Werrington arrived with a stronger team from the first half of the season with Claire Waddle back in at number 1 for them. Yorkie though, was unconcerned and feeling more confident having had a couple of wins since his poor run of defeats over the Xmas break.

First on for Stamford was Richard Barker playing Colin Pummell. Richard started in fine form playing good controlled tight squash, moving Colin all over the court and showing no mercy took the first game 9-0. The second went the same way with Colin having to work very hard to stay in the game. Consistent squash from Richard secured the second 9-2. Colin came out for the third on a mission. Richard playing a little too casual was under pressure and had to produce some excellent retrieving to stay in the game. The earlier pressure on Colin took its toll though and as he started to slow Richard took advantage and the third 9-7 to secure the tie 3-0.

Next door was Simon Barker playing Alan Waddle. Alan showed awesome form in the knock up massacring everything that came near his racket hitting more nicks than Yorkie at his luckiest (and that’s a lot). Simon though showed the calm and composure required of a captain when all around a whispering “he’s going to get hammered”. First game saw Alan blasting everything looking for the nick constantly but Simons speed around the court got the better of him and suddenly the shots were going in the tin and not the nick. Good work and some tighter squash than seen normally from Simon gave him the first 9-3. Keeping the pressure on saw Alan get more frustrated as the tin became more and more magnetic to his shots. The second went to Simon 9-5 and third followed in the same style 9-7. A fine result for the Stamford captain 3-0.

Jon Oakley (thanks for playing Jon), was on next against Andy Ruderham. This match saw some excellent squash with both players hitting to a good line and length and retrieving with the same skill. Jon though just had the edge and although under constant pressure kept his head did enough to take the first two 9-4, 9-6. The third saw a fight back from Andy, playing some excellent shots and forcing the errors from Jon. This was enough to take it 9-4 and suddenly Jon was looking vulnerable. The fourth was closely fought up to 5-5, with neither player giving anything away when a lapse in concentration form Alan lost him 3 quick points to put Jon in a very strong position at 8-5 up. A tense couple more rallies saw Jon regain control and take the game 9-6 and the match 3-1.

Mark Smith on the other court was against Andy Walsham. Mark started strongly retrieving everything putting the pressure on Andy and forcing the errors from him. Good squash from Mark, showing no mercy took the first 9-0. The second went the same way with Andy being forced into too many errors and Mark surging on took it 9-2. Somewhat disheartened yet more errors from Andy gave Mark complete control and easy 9-0 to take the tie 3-0.

Finally on was Paul York against Claire Waddell. A strong start by Yorkie playing tight squash and hitting a good width had Claire on the back foot and working hard. Few errors from Paul enabled him to take the first two 9-2 and 9-5. Claire though found her form in the third taking the ball early and putting the pressure back on Yorkie. Some excellent drops by Claire helped take the third 9-6 and it was Yorkies turn to be under the cosh. The fourth was very closely contested with neither player giving an inch. Some excellent rallying made for an entertaining match with Yorkie just stealing it 10-8 and taking the tie 3-1.

An excellent result for Stamford maintaining their unbeaten run. Oundle next, currently in second spot in the division should prove a tough one.