Boomerang Squash Practice 1963 to 1975
For those of us who can remember
By the Boomerang Bard Peter Land



Mrs White was in charge during the week
No Boomerang player gave this good woman any cheek
Saturday behind the counter was Mrs Lee
Woe betide if you did not pay your practice fees
Counting the money on Sunday
Was Mrs Hazel or Mrs Willoughby
Neither was fooled by Crispo’s Tom Foolery.

Matches were organized by Capt. Joe & V/C Peter Land
Most people agreed it went well that was the plan
Games were for 20 Minutes which was way to much
For Bob McCormick and such.

Games between Prickett & Kingie were a war
Both players giving their best is what I saw
Dave’s volleying in centre court was a delight
Kingie in back court retrieved with might
The bell rang and Dave was the victor
Poor ole Kingy had run out of ticker.

Saturday Mike Moore challenged Joe for his spot on the Ladder
The match was all over before you could say Black Adder
The score was 27 to nil in Joes favor
Many of us thought he played like Rod Laver.

At the courts there was a Ping Pong table
At this game Jeff Seipel thought he was very able
One Saturday he challenged one of the kids for a game
What followed was quite a shame
Young John smashed the ball all over the place
Poor ole Jeff finished with egg all over his face.

Fordy versus Santo their games were intense
For a practice match it was a bit over the fence
The games were worth a look
Some of the shots were text book
Santo from West End called a stop
It was time for him to go home and mind the shop.

On Sunday Finchy turned up for a game
His nick name triple hop, we need not explain
He was good to practice with and would call a lot of lets
It happened quite often, when he was behind in the set.
Later Administration in squash became his forte
It all started at Boomerang in those years of yesterday.

Practice between Creeve & Smithie was quite an affair
If the rallies went more than 2 shots we nearly fell off our chairs
That both played A Grade was a credit to their determination
Later Smithie went on to excel in Administration.
Creev’s nick name Pink Knees was beyond an explanation
Apparently it was given to him down at the Coronation
For what he achieved we congratulate Creeve
Full credit should go to our old mate Pink Knees.
Think of the size of the Titanic, we all know of the ship

In Squash it was pretty big when Connor & Kettley had a hit.
Kettley was precision like & Consistent
Connor all fight and Persistent
Set after set points went to nine
Both players’ reputations were on line
At the bell there was a knock on the door
Neither player could give any more
Both Players went on to play in A1 Pennant winning teams
Some credit should to Saturday Practice so it seems.

To players Kwit and Whight
Practice was like a title fight
Neither would give an inch
Captain Joe called for umpire Bob Finch
At 2 sets all they were tiring
Neither stopped trying
At 8 all in the 5th Set
Wally asked for a let
Feeling the pinch umpire Finch said not today
Handout, you were in the way
Sunday after Sunday this was repeated
At the bell neither player was defeated.

One Saturday practice between Landy & Creeve was a bit poor
Both players were hung over from the night before
Air swings miss hits double faults they were all there
Those watching fell asleep in their chairs
At last the bell rang and awoke from their slumber
There was Creeve having a chunder
Landy enquired are you all right mate
Creeve replied it must have been something I ate
Both agreed to head down to the Coro
After all it was 10 clock and time for a hair of the Dogo.

Their practice was full on, Fraser and Pareezer
Running up Mt Cootha would have been easier
It was on from the word go
Up and down on the court like a yoyo
Bob, unorthodox and competitive
Ken gifted and effective
Back Hand, Fore Hand, Volley, Drive
Both players kept the ball alive
The bell rang and it was the end of the game
Saturday after Saturday they would do it again
Both players won A1 pennants during their stay
More than likely weekend practice at Boomerang improved their play

Club practice for Bob McCormick was a pretty rare affair
Probably because he was hardly ever there
On Friday nights at the pub, he was raring to go
Come Saturday he was never a show
Captain Joe was exasperated by all this
Somebody said he was probably on the piss
At the end of the day we went down to the Coro
There was Bob drinking with Horo
When asked to explain his non appearance
Bob refused to give the Friday night practice report any credence.

Jones and Kwit would practice like there was no tomorrow
There was more blood spilt than on the floor of the Coro
Practice to them was a rugged affair
Wally later blamed these games for losing his hair
Pushing arguing getting in the way was the norm
Anything to better the other was good form
Crispo on the next court threw his racket in desperation
Something had to be done to stop the commotion
After lengthy discussions under the tree
Fining both a couple of stubbies was the fee
Jones’y who cherished a quid shook his head in dismay
Wally responded it was your fault anyway.
All said and done their practice was tremendous
Like all good mates later they would have a few beers at the Terminus

Skell and Crispo used to drink a wee bit
They also practiced together, it helped keep them fit
Crispo as he got older became a little One Eyed
Skell’s improvement could not be denied
Both went about their games in an orderly fashion
Peter meeting Judy created as lasting impression
Crispo’s squash gear was a sight to behold
I will not describe it here, just put it down to Bill getting old
Bugger it, I will give it a go 1st it was the pullover, then the jock strap
Next was Head & Wrist bands, knee ankle guards, I’ll stop at that.
After a hit they went down to the pub
Both deserved to be mentioned for their service to the club.

Baranoff & Baker two players from the early days
Each quite different in the way they played
Greg turned up for a hit on the odd occasion
Ron needed no persuasion
Baker laconic laid back and a bit of wit
Baranoff all bustle with the big forehand & pretty fit
Both played B Grade of that I am aware
The Boomerang club was better for them being there

‘ There were others that turned up for a hit
The Watts, Corys, Mathers, Brands as well as the Schmidts
On reflection if we could turn back the clock and do it again
I for one would do it exactly the same

That’s it for now
I have sweat on my brow
I’m going for a swim
See you later Gunga Din.