Sidmouth Squash Club began the 2009/10 season this week with a comprehensive 4 - 1 victory over Tiverton 2nds.

Sidmouth Squash Club began the 2009/10 season this week with a comprehensive 4 - 1 victory over Tiverton 2nds.

Looking resplendent in their new team shirts, provided by Blackdown Surveys, it was the team's first opening game win for nine seasons which hopefully bodes well for the season ahead.

A late team reshuffle brought in Lee Solman for the opening fifth rubber and he put up a very creditable performance against former Tivvy top string Greg Birchmore.

Had the third game tie-break gone Lee's way the 11-15, 15-11, 14-15, 12-15 result may well have been different.

Rob Cann levelled the team scores with a 15-12, 15-11, 10-15, 15-11 victory over fellow fourth string Mike Finch. In a scrappy, often mistake-ridden rubber Rob held his nerve in the latter stages of the games and justifiably earned the win.

In the rubber of the evening Paul Clare overcame Tivvy captain Chris Boumphrey in a thrilling deciding fifth game.

With nothing to chose between the players the game looked destined for a five setter from the early stages.

Chris, however, will only have himself to blame when closing set one at 14-14 in the fifth and putting a relatively simple drop into the tin with Paul admiring the shot from afar.

The resultant 14-17, 15-6, 10-15, 15-11, 15-14 scoreline was a great example of how the new squash scoring really makes every shot in every rally important.

There was only ever going to be one winner in the second string game between Sidmouth's Chris Marriott and Tivvy's Dave Wright. Dave's high risk shot-making game is not ideally suited to the new point a rally scoring and numerous unforced errors saw his downfall. Chris should be credited, however, as he offered up few chances with some exquisite drops and very hard hit cross court drives in the comfortable 15-9, 15-7, 15-9 victory.

The evening was rounded off with a typical early season performance from Sidmouth top string Nigel Desousa.

Despite poor timing, lack of control and a very determined opponent in Simon Kingston, Nigel scraped home by winning the final two games to record victory and the team's fourth 6-15, 15-13, 9-15,15-12, 15-7.

The evening was concluded with excellent food, with a few pints, at main sponsors Dukes. Sincere gratitude goes to Mark and the staff at Dukes for their support.