Tavistock 3

Dartington 2

MIKE Gray gave Tavistock Squash Club a great start by beating Dartington number five Roger Jones 3-0. Mike hit some fine lengths which gave him control of the court. Roger did a lot of chasing but to no avail as the Tavistock number five was on hand to put away a winning drive or drop. Mike ran out a 9-6, 10-9, 9-5 winner.

Next on court was the battle of the left handers, Pete Middleton against Dartington skipper Jason Mitchell. Pete took the first game 9-6 and should have taken the second but conceded an early advantage to allow Jason to take it. Jason gained confidence as Pete made a number of unforced errors. Jason took the last two games 9-4, 9-2 to record a 3-1 victory.

Tavistock number three Stuart Cox engaged in a marathon battle against Kevan Throgmorton. Kevan took the first game 9-3 as Stuart struggled to get to grips with the pace. However, during the second Stuart started to force Kevan to engage in long rallies. This forced unforced errors and enabled the Tavistock number three to sneak the game 10-8. Kevan regained composure in the third and won 9-4 and continued his good form in the fourth to take the game and match 3-1.

Losing by two games to one Colin Grice at number two had the task of getting the visitors back on level terms. He was paired against Chris Woodward. Chris took the first game 9-7 and looked to be heading for victory in the second before Colin started to find his form.

Chris found himself having to chase the ball to all four corners of the court and this allowed Colin to take the game 9-5. During the next two games this pattern continued and Colin ran out a comfortable winner to level the match at two games apiece.

The match verdict was left for the two number ones to dispute.

Andy Gauler the Tavistock skipper was against Graham Waites.

The first game was full of long rallies on the warm courts with Andy edging the game 9-3. The second also went the way of the Tavistock man, Andy winning 9-3.

However, during the third Graham moved into an early lead. Unfortunately he also started to use spoiling tactics and gained two or three contentious lets and strokes which frustrated Andy. Andy got himself back into the game and levelled at 8-8.

After both players had chances to win it was the Tavistock skipper who held his nerve to do so by 10-9 and the match 3-0. In so doing he also won the match for the visitors by 3-2.

This victory puts Tavistock just outside the top two automatic promotion spots.