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Mojo beats Boges in squash classic
ADMIRALTY: Matt 'Mojo' Feeney has secured the Dragons' inaugural intraclub squash competition with a miraculous comeback 5-set victory against Craig 'Boges' Francis.
Mojo went into the match as a firm favourite but the bookies were being mocked when Bogan got within two points of taking the title, leading two sets to nil and coasting in the decider at 7-3. But this was as close to victory as the Bogan would get, as a never-say-die Feeney rose to an inspirational 6-9, 6-9, 9-1, 9-7, 9-6 win.
The two had met on the squash court several times before and enjoyed a fierce rivalry built on competitive games but it was the Mojo who had always taken final honours. This time it was neutral territory on the HK Squash Centre exhibition court, using the white ball. The collective ears of the sporting world had pricked when Bogan led throughout the first set and closed it clinically with a series of lethal forehand kills and well-placed serves. By the end of the second set, the sporting world had risen to its collective feet as one in amazement when Bogan again dispensed with the desperate Mojo, after adding some deft touch shots to the repertoire.
"I knew then I needed a completely new game plan. I didn't know what was happening and to be honest, thought I was a goner," declared Mojo in post-match interviews.
"I decided to just push deep onto his backhand and try and disrupt Bogan's rhythm because he was just hitting too many winners. The plan worked, thankfully and I clawed my way back," he said.
In spectaular style too. The third set was a complete reversal, with Feeney dictating from the centrecourt T. By the fourth set it was game on again. Both players were locked at 6-6 and a procession of lost service points and lengthy rallies had both players close to the brink. It was Feeney who chipped in with the occasional point to edge to a 9-6 win.
"At the end of the fourth set I was close to collapse. My legs had turned to jelly," said Mojo.
Bogan was similarly stretched and looking for a way to recapture the early form.
"No matter how far ahead of Feeney you get in this game, you just know he is going to make you hunt for the next point. It's like being on an ice-breaker in the Arctic - no matter how much you have behind you, you just have to keep on ploughing through. No matter how far ahead, I never felt it was all over," explained Boges.
The final set was gladiatorial. It was Boges who got the early ascendency, moving quickly to a 3-0 lead. But as was the destiny of this truly epic encounter, scores were eventually tied at 6-6. As exhaustion was replaced by desperation, referee Liddle was called upon to make some telling calls. In a mirror of the fourth set, it was a series of points played out without either player able to add to the scoresheet. But as a battle of guile and power turned into one of attrition, it was the Mojo-man who pounced on the hard-to-find points, to take the set and raise two fists in triumph.
The annals of sport had penned another addition to the genre of 'classic'.
EARLIER COMPETITION REPORTS
The GF build-up -
First Mojo toyed with the Jackal, then Boges deflated the Pres - now a date has been set for what promises to be a huge encounter by two supreme athletes at the Hong Kong Squash Centre on Cottontree Drive, opposite the Peak Tram terminal.
The game will be played on the main tournament exhibition court (one), complete with full spectator grandstands.
All Dragons are urged to watch the Friday night, 7-8pm, January 11 final and enjoy a few beers afterwards. Exact time and location to be announced in next day or so. But keep next Friday free for a bit of sledging and admiring of the last two standing.
2nd semi final
Craig 'Bogan' Francis gave a typically confident President Nathan Byrne a squash lesson in the long-delayed and eagerly awaited second semi final of the 2007 intra-club squash competition. Bogan will now meet Mojo Matt Feeney in a blockbuster Grand Final at the HK Squash Centre early in the new year.
Insiders report to the Firebreather that Sunday's (Dec 23) semi had been preceded by the Prez deriding his opponent's prospects and declaring that, "I am a superstar at this game, a natural talent. I really should have taken it up much earlier."
Bogan promptly issued a reminder that some further honing of those 'natural gifts' was still required, in the form of a 9-2, 9-7, 9-1 victory.
The first set at the Hennessy Rd venue was all one-way traffic, with Bogan using a mix of power and guile to control the match. Byrne declared he was a traditional slow starter but quickly fell to a 7-0 deficit in the second set. Bogan, lacking the killer instinct, let Byrne creep back to 7-7 but was stirred into action by some untimely Presidential sledging. 9-7.
The final set almost saw the Prez 'pantsed' but at 8-0 he claimed a point. The game was over in 38 minutes.
A crowd is urged to get behind the two finalists. Feeney will enter the final as a firm favourite, having posted several 3-2 and similarly close victories over Bogan in recent years. But a tough contest is guaranteed and an upset well within the underdog's capability.
1st semi final
Mojo Feeney dispensed with the less experienced The Jackal in a 9-2, 9-0, 9-0 caning on Friday (June 15). Byrnes-eye and the Bogan will now play a much-anticipated semi final in order to meet Feeney in the blockbuster grand final at a date TBA.
A brave Jackal painted a rosier picture than the scoreline might have suggested.
"It took me a while to get the hang of what he was doing by getting back to the middle but I reckon next time it might be a different story," said The Jackal, sounding every bit the New South Welshman.
"Next time?," was the only response of Feeney.
Scroll down for the full draw and results
Feeney brushes aside Rigger
In a surprisingly one-sided affair, arch-rivals 'Mojo' Feeney and Riggsy clashed in their quarterfinal, with Feeney goi8ng through in straight sets.
Despite what he claims are two crippling, geriatric, artrtic knees, Feeney managed to call on the Anzac spirit to fight off Riggsy 9-5, 9-6, 9-7.
Speaking from his surgeon's office (seriously) the day after the clash, Feeney was at his nonchalant best in describing the eagerly-anticipated clash.
"It was nothing really. Just Riggsy. Looking forward to the Grand Final in late May."
Feeney is expected to meet token resistance in the semi against the Jackal. Falcon 500 Mallia and Byrnes-eye will meet very soon in a quarterfinal for the right to meet Bogan for the other grand final slot.
Bogan into last four
In a workmanlike performance, Bogan dispensed with the worthy challenge of the M-Rad in three hard-fought sets, 9-6, 9-3, 9-7.
Staged at the Java Rd Markets court, the two long-time squash adversaries went toe-to-toe to 6-6 before some deft touch from Boges broke the stalemate with three straight points. The second set saw Boges at his efficient best, before Mrad put in a desperate effort before going down 9-7 in the last.
Next games
Riggsy and Feeney are due to meet this week, pending Feeney passing a fitness test on his ageing knees. Byrnes-eye the Giant slayer meets Long-Shot Long-Hair. The two winners will meet Jackal and Bogan in the semi finals. Please arrange games ASAP.
The draw progress thus far:
R1 ................. Quarters ............. Semis...................GF
Shannon v
Feeney .......Feeney v ..............Feeney
Riggsy ...........Riggsy
Mitch v ..FEENEY..
x ....................Jackal v..................Jackal
x ....................Merrett
Liddle
Byrnesy v .......Byrnes v
.............Byrnes
Mals v ...............Taity
Taity .............
Duffy v
Boges .............Boges v ............ Bogan
Mrad v ..............Mrad
Doddsy
Earlier Results
Sam M-Rad eeked out a three set thriller against a brave Doddsy to move into the next round.
Sambo, one of the expected hotshots, relied on all his power and touch to beat Doddsy 9-6, 7-9, 10-8, despite the latter not having played the game for four years.
Feeney, the pre-tournament favourite is now in doubt following a double arthroscopy, although he is still going to take on his nemesis Riggsy in their quarter final clash.
In a massive boilover, the unheralded Byrnes-eye has dumped one of the pre-tournament favourites, Jamie Liddle, from the Dragons squash comp. In a see-sawing five-setter, it was the president who humbled his more decorated opponent. The Pres will now meet the winner of this week's Mrad-Doddsy match, while Liddle will be left in front of the mirror, taking a good, long hard look at himself.
Squash gun Riggsy outpointed novice Mitch in a mismatch but still didn't talk to his opponent until he had secured the three-set to nil victory. Then it was all nice and convivial. He is a player to watch in this tournament. But a final within a final now looms as two giants of the court and arch-rivals meet in round two, Feeney and Riggsy.
The Jackal became the first player to reach the semi finals with a 3-0 victory over Graham Merrett. While one of the sets went to a tie break (10-8), it was the Lethal Leb that had all the answers.
So keep the fixtures rolling. The President has suggested a mighty piss-up and spectator turn-out on the night of the Grand Final
Rules
The two finalists will play five games (max) in this knockout comp. Court availablity in HK is usually not a problem, with courts located opposite the Peak Tram (HK Squash Centre), in Victoria Park, North Point (Electric Rd), Happy Valley and many other locations.
It's a good chance for a bit of hit and run with your teammates and a few beers during a post-match analysis afterwards. Email your results to media@hk-dragons.com
Befitting a club of our historical stature, games will be played in the old fashioned format of first to nine points, with points only earned while serving. Best of five sets, unless both competitors agree that a serious risk of heart attack exists.
An early market was framed pre-tournament by our resident bookie of those who have so far signed up. And it went a little something like this:
Feeney - Evens
Riggsy - 2:1
Bogan - 4:1
Mrad - 8:1
Jamie - 10:1
Mitch 13:1
Byrneseye - 15:1
Duffy - 25:1
Shannon - 33:1
Doddsey - 50:1
Longhair - 50:1
The Jackal - 66:1
Taity - 66:1
'Max' Merrett - 100:1
150:1 and upwards - All others
Get those emails in ASAP to media@hk-dragons.com
It doesn't matter what your playing ability is or whether you use a wooden or graphite racket, the aim is to get the boys a bit fit, mixing more and building some teamwork and Krakouer Brother-like understanding.
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