Business end of the season

FIXTURES in the men’s North West Counties League resume tomorrow (Thursday) following a one-week break to accommodate the British National Squash Championships, held in Manchester.

What better time, then, for a brief stock-take of progress by our three local clubs - Bollington, Prestbury and Macclesfield Squash - before reports are provided over the next few weeks on matches left to play between now and early April.

Bollington have the highest-ranked individual side in the area at present with a First Team that competes in Division Two East.

The ‘Bolly Firsts’ have yo-yoed somewhat between the Second and Third Divisions over the last few seasons, and will be hoping to buck the trend by staying up this term – although they currently lie in tenth place, just under the relegation trapdoor.

By contrast, the village’s two other teams, in Divisions Four and Five South, are enjoying solid campaigns and will be looking to achieve top-half finishes.

At Prestbury, there could be joy and despair in equal measure come April. The First Team has a hundred per cent record at the top of Division Three South East, and looks set fair for promotion.

Any end-of-season celebrations might also include Prestbury’s Fourth Team, now up to third in Division Five after a five-match unbeaten run. Prestbury’s Second and Third Teams, however, are fighting to remain in their respective Divisions Three and Four, while the Fifth Team - largely comprising junior players new to team squash - props up Division Five.

For Macclesfield Squash, it has been a challenging year, following the departure of key players last summer. Both teams, in Divisions Three and Four, occupy relegation positionsfrom which, alas, escape appears difficult.

Bollington and Prestbury also field a Ladies’ team apiece - competing against each other in Cheshire League Division Two. Their fixtures get back underway next Monday.