The reason for the caption, comes last. First, the 'B'ombers landed at CSC to a friendly welcome by the gracious CSC hosts.

A very relaxed atmosphere pervaded the event and it began with no incidents but with plenty of excitement as the battles progressed and it started innocuously enough with the respective No. 1s and 2's taking to court simultaneously.

Vernon vs. Venom (home team first)

It was former national vs. current national as CSC's Vernon Teo took on young 'B'omber, Ben Chan. Vernon Teo was one of Singapore's top national players in the early nineties and was known for his thinking game and pin-point boasts. That he hardly played any of those dangerous boasts, is testimony to the fast pace which Ben forced. Vernon showed glimpses of his former magic in wisely trying to slow down the match with unhurried lobs and boasts. But the fitness and speed of the younger 'B'omber were too telling and increasingly hitting returns with venom, the outcome became more obvious as the match wore on with young Ben comfortably closing out a 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-3) win over the sporting and talented Vernon, now the elder statesman who jokingly said, "Now I know how it feels for the older players 20 years ago." Indeed, Vernon. Welcome to life in the 'farce' lane.

Middle Age vs. Old Age

It was a sense of deja vu for the older 'B'omber when he took to court against an 'old' adversary, Alan Wong, nearly two decades younger. The last time the pair crossed paths was about 15 years ago when the younger man was in the army representing SAFSA. Not quite carrying the lithe figure he did when in the army, Alan (a south-paw) still showed nice touches up front, but was slowed down by a bigger frame. Michael was able to dictate most of the proceedings with better placements (spiced up with a couple of top spins which had the CSC player occasionally stranded at the 'T') and a faster pace which forced the CSC player to often just miss or was late or forced into playing loose returns. Leading comfortably by 2 sets and 8-4 in the 3rd, Michael then seized up and the younger man was quick to capitalise in wresting one back to force a 4th. But the twists and turns from attempting to return Michael's sudden flicks and high risk shots (which paid off), took their toll on Alan and the latter had to surrender the match when Michael tucked away a snap forehand return to the front on the right. 3-1 (11-6, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7) to UCSC

'C'SC vs. U'C'SC (emphasis on 'C')

It was an excellent and sporting battle between two Determined C's, always healthy for the sport. CSC's Pang Hian Tee, the older of the two competing squashers, belied that age handicap with a display of dexterity early on in the match against UCSC's 'returning son', Daryl Kam. It was point for point till 7-7 in the first set when Hian Tee turned up the heat with penetrating cross court drives with nary a back-lift, such powerful wrists that he (Hian Tee) possessed. Then it was 4 quick points to wrap up th first set for the CSC squasher. In the second set, Daryl picked up the pace and looked to be cruising with a 8-4 lead (and this scoreline will have additional special significance again). Then Hian Tee turned up the heat again and clawed back to 7-8 before Daryl mustered the determination to even proceedings with a 11-8 win. In the third set, it was point for point until 5-5 when Daryl enjoyed a good spell to surge ahead 8-5 before it was again Hian Tee's turn to hit a purple patch, allowing Daryl only one more point before the older man closed out the set at 11-9. At this point, it was obvious that Daryl was tense and trying too hard in his first league match in nearly 4 years. Advising him to 'relax and just enjoy' the game, Michael also suggested Daryl play higher percentaged drops to draw Daryl's opponent to the front and wear him down because of Hian Tee's significantly heavier frame and suspect knees. Daryl was also advised to focus more on more deliberate drives instead of sledge-hammering the twin-dotted black rubber into oblivion and being punished for the ensuing loose balls. Daryl's execution in the next two sets were sublime and with growing confidence, confidently took set #4 by 11-4 and then comfortably cruising past the checkered flag in the rubber at 11-3. A good confidence booster for the talented former national junior. Well done, Daryl and kudos for the lesson on clever squash and magnificent wristy craft from CSC's Hian Tee.

EIK PIN vs. BOBBY

This was the match which provided the best entertainment, thrills and spills of the evening. Two old friends and adversaries, the two have been known for their numerous 5-setters against each other through the different grades over the years. This time was no different and the match was the reason for the captioned "911".

Bobby, who hadn't played in almost 2 weeks, did not show any signs of the lay-off initially and went about his business routinely against a familiar opponent who spared no effort to ensure a close battle. The CSC player lost that set only narrowly by 9-11. In the second set, the attrition continued as usual between these two and Bobby kindly returned the favor by dropping this set by a similar 9-11 scoreline. Now beginning to show signs of fatigue, Bobby began to play higher risk shots which paid dividends against a never-say-die opponent who had to surrender the 3rd to Bobby by ... yes, 9-11. A visibly red-faced Bobby, panting and gasping during the break, was being advised to play more lobs because when the ball is travelling in slow motion high up in the air, fitness doesn't quite count. So with a dry shirt on, Bobby proceeded to execute the slow-motion 'tai-chi' squash which bore excellent results, allow Bobby to surge ahead to 8-4 (told you to watch out for this score line) and needing only 3 points to go past the finish line. Those thoughts must have distracted Bobby so much that he started an inexplicable trail of errors to allow Eik Pin back into the match and Bobby succumbed to a ..... yes again, 9-11 loss. Absolutely drained, shirt again drenched, shoulders sagging, things were looking very ominous for a gasping Bobby, especially when his opponent was still looking sprightly and eager to go. It was a spent Bobby and dejected UCSC supporters who watched sympathetically as Bobby was systematically forced into error after error from the diminutive CSC player who is still full of running and tucking especially, precision backhand drop shots to the left front court, leaving a sorry Bobby repeatedly stranded. It was all but over but for Bobby's renowned determination and the dreaded 8-4 curse. Roles were reversed and it was the CSC's player turned to be overly eager and in his anxiety, he was "Bobby-trapped"! Point after point won by the nearly depleted Bobby, mainly through Eik Pin's avalanche of errors, brought the few UCSC supporters to their feet, urging Bobby on and in an exact reversal of the 4th set, Bobby incredibly pulled off a mini-miracle to edge home and a dejected Eik Pin had to suffer the memory of losing the crucial rubber by ...... 9-11! Dialling that number for help was almost necessary. One thing for sure ... Bobby will wake up to "aches & pains", courtesy of Eik Pin. A bit of trivia, the total number of points played between in this match was 100. In the end, the match was decided by merely 2 points, 51-49 in favor of UCSC. A cliff-hanger indeed!

Finally, and after an entertaining evening of sporting squash from wonderful hosts, CSC .... UCSC can pat itself on its shoulders for a job well done and a good start to the 2012 'B' campaign.

And a huge "Thank You" for the supporters present to cheer. For this battle between CSC and UCSC, we believe that "U" made the difference!

UCSC Lives & Breathes Squash!