Melbourn won 20-0

A key match for the 1sts turned out to be a cakewalk as they overwhelmed an understrength Spalding team 20-0.

The home side had earned back-to-back promotions to go from Division 3 to Division 1. Which is impressive as the gap in standard between 3 and 2 is quite big. But the gap between 2 and 1 is even bigger, and they may be wondering if it was really worth it – they had won once against a somewhat disorganised Cambridge Uni team, but other than that heavy defeats have been the norm. And that was with a full side; against our boys they only had 4, and even harder it was their usual 2nd string who was unavailable.

This meant Mark Oppen’s side started the evening a string up, with the skipper himself soon adding to that with a 3-0 win over Charlie Farrow at 4th string. Games 1 and 3 were comfortable, game 2 was as close as Melbourn came to losing one all evening (11-4, 15-13, 11-4 to Mark). A good way to sign off before an inordinately long (5 week!) business trip to India.

Miles Jeanneret (3) also rattled up a 3-0 win, beating Daniel Deprez going away 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 to mean the 1sts had the win on the evening at barely 8pm. Quick wins for Matt Sampson (1) over Scott Chuter (11-2, 11-9, 11-3) and Vinod Duraikan (2) over Gary Slator (11-5, 11-4, 11-5) followed to wrap up a perfect night for the visitors. They were even home from their longest away game of the season well before midnight.

20 points shot the side a number of spots up the table, but most importantly moved them well ahead of struggling Spalding. Hopefully no relegation play-off this season…