OKEHAMPTON Squash Club second team have lost two of their last three matches, however, sandwiched between the two losses was an outstanding victory against top of the table Barnstaple.
The first of the narrow losses was away to Torquay 6, with the team going down three matches to two. Okehampton played with good heart to take some valuable away points against a strong team.
Playing at string five, Dennis Edwards went down 3-0 while Shawn Jones playing at four showed he is a strong player to bring into the team, by winning comprehensively 3-0. Shane Vallance went down in a long match, coming back from 2-0 down to 2-2 but then fading in the final game. Chris Law played through injury and his match was much closer than the 3-0 loss suggested. That meant that the match was lost. At string one, Ed Bewes played some great squash, aggressively keeping the ball tight to win 3-1. This meant that Okehampton lost 15-8.
The following week, Okehampton Seconds played top of the table Barnstaple and enjoyed another good home win, winning 3 matches to 2. Stuart Lord started the team off on a good footing by winning, in what seemed like a war of attrition, taking the match 3-2.
Stuart showed that his game is developing all the time. Simon McKinnel and Shane Vallance both continued their good form by winning their matches respectively, with Simon in particular overpowering his opponent. This meant that after three matches Okehampton had secured victory. Chris Law then lost at string two and Ed Bewes lost his recent winning streak, losing a close string one game.
Finally last week, the second team took a weakened side away to Dartington and, although losing comprehensively, picked up some hard fought away points. After conceding the string five match, Dennis Edwards lost 3-0 at string four. Shawn Jones then had a monumental match with some very long rallies and entertaining squash. Unfortunately, despite Shawn's efforts he lost a very tight match. Shane Vallance then won at string two and Chris Law played his best squash of recent times, filling in at string one, but went down 3-1, This meant that Okehampton lost 19-6 but again showed good fighting spirit.
These results confirm the second team's position comfortably sitting in the top half of The Devon Mixed Squash League Division 5.
Meanwhile, Okehampton Squash Club first team had a walkover last week, which consolidated their position at the top of the table in Division 4.
If anyone would like to play squash then please contact club coach Clive Marais on 07825 701902.