Dukes-sponsored Sidmouth Squash won their final two games before the Christmas break to conclude the first half of the season in second place behind runaway leaders Exeter University and heading a bunch of five teams within 10 points of the second promotion place, writes Rob Cann.

The final league game saw Sidmouth defeat promotion rivals Exeter Golf & CC. Following wins for Paul Clare 3-1(14-16; 15-10; 15-9; 17-15), Paul Symington 3-1 (15-12; 15-4; 7-15; 15-12, and Chris Marriott 3-0 (15-7; 15-10; 15-5) the final two games were much closer.

Nigel Desousa, despite leading 2-1, lost out to fellow second string Mark Mills 12-15; 15-10; 8-15; 15-9; 15-10 whilst in the match of the evening Chris Woodruff continued his winning run to the season coming from 2-1 down to win 18-16 in the fifth and deciding game.

Sidmouth 4 ( 19 points),

Exeter Golf & Cc 1 ( 7 points).

Sidmouth's final game in December was a Devon Plate match with near neighbours Exmouth.

Despite Exmouth heading the league above, Sidmouth pulled off a shock victory to progress to the next round, an away tie with Okehampton.

Sidmouth got off to a great start winning the opening rubbers, Alick Russell defeating Graham Hay 15-11; 15-13; 15-12 and Dave Maskill seeing off Carl Sowden 17-15; 8-15; 15-11; 15-10.

Exmouth hit back, winning the next two rubbers, Colin Jones narrowly defeating Sidmouth third string Chris Marriott 15-8; 10-15; 15-10; 15-11, and Garry Batten getting the better of Nigel Desousa 15-4; 15-17; 15-13;15-8.

The final and deciding rubber saw Chris Woodruff defeat Graham Chater 15-8; 10-15; 15-7; 15-13 giving Sidmouth the match win.

?The second half of the season begins this week when Sidmouth entertain Paignton Squash Club hoping to overturn the 3-2 defeat suffered back in September.