21/10/2026
Red Stars in Their Eyes were off to Tawa to see what these Diffusers were all about.
Itās only just dawned on the CC that weāre quite a demanding lot. Two courts, early starts, a feed, and the option of takeaway. Basically a royal visit, except we bring our own rackets and the chauffeur has to win her match before sheās allowed to take us home. Iād be rolling my eyes at our list. But we had a hill to cross before it closed, and nobody wanted to spend an extra night in Wellington explaining, āWe only came for squash.ā
Talia, in her haste to secure the cheapest Uber over the hill, had forgotten the team rule: done in three. She spent a generous amount of time whacking balls out of court, then feeding the remaining ones straight back to Jo G like sheād advertised a coaching session. Jo was operating on one hourās sleep, so having everything delivered directly to her racket was a lovely service. Talia eventually won in four. Of course weāll keep her, but her induction may need repeating.
Our evening Uber driver Leigh and Averalle started strongly in the chinwag department, occasionally interrupting themselves for a rally. Lovely catch-up. Any chance of putting the rest in an email? Tonight, time was precious. Leigh had the advantage on paper, but that sly, hearty Naati Averalle hadnāt read it and wasnāt accepting submissions. After a decent shake-up, our number one had to find another gear and honour our commitment to three.
Hearty Naati number two, Dee Dee, took on Jo L in a blast from the past. These two were probably doing exactly this in what feels like 1982, back when we all met battling it out in the Womenās Head Series. Different decade, same suspects. Back then we recovered with a drink. Now we need a drink, an anti-inflammatory and several business days. Getting low for a shot is still possible. Getting back up is where negotiations begin.
Hearty Naati CC faced Tiramisu Queen Jaime, who produced some nearly magnificent shots off the back wall. Just needed a small hurricane behind them to reach the front. The intention was there. Unfortunately, the MetService hadnāt come to the party. Jaime comfortably won the pudding department and remains possibly the most positive, supportive human ever allowed on a squash court. Even while losing, she was practically providing pastoral care to the person responsible. Very difficult to feel good about beating someone whoās cheering you on and is about to serve up some tiramisu.
Four squash wins to Red Stars in Their Eyes, and four to the Tawa Diffusers for accommodating our every demand without telling us to organise our own bloody dinner. Squash, dinner and dessert. Finally, a club that understands we havenāt driven all that way just to exercise. We can be disappointed in our fitness much closer to home.
Thanks for the hospitality, ladies, and to Pete for capturing actual people instead of adding to his extensive portfolio of thumbs.
Back over the hill before nine and home by 9.30. Four matches, fully fed and nobody having to ask Tawa if breakfast was included.
Almost suspiciously well organised.
