SQUASH: LDSC finish year with a flourish

LDSC delivered some festive cheer at home to relegation threatened Bunyan, as third strings kicked off proceedings with Scot Adam facing Bob Amos.

The match was nip and tuck throughout, with the scores at 2-2, before Adam opened up a gap that was never closed.

A jet-lagged John Stevens filled in at fifth string for LDSC to make his season debut against Keith Broome.

Stevens started well to take the first game, but after Broom levelled via a tie-break, he didn’t relinquish control and secured a 3-1 victory to level the tie.

The second string match saw Craig Basham take on Jules Cooper. After cruising through the first game with trademark drop shots, Basham struggled for consistency, which Cooper exploited to win 3-1.

Fourth strings Matt Carey and John Wixted were in action too as Carey came back from 2-1 down to seal a 3-2 triumph.

In the deciding match at first string, Phil Jenkins opened up an early lead over Matt Towers.

The next two were close affairs, before Jenkins reeled off seven consecutive points to win the match and the tie for LDSC.

Also at home on the same night were LDSC II, possibly at full strength for the first time this year.

Sam McCoy crushed his combative opponent, veteran Alberto Elfasi, while Paul Main chalked up a first victory of the season against an awkward opponent in Philip Martynski.

At first string it was battle of the youngsters where LDSC’s Laurence Green outclassed MK’s Joe Elfasi in an entertaining battle.

County champion, Steve Davies, turned out at the unfamiliar position of second string and despite clearly being hampered by a long term injury had plenty to spare in despatching Barry Smith.

Captain Steve Wells finished a great night with a superb 3-1 triumph over Simon Green who had beaten him 3-0 in the away fixture earlier in the season.

Wells said: “We are reasonably happy with a mid-table finish, given the development nature of the side and the number of injuries we suffered. Hopefully we can push on next year.”