In the last match of their season, the London CSSC squash team took on the Veterans Squash Rackets Club of Great Britain. This is always a close fixture and the latest match was no different. CSSC got off to an excellent start with numbers 1 and 2 both getting victories. Tim Burrell playing at number 1 against Dermot Hurford struggled at first but soon found his range after losing the first game, eventually taking the match 3-1.
Mark Banks had no such problems with his range and battled to a 3-0 victory. Next on were George Ozlins and Tom Lantree. George, at number 5 looked out of sorts and struggled in a 3-0 loss. Tom, called up at the last minute to stand in for an injured player had to play with his ‘not so great’ trainers and racket, but it didn’t seem to be affecting his form. This match was a brutal encounter with lots of running (particularly from Tom, CSSC) and excellent shots (particularly from Paul, GB vets).
The CSSC team beginning to show their youthful inexperience against the ‘old heads’ of the GB Vets - Paul from GB Vets won the encounter 3-1. The match was finely poised at 2-2 as skipper James Partington took to the court against GB Vets stalwart Dilwyn Rosser. Who would win out – youth or experience? Early on it looked like youth would win the day as James took the first game and went into a commanding lead in the 2nd. Then Dilwyn began his fightback using all corners of the court and clever deception to level the game. This continued in the 3rd as Dilwyn took a 2-1 lead. In the 4th it looked like youth would stage a comeback as James rushed into an early lead.
Unfortunately for the CSSC team it was not to be and GB vets won the tie 3-1 to take the match 3-2.
After the match we enjoyed the excellent hospitality of the GB team.
Tim Burrell bt Dermot Hurford 3-1
Mark Bangs bt Peter Culver 3-0
James Partington lt Dilwyn Rosser 1-3
Tom Lantree lt Paul Robson 1-3
George Ozling lt Phil O’Malley 0-3
