The A and B squash leagues were in action this weekend. Derek Tootill from the Isle of Man Squash Racket Association gives a roundup of the action.
A League
Last year's league winners, Island Restorations, made hard work of their win over Stone Art with Paul Barnett and Colin Crawshaw needing a fourth game against Lyndon Cheetham and Allister Crossley.
Meanwhile Dave Griffiths gave Stone Art a win by taking his match, by a single point against Dave O’Neil, on the tie break point of the fifth game.
Davrost's 2-1 win over Gamers hauled them up to joint second in the table with Edgewater A - Phil Challenger taking three very close games for the home team against Rob Colquitt. Both are regaining their fitness after a lay off.
Ashley Sykes got into double figures in all his games against the Island number one Dave Norman and did well to take the second game. Mike Hebden started well against Davrost’s Steve Baker but after going 2-0 down it was game over with Steve taking the third 15-1.
Edgewater A had a close match against the other Edgewater team. Richard Corlett continued his fine form from the Dave Karren competition to beat Kevin Watterson while Douglas Jacobsson, recently back from representing the Island in Poland, couldn’it match the now lighter Dave Hedley. Carl Albright gave the away side their only win of the night against a lack-lustre (his description) Colin Hanbidge. Jelly Beans, still struggling to field a full team, were easy meat for the juniors of Deloitte.
Results: Jelly Beans (55) v Deloitte (135); Edgewater A (117) v Edgewater B (111); Gamers (102) v Davrost (128); Stone Art (113) v Island Restoration (134)
B League
All About Gardens took their second consecutive maximum points win this time over the not so nervous Body and Mind - the ladies boosted by their first game win courtesy of Lara Woznica.
All About Gardens share the top spot with Island Exhaust who also had a maximum points win over BRW Racketeers Academy.
Last year's C league winners Apollo Consultancy came out on top of a close game with Onchan Outcasts. Steve Thatcher winning in five and Andy Booth losing in five against Mark Henson & Keith Whiteway respectively.
Lions put up a good fight but were never a match for Jewel Tech although Chris Moore took Garret du Toit to a tie break in their first game. A no-show at five preventing a potential clean sweep for last year's B league winners.
Match of the week featured Alloms Jewellers Juniors against International Divers with three ties being decided in the fifth game. Jason Crease and Nathan Quilliam taking honours for the home side while James Ramsey won out for Divers but only by two points.
BRW Racketeers, now into their second season are still looking for their first win and it wasn't going to be against Motorvation G whose strength in depth gave them a very convincing victory - Laura Smith particularly showing no mercy in only losing five points to her opponent.
Results: Body & Mind (126) v All About Gardens (225); Alloms Jewellers Juniors (213) v International Divers (119); BRW Racketeers (77) v Motorvation G (225) Lions (148) v Jewel Tech (180); Onchan Outcasts (187) v Apollo Consultancy (213)
