This was going to be a tough match after a 20-0 defeat away to them in the first half of the season. We did however have a reasonably strong team with only Yorkie missing. On transit to the courts though the problems began as team captain Yorkie received a text from our No 1 – wing commander James “Biggles” Treweek stating he was running late. Apparently as one of the Harrier Sqn “top guns” he’d been “jollying over sausage side in his fighter jet, loosing off a couple of sidewinder missiles on some damn Iraqi insurgents”. Slight snag in that on the return leg at 40,000 feet up the bloody wings fell off”. Fortunately “jump jet” Treweek (as the chicks in Stamford know him as) was a skilled and experienced pilot and managed to glide the remainder of the jet (minus wings) back home safely. The text concluded – “Had to attend a de-brief and major pat on the back with tea and tiffin but would be at the courts by 8pm (assuming the grubby engineer types had managed to put some wings back on!”

First on court were the Barker brothers. Richard playing a very pretty Danish girl and Simon playing a not very pretty bloke. Rich started well playing steady squash, good length and hitting some good tight shots. Consistency was the order of the day and Rich maintained this giving him the edge and a 3-1 victory.

Simon was on the other court, playing with no support and no-one watching (they were all dribbling and making smutty comments watching the other match) started well and took control of the game. A comfortable 2-0 lead ensued before Barker started to fold under self-induced pressure (a win was looking likely). The third drifted away and it was 2-1. Simon struggled in the fourth to find form again but at 7-4 down the shots came together and Simon went through to win 3-1.

Stamford 2-0 up and looking good. Next on was Mark Smith. It was apparent after the first few points that Mark had left his lungs at home and was clearly labouring around court like a pregnant duck. His opponent took full advantage being was swift and clinical in his finishing and it was all over. A 3-0 defeat for Smithy.

Jon Hand went on next. It was clearly not Jon’s night as his normally safe and destructive short game left him making errors in abundance. His opponent also took advantage and try as he might Jon could not get in the groove with his shots and another swift tie was over 3-0 and Stamford looking wobbly at 2-2.

Still good news – Biggles Treweek had arrived and was just unstrapping out of his jet. After fighting off a swarm of groupies he arrived on court to rapturous applause and much fawning. The Danish girl was also seen trying to force her phone number on our hero. As the match got under way it was going to be tough for James (especially after a hard day dropping bombs) and his opponent Ali was no slouch. Good running from James and a few missed winners from Ali saw a close first and some excellent squash was seen. James stole the first and things were looking up. The second saw a complete change and James collapsed under pressure allowing Ali a quick win to level it 1-1. A tight third saw more excellent squash with James working hard to stay in touch. Ali though retained the edge with some awesome short shots and took it 9-6. The fourth saw James change tack trying to keep Ali away from the front of the court. This proved successful reducing James’ workload and forcing Ali to work harder. Ali though just kept his nose in front and at 7-5 up it suddenly looked like Ali’s lungs had given up (possibly due to James sucking all the available oxygen on court) and James crept back. Ali though held out and stole the fourth for the match 3-1.

A better result for Stamford but disappointed in losing the match.