TAVISTOCK Squash team came up against their old rivals, Westcountry Squash Club fourth team. Tavistock were again without captain Tim Wallis, who has injured his back and reluctantly given up second spot to Colin Grice.

First up for Tavistock was Mike Gray against Mike Nuttal. Mike Gray, new to team squash and becoming more attuned to the difference between it and league, took some time to settle, losing the first game through inexperience, but started the second with renewed confidence.

Putting together his hard services, followed by tight drop shots, Mike Gray won the second game and looked to be on course for his first win for the club, but lost his rhythm in the third game and Mike Nuttal quickly finished the match, winning 3 games to 1.

Playing at fourth string, Pete Walshe came up against another familiar opponent, Martin Budden.

Martin has played at a higher position in his team, so it was surprising to find him playing at fourth. Pete needed to draw on all his experience to take the first two games, against a fitter and younger opponent.

Martin started to use his powerful cross-court shots to give Pete all sorts of problems, taking a quick 5-1 lead in the third game, which Pete could not catch up.

Pete lost the third and fourth games, but Martin was finding good form, and again took an early lead. Pete lost the match 2-3.

Stuart Cox at third string looked to be on form against Grant.

Their rallies were long and both players were evenly matched. Stuart used his drives and drop shots to good effect and the game see-sawed, going to eight all each time. Grant looked to be struggling and was tired, while Stuart?s superior fitness began to show.

But too many mistakes from Stuart let Grant off in the fifth game and Stuart went down fighting hard. Stuart lost 2-3.

Colin Grice is the in-form player in the Tavistock team, with the most number of wins this season.

He is a strong player who wears down his opponents by rallying the ball and relentlessly driving it on the forehand and backhand.

His opponent Martin is a skilful and clever player when he gets his chance. Using a combination of hard shots and canny cross-court boasts, Colin wore down his opponent then, with excellent running and retrieving, won the last game 9-0. Colin won his match 3 games to 1.

Last up for Tavistock was Andy Gauler, an excellent player. His opponent, Darren Critten, takes hard backhand volleys and changes them into tight drop shots.

Both players got in each other?s way and caused the marker problems.

The match was finely balanced at one game each, when there was a disagreement or misunderstanding between Andy and the marker and the game was abandoned.

This was a pity, because extra points from Andy?s game would have narrowed the gap between Tavistock and Westcountry.

Tavistock lost the match 4-1, gaining 9 points to Westcountry?s 18 points.

A recent major change to the squash courts at Pixon Lane is that both have been repaired and repainted. Thanks go to Mike Pateman and Terry Northam for their hard work in undertaking and completing this major undertaking.

The courts are now in excellent condition and if you are interested in playing squash and want to join Tavistock Squash Club, contact Malcolm Tripp on 615239.