THE Palm Court Men’s Squash Club grand finalists were determined following an exciting round of play-offs.
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A Superior Limousines started strongly with line 2’s Travers Goldie dominating the court and leaving very little opportunity for Geoff Chessells to convert his efforts to points.
Tenacity in the third yielded results for Chessells as onlookers anticipated a five-set thriller.
However, Goldie returned to the court with a renewed focus and finished the challenge in a tight fourth.
The ever-improving Peter Lavelle showed real determination against line 1 rival Steve Binstadt and snapped up an early game before Binstadt managed to balance the score sheet for Skirmish Down Under with a 3-1 win.
Captain Leo Markum had a shaky start against Matt Edwards and found himself down by two, despite a courageous effort in a long second set.
Fixated with the finals in mind, Markum returned to the court and powered his way through the third before an equally-enthusiastic Edwards closed the door in four.
Despite the gravity of the line 4 game between Skirmish skipper Trevor Long and Tony Kubus, good sportsmanship took hold early on and their exuberance escalated into a trading of trick shots that then manifested into an all-out five-set circus.
The pair traded games right up to the fifth, and in spite of a win by Kubus in the last, Long’s two sets put Skirmish through to the grand final against Lake Road Pharmacy.
Last-placed Port Macquarie Tree Service managed to climb the lower ladder and secure a spot in the Plate decider after a win over Peter Castles Landscaping and an equally-impressive victory against SSS BBQ Barn.
Competition front-runner Mark Shoesmith set a blistering pace from the moment he stepped onto the court and quickly disposed of Peter Lavelle, bravely subbing for absent Nick Neville, in three games.
Line 2’s Noel Byrne began slowly for the tree loppers and surrendered the first in a marathon against the BBQ’s Jeff Sherlock.
With some Mick Bulmer WC wisdom and enough Dencorub to kick start a Kombi, a rejuvenated Byrne returned to the court and results were instantaneous as he pedalled his way through the next three games.
Sherlock’s eyes and nose are expected to make a full recovery, however Byrne may never recover mentholly.
Motivational Bulmer backed up his moving words with an even more potent display on court as he dismantled Les Prentice in three to give the log rollers a narrow lead with one match in hand.
Captain Ross Gwatkin could do little as captain Glenn Sawtell finalised Port Macquarie Tree Service’s position against Complete Computer Care for the Plate with a 3- victory.
An invitation is extended to the many retired Palm Court squash players to attend tonight’s grand final, including Karl Shaw, Glenn Grainger, Stretch Heydon, Neil Gavin, John Howarth, Peter Cook, Gary Kelly, Gary de Ruiter, Gary Bannister, Mark Bannister, Col Davis, Lloyd Eyles, Dave Mitchell, Mark Parsons, Alan Auswild, Brad Foster, Eric Porter, Tony Richmond, Bob Counsell, Les Blair, Steve Matheson, Graham Linn, Wayne Castles, Noel Warren, Les Kahler, John Dawson, Phil Vlores, Luke Ottaway, Rod Thompson, Peter Gleeson, Tony McNeill, Karl Schmutter, Les Murphy, Henry Gontar, Ross Berry, Keith Charles, Scott Garrett, Peter Turner, Scott Chapple, Ian Falson. Paul Woolner, Chris Woolner, Martin Wallis, Steve Finlay, Rod Myhill, Peter Groth, Bram Carey, Grant Richmond, Andrew Richmond and Chris Cubbins.