Esporta Oxford were powerless to stop defending champions Benz-Bavarian Duffield from recording their 17th straight win in the Premier Squash League.

Unbeaten since April last year, Duffield have claimed the last two league titles and are already on course to complete a hat-trick.

They quickly established a 2-0 lead over Esporta when England No 1 Tania Bailey beat Oxford's 23-year-old newcomer Rachel Donald 9-1, 9-3, 9-2.

Peter Billson defeated Kristen Johnson in four games 9-6, 9-7, 10-12, 9-7.

Meanwhile, the ever-improving Chris Ryder reduced the deficit for the home team and it was hoped that Esporta stalwart Scott Handley would then level the tie.

But playing - and beating - the legendary Pakistani Jansher Khan in last week's London Open had clearly taken its toll on the Oxfordshire No 1, who went down to Andrew Whipp in straight games.

In the final top-string tussle, home supporters sensed an upset when Australian Cameron Pilley took the second game against Duffield's Nick Matthew.

But the recently-crowned US Open champion regained the upper hand to win 9-3, 5-9, 9-7, 9-5 to ensure a 4-1 victory.