Melbourn 2 opened their season with a home game against Ickleford 2

First up, playing at string 3, Moises Estrelles Navarro against an experienced Keith Hooton. Moises had been training hard in the previous month and was determined to let it all on the court. The first game was nip and tuck to 8:8 with contrasting styles making it a highly entertaining game. Keith’s touch play negated by Moises' ability to get around the court, reaching each time. Moises maintained his energy levels and tidied up his drives in particular to force the errors and strode ahead to take the game 15:11. Interestingly, the next game followed a very similar pattern, with both players neck and neck, 11:11 before Moises’ accuracy and determination to retrieve made the difference and he took the game 15:11. At this point, Moises knew he was playing well and had the match under control. In the third Moises' confidence in his shots increased and he dominated the game, despite some very clever winners play by Keith, and cruised to a 15:5 win, taking the match 3:1.

Next up at string 2 was Sean Hamilton against a strong player in William Van Den Aardweg. This was hard fought from the first point of the first game. Sean was driving well on both forehand and backhand, mixing in drops and boast while William was retrieving excellently and able to take the initiative when Sean seemed to be in control. At 11:11 it seems to be there for either player, however William had that little bit more, along with a touch of luck to take it 12:15. The second game was again a close affair, both players determined to give it their best and each playing high quality squash. William again was able to nudge ahead, varying his game to keep Sean at bay, and took the game 11:15. The third was again a story of Sean playing really well to stay in the game, but William demonstrated that he is playing at a slightly higher level to take it 9:15 and the match 0:3. Credit to Sean was putting up a great fight.

A winner takes all string 1 match beckoned with Liam Murphy against Kevin Waring. In the first game, Kevin was quick out of the blocks and forged ahead to lead 0:6. Liam wasn’t panicking however and knew he had the game to match Kevin. Liam got into his stride and began to dominate with his array of shots and ability to retrieve. Liam took the next 4 points in a row before Keith stopped the run, but this was only temporary, Liam again going on the scoring spree taking the next 5 points to lead 11:8. Keith stayed in touch but Liam was controlling from the T and managing to hold Keith off to take the game 16:14. In contrast to the first game, Liam took the initiative in the second, taking a 5:1 lead. Liam was playing with few errors and enjoyed the advantage, pushing Kevin around the court and picking off winners. Liam kept up the momentum to lead 13:6 and while Kevin pegged back 4 points in a row, Liam steadied to take the game 15:11. Similarly, the third game saw Liam take an early lead, however this time Kevin was to storm back, taking what seemed like a defining 11:12 lead, however again Liam showed his resilience and belief in his own game to calmly take the next 4 points to win the game 15:12 and the match 3:0

Team captain, Colm, who came along to support, ‘I’m delighted to see 3 competitive and entertaining matches, everyone playing really well and enjoying an evening of summer squash, special mention to Moises on his performance, having worked hard to improve his game over the last few months’.