Over 55 Inter County Weekend
Cheshire Over 55s Squash weekend, 3/4th March 2007 at Stourport-on-Severn
TIGER TERRY TERRORISES T’OVER 55s
Terry Norman, that well known Irish leprechaun with a Somerset accent, was the hero of the Cheshire team at the recent inter county over 55 weekend. He won 3 out of 3, including a 3 – 1 victory over a past national champion, Allan Purnell.
Unfortunately, the rest of the team could not muster enough wins to ensure staying in the premier division. The weekend was tough for Cheshire, who took a five man team to Stourport, knowing that they would be facing strong opposition from Sussex, last year’s winner of this competition, Surrey, who won the competition for the previous two years, and hosts Worcester.
Our 1st match against Surrey, resulted in a 2 – 3 loss. Terry won 3 – 0 at number 3 string and Mick Broomhall won 3 - 0 at number 1 against a former England International player. Peter Lee at number 4 lost 1 – 3, whilst Eric Parkin at number 5 and I (at number 2) lost 0 – 3. We gained 7 points to Surrey’s 14. Meanwhile, Sussex beat Worcester 5 – 0 (20 – 4).
The afternoon match against Sussex, also resulted in a 2 – 3 defeat (bummers !!!). Terry and Eric won 3 – 0, Peter lost 0 – 3, I lost 1 – 3 and Mick lost 0 – 3 to Phil Ayton, recently crowned national over 60s champion (he also won the over 55s for the last few years – a bit tasty). Meanwhile Surrey beat Worcester 5 – 0 (20 -3). The afternoon results meant that as long as Surrey or Sussex gained 1 point each against each other on the Sunday match, then Cheshire and Worcester would be relegated.
Our thoughts then turned to devising a plan to scupper the whole Sussex or Surrey team. Our cunning plan was to join the Sussex team for an Indian meal on Saturday evening and ply them with copious amounts of the amber nectar and dodgy curries !! Although there were not many cats and dogs to be seen near the Indian Restaurant, the curries were actually rather pleasant and even Eric went as far as eating a papadom !!!! (He then had an omelet and chips (what a heathen !!)) Our plan to demobilize the Sussex team did not quite work and they were a good set of lads anyway.
Our Sunday morning match was contested just as keenly as the previous matches as neither Worcester nor ourselves wished to win the ‘wooden spoon’. Terry won 3 – 1 against Allan Purnell (making a comeback to squash after a few years break). Eric lost 1 – 3 in a tight match (tight because Eric’s legs refused to move at the appropriate time (nothing to do with the omelet and chips or the 17 pints of Kingfisher the previous evening !). Mick lost 8 – 10 in the 5th to a Welsh international player – a terrific battle, played in a good spirit. 17 pints of Kingfisher for Peter had the reverse affect to Eric and he beat a former national champion 3 – 1. Two events all and on comes the Cheshire captain with a consistent record of results so far. He then ruined the sequence by winning 3 – 2. Cheshire therefore won the match 3 – 2 (17- 10). Meanwhile Sussex beat Surrey 3 – 2 (15 – 8). Overall group winners were Sussex (49), then came Surrey (42), Cheshire (30) and Worcester (17).
I would like to thank all the guys for playing in and supporting the team. Special thanks to Terry for travelling all the way from Somerset and to Peter’s Sue for supporting and photographing the team. As a point of interest, a question was asked at Stourport as to Terry’s eligibility to play for Cheshire. I explained that a few years ago, he hired a barge for a week’s holiday. The barge was moored on the south side of the River Mersey at Runcorn, which is in Cheshire, so therefore he qualifies. I checked this all out with England Squash and received the thumbs up !!!!!
Rod Boswell Cheshire Mens Over 55 coordinator,
PS England Squash have given their moral support to an inaugural over 60s Inter county weekend. Cheshire will be joined by Lancashire, Yorkshire and Merseyside to play at Fairfield Lodge (Ex The Village Prestwich) over the weekend 24/25th March 2007 and play in the same format as current weekends. Cheshire’s squad is Peter Lee, Eric Parkin, Bill Wilson, Geoff Coe, Harvey Purcer and Jonathan Firth (who is slightly under age but can play within the ‘rules’ of the weekend. Although I am of the appropriate age and might sneak into the team, I will be recovering from a hospital operation (brain transplant – but first they have to find my brain !!!). If the weekend is a success, then England Squash will seriously consider introducing a nationwide over 60s event in the near future.
The previous report is below
Report on the Cheshire Men's Over 55s Inter County Weekend held on 25/26 November 2006
The team was competing in the Premier North Division and hoped to finish in the top two positions to qualify for the Championship playoff next March. Unfortunately, we ended 3rd in our division so we will compete in the Premier relegation group next March.
This year's squad included, Mick (two forehands) Broomhall, Andy (new 'kid' on the block) Nickeas, Terry (I qualify for Cheshire - honest - just ignore my Somerset accent) Norman, Eric (The Red) Parkin, Peter (6 heart and knee operations) Lee, Bill (undefeated champion of the over 60s in Hazel Grove) Wilson, and me - Rod (Bad Back) Boswell.
The venue was Manchester Northern and our opponents were Worcester, Yorkshire and Lancashire.
Our 1st match against Worcester was a 3 -2 thrashing in our favour. Mick lost a long, hard 5 setter at number 1, while I was much more sensible and lost comfortably 0 - 3 in a short time at number 2 ! Andy, making his debut in this age group, settled very quickly and won 3 - 1 at number 3. Terry was even more comfortable winning at number 4 by 3 - 0. Eric astounded his opponent, the supporters and himself by winning 3 - 2 in a crazy scoreline of 0 - 9, 9 - 1, 1 - 9, 9 - 1, 9 - 5!!!!!! Meanwhile, Lancs beat Yorkshire 3 - 2, so all very tight.
The second set of matches saw us lose to Yorkshire 2 - 3. This was a disappointing result as we were planning to win !! Hey Ho, the best laid plans etc etc. Mike lost 0 - 3 against a very good player, Andy had a very good 3 - 1 win against a currant over 60s England player at number 2, Terry could not dominate his opponent and was disappointed to lose 1 - 3, a 'fresh' Peter played well and won 3 - 0 at number 4 and Eric lost in a hard fought 2 - 3 battle at number 5. Meanwhile Lancs beat Worcester 4 - 1. This meant that we had to beat Lancs the following day and hope that Yorkshire dropped quite a few points to Worcester.
Lancashire's numbers 1 and 2 were very strong and beat Mick and I 3 - 0. Andy could not find his rhythm of his previous 2 matches and lost 0 - 3. Terry had a tremendous battle but just lost 9 - 10 in the 5th at number 4. Our only winner was Peter at number 5, 3 - 0.
Meanwhile Yorkshire beat Worcester 4 - 1, so Cheshire ended up in 3rd place.
Although we were disappointed with the weekend's results, we still enjoyed the occasion and look forward to March 3/4 for the next battles.
I would like to thank all the guys for playing in and supporting the team. Special thanks to Terry for travelling all the way from Somerset and to Bill for 'running' the administrative part of the weekend. Also thanks to the Northern Club despite an upcock with the buffet on Sunday afternoon !!
Rod Boswell
Cheshire Mens Over 55 coordinator,
The previous report is below
Due
to an influx of talented youngsters (well one actually), Cheshire came 2nd in
their Premier Relegation group and therefore maintain their place in the Premier
Division. A very pleasing outcome.
Our opponents in the group were Warwickshire (the hosts), Surrey and
Middlesex. Surrey were the pre-weekend favourites, having won the Championship
playoffs twice in recent years.
Cheshire's team was affected by a late cry off (an injured knee had not responded quickly enough to treatment), but Ged Illot kindly stepped into the breach. The team was also affected by the introduction of a youth policy ! Mick Broomhall (55 in February and raring to go) came into the age group and played at number 1 string (lucky lad!!). The squad therefore comprised of Mick, me (Rod Boswell), Peter Lee, Eric Parkin, Ged Illot and Bill Wilson.
Our first game was against Surrey and we were only just beaten 3 - 2. However, we gained good points as we all won games even when losing the rubber. Mick had a great win 3 - 2 against an England international having lost the first 2 games. Rod struggled to win 3 - 2. Peter suffered a knee problem during his game which he only just lost 2 - 3. Eric lost 1 - 3 and Ged lost 2 - 3. Meanwhile, Warwickshire beat Middlesex 3 - 2. All very tight.
Our afternoon game was against Warwickshire and Cheshire put out the same players. Tactics came into play here, as although Peter was limping on one leg, out 6th man (Bill 'Evergreen' Wilson), was suffering even more from his own injuries !! However, we won 3 - 2. Mick winning at 1st string (his opponent could not continue after the first game, which Mick won). His injury had nothing whatsoever to do with the 'old knee in the groin' trick during the knock up!!! Rod won 3 - 1, Peter, limping on one leg, lost 0 - 3 against a rather overweight but clever player. Eric played his best game of the weekend to win 3 - 0 and Ged lost 0 -3. Meanwhile, Surrey beat Middlesex 4 - 1, so after two matches, we were in 2nd place by one point.
Our Sunday match, against Middlesex was another tight affair, which we won 3 - 2. Mick lost 2 - 3 to Howard Cherlin, a regular England player and ranked 2/3 in the National Over 55 age group. Mick played so well and nearly came away with a famous victory. Rod won 3 - 0, Peter, still limping on one leg, played with grit and determination to win 3 - 1, Eric lost 0 - 3 in a close game and Ged was given a walkover as Middlesex only had 4 players. Meanwhile, Warwickshire lost 2 - 3 to Surrey, so Surrey won the group (53 pts), we came 2nd (41 pts), Warwickshire came 3rd (30 pts) and Middlesex were 4th with 20 points.
Overall a great result and a very enjoyable weekend. With the prospect of other players being available for November 2006, we look forward to giving our opponents in Premier North a few problems.
I would like to thank all the squad players, not only turning out and playing, but also for their company over the weekend. Mick must be congratulated for taking the pressure of playing at number 1 string and being so successful. Peter has now been ordered to look on Ebay for a new knee, failing that he has promised to get it 'sorted' by November. Eric did not have his most successful weekend, but he always gives his all and got the vital win against Warwickshire. I might add that on Saturday evening, Eric 'forced' us to go for a curry, even though he had egg and chips. We have tried unsuccessfully for a few years to get Eric to partake of Indian food, but his response has always been 'You don't see many cats and dogs near Indian Restaurants !!!!!!). Thanks also to Ged for turning out at the last moment, driving to Coventry and for winning the vital rubber against Middlesex ! Last but by no means least, thanks to non-playing Bill 'Bagman', 'record keeper', 'booker of hotels', 'map generator', 'chief adviser and motivator' Wilson. Although Bill was suffering a number of injuries, he still wanted to support us and would have played in different circumstances. I value his support and will always consider Bill for the team even though he is getting on for 70 (oops sorry, 63 ish).
Many thanks to you all and let's look forward to November.
Rod Boswell
Over 55 captain
The previous report is below
Cheshire O55 were competing in the Premier North group against Yorkshire (the hosts), Worcestershire and Warwickshire.
Although we were not able to take the same squad as in the previous weekend at Nottingham, we took a team of experience, good looks, charming personalities and even had two players under the age of 60 !!!
The team was Eric Parkin, Bill Wilson, Ged Illott, Geoff Coe and myself (Rod Boswell).
Our first match was against a very strong Yorkshire team and although we lost 0 - 5, we picked up some crumbs from Eric's game (1 - 3) and my game (2 - 3). Worcestershire beat Warwickshire 3 - 2.
Our second Saturday game against Warwickshire resulted in a 3 - 2 victory, with Eric winning the decisive final match 3 - 1. Bill and I had already won our matches 3 - 0 & 3 - 1 respectively. Yorkshire beat Worcester 3 - 2.
All was then set up for our final match on Sunday against Worcestershire. Whichever team won the match, then they would go through to the championship play off in March 2006. Bill and I won 3 - 1, but Ged and Geoff lost so it was all down to Eric (again). He went into a 2 - 1 lead against Roy Bradley (an England International in the over 60s age group), but just lost 2 - 3 in a very good match. In no way will we blame Eric for not winning the overall match for us and to show that there were no hard feelings, we even gave him a lift home (well, we could have made him walk !!!!!!!).
Consequently, in March we will have to fight for top place in our mini league to retain our position in Premier North.
Final placings : Yorkshire 55 points
Worcestershire 39 points
Cheshire 27 points
Warwickshire 18 points.
I would like to thank the players for giving their all, especially Geoff who was suffering all weekend with the dreaded lurgi.
Next March, we hope to have the services of Mick Broomhall (youth policy) and we hope that other 'regulars' will be available.
Rod
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