TAVISTOCK Squash Club travelled to Paignton for the return match of the season with only four players. Had Malcolm Holton not stepped in to play at number four the match would have had to be cancelled. Malcolm last played for Tavistock in 1992! He has retained his ability to play good winning shots but like everyone else over that period of time has lost some mobility round the court. Malcolm was not happy with his performance and lost 3-0 but the rest of the team were grateful to him for turning out, making the evening viable. Colin Grice at number three ran his opponent close, so much so that he served for the first game twice but unfortunately lost that game 9-10. The Paignton No 3 had better control and although tiring quickly in the third game he managed to hang on and win the match 3-0. Tavistock No 2 Andy Gauler got away to a strong start. With two games in the bag he seemed to lose concentration because he soon found himself receiving the ball at the start of the fifth and final game. This was a close fought game to the end and Andy served for the match three times before losing it 10-9. Paignton No 1 still maintains an impressive game which contains the whole range of deception and the ability to kill the rally from most areas of the court. Tavistock?s Jim Massey, who lacks match practice, put up a good fight but could not consistently kill the rally at the front of the court. Tavistock finished the evening with only 2 points but games will not come much harder as Paignton are top of the league.
