A STRONG start to the second half of the season saw the Hexham men’s first team achieve successive 4-1 home victories against Washington and Westoe.

They went on to lose a close encounter away to promotion chasing Northern IIII 3-2.

However, impressive performances from regulars Andrew Wilkinson, Damon Watts, Jeremy Phillipson, have been complemented by important contributions from Guy Burnell, Adrian Alderton and Guy Jepson.

The encouraging period has propelled Hexham into a much healthier mid-table position in the league.

Hexham II are continuing to battle against the Division Four relegation zone.

A surprising 3-2 win against promoting chasing Dunstan was followed by a comfortable 4-1 home victory against Boldon II.

The Dunstan match saw three epic 3-2 victories, all of which were won by Hexham men Alderton, Jepson and Jon Steward, with solid back-up from captain Kristen McKluskie and Duncan Hunter. Man of the match went to Jon Steward after a superb array of angle shots which bemused his opponent.

Hexham III team had a tough start at table-topping Eldon III, losing 3-2 with wins for Paul Edmunds, and Steve Blake, who managed to get the better of Eldon’s Alan Coates.

Northern Juniors also proved too strong for Hexham, winning 3-2 with despite captain Tim Anderson and Steve Blake getting results.

Finally, a convincing 5-0 home win against Primrose IV boosted morale, including 3-0 wins for younger players Luke Radley and Robert Chesney.

Hexham players competed in the Northumbria Senior County Closed Competition, in various categories.

Paul Satow reached the final of the men’s over 55s, and Adrian Alderton the men’s over 60s. In their respective finals, both were up against the formidable veteran Jon Evans, who is the British champion in his age group, and went down 3-0, with Satow coming close to winning his second game.

Hexham junior Annabelle Satow reached the final of the ladies’ plate competition with a 3-1 win over Emily King. She was however unable to contain her very strong opponent, Harriet White, in the plate final.

The ladies’ singles title was comfortably retained by current champion Sam Ward, of Tynemouth.

The men’s final was between Liam Gutcher, of Newcastle University, and North-East based U19 international Max Forster.

Gutcher looked impressive in his very close 3-2 semi-final win against Dave Barnett, and kept Forster on his toes with some exceptionally long rallies.

The younger man, however, proved too strong, and Forster retained his title. He is off to Harvard USA this year on a squash scholarship.

Hexham Squash Club and their facilities are located behind the clubhouse at Hexham Golf Club.