. Andy made short work of the first two games winning them 9/2, 9/2. Phil then got his own game together and with good lobs, drop shots and cross courts took the next two 9/5, 9/0. It looked as though Andy was not going to get his first win over Phil. However, Andy came into the final game with more determination and the zest of the first two games to win it 9/3.
The final score was Wellington 3rd team 17 Wellington 2nd team 6.

Next week the 2nd team play Wyvern 2nd team at home and the 3rd team play Taunton School also at home. (Another late night)

After two weeks with out a match Wellington Squash Club 2nd team played away against Wyvern 2nd team.
Mike Broom was never in contention against the Wyvern no.1 and lost 5-9, 0-9, 0-9. Phil Hobbs at no.2 had a hard game. Phil won the first game 9-7, but narrowly lost the second 8-10. He lost the next two games 2-9, 2-9 to go down 1-3.
Brian Davenport at no.3 had to take on the Wyvern player who before Christmas was playing at No.1. It was not a hard fast game, more of a cat and mouse game and with the courts being a little cold the ball could hardly have warmed up. Brian was in contention in the first and third games but lost 7-9, 2-9, 7-9.
James Luard back from his overseas jaunts fared a little better but eventually lost 1-3 with game scores of 3-9, 9-10, 9-6, 0-9.
At no.5 Phil Hart stood in for the absent Phil Griffith. This match was a contest of who could hit the ball the hardest. Phil lost the first two games 6-9, 2-9. He did however win the third 9-0 which in part was possibly due to the fact his opponent had a broken racket. With a new racket in his hand the Wyvern no.5 quickly wrapped up the final game 9-2 to win 3-1.
The final match score was Wyvern 2nds 18 Wellington 2nds 3.
Next week Wellington 2nd team take on Wellington 3rd team.

Wellington squash club 2nd team began the next round of league matches with a home tie against Wellington 3rd team. Mike Broom, suffering from a bad cold lost to Gary James 3-0. Phil Hobbs had a comfortable win over Chris Short 3-0 and Brian Davenport lost to Greg Harrison 3-0. James Luard got off to a good start against Tom McClure and was 2-0 up but Tom fought back to win 3-2. Phil Griffith had another tough fight on his hands against Mike Kavanagh and eventually lost 3-2. The final score was Wellington 2nd team 7 Wellington 3rd team 15.

On 10th December Wellington 2nd team visited Taunton School. With two regulars not available to play it was going to be a difficult evening. Young Jamie Strawford playing his first league match was up against a useful no.3 and came away a 3-0 loser but not disgraced and an experience to learn from. Phil Griffith had a hard game and after being 2-0 down came back to 2-2 and looked as though he could take the match but ran out of steam and went down 3-2. James Luard moved up to play at no.2 and played a much younger, fitter opponent. James was in contention in the first two games but lost them narrowly 9-7, 9-7. The third did not go his way and he lost his match 3-0. Roger Mason also had a long game and at 2-1 up looked to have the better of his opponent. However he let the fourth game slip and could not get back into his rhythm in the fifth to eventually lose 3-2. Mike Broom at no.1 took on one of the Taunton school pupils but age could not overcome youth. Mike had a good lead in the first game but let it slip and from there could not muster enough strength to keep going and lost 3-0. the final score was Taunton School 18 Wellington 2nds 4.

The next league game is not until 14th January, plenty of time for the team to get fit.

Wellington squash club 2nd team played away against Wyvern 2nd team on Monday evening and came away with the tail between the legs.
James Luard started the evening and could not find any form and lost 5-9, 2-9, 0-9. Phil Hobbs was next on at no.2 and whilst there were good rallies in his match he too could not make inroads into his opponents defence and lost 5-9, 2-9, 7-9. Phil Griffith took on a Matt Gillingham, the assistant pro at Taunton and Pickeridge golf club. Phil started well and looked to be well placed to take the first game but following a questionable decision Matt suddenly galvanised himself into action and took the first game 10-8. The second game was also a close affair but again Matt edged it 9-7. The third game could not have been closer with the game score eventually going to Matt 10-9.
Brian Davenport was out of sorts and lost in short time going down 0-9, 0-9, 3-9. Mike Broom at no.1 was now playing to try and prevent a total whitewash. Mike took the first game 9-4. In the second game Mike reached game point first but as last week could not convert the opportunity and narrowly lost the game 9-10. Mike got back to winning ways to take the third game 9-6. Unfortunately he could not keep the pace going and after losing the fourth 5-9 fell away in the last game 1-9. The final score was Wyvern 2nds 18 Wellington 2nds 2.

On Monday evening Wellington squash club 2nd team recorded their first win of the season against Huish Episcopi 2nd team.
Brian Davenport was more like his usual self and secured a comfortable 9-0, 9-4, 9-5 win over the Huish no. 2. Ken Roberts was playing again standing in for the absent Phil Hobbs. Ken played at no. 5 against one of only two lady players in the division. Ken lost the first game 3-9 but came back to win the next two 9-6, 9-4. He switched off in the fourth and lost it 4-9. Ken having returned from holiday at 3.00am in the morning was clearly struggling but managed to hang on and take a 9-7 win in the deciding game. Phil Griffith played at no.4 and after losing the first game 8-10 fought back to win the next three 9-4, 9-2, 9-4 in what turned out to be a untidy match. Mike Broom at no.1 was well down in the first of his games but came back to win it 9-6. Mike took the second game 9-5 and had an opportunity at 8-7 in the third game to take the match. Unfortunately he could not make it count and eventually lost the game 8-10. Mike was then up against it as his younger opponent took more control and claimed the last two games 9-7, 9-6. James Luard was last on but could not get his game together and lost 9-2,9-6,9-5. The final score was Wellington 2nd team 14 Huish 2nd team 9.

Wellington 3rd team were also playing at home on Monday evening against Wyvern 2nd team. New player Martin Rees-Davies
Played at no. 5 and came through his first league match with a 8-10, 9-0, 9-2, 7-9, 9-3 win. Greg Harrison playing at no.4 took on the other lady player in division 3 and after losing the first game 9-10 he took the next three 9-2, 9-1, 9-0 for an easy win. Chris Short at no.2 had no such luck and against an experienced opposite number lost 4-9,1-9, 2-9. Tom MaClure at no.3 had a very good game and after a close win in the first took control with some excellent shot play to win his match 3-0. Gary James at no.1 had a hard fought match and was just pipped in a five game match 3-2. the final score was Wellington 3rd team 14 Wyvern 2nd team 9.

Wellington squash club 2nd team took on Westlands on Monday night. The final result was yet another disappointment for the second team as they narrowly lost 3-2. Mike Broom lost 3-0 as did Phil Hobbs. James Luard secured a good 3-1 win and Phil Griffith won comfortably 3-0. The match rested on the result of Brian Davenport’s game. Brian went 2-0 up narrowly lost the third 8-10 and faded to lose the last two games and go down 2-3. The final match score was Wellington 2nd 8 Westland 13. Next week Wellington are at home to Huish Episcopi.

Wellington squash club 1st team were also playing at home on Monday night against local rivals Wyvern. Charles Chappell started the evening well with a comfortable 3-0 win. Julian Jones however, was not on form and lost 0-3. Mark Harrison was up against it and also lost 0-3 as did Andy Anderson. Rob Watkins playing at no.1 took on the rising star at Wyvern, Luke Bishop. After a close fought first game which Rob won 10-8 the remaining two games went to Rob 9-2,9-3 for a 3-0 win. The match score was Wellington 6 Wyvern 12.