There was heartbreak for the second team of Melbourn Squash Club as they fell to defeat against Cambridge in the final of the Hereward Cup.

The last game in the Cambridgeshire League competition was held at Swavesey and had started well for Melbourn, who had reached this stage one week earlier with a 4-1 win over Peterborough.

Playing at fifth-string, Matt Walker won a dramatic match 3-2, showing considerable resolve to win the deciding game after seeing numerous match balls come and go in an extended fourth-game tie-break.

Skipper Colm O’Gorman was up next at fourth and he won 3-1, his ability to scramble the ball back and ask his opponent to play one more shot undermining the Cambridge player.

But the the turning point of the day proved to be the middle string, as Melbourn’s Gareth Jones built a 2-0 lead but then crucially came slightly off-the-boil in game three.

His Cambridge opponent took advantage to get himself back into the match and from then on the increasingly tired Jones was up against it, ultimately losing 3-2.

Cambridge made the most of their recovery as they won the top two strings 3-0 to claim the trophy.

Jan Brynjolffssen did get to a tie-break in his opening game but then fading to defeat while Kate Bradshaw at number one found herself outgunned by an excellent player, whose rapid movement into the front corners nullified her key strength - the drop shot.

Melbourn Squash Club is based at Melbourn Sports Centre, which is located on the site of Melbourn Village College.

The club is open to new members and as well as teams playing in County Leagues, they have an active internal league and run a casual club night each Sunday.

Club coach Chris Shaw is qualified to England Squash level two and offers coaching for adults and juniors, including non-members.

For more information, go to the club website, www.melbourn-squash.co.uk or email melbournsquashclub@gmail.com