IT WAS a script no-one could have written – that was manager Felix Frixou's verdict as Benz Bavarian Duffield snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the Premier Squash League play-off final.
Duffield led 2-0 with world champion Nick Matthew to come in the final against Surrey in Guildford.
Then, astonishingly, Matthew lost his 40-match unbeaten run in the PSL – succumbing 3-0 to England team-mate and world number eight Peter Barker in a titanic struggle.
Surrey went on to complete a 3-2 victory for their fifth national title in a row, leaving Duffield still waiting for their first title since 2007.
Despite Surrey's run of titles, the Derbyshire side were favourites for this one and the passionate Frixou was devastated by the result – although fulsome in his praise for Barker's performance.
"Peter Barker perhaps played the best game of squash in his life – it was almost textbook perfection," said Frixou.
"He deserved to win and, as much as I wasn't happy with the result, I went to tell him so and to congratulate him.
"At 2-0 up, with Nick to come, I'd have put all the cars in my dealership on us winning.
"People were tweeting that we were bringing the title back to Derbyshire – but it wasn't to be.
"We took two coachloads of supporters down and I feel bad for them.
"I'm really sorry that we couldn't bring it back for them and I know that there's only person feeling worse than me right now – that's Nick and he's totally gutted."
The evening had started off so well for Duffield at a packed Surrey Sports Park.
Stalwart Andy Whipp – so often a big occasion performer – put them one up with a 3-0 win over Davide Bianchetti, winning all three games 11-8 in 35 minutes.
Women's world champion Laura Massaro predictably made it 2-0, although not without a battle against British champion Alison Waters.
Massaro was twice behind before clinching a 3-2 win, taking the last game 11-8 after just over an hour's play.
Adrian Waller got Surrey on the board with a straight games win over Joel Hinds in 41 minutes but the big drama was by now unfolding in the battle between Matthew and Barker.
After Barker nipped ahead 12-10, both players had four games balls during the course of an occasionally tempestuous second game and it was Barker who kept his composure to take it 18-16.
From there, he ran out an 11-5 winner in the third.
Surrey stalwart Adrian Grant completed his side's comeback, beating Steve Coppinger in straight games.
Barker and Matthew had both been annoyed by some refereeing calls and Frixou admitted he was surprised that it appeared Matthew was more affected.
"It makes us realise he's human after all!" the manager joked.
"Nick let a couple of decisions get to him but there are no sour grapes – take nothing away from Peter.
"When Nick had him scrambling all over the place early in the game, hunting him down, he kept his cool."
By the following day, Frixou was already battling his disappointment by starting to plan Duffield's next assault on the elusive title.
And he was able to confirm that his two world champions, Matthew and Massaro, will be part of it again.
"I think it was Laura who said they didn't want runners-up medals," said Frixou.
"They've said 'we want winners' medals and we'll be there for you next year.'
"The supporters love these guys and they want to play for us.
"In the end, we have to be realistic and say we didn't really do anything wrong. It's easy to forget that we had a great season.
"We were favourites. We couldn't bring it back home but we came as close as you possibly could.
"Now we'll find a way to compete even harder next season and I already have a couple of ideas.
"I'm already looking at a couple of new signings – let's look forward now, not back."
