Fighting back jet lag!

Posted 12:24 17 February 2010 in Tournaments

 

Fighting back jet lag! – Chris Fullers Professional Squash Blog

 

 

 

Having not got back to England till 11.30am on Saturday having been travelling for close to 20 hours, the last thing I wanted to do was play in the Northants County Closed that weekend, but that’s exactly what I did. With £100 up for grabs for the winner and my current financial situation not looking the best it was one of those many things that although not wanting to do it I had to!

 

 

 

Northants squash has not been the strongest now for a long time but under the instruction of Sam Willis it seems to be improving - the number of entrants for the tournament was up and it was an enjoyable weekend as well as successful! Although horrendously tired I managed to get through and win without falling asleep on court! At tournaments like this although being really nice to be the number 1 seed it does come with its cost and at this tournament this was the juniors! It was really great to see some enthusiastic juniors back at Northants County squash but keeping up with their energy in ¾ court was not easy!!

 

 

 

Following the weekend a restful Monday was needed and was thankfully received before back to the hard grind on Tuesday! I had never been picked before for the Duffield PSL team so was delighted but also nervous when I got the call up last week. My nerves were increased when I found out I was playing at number 3 rather than the 4 I had thought and also that I was playing my brothers team Nottingham, where I train a lot.

 

 

 

Unsurprisingly I was introduced onto court as somewhat of a traitor but luckily I wasn’t playing my brother who was playing at number 4. In PSL matches there are 4 mens matches and a ladies match unlike in most leagues where there are just mens matches. Being number 3 I was on the show court in front a capacity crowd first up against a good friend and training partner Eddie Charlton. Having played Eddie often I knew what to expect and having beaten him once before I knew I stood a chance but also knew that if he played as well as he has been recently it was going to be very tough.

 

 

 

I rarely play in front of big crowds but enjoy doing so and started of very well. It was evident that he was feeling the pressure a bit playing at home against a younger opponent who he should beat and I won a close first game putting away a couple of pleasing winners towards the end.

 

 

 

Eddie came out very strongly in the second though and started doing what he does well, controlling the T and making me do the running! I kept with him for much of the game before he just pulled away towards the end. This was much the story of the next two games as well and after just over an hour I had lost a close (hopefully entertaining) match 3-1.

 

 

 

My team also went on to lose 3-2 (my brother won for Nottingham (I remained impartial throughout)) my Mum was left pleased that one of her sons won and I had a great meal afterwards!

 

 

 

With my car in the garage and playing in Halifax in Yorkshire league tomorrow I got a lift with my girlfriend to Leeds where she is at University arriving just after 1am ready, after a quick sleep (she had an exam at 9am) to do it all again!