Macc start summer season with derby victory

WITH end-of-winterseason play-offs having been completed the previous weekend, last Thursday saw the North West Counties Squash Summer League begin.

Both Bollington and Prestbury have again entered two broadlymatched squads of mixed ability in this competition, while Macclesfield Squash, who did not take part last summer, are also fielding a team.

And, as chance would have it, the town’s Leisure Centre played host on the first evening to a local derby against one of the sides from ‘Bolly’.

Bollington 1 included in their visiting line-up Martin Ogden and 12-year-old junior George Lomas - both of whom had featured in the Third Team’s Division Five play-off final at Grove Park five days earlier.

Each player appeared initially to have shaken off the disappointment of his winter team’s defeat on that occasion by establishing two-game leads – only then to be beaten over five by, respectively, Daz Glazer and Simon Fisher.

Macclesfield – who had notched up a walkover-victory at fifth string from the outset – eventually prevailed 4-1, with Annika Hall also securing a win in straight games. Rick Walters did likewise, by way of Bollington’s consolation success.

As it turned out, there were to be no openingnight winners from our local clubs other than Macc.

And for two teams in addition to ‘Bolly 1’, the Summer League began with 4-1 reverses.

Bollington 2 were at home, and could at least celebrate a straight-games victory at first string for the returning Neil Garner, who had taken up membership again at his original club after two seasons of playing for Macc.

Unfortunately, that was as good as it got for the hosts, as their visitors, and Bollin Grove tenants, Radbroke Hall – including on-loan Prestbury player Gareth Evans – claimed the four remaining matches.

Prestbury 2 also endured a tough start to their campaign, as well as a long journey - travelling south to take on Summer League newcomers Crewe Vagrants.

With Crewe fielding three Third Division stalwarts and two from Division Four, it was always destined to be difficult for the visitors who nevertheless fought creditably. In particular, Brian Lomas fought back from two-down to win the next three, and Andy Worsley picked up the second and third games in the course of a close defeat by his young opponent.

And so, finally, to Prestbury 1 - who, unlike the other four local teams (in the Southern Section of the League), are this summer competing in the East Division.

Their initial fixture, at home to Disley, turned out to be the tightest of the night - with no fewer than four of the five pairings producing 3-2 scorelines.

Two of these went the way of the hosts, as Ben Parker and promising new junior player Greg Ralley (15) both edged out higher-division regulars.

But the final one to be played saw the spoils go to their guests, who, with that, edged the overall contest by the odd match in five.