FOR a while now, I have convinced myself that, despite my unhealthy lifestyle, the sporting activity I enjoyed during my twenties would have made a lasting impression on my body. However, that ridiculous idea was squashed, quite literally, last week when

FOR a while now, I have convinced myself that, despite my unhealthy lifestyle, the sporting activity I enjoyed during my twenties would have made a lasting impression on my body.

However, that ridiculous idea was squashed, quite literally, last week when I was invited to play at Wisbech Squash Club.

Coach Roger Kay had invited me to the club to have a look at the new facilities and have a go at the sport for the first time.

Now, I knew that squash was meant to be hard but I had told myself that "I would be fine" and "I would survive as long as I didn't end up running around like a headless chicken".

Unfortunately, I ended up running around like a headless chicken.

Roger told me about the finer points of tactical squash, controlling the middle of the court or, in other words, controlling the 'T' and using the court to play your opponent in to trouble.

At the end of two shortened games, both of which I lost 8-1, I think I had managed to control the 'T' for less than 10 seconds.

After the game and a shower, I recovered and I felt great. It also began to dawn on me that I could have controlled the 'T' if I had concentrated more and, surprisingly, I wanted another go to prove myself right.

I found squash to be an exhausting game but also an addictive one.

Hitting a ball against the wall and getting your opponent in to trouble seems so simple and when you don't do it, you want to have another game to get it right.

That's why I will be back at Wisbech Squash Club and next time, that 'T' is mine.

n Wisbech Squash Club, on Harecroft Road, will begin junior training sessions on Monday. These sessions will run from 6.30pm to 8pm and comprise a class for under-10s followed by a class for over-10s. Junior and student membership costs just £5 a year. For more information call 01945 489257.