Melbourn Squash Club round-up

MELBOURN Squash Club Men’s First Team picked up in important 16-11 win in their latest match against Dome Wizards (Mildenhall) in Cambs Division Three.

Aidan Hird (four) blasted Mark Webb away to take the opening two games but was unable to sustain the effort, finally conceding during the fifth match due to illness. Ian Blows (two) avenged his opening half defeat against Hamish Jogee, winning a close match 3-2.

Paul Heath (five) wobbled in the second game but was generally in control against Steve Wrigley to win 3-1.

The match went all square after Dan Easton (three) found the going hard against Ashley Gimson, going down 3-0. It was left to Mark Oppen (one) to claim the match, playing superbly throughout to beat Mark Price 3-2 in a pulsating encounter.

Captain Heath commented: “That was probably our best result of the season and one that gives us a real chance of promotion if we can win our last three matches.”

Melbourn IIs remain on course for promotion from Division Four, despite a surprise 14-10 defeat at March IIs in their latest fixture.

David Malinge (two) led the way with a strong performance, edging a tight opening game and then running through the next two without dropping a point to win 3-0.

Colin Taylor (five) twice fought back to level his match from a game behind, but eventually fell 3-2. Matt Walker (three) followed a similar pattern. An epic 30-plus shot rally towards the end of the fourth game, won by Walker, would prove something of a pyrrhic victory, as it appeared to drain his energy levels ahead of the deciding game.

Michael Easton (four) conceded only six points during a comprehensive 3-0 win, taking the match to a deciding rubber. However, Jan Brynjolffssen (one) looked in trouble from the outset of it, the March player comfortably winning 3-0.

Skipper Walker said afterwards: “On another day one of the 3-2 matches might have fallen our way, which would have given us victory. However, whilst it was obviously disappointing to lose, we collected enough points to retain control of our fate. Win our last two games and we’ll be promoted.”