Sidmouth 5 ( 20pts), Paignton 0 ( 3pts )

Sidmouth Squash Club reversed the 3-2 away defeat with Paignton Squash Club at Sidmouth Sports Centre this week, thus strengthening their promotion hopes, writes Rob Cann.

Paignton were struggling through injury and unavailability to raise a team and arrived with only four players, therefore conceding the fifth rubber and improving fifth string captain Rob Cann's average score!

Fourth string Alick Russell made short work of opponent Andy Westwood, winning in straight games 15-8; 15-7; 15-6. Both players had plenty of energy left playing a further three games after, which, by the way, went the same way.

Dave Maskill began slowly in his rubber with fellow third string Keith Broome. Struggling to find a length and width Dave allowed Keith to volley at will and take the opening game. From there on, however, it was a different story, Maskill dominated the remaining games winning the rubber 13-15; 15-10; 15-9; 15-9.

Chris Woodruff was next on court and had few problems in overcoming Paignton captain Andy Mitchell. Chris's exquisite shot length, game variation and, when in trouble, retrieval powers gave Andy few chances as the 15-7; 15-9; 15-11 score line suggests.

The final rubber of the evening saw Nigel Desousa secure his first victory of the season after six attempts.

Nigel thoroughly deserved his win over Neil Robinson having come from 1-2 down to win in the fifth. The resultant 15-10; 11-15; 13-15; 15-10; 15-11 victory set up by some patient energy sapping rallies and very few unforced errors.

?This week Sidmouth travel to Blundells School to take on Tiverton's second team, hoping the mild weather continues, allowing the notoriously cold, slow courts to have some life and bounce. Any sort of victory will be a result at a venue where most of the teams struggle.