DEFAITE OU VICTOIRE, ZAT IZ ZE QUESTION ? THE DOUBLE CR

For lack of time (I’m a busy auditor at the moment), I have decided to write the following “CR” in English. For those who don’t understand, I can probably tell that I don’t give a “fcuk” because you won’t comprehend (or maybe you will if I use those kind of words that we English often “borrow” from your beautiful language).

Good news or bad news first?

Most people like the bad news first so that they finish on a high note hence:

BAD NEWS: we lost to our great rivals STADE FRANCAIS 1-4 (match on 27.11). But the scoreline does not really tell the whole story.

Joel sets off the evening’s events with his match against our anglo-australien friend Andrew and he loses 3-0. No humiliation but it was a logical result given the talent of the young red head who, to Stade’s great disappointment, is leaving gay Paris to go to Egham (have a look on the UK map if you’re interested).

Joe has a tough battle with Lombardo the tennis man. He loses 3-2. He also loses his nerve in the 5th as too often is the case (see below). A match that went to the man who was able to focus in the final game and make as few errors as possible. Disappointing to say the least.

Laurent (playing at no 5) was up against Anthony. Laurent battled hard and played well but eventually the precision and power in Anthony’s game proved too much (1-3).

Night Fever was looking pretty hot and floating like a butterfly in the first couple of games against Coquelet who was "supposed" to be coming back from injury. He goes 2-0 up and looks to be cruising. But Coquelet pulls the rabbit out of the hat in the third and fourth and produces some solid squash to gain the psychological edge. Fever’s engine overheated in the fifth and he was not dancing any more like the Travolta we know and love. A big shame but hats off to Coq a doodaloo.

Final match up – Diego against a half fit Thierry. Diego produced some consistent squash which was enough to put off the Stade “coach come stringer” who was clearly not at his best. Bravo to Diego who is really proving his worth. (3-0...but maybe 3-1....can't remember)

So, without further ado, here’s the good news: WE BEAT CHAVILLE LAST NIGHT (4-1)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A victory was the only way forward and that’s what the SCALP produced.
The soirée kicked off in great fashion with our man Trapp beating Didier Verut (3-2). Trapp was up against it in the first game and knew he was in for a real fight. His strategy was not well adapted in the first few games (too many boasts and lose shots and trying to finish off the rally too soon) which meant that Trapp found himself 2-1 down. But great determination and a more intelligent game proved to be successful and a very focussed and impressive 5th game followed. Excellent stuff!

Hamery, clearly confident following Olivier’s victory, showed Fabrice Meunier what squash was all about in taking no time at all to dispatch his opponent in three (well constested) games. Impressive stuff from Laurent who showed his great movement and ability to retrieve the ball from pretty much anywhere on the court. Well done, Laurent.

Fraser followed on feeling in good form and showed his opponent (Julien Grisecin) that he was in no mood for messing about (taking a 9-3 lead in the first). But a lack of composure and imprecision let his opponent back in. To Joe’s relief, he closed out the game with a nice drop (1-0). Unfortunately, as too often this season, Joe seems to let his mind wonder off to another planet and changes his pace and attitude and goes 2-1 down. Some determination and good boasting puts him back into contention (2-2) but a terrible performance in the 5th lets himself and the team down. Lets just say my racket suffered the consequences and GO Sport or Decathlon are now Joe’s next destination. Poor display from the captain.

Vincent produced a solid display against Fabien Zarka to win 3-1 (I missed the match but it sounded like the match was well controlled and that Vincent rarely felt in trouble). Good result.

Diego had his easiest match of the season (on paper anyway) against Alain Ferrard. Again, didn’t see the match but the result (3-1) was logical. The match was already won but we needed the points so congrats to Algarra for boosting the victory margin.

A GREAT RESULT FROM SCALP WHICH PUTS US BACK IN CONTENTION FOR THE BARRAGES….

RDV SEMAINE PROCHAINE V. US CRETEIL CHEZ EUX

VIVE LE SCALP!