Stamford were starting to feel a little more confident now after a great start to the season winning both games 5-0. Fenland however were in the same position with two 5-0 nil victories under their belt.

Richard Barker got the match under way for Stamford playing Tim Dean. Richard played very well in the previous two matches and was looking to maintain that form. From the start both players played good controlled squash rallying well and hitting accurately. Richard, looking a little more comfortable, was able to control the rallies and with Tim unable to find any winners found the game drifting away from him. Richard kept the pressure up making no unforced errors until he found himself winning the first 9-0. The second started the same with Tim trying to remain calm but unable to pick a point up. As Richard again started to pull away Tim finally found that elusive point. Would this open the floodgates? Richard though kept it steady and seemingly got more accurate and tighter and took the second 9-1 finishing on a lovely cross-court nick. The pressure was on Tim now as they started the third. As try as he did Tim though was unable to break Richard’s focus and consistency and dropped the third 9-1 giving Richard the tie 3-0. Outstanding squash from Richard clearly pressing for promotion within the team.

On the other court was Jon Oakley against Paul Kynoch. The first game saw Paul work Jon hard as he moved him around the court forcing a couple of errors early on. As Jon settled into it though the rallies evened up with Jon’s unorthodox cross court, short, slap shots at the front of the court picking him up a couple of points. Halfway through the first Jon started edging ahead and just did enough to take the first 9-7. The second saw Jon step the pressure up and although not as tight as normal Jon was able to do enough to work Paul hard enough to force the errors, and take the second 9-4. The third went the same way with Paul beginning to tire allowing Jon a more comfortable 9-3 win to take the tie 3-0.

Simon Barker on next against Andy Prendergast – a clash of the team captains. Both players began the game confidently with Simon again determined to break the land speed record for a squash ball but having little regard for accuracy. Andy started strongly taking advantage of a number of errors from Simon and moving to a 5-0 lead in the first. Simon fought hard to recover and finally pulled back to 8-8 only to hit another couple of tins to drop the first 10-8. The second saw a calmer more focused Stamford captain as he finally eased the power down. Some hard running from Simon and now hitting a better length and width enabled him to dominate the second taking it comfortably 9-1. The third saw Andy fighting hard to get back into the game and pressing Simon hard but failing to win the point when the opportunity arose, instead hitting the tin. A hard game but Simon doing enough to take it 9-5 to go 2-1 up. The fourth saw Andy again come out strong but with Simon still retrieving everything Andy’s resolve finally caved in and Simon took the fourth comfortably 9-0 and the tie 3-1.

Mark Smiths turn now as he found himself up against David Grant. Mark took control of the first from the off moving David from front to back, electing to play a selection of shots not recently seen the development of Mark’s boast. A hard first game but Mark moving well and playing accurate shots took it safely 9-4. David came out with a vengeance hitting hard and low, working Mark hard. Consistent retrieving and a cool head saw Mark through as he persevered to take a hard fought second 9-7. The third again started well but with David unable to keep the tempo high Mark took control again for another comfortable 9-2 win and the tie 3-0.

Last on again was Paul York against Jamie Wardley. Yorkie now fully fit (or should I say fully recovered from injury and reasonably fit) looked fluid and unhindered as he moved around the court. Jamie fought with tenacity but was unable to cope with Yorkie’s accuracy and power. Some excellent rallies followed but Yorkie consistently that bit tighter and finding the nick took the first 9-2. The next two games followed the same as Jamie struggled to contain Yorkie and put any pressure on him. Yorkie finally winning them 9-1, 9-0 and the tie 3-0.

Another excellent result from the team to go top of the table after three matches and talk of promotion was in the air – or are we soon to come crashing down?? Away to St Ives next week. Come On.