VALE 1's slim hopes of winning the North West Counties Squash League Div 5 North title were wiped out when Grasshoppers 6 took their expected victory in their last match of the season.
After last week's heroic defeat to Hoppers - the first of the entire season - Vale could only pray that the Prestonians slipped up in their final match but they saw off their opponents with ease to claim the title.
However, Hoppers 6 are expected to reject promotion to Div 4 so
Vale 1 will at least progress to the higher tier.