Wednesday night’s semi-finals were quick contests with players dominating early and determined to finish quickly. Both winning teams did so with comfort on the scoreboard, but it was definitely a real struggle on the court.

There were no five-gamers, but many enduring rallies. The Acret brothers, Regan and Brodie, each won their matches but as they were on opposite sides they nullified each other.

Sharon Moon deservedly took a game of Graham ‘Bandages‘ Coombs, while Rachel Parsons struggled with Andy Cogswell’s reach at first, but then darted around his arms to play tight winners.

Brad Bainbridge was on form, as were Warren Baxter and Isaac Nash. Phyllis Miller got one over the young runners, but unfortunately Phil Clarke was unable to attend, handing a win to Danny Bilsborough.

The 5 vs 6 teams matches had a few highlights, notably Jake Smith just scrapping past James Parsons on three very close games, Brodie Acret throwing Patrick Cormie off his stride to win their match.

Team results were:

Wednesday comp:

D Bilsborough’s (26) d Clarke’s (16). Scores were: D Bilsborough v P Clarke – no game, A Barnard d T Taylor 3-0, S Grallelis d B Thomas 3-0, W Glasson lost to S Bayley 0-3, P Miller d J Dukes 3-0, C Dukes lost to R Acret 0-3, B Acret d sub (I Nash) 3-0.

Allegri’s (33) d Dwyer’s (16). Scores were: B Allegri d S Dwyer 3-0, S Moon d G Coombs 3-1, C Allegri lost to B Bainbridge 1-3, A Cogswell lost to R Parsons 1-3, C Davies d K Acret 3-0, W Baxter d B Thomas 3-0, I Nash d R Glasson 3-0.

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Thursday’s match results were those of one dominant team in each contest. There was some resistance shown by members on the losing teams, but the winning team members were focused on winning.

Lindell Cooper-Rayamajhi and Dan Ruhmann set the tone for the night with their five-gamer. Dan had the early running to win the first two games. But Lindell has shown a real aptitude to read her opponents game and strike swiftly and deliberately.

The last three games were all Lindell’s as she played Dan all around the court, running him ragged.

Alex Cowhan had a pain in her side all night – that is, Simon Pain. They swapped the first four games with the same number of points. Each time Alex had a winner, Simon leaped in with either a great shot, an assist off the racquet frame, or good luck.

The final game was all Simon’s, as Alex seemingly had no answer and no breath left.

Sam Hornery subbed in against Simon Bayley to also produce a five-gamer.

Sam hijacked the first game, but then Simon found his form and took the next two.

A slight case of nerves by Simon gifted Sam some easy points, and he willingly took the game.

The final game saw Sam dominate throughout, with Simon unable to read the game or do anything right. But he threw himself into every rally with gusto.

Mark Webb used his guile to outclass Marty Toohey, often holding his shot, hiding the ball and sending Marty in the wrong direction. The scores in each game were tight, but Mark always seemed to play the winner at the correct moment.

Experience proved the hallmark as both Peter Cowhan and Graham Coombs overcame their youthful opponents. Sandy Paterson had the juice on Izzy Cowhan to join the winners circle, as did Louise Webb with her win over Ellie Cowhan.

Steve Betland has everybody on the bottom lines so scared that they do not turn up to contest against him. He had an armchair ride to the finals.

Maree Westcott and John Slaven produced the better of the games between the 5th and 6th teams. This was a 5-gamer that pitted John’s deft touch and anticipation against Maree’s power and court coverage. A fine result for Maree to win 3-2.

Thursday results:

Deardon’s (39) d Smart’s (17). Scores were: S Deardon d R Smart 3-0, D Bayley d D Clarke 3-1, I Cowhan lost to S Paterson 1-3, C McQuie d K Cormie 3-0, S Pain d A Cowhan 3-2, S Hornery d T Mackay 3-0, L Webb d E Cowhan 3-0, L Cooper-Rayamajhi d D Ruhmann 3-2.

Dawes’ (34) d King’s (21). Scores were: O Dawes d R King 3-1, D Haynes lost to sub (P Cowhan) 1-3, M Webb d M Toohey 3-1G Coombs d D Bentick 3-1, sub (S Hornery) d S Bayley 3-2, L Cowhan lost to D Tilley 0-3, sub (S Betland) by default, S Betland d S Tobin 3-0.

The finals were held on Friday night and attracted a good crowd of spectators and supporters. The Wednesday comp saw Allegri’s v D Bilsborough’s, while the Thursday comp had Dawes’ v Deardon’s.

Both matches produced nail-biting and edge-seating results.

The Wednesday comp final went down to the wire. Allegri’s had an early lead with wins to Warren Baxter and Andy Cogswell, but these were counter-balanced by wins to Phyllis Miller and Brodie Acret for Danny’s team.

Andy Barnard had all the power and running to close down Sharon Moon’s game of angles and soft touch.

Alex Cowhan subbed in for Steve Grallelis against Chris Allegri in a battling five-gamer. Chris won the first two games in a very close points encounter, the first going to 17-15.

Alex showed the ability to apply pressure and pinned Chris at the back of the court to win the next two games with ease. The final game was a show of determination, pressure and point-for-point rallying. Eventually Chris held out to record a close win and valuable points.

Danny Bilsborough needed two games from Stuart Deardon to assure victory, and both players knew it. Neither player was willing to give any point away easily. Stuie won the first two games, but the points belie the effort that Danny put in. Danny got the third game with some touch play and some powerful shots that bamboozled Stuie.

Undaunted, Stuie regrouped and played immaculate squash to tie Danny up, win the game and take the match

There were no five-gamers in the Thursday comp final, but the tension was still there. Steve Betland was a corner-stone for the Dawes team.

He showed no mercy to control the play and win 3-0 against the dangerous Lindell Cooper-Rayamajhi, then he subbed up and won 3-1 against Louise Webb.

For Deardon’s, Sam Hornery was too good against Lindy Cowhan, but Simon Pain had no answer to Harry Callaghan’s running play. Two of their games went beyond 14-all, but Harry always had the win.

Chris McQuie fought back for Deardon’s with a classic 3-0 win over Graham Coombs.

Izzy Cowhan pulled the surprises on Mark Webb and caught him napping in the first two games. Mark took the third in a close contest, but Izzy had all the shots to win the fourth, and the match.

At three rubbers each, Daniel Bayley had every incentive to not drop a game against Dennis Haynes. He was focused at the outset and never gave Dennis a chance. Dennis edged back in the latter games, but Daniel had his 3-0 win.

Ollie knew he had to win in three, and win easily against Stuart Deardon.

This was Ollie at his best as he pushed, drove, dropped and lobbed Stuart without mercy. A good 3-0 win to Ollie.

The final say was in the hands of the scorers. At four rubbers each, and 28 set points each, it came to a count back. Furious calculating and re-checking resulted in Dawes being declared victors with 328 points over Deardon’s 324.

How important were Louise Webb’s and Mark Webb’s single games on opposite teams.

Results were:

Wednesday comp final:

Allegri’s (25) d D Bilsborough’s (24). Scores were: B Allegri d D Bilsborough 3-1, S Moon lost to A Barnard 0-3, C Allegri d sub (A Cowhan) 3-2, A Cogswell d W Glasson 3-0, C Davies lost to P Miller 1-3, W Baxter d C Dukes 3-0, I Nash lost to B Acret 0-3.

Thursday comp final:

Dawes’ (28) d Deardon’s (28). Scores were: O Dawes d S Deardon 3-0, D Haynes lost to D Bayley 0-3, M Webb lost to I Cowhan 1-3G Coombs lost to C McQuie 0-3, H Callaghan d S Pain 3-0, L Cowhan lost to S Hornery 0-3, sub (S Betland) d L Webb 3-1, S Betland d L Cooper-Rayamajhi 3-0.

The short comp commences on November 6, with a grading night being held on Thursday, October 30, starting at 6pm.

Players returning from a break, and new players wanting to join the comp are requested to attend the grading. Those wanting to play in the comp are requested to get your nomination into the club or to the committee – G Dempsey 0404-007-644, G Coombs 0437-522-808, or S Grallelis 6851-5293 before Friday, October 31.

The short comp is short and sweet, with all that effort really building up a thirst. ‘Catch ya’ on the court.