Following a disappointing run of three narrow defeats, the Pathfinder Homes men’s first team recorded their first win of 2016, a comprehensive 4-1 (17-4) win over Devon & Exeter 1, aided by the Exeter club’s inability to field a full side with just a trio of players making the trip to Newton Abbot, writes Paul Lennox.

This gave Nigel Bell and Chris Stanley walkovers at the bottom of the order and victory was assured as Lee Curtis had a quick fire 3-0 win over his opponent. Second string Ben Sutton took his match in four with a much-improved performance.

Exeter’s James Snell prevented the home whitewash as he proved too strong for Jared London, winning in three.

The Glentworth Insurance second team also had a victory over Exeter opposition, beating third-placed Golf & Country Club 1 3-2 (16-8) to put some breathing space between themselves and the relegation places in division one.

Strengthened by the returning Adam Smart at one, there were 3-1 wins for both Steve Davey and Dave Brown with Smart taking his tie without reply.

Dan Gough lost the longest match of the evening in five, while Curtis Corby looked short of match practice as he went down in three.

To complete the quartet of winning teams, Newton’s third and fifth sides also won.

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