Torquay show strength in depth

LOWER ORDER strength proved decisive for Torquay II as they beat local rivals Newton Abbot I 3-2 (16-10) in Division One at Marsh Road.

Richard Crook, the improving Andy Robb and Ian Maxfield all won for the visitors.

Newton were without injured skipper Nigel Bell, which proved an important loss.

Tom Haysom, pushed up to No.2, did pip Torquay's Steve Lewis 14/12 in the last game of a see-saw five-setter.

And at the top of the order Lee Curtis was too good for Gareth Owen, winning in three for Newton.

Crook lost the first game to Steve Davey before winning in four.

Maxfield also beat Dave Brown 3-1.

The match which might have turned it Newton's way was Nick Richards against Robb at No.4.

It was Richards' first hit of any kind for seven weeks, after injury and illness.

So he was reasonably pleased with a display which saw Robb only win 11/9 in the fifth.

Bell is hoping to be back for next week's trip to second-placed Devon & Exeter.

Newton II beat Exmouth at home 3-2, thanks to bottom-three Kevin Smart, Steve Morrall and Mark Hedge, who all won.

Second string Rob Salmon lost in four, while Andrew Maker was hampered by an injury as he went down in three.

The Thirds beat Tiverton away 3-2 (16-9).

Shaun Mutton (3-2), Steve Lewis (3-0) and Luke Ruderham (3-1) all won.

Reserves Mark Hedge and Tim Dickinson were the losers, although Hedge did hold a 2-0 lead.

Torquay Sixths fielded new Japanese Masanori Funada against Newton IV, and he proved too good for Jerry Paris, dropping 15 points in a 3-0 win.

Luke Tanner dropped to No.2 for Torquay and beat Harry Millyard in three, while Roger Clarke also beat Newton's Kevin Lamacraft 3-1.

Newton reserves Jason Williams and Darren Mutton both won in five, against Dominic Phillips and Sam Frost.

Newton V won a close match 3-2 against Devon & Exeter VIII at home.

Aiden Hyland, James Cooper and reserve Paul Lennox all won, Cooper after coming back from 13/9 down in the fifth.

James Green and Julian Amery both lost.

The Ladies' first team beat Devon & Exeter I thanks to wins for Dawn Widdicombe, Emma Thomas and Julie Stevens, all 3-0.

Only Thomas was stretched, Mandy Blackmore taking her to 15/13 in the second.

Second string Anne Scott won the first game against the feisty Jessica Mudge, but lost in four.

Claire Simmonds also went down 3-1 to Kirsty Conder.

The Ladies' Second team returned with maximum points from Exeter University.

Kathy Bissell, Sharon Brown, Rose Wood and Lauren Theaker all won 3-0, with Jane Parmenter allowing the students their only point.