Melbourn won 16-7

Already the Division 2 champions and with their last match of the season to play, Melbourn's first squash team travelled to Churchill College to play Cambridge's 2nd team. Having not lost a single match throughout the season, Melbourn were committed to maintain this record, regardless of their division crowning. It should be noted; Cambridge had not won many of their matches in the first half of the season but had made a 'significant' turn-around in the second half of the season, beating all the top teams (Ely, Stamford, St Neots) in recent weeks. 
First up for Melbourn, Mike Hird playing his Cambridge opponent, Miles Jeaneret at string 5. Miles played 3rd string in the first half and so would be strengthening his Cambridge teams defences significantly at 5th string. Mike had a very good opening game, playing with good control, length and making use of his well timed pressured boast shots to move his opponent in the wrong direction all helped Mike win an excellent opening game 15-12. Miles in the second game was looking more nimble, reading Mike's boast shots earlier and generally tightening up his game. Mike was still playing well but the improved consistency from his opponent made the rallies tighter and unfortunately Cambridge levelled the game scores 1-1 (9-15). The third game was much closer and Mike stepped up his game to keep the score-line level. Miles was now into his rhythm and although close, Mike lost out on the third game 12-15. The fourth game started well for Mike initially, but likely the previous games had taken a physical toll and it was not long before Miles had gained a comfortable lead and although Mike put up a fight to stay in the game, it was a shame his fourth game was lost 8-15 and his match 1-3 (15-12/9-15/12-15/8-15).   
Ed Aspelling was next on, this time playing Christopher Thorpe [Chris had played 1st string in the first half against Matt!!] at string 4. Ed started his opening game very well, playing sharply, reading the ball well and generally looking in charge...although close, Ed won his opening game 15-13. The second game was similar but his opponents uncanny movement and return shots made the rallies close and unfortunately Ed missed out on the second game 13-15. The third game was a similar situation to the first, Ed made great efforts to stay in the rallies, but wasn't quite able to gain that key half-a-stride advantage often enough that could put him in the attacking positions. The third game was close but alas Ed missed out on it 12-15 and was then faced being 1-2 down, going into a match saving fourth game. The fourth was not as close as Ed would have liked, as his opponent continued to rush the level of play that made it difficult for Ed to take control. It wasn't without trying but Ed missed out on the fourth game 8-15 and his match 1-3 (15-13/13-15/12-15/8-15).
With Melbourn's team now facing the very unusual prospect of being two strings down before the 1s, 2s & 3s had played, it befell Melbourn's skipper, Mark Oppen to try to keep the teams unbeaten run alive. Mark's opponent, Adam Jackson, looked a stylish player in the warm-up and this showed in the opening game. However, Mark this week was finding his line and length shots were playing particularly well for him [or perhaps the Churchill courts were playing to his rhythm] as he eased through the first game, not looking in any real trouble - Mark won the first game 15-12. Fortunately Mark's level of play continued to go well for him as he eased through to take the second game 15-9. The third game did see his opponent make more effort to keep his match alive but this wasn't enough so it was very pleasing (and with some relief!!) to see Mark win the third game 15-12 and his match 3-0 (15-12/15-9/15-12).  
Vinod Duraikan was next up at string 2, again with the added pressure of maintaining Melbourn's unbeaten history. Vinod's opponent, Ian Wilson was looking a challenging adversary and the first game was playing out to be a very close affair. The level of play was good from Vinod but the rallies were disrupted with some difficult calls for the marker around players [singular] movement to the ball, this made for some spicy play but Vinod kept cool and concentrated on his game. It was a tie-break opening game but Vinod managed to take the first game 17-15. The second game saw Vinod play the ball wider to keep the gaps between his opponent and that clearly helped as the game flowed better and it was great to see Vinod win the second game to a more recognisable 15-8. The third game was looking more like the first game again as Vinod's opponent made more effort to the ball but fortunately Vinod was able to keep ahead as he took the third game 15-13 and so his match 3-0 (17-15/15-8/15-13). 
Matt Sampson at string 1 was next on, but now with all the pressure passed onto him from his team mates to try and keep Melbourn's unbeaten winning history alive! His opponent, Grant Bryant, was not known to any of the Melbourn team [that's somewhat worrying] but had played already for Cambridge, so all within the rules then. This was going to be an interesting match and the spectators were not to be disappointed on that front. The opening game it was evident Matt had not played anyone in the league this season of Grant's level as his play was at another level, playing tightly and his speed and retrievals were impressive. Matt was playing well, if not with the speed Grant had around the court and the first game was very tight as it went to a tie-break. Matt was playing at a high intensity, accurately and calmly that helped him eke out a small advantage to gain game ball and then convert with a winning low hard cross-court drive into the forehand back corner. Matt won the first game 16-14, but despite that it was not going to be a typically straightforward match win for Matt this week! With the team going to support Matt before the second game began [plenty of water needed please!] this was going to be a match for preserving Matt's fitness more than anything. The second game again saw no let up from Matt's opponent as he eased around the court but Matt stayed with him as best he could. It looked as though Matt was suffering physically and it showed as his shot selections were not as good as normal, allowing Grant back into the rallies. So it was with some trepidation that we found Matt loosing the second game 12-15, somewhat tired, playing his toughest opponent this season. There was perhaps a slight hint that Grant was also suffering physically [anyone that 'thinks' they are fit can test it by playing Matt!] in the third game as he made a few more mistakes that gave Matt the front of the court or drive shot option into the back, side wall [nick!] corner. The game was never certain but Matt somehow kept his accuracy levels up, made Grant work hard for the ball that eventually produced an opening for a winning kill shot. Matt won his third game 16-14! So with Matt seeing there was still a chance to stay in the match, he needed to continue his level of play into the fourth game. This was an epic game, seeing some amazing squash that kept the spectators on the balcony on their toes as well. Matt really had to dig deep to stay in this game and it showed as he was physically [Oxygen please!] struggling. However Matt kept with his opponent all the way to level the fourth game on a tie-break. Grant's movement was still the challenge but he did make [occasional] mistakes at the front of the court that meant he couldn't get to Matt's cross-court drives. Incredibly Matt managed to save two or three game balls to Grant to take the fourth game 18-16!!! So a very, very well deserved match win 3-1 (16-14/12-15/16-14/18-16).
Skipper Mark Oppen commented on the evening "we did a fantastic job to beat a significantly strengthened Cambridge side, Matt's match was an incredible win that finally maintained the teams unbroken 16-16 win record. I'm so proud of the teams achievements throughout the season, it has not been easy but everyone worked hard to help contribute towards our excellent Division 2 title win and guaranteed entry into Division 1 next season"