OKEHAMPTON Squash Club made an encouraging start to their campaign in the Devon Mixed Squash League division one. After two successive promotions, the team started with a victory, and one narrow defeat.

The match against Paignton 2 resulted in a narrow 3-2 loss. At string five Richard Clarke quickly went 2-0 down but came through strong and capped a great performance with a 3-2 victory. At string four Phil Allin played with accurate width and length and proved too strong for his opponent, winning 3-1. String three saw Phil Kemsley struggle against a tall and powerful hitter. After loosing an extremely close third game 17-15 and went on to lose the match 3-1. At string two Arnie Searle lost a close fought battle 3-1. With the fixture level at 2-2 it all depended on Oke's string one Clive Marais. Clive usual attacking play deserted him and he lost 3-0 and the team lost 3-2 with Okehampton taking eight league points.

Away to Tiverton 1 Stuart Lord at string five played some great touch drop shots but went on to lose 3-0. Phil Allin at four had an epic battle and after being 14-10 down in the fourth game and facing match points, he valiantly fought back to take it into a final game. before losing 3-2.

Phil Kemsley at three played some good squash to win his match 3-1. while Arnie Searle at two delivered a 3-1 win. With the match poised at 2-2, it was decided again by Clive Marais at string one. This time Clive put in a superb performance to win 3-2 and for Oke to win 3-2 and add 16 league points.

n Okehampton Squash Club is located within Okehampton College grounds, and is always keen to welcome new members. Contact Sue Stanbury on [email protected]">[email protected]