The season resumed at Newton Abbot Squash Club following the holiday hiatus with two wins in three days for the men's first team as well as a thrilling derby and other assorted successes for the Marsh Road club.

The first team travelled to Exeter University seeking revenge on the team responsible for their only defeat in the first half of the season.

This time the students were no match for a rampant Newton Abbot squad, looking to strengthen their position at the top of division one in the Devon League as they crashed to a 5-0 (20-1) defeat.

There were 3-0 wins for Jon Sharp, Nigel Bell, Tom Haysom and Lee Curtis with just Dave Brown dropping a game as he won in four.

The win gives Newton Abbot a 20-point cushion over their nearest rivals at the top of the division.

Two days later a slightly different looking first team played host to the students of Devon's other university, Plymouth, in a Devon Shield match with both teams trying to reach the semi-final.

Nigel Bell and Lee Curtis were rested, giving Kevin Smart and son Adam the chance to play.

Smart senior duly won 3-0 at five, but 14-year-old Adam lost in four. John Sharpe then lost a tough five-setter giving the students the advantage.

Dave Brown levelled the tie with a confident 3-0 win at two and victory was completed as Tom Haysom beat his opponent 3-1, earning themselves a trip to Tiverton in the next round.

The father and son Smart team were also on duty for their regular team, the fifths, as they played host to fellow Marsh Road side, Newton Abbot seconds.

The result of this derby was not settled until the battle of the top strings as the tie first swung one way and then the other.

The 'visitors' took the early initiative as Rob Muddiman beat Darren Mutton 3-1, but the first of three five set matches saw Clive Elmore beat Jim Watson to restore parity. James Cooper then restored the seconds' lead by beating Jason Williams in five after Williams had held a 2-0 lead.

The tie was soon level again as Kevin Smart, in another tough five-setter, overcame Dan Gough 3-2.

The youngest members of each team were left to decide the outcome of the match and this particular battle was won by Curtis Corby as he beat Adam Smart 3-0 to give the seconds a 3-2 (18-9) win over the fifths.

The win moves the second team to second equal in division two.

The top of division three is also held by a Newton Abbot team as the fourths hold a narrow one point lead over Kingsbridge following their 5-0 (20-1) trouncing of Exeter Golf and Country Club's fourth team.

Steve Lewis, Mark Hedge and brothers Matt and Nick Whalley all won 3-0 with Rob Salmon being tested slightly more as he won in four.

The ladies were not to be left out from this winning start to the second half of the season as they overwhelmed Paignton 5-0, the Clennon Valley club picking up just one point in the process.

With so few games in division one of the ladies' league, Claire Simmonds has moved to the seconds in order to play more games and duly beat Annie Ley 3-0 though in a tougher game than the score suggests.

Denise Corby, Sharon Brown and Katie Scott also had 3-0 wins with Rose Wood completing the winning night as she won in four.

The win moves Newton ladies into second place in division two.

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