Tavistock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Tiverton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

TAVISTOCK Squash Club inflicted a rare defeat against high flying Tiverton.

Tavistock number five Mike Gray was paired up against Joe Francis who is unbeaten in all games so far this season. Mike was first into his stride taking the first game by 9 points to 7. However during the second Joe started to show why he has forged his unbeaten run, hitting some blistering drives which enabled him to win the second 9/4. Mike regained the initiative during the third taking the rubber 9/3 and Joe took the fourth 9/2 to level the match.The last game went down to the wire, both players served for the match but it was Joe who sneaked it 10/9.

Next on court was Colin Grice and the Tiverton skipper Alistair Lawrence-King. Both players play a similar style of squash based on hard hitting and hard running and they provided a very entertaining match for the spectators. Colin is notorious as a slow starter so it was no surprise that Alistair took the first game 9/6. However, by the second game Colin had got himself into gear and started winning the greater share of the hard fought rallies. This resulted in the Tavistock man powering through the next three games to win the match by three games to one.

Tavistock skipper Andy Gauler was next on court playing against Jason Bent. Andy might as well have stayed in the changing room for the first two games losing them 9/0,9/4 against a man he was expected to beat. After the se ond game Andy got himself together and started to play the type of squash his team mates expect of him. Andy won the next two games 9/2,9/1 to square the match at two games apiece.

The deciding game started with Andy cruising to an early lead before Jason hit five or six winners to first tie the game at 8/8 and then 9/9, however the Tavistock skipper held his nerve to win 10/9.

Steve Tripp was paired against Tiverton number two Sean Davies.Sean took the first game 9/7 using his speed to outrun Steve.

However, Steve's consistent line and length game proved too much for Sean to cope with and after some tough rallies at the start of the second game, Steve ran out a comfortable 3/1 winner.

Tavistock's new number one Jim Massey provided the icing on the cake giving the Tiverton number one Chris Moore a masterclass in squash. Jim has played some high quality squash in his time and he is a significant signing for the Pixon Lane club.

Jim defeated Chris by three games to nil, 9/5,9/3,9/1. This victory gave Tavistock a four games to one victory.

Anyone interested in playing squash at what ever level phone Malcolm Tripp on 01822 615239 or Andy Gauler on 01822 617714.