Melbourn lost 16-9

Ooooh, so close. But not ultimately close enough. But let’s start from the beginning…
In a break from the normal pattern the evening began with what is more typically it’s conclusion as the first players on were the top strings, Jan Brynjolffssen taking on Cambridge’s Stephen Casey. The pattern of the play was swiftly established, with Stephen looking for variation and kills early in the rallies and Jan attempting to retain a high court position to reach these and counter-punch his own winners. For most of the first game this was effective for Jan, but Stephen sharpened things up from 13-10 down to win the next five rallies and go 1-0 up instead. Disappointed but not downcast, all Jan needed was to tighten a few aspects (most notably serve) and that should suffice. 10 minutes later it had, the second game being won to level the match. The key was being extra focused once the game reach 10-7, with the thought process working equally well in games three and four as Jan came through 13-15, 15-10, 15-10, 15-9.
The first match on court 2 (which is on a 20 minute stagger, so got underway a bit later than the court 1) saw Jamie Ware (5) get off to a good start as he held Rupert Sharrock’s big hitting in check and won the first game 15-10. At times, the game degenerated into a crash-bang-wallop affair and Jamie missed some opportunities to take control with some more structured squash. The game see-sawed and eventually reached 2-2 (10-15, 15-10, 12-15 over these three games). In the fifth Jamie started to impose his game and was edging ahead quite nicely and got to 10-8. Some fortunate mis-hits, however, enabled Rupert to get back in and pinch the game 15-11 and the match 3-2. At the end of the day, the result could have gone either way and Jamie can count himself unlucky.
Following Jan on Court 1 was Thomas Higginson (4), up against Miles Jeanaret. Thomas started out with his normal superb movement and defence, which threw Miles for a loop early on in the first as he struggled to think of a way of killing the ball against a lightening fast player who can seemingly get everything. Thomas’ play was working… but it was also hurting as Miles was making him work ultra hard for his points. Maybe it Tom had won the first 15-8, which looked on when he lobbed a ball into the sky at 12-8… only for Miles to climb an invisible ladder and not only claw it down but volley it into the nick. After that it got close, and though Tom did edge through 15-13 it was rather pyhrric as he was blown by the effort involved (and those who know Tom will be aware he is ULTRA fit, which shows how much running he had had to do). Thereafter Thomas wasn’t as quick or as able to lean into his shots, his situation not helped by Miles maintaining a staggeringly impressive length. It was still a great game, but it was always tipped the Cambridge players’ way, particularly in the last few points of each game. Thomas eventually went down 15-13, 7-15, 8-15, 10-15.
Colm O’Gorman (3) struggled early on to impose his game on James Buckley who was playing fluent squash with few errors whereas Colm was making too many unforced errors. The first game was lost 6-15 and the second went the same way 6-15. James’s confidence grew as Colm’s diminished. However, finding himself 3-9 down in the third, Colm raised his energy level and application and played well to get to 12-14. But he had left himself too much to do and lost that game 12-15 and the match 0-3.
Liam Murphy (2) was returning to the team after a spell of COVID and, understandably, was concerned about fitness. In the event, he need not have worried as he quickly got into gear after a slow start in the first game. A good run of attacking strokes saw him recover to 14-15 but he narrowly lost the first game 15-17. Realising his opponent, Ben Knappet, was less assured on his backhand, Liam piled on the pressure and won the second game comfortably 15-7. The third game followed a similar pattern until Ben pulled back to 10-10. Liam held his nerve and won it 15-11. By now Ben’s head was down and didn’t like he would get back into the match. Impressively, Liam retained control to win the fourth 15-9 and the match 3-1.
Skipper Roger Woodfield said “This really was a close contest. Jan and Liam got us into a strong position but Thomas and Colm were up against very strong opposition. The match turned on Jamie’s game and he made a great effort but was narrowly beaten 2-3. We were naturally disappointed to lose but, as always, we gave it our best shot.”