Hythe Cricket & Squash Club
The Grove • Hythe • CT21 6AX
Tel: 01303 267 458
Ramblings by Julian Belcher
(Old) men V Boys. A victory for the Crusty Ones!
Racketball is played by blokes who have not seen their knees when standing up for fifteen years; their hair, having disappeared from the head, now sprouts luxuriantly from ears, eyebrows, and random areas of the back. And they drink beer; there is no room for discussing this; it is a requirement, these heroes of the game schooled by consuming slightly past its best bitter, then driving home along back roads only used by other inebriates coming in the opposite direction; they deserve respect and recognition, they have stayed the course, and they do not need young people reminding them that they may no longer be seen as a good catch by almost anyone.
The first team was in action on Thursday against a highly rated Canterbury side who having swept all before them arrived at The Grove looking very fit and extremely young. There were only two of them, a third was late due to detention at school; (Incorrect: Ed) the final member having cried off because of a homework issue. (This cannot be substantiated and should be ignored: Ed).
Already One nil up due to the walk over Julian took to the court first against his eighteen-year-old, very tall opponent whose total weight must have been less than one of JB’s legs. Surprisingly it started very well for the old boy as he comfortably took the first, then the second, and finally the third game! “I don’t like the taste of beer” said the whippersnapper when offered the traditional remedy for almost anything and had a can of Coke instead.
(Youngsters need to understand that not liking the taste of beer is immaterial to the drinking of it, and it is much worse on the way back!)
Next on the court was Philip, whose shorts were older than his opponent's. Unfortunately, his opponent Josh (Nineteen years old) is an extremely talented player, has a winning smile; and once he realised
that Mr Carter was not going to cause him too much trouble decided to have some fun, and what followed was a lesson in winning graciously, Phil joined in with enthusiasm and over the three games both players enjoyed themselves and entertained the spectators. Three -Nil to Josh, and many
Brownie points to Philip.
The final match featured Rick Roddy, who estimated to be about 78 years old is probably the club's most injured player, he squeezed this match on one of his rare returns from holiday and looked a picture of elegance in his knee-length elastic stockings. Older than his contemporaries (probably 30), his opponent, a hard-hitting southpaw, looked to be an easy winner, Rick did not seem to realise this as he chased and stretched, volleyed and retrieved throughout the first game which he just lost. In the second the action continued with this time Rick winning 13-11. The match seesawed back and forth, over the next three games, until an Exhausted but still smiling Rick just lost a thrilling final game to go down 3.2
So with the benefit of a walkover, and some great play, especially from Mr Roddy, the first team managed to scrape a win.
On the other court, Hythe’s 3rd (Squash) team were entertaining visitors
from Thanet, there was a good crowd of supporters on the balcony and food in the bar. A good night irrespective of who won, and some of us got to drink beer!
20/11/2022
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