HEXHAM Squash Club’s first team defeated Newcastle University to move out of the relegation zone in Northumbria Squash League Division One.

Damon Watts got out of the blocks quickly against Emma Turnbull, and performed impressively to win 3-0.

Number two player Tom Ewen struggled to find a good length throughout the match, and despite two very close 13-11, games went down 3-0.

Youngsters Joe Anderson and Jonny Davies contested an entertaining game, during which both players hitting the ball at tremendous speed. Tynedale’s Anderson put up a good battle but Davies used more shot variation to win 3-1.

With Hexham 2-1 down overall, the evergreen Andrew Wilkinson took on the University’s James Lees.

This hard driving match ebbed and flowed, and at 2-2, the young University player looked favourite for the victory after reaching 10-7 match point.

But the dogged Wilkinson kept plugging away and forced mistakes to snatch a 12-10 victory, which kept Hexham in the match.

The final encounter between number one player Jason Toogood, of Hexham, and Newcastle’s Ryan Doran, was another entertaining and close fought game.

Doran took the first game after taking advantage of loose shots from his opponent.

Toogood tightened up his game, and began hitting the corners more consistently to win the second game 11-9.

After some memorable rallies, Toogood took the third game, then the fourth to see Hexham over the line, and to secure a vital victory.

Hexham’s second team have been struggling with injuries in Northumbria Squash League Division Three, and lost to promotion-chasing Jarrow side Primrose.