VALE of Lune's squash teams battled out the first of their seasonal derby matches on home ground with the second string going down
5-0.
The Vale 1st team opened their account for the 2014-15 season in Div 5 North of the North West Counties Squash League. Team captain Stuart Featon at No 5 took on Vale 2nd's veteran Steve Thompson, playing his 40th year at the Vale. Youth overcame experience as Thommo was defeated 15-8,15-9, 15-7 under the new "American" scoring system introduced for this season.
With the running order being adjusted for late arrivals, the best game of the night, played between the No 4s, turned out to be the last on court - and the best. Vale1st's Shaun Gorry, a battle-honed campaigner took on 14-year-old prospect Max Castaldi. With youth and speed around the court on his side, Max took the fight to Shaun who was suffering from the start with stiffness after a day at his desk. The match see-sawed between the two with Shaun emerging victorious 3-2 after a titanic battle, featuring heroic running from Max and deft touches from Shaun.
The No1s also put on a tremendous show with Rupert Douglas-Jones for the second team displaying his developing skills against Jeremy Stopford. Although Rupert lost 3-0, he showed great determination which will see him win matches this season.
The No2s also demonstrated the skills and fitness required even at this level of the squash world, Adam Holtham winning 3-0 for the first team against juniors coach Rob Kitchen. Dave Jewitt at three also displayed a higher level of skills against the second team's relative newcomer Kevin Olive, winning 3-0.