HEXHAM Squash II may have lost 5-0 at Tynemouth IV in Division Four, but they ran their opponents close in the early stages.

Greg van Hinsbergh, Guy Jepson and Jon Steward all had their opponents on the ropes but ended up losing their close encounters 3-2.

van Hinsbergh took the first game 12-15 but went 2-1 behind with two losses at 5-15 and 13-15. He levelled things with a 15-13 but his opponent took the deciding game 15-11.

After losing the opening game 13-15, Jepson countered with two 15-14 successes but ended up losing 3-2 as he went down 8-15, 5-15 in the final two games.

It was a similar story for Steward as after going 1-0 (7-15) down, he was 2-1 ahead after winning 15-14, 15-12. But he was unable to keep up the momentum and lost the final two games 9-15, 12-15.

Ian Donkin lost 3-0 (6-15, 6-15, 13-15) as did Jim Chambers (8-15, 8-15, 7-15).