Remininisces of squash in the garden city

Hayley

Enjoyed your post about your recent experiences squashing in the canterbury province.

Shame there was no doubles as clearly you and Helen are a formidable force on the road.

I'm not really one to live on past glories but I played in an Open tournament at the christchurch club in the season of 2002 (The only reason I remember the year was that we were in chch for my lovely grandmother Beryl's ninetieth and Marieke was in foal with Annabel).

I struggled first up, arriving in a poor mindset, and was out played by a youngster with promise from mt pleasant. rounds 2 & 3 weren't memorable although one of the matches was transferred to the chch rugby club's courts and i did enough to scrape a couple of wins.

The plate final was an interesting match-up against a former radio talk-back-jock who some of you might be old enough to remember in george balani. I was useless, as the cagey balani artfully maneuvered me around the court with his touch game. Helped by the presence of my brother in the gallery i gradually wore my more experienced opponent down winning in four or five games.

For some reason i remember being mightily relieved afterwards at getting over the line.

I think Charlie Mayhew won the men's open title but the player who left an indelible impression on me was a wily, veteran (with a john mcenroe like headband) come coach by the name of Hayes.

Can't remember what was in the prize pool and no bbq's or fire alarms.


NB: balani's daughter was one of the top players for her gender in italy at the time.