6th February 2014

It was 3 years ago in January 2011 that this fixture was last played - then the GB Vets lost 1/4. With revenge high on the agenda, the GB Vets faced a New Malden team conservatively estimated at nearly half our combined age!

Undaunted we took to the courts with high hopes but with our Nos.2, 3 and 4 - Peter Young, Keith Searle and Roger Sulley - losing 0/3, 1/3, 1/3 respectively our hopes began to fade.

Whilst all games were played in the most friendly but competitive fashion it was left to Nos.1 and 5 to save the ultimate defeat. Mandy Akin at No.1 had a phenomenal match against a very useful, youthful Emma Matthews. Played in the true spirit of the game the match seesawed back and forth with Mandy eventually losing 9/10 in the 4th. Mandy was heard to say afterwards that it was the best GB Vets game she had ever played in.

Last but not least Nigel Belle took on the New Malden Club Manager, Claire Baker who is also a GB Vet. This turned into an exhibition match. Not an exhibition of brilliant squash but of who could make the gallery laugh more! A most enjoyable, amusing match ended with the beautiful, athletic, better squash player Claire winning in 3.

So revenge was bitter not sweet, GB Vets losing 0/5. The evening finished with an excellent curry and friendly banter all washed down with beer and wine and sparkling water for the heroic car drivers!

Nigel Belle

Full results were as follows: