Newton back on course after 4-1 win

NEWTON Abbot bounced back from their heavy defeat at Devon & Exeter Exonians to record a comfortable 4-1 (19-6) win at Westcountry in the Devon Squash League Premier Division.

The result lifted last season's champions up to third place, 25 points behind leaders Torquay.

Newton do have two winnable matches, at home to Devon & Exeter I and away to Exeter Golf & Country Club, coming up before the mid-winter break.

Only skipper Lee Curtis suffered defeat at Westcountry, and he's still not 100 per cent fit because of a groin injury.

Curtis won the first two games against old rival Chris Puertas, but the Plymouth man then wore him down to win 3-2 (6/9, 8/10, 9/3, 9/5, 9/4).

Phil Borrett, Nigel Bell and Kevin Appleby all found themselves a game down.

But Borrett recovered to beat Alan Pepperall 6/9, 9/1, 9/5, 9/4.

Bell had to dig pretty deep to see off Guy Philpotts 3/9, 10/8, 9/7, 10/9.

Appleby beat Nick Brewer 5/9, 9/4, 9/2, 9/3.

There were no problems for Newton's 'non-county' man Lewys Hurst — he beat Tony Tremain in straight games.

NEWTON II were at full-strength for their Division One trip to Devon & Exeter III, but were still hammered 5-0 (20-2).

Only Tom Wilson and Nick Richards picked up points for Newton, while Steve Davey, Dave Brown and Matt Hunt all lost 3-0.

The Third team travelled to Tiverton with only three players, but Rob Salmon and Steve Morrall managed to salvage four points from the inevitable defeat.

Rob Muddeman lost in three.

The Fourths did collect their first 20-point haul of the season, against Tiverton II.

Barry Knight had a walkover at No.5, Ian Davies twice came from behind to win in five and Steve Lewis in four.

Luke Ruderham played some of his best squash to win in three and, in the best match of the night, reserve Mark Hedge came from 2-0 down to beat Simon Kingston 10/8 in the fifth.

The Fifths are still looking for their first win despite a good effort away to Paignton III.

Below-strength, Newton soon found themselves 2-0 down, with reserve Paul Lennox and James Green both losing 3-0, to Keith Broom and Richard Kogel.

Then Andrew Maker overcame lack of match fitness to beat John Huxter in three and Les Lachenicht ended his recent lean spell with a four-set win over Alan Ford.

But in the deciding match Paignton's Mike Kateb proved too good for Kevin Smart, winning 3-0 to wrap up a 15-6 victory on the night.

NEWTON Ladies I lost a league and cup double-header 3-2 to Exeter Golf & Country Club, even though their opponents had only four players.

Jackie Carr had a walkover at No.5 and Sharon Brown beat Helen Mortimore in five.

Julie Stevens won the opener 10/8 against Karen Beasley, but lost the next three, while Anne Scott and Claire Simmons both lost 3-0 to the experienced Marie Kent and Betty Blair.

The Ladies' second team had a miserable night at Plympton, where only debutante Denise Corby picked up a point at No.5.

Emma Thomas, Lauren Theaker, Jane Parmenter and Rose Wood all lost 3-0 on a night to forget.