Wednesday’s draw had 24 players and Thursday’s 42. Warm welcomes to all new faces; Ben Barnard, John Darcy, Jack Cole, Daryl Gray and Dave Watts.

And returnees; Michelle Bentick, Maree Westcott, Dave Hodges, Andrew Barnard, Ken Cormie, Lockie Miller, Jack Tobin and Sandy Paterson. Sadly Steve Dwyer and Gorden Hurry are absent.

There have been other face changes also; I noticed Oli Dawes is growing a beard, Dave Hodges was wearing one, while Alex Doyle is minus his.

Last Wednesday was well attended with only one sub player and interestingly enough, all 12 matches were three sets.

Highlights were Brodie Acret’s win over sub Conner Greenhalgh, Michelle’s Bentick’s good effort against Dave Hodges and Neil Toole’s narrow third set win 15–13 over Alex Cowhan.

Team results were:

D Bilsboroughs  (9) lost to Allegris (19) Danny lost to Brendon 0–3, B Acret d sub C Greehnalgh 3–0, H Toole lost to K Acret 0–3, A Carlisle lost to B Maslin 0–3.

Acrets (14) tied Shaws (14) Regan d Jake 3–0, M Bentick lost to D Hodges 0–3, C Toole lost to C Greenhalgh 0–3, J Darcy d B Barnard 3–0

Barnards (14) tied W Bilsboroughs (14) Andrew lost to Wayne 0–3, N Toole d A Bayley 3–0, L Godden d E Cowhan 3–0, D Gray lost to J Cole 0–3.

Thursday evening’s 21 scheduled matches were all played. Pete Cowhan played Sandy Paterson in a nostalgic match with the usual, entertaining hilarity and fanfare we’ve all come to expect. Despite her loss, Sophie Higgin’s game against Nikki McCaig was admirable. Scotty Webb’s brakes worked well in his match against sub Isabelle Cowhan and Will Wallace was an unluckie loser to Lockie Miller. Match of the week was Sam Mackay versus Daffyd Thomas as two determined contestants made an all out effort. Dan Bayley and Mark Webb had well deserved wins. And although both lost, sub Blair Thomas and Russell Brown put in excellent performances.

Team results were:

Kings (26) d Dawes (23) Sub S Hornery lost to Oli 0–3, B Allegri d sub D Haynes 3–0, P Cowhan d S Paterson 3–2, P Thompson d D Watts 3–0, M Westcott d D Bryant 3–1, S Miller lost to sub S Mackay 0–3, S Higgins lost to N McCaig 2–3.

Pipers (22) lost to Doyles (27) Darryn d Alex 3–0, D Haynes lost to S Hornery 0–3, S Webb lost to sub I Cowhan 2–3. G Coombs d K Cormie 3–0, Bl Thomas lost to T Coombs 0–3, W Wallace lost to L Miller 1–3 S Mackay lost to D Thomas 2–3.

Dempseys (23) lost to Acrets (26) Garry lost to Regan 0–3, D Baylay d J Cannon 3–1 M Webb d N Roach 3–1, J Betland d K Nightingale f, sub Bl Thomas lost to S Allegri 2–3, C  Davies lost to C Allegri 0–3, R Brown lost to G Falvey 2–3.

Good luck to the Forbes team playing in the Orange Inter Town Squash Competition next weekend; Regan Acret, Sam Hornery, Pete Cowhan and Graham Coombs. Go hard!