EPCC Squash: Match Report

Wild Cats, 14th February 1997

Match Report provided by: TZ

Score: EPCC 17 - Wild Cats 3

Team:

• Alistair (JR) Ewing (3-0)
• Thomas (Why me?) Zurek (3-0)
• Vivek (The Gent) Gore (2-3)
• Ana (Goldie) Goldenberg (3-0)
• Gordon (Bananaman) Lang(3-0)

After last week's first defeat for over 8 months the EPCC/DCS team was highly motivated. What a better opposition to make up for last week's shame than Wild Cats, a team who beat us twice last year. Rumours around the captain's "fading morale" and team members' romantic Valentine's Day commitment's were soon disposed: EPCC/DCS showed up with 7 confident players - just to be on the safe side - and there were no further discussions about the order of play this time.

• First up was Why Me, facing the opponent that provided the worst experience of his short squash career when defeating him in last year's division 5 match by 2:3 after having lead by 2:0 sets and holding a match point in the third. This time, things started the same: a quick 2-sets-lead was followed by some dodgy "play-around" at the beginning of the third. But this was the only weakness in a robust overall performance that saw Why me clearing up in straight sets.
• Meanwhile, somewhere on the other court, the Bananaman showed another strong performance and made it two straight sets wins in a row. The team can now rely on strong competitors on the lower part of the team's rankings.
• Goldie, still unbeaten this season, kept a strong grip on Wild Cat's number 4. An intelligent choice of shots and superior physical fitness never allowed her opponent to get on firm ground. Enthusiastic spectators saw her through in a clear 3:0 win and consequently the team grasping victory.
• The team had already secured victory but the captain was boiling and eager to make up for last week's turmoil. Anything else but a 3:0 would have left severe scars on his sensible squash soul. JR revived his killer instinct and blew his opponent over the court. There were no signs of bad memories (as fas as I remember he lost 0:3 against the same opponent in last year's summer cup) just pure determination and iron strokes.
• Finally, it was the Gent's turn. Quickly 2:0 up with the team's win already secured he suddenly got into trouble and saw his early advantage fading away. One has to pay respect to his opponent who played well and showed fighting spirit. Therefore, this defeat shouldn't harm the Gent's confidence for the oncoming clashes. After all, he lost 2:3, reducing EPCC/DCS' harvest from 18 to 17 points, thus nothing on which one should spend much thought.

Player of the Match Award: I don't know. A spontaneous lottery made the award going to the Bananaman - certainly a deserved winner.