It was match in which we had earlier in the season expected to do well, when it came around. But when it did, fate dealt a cruel blow.

A series of incredible coincidence happened to all our potential title winners in various grades, namely the Men's A, B, C and E in recent weeks. Cruising along comfortably and leading in nearly all the grades, a spate of injuries, illness, travel plans, school examinations, national duty, etc tripped up our league warriors. The results were first-time losses for all 4 grades and last evening, the 'A'nnihilators were humbled for a second consecutive time. After being snared by Police's Indonesian-led ambush a fortnight ago, a make-shift UCSC 'A team conceded 1-3 to Padang Squashers, Singapore Cricket Club's '3rd' premier men's team. Missing Marcus to national duty, Darren to school examinations, Simon and Francis to injuries, it was left to Phil Mockridge as the single remaining 'A'-grader to lead the charge at No.2, supported by 'B'ombers, Michael Tan and Lee leong Chye at Nos. 3 and 4 respectively. The No. 1 slot was mutually agreed by both teams to be surrendered to Padang Squashers.

With that, Michael Tan played the first tie at No.3 against his nemesis, Singapore's top female player, Joannah Yue, whom he has lost to in their past 3-4 encounters over the past 3 years. The first set saw Michael reeling off the points with pin-point placements and sharp volleys which saw Joannah being thrown off her regular rhythm. But inexplicably when leading at 8-2, then 10-6, Michael started engaging Joannah in rallies which suited the athletic Joannah and saw her claw back to force deuce at 10-10. It was with relief for UCSC that Michael then hit two consecutive winners to sneak home 12-10 in the first. The 2nd set saw the tables turned when Joannah capitalised on some loose shots from Michael to charge to a 8-4, then 9-6 lead before Michael reeled off the next 5 to close out the 2nd set, 11-9. The 3rd set was a game of attrition to see who would blink first. It was point for point to 10-9 when Joannah ran to the centre from the front to return a loose shot from Michael and asked for a let when she felt that Michael was too close. The referee felt it warranted only a 'let' which Joannah disputed strongly and walked off the court claiming an 'undeniable stroke' but the ref was not buying that and advised a 'let' to be played. Michael promptly scored the next 3 points to close the set out 12-10 and the tie by 3-0.

Phil at No. 2 and Leong Chye at No. 4 both started in adjacent courts at the same time against Preshin Manminder and Mao Shi Hui respectively.

First, Leong Chye's match. It was close but no cigars. LC appeared comfortable and was leading for much of the first set till 10-7 but could not find that elusive winner. Somehow, Shi Hui, the current ladies national champion, found the gas pedal and romped home with the next 5 points to take the first set a very close 12-10. Nevertheless, LC appeared unruffled and in the second half of both Sets 2 and 3, stepped up the tempo with some very demoralising (to Shi Hui) retrievals to win these two sets by 11-8 and 11-7. It looked all over as the same pattern of play continued in Set 4, until when LC was leading 6-4 and inexplicably allowed Shi Hui to steadily pile up 6 points in a row to hold game point at 10-6 before allowing LC 1 more point then wrapping up 11-7. It was tense in the rubber which was point for point till 6-6, Shi Hui with the shot-making and LC replying with pace and dogged retrievals, almost suffering a sprained ankle in the process. At that stage, Shi Hui picked up 3 consecutive points to lead 9-6 but the always fighting LC then scored 3 of his own to level the score at 9-9. Shi Hui then at game and match-point 10-9, LC pushed back to 10-10 deuce, before eventually and painfully succumbing to the deserving young lady by a tantalisingly close 11-13.

Meanwhile, Phil looked as though he had sewn up his battle when he lead by 2 sets to nil in winning 11-4, 11-6. At that stage, it never appeared as if a swearing Preshin would be able to make a comeback, upset with court conditions as he was. It was true that the court was in very poor condition and the front wall was pock-marked with veritable moon craters. However, both combatants were subject to the same conditons. The stylish Preshin somehow mustered up enough determination which was absent in the first 2 sets, to claim Set 3 by a narrow 11-9 scoreline. It was a far more confident Preshin who set the pace in the next 2 sets which he deservingly won 11-7 and 11-5 for a great 3-2 comeback win. Phil, to his credit and as always, never gave up and fought right until the end, even falling over but failing to retrieve the winning shot from Preshin.

Congratulations to the Padang Squashers for being so accommodating with the No.1 slot and we hope they accept our apologies for the poor playing conditions which all players were similarly exposed to.

It gets really interesting in the final matches next week with the top 4 teams in the Men's A league, all playing down at the Singapore Cricket Club. Apart from SCC1, which now has an unassailable 29 points lead and will be crowned the 2010 Men's A Champion, Tanglin Club and UCSC at 23 points each, and Padang Squashers at 22 points, will do battle to decide 2nd and 3rd placings.

So, come on down to the Padang to cheer on your UCSC 'A'nnihilators to a podium finish as they take on the new 2010 Champs while Tanglin Club contend with Padang Squashers..... All matches at one venue.

UCSC Lives & Breathes Squash!