A difficult season
First Team
After a difficult season in Division1 the First Team finished the season in 7th position. Although they only picked up one win in their last 6 matches they did pick up valuable points which ensured they didn’t finish bottom of what turned out be a very high quality league. Struggling for most of the season without last year’s number 1 & captain Chris Gibbons and for the second half of the season without stand in number Richard Speed it was a testament to the way the rest of the team and the players moving up played. The victory came against Nottingham University 2nd’s with Richard Wilson who played up from the Third Team, Chris Gibbons & Paul Burrell winning their respective matches. In the overall rankings for the season Paul Burrell finished a very respectable 13th.
Second Team
Finding themselves in the position of having to win their last match of the season not to finish bottom of Division 2 the Second Team produced their best performance of the season beating Whitaker Nomads Mansfield 2’nds 3-2, a result which probably dashed any hopes they had of promotion. Captain Paul Drury playing only his third game of the season along with Andy Sayers & Christian Cardenas ensured the team finished on a high. Their season has also been blighted by injuries and the unavailability of players due to work commitments but on a positive note they are still involved in the County Cup with a quarter final against Grantham 3 to look forward to. In the individual rankings Andy Sayers finished highest in 18th place.
Third Team
In Division 3 the Third Team finished in a comfortable 7th place, this is despite only winning one their last 6 matches. That came against Nottingham University 3 with Ben Taylor and Tom & Paul Breffitt winning their matches. The team consist of a number of youngsters who will have gained invaluable experience which will stand them in good stead for next year. Tom Breffitt finished a very creditable forth in the overall rankings and like the Second Team are still involved in the County Cup.
Forth Team
It turned out to be a heart breaking end to the season for the Forth Team in Division 5 where the team had to forfeit a match over a court booking error and along with Rushcliffe 6th Team picking up maximum points in their last two matches meant they were pipped to the runners up slot. Prior to that they had been enjoying a very successful season with a team which was mainly made up of new comers recruited via club night and club members how were looking for a first opportunity at team squash. A number of them have played for the Second & Third Teams this season and they are sure to push on next year from the experience. Adam Whitney finished a very highly respectable 6th in the overall rankings.
Ladies Team
For the first time in many years the Grove Squash Club Ladies have got a team together and have a match organised next month against Nottingham. The ladies section has only been going for just over a year and meet every Wednesday for training and matches. They currently have around 15 members who have joined the club and are enjoying the squash and social side immensely.