3 Squash

Captain: P. M. Allan

First Team: An eventful season, with matches in many cases being decided only by the last man on court, contained many fine individual performances. Only rarely, however, did all the team hit their best form together, so that the results were somewhat varied. Peter Allan completed his third season at first string, managing to stay more injury-free than usual. His best performances were often in defeat, although he had excellent wins against some good players, notably at Oakham, on tour, and against Worksop from what looked like a lost position. He has been a popular and successful team member and captain, often showing great determination in achieving wins from well behind the opponent's score. Dominic Clavell played a very orthodox game with increasing authority at second string. Although he still finds it difficult to vary his game without making errors he is beginning to play with more tactical awareness, and is making his opponents move round the court more. Nigel Muirhead also became able to pace himself and the ball rather better, and often gained success by slowing the game down, as well as by hitting hard and rushing his opponents into error. His retrieving powers continue to improve, and occasionally he seemed to surprise himself by the shots he was able to get up. Tom White, although slower round the court than the others, improved his stamina considerably as the season progressed. He showed excellent touch, and increasingly a good grasp of the best tactics for his game. His control and accuracy can make opponents work really hard to reach the ball, and he often frustrated hard-hitting opponents. Adam Atkinson played eighteen times for the team, without ever quite seeming to be "at home" on the court, until towards the end of the season, when his fighting performance at Durham clinched the match 3-2. He has a good range of backhand shots, and is very fit and determined, to which he can add confidence and an awareness of the opponent's positions and tactics. James Kelsey and Jonathan Stubbs both played in ten matches. At his best James played very efficiently indeed, but his season was spoiled by injury. Jonathan was an everwilling and very successful reserve, winning seven of his ten matches, and contributing so much energy and enthusiasm that he was an integral member of the squad of seven. Matches were played for the first time this season against Oakham, Uppingham and Trent, on a strenuous half-term tour, with Mr. Stephen as driver, coach and chaperone. As well as being enjoyable in itself, the season should have given the six players returning next year valuable experience in their quest for future success.

First Team Results: School Matches - Won 12, Lost 10 Other Matches - Won 1, Lost 1

Team: P. M. Allan* D. M. J. Clavell* N. J. Muirhead* T. B. White* J. M. Kelsey, R. A. R. Atkinson, J. D. Stubbs, *Colours.