Derby tussle at Watton

A club derby got the winter squash season officially under way with Watton first team taking the honours and maximum points in their quest to regain their Division One status at the first attempt.

A club derby got the winter squash season officially under way with Watton first team taking the honours and maximum points in their quest to regain their Division One status at the first attempt.

Watton II, newly promoted to Division Two, were simply outclassed in all departments. Ian Thompson won 9-2 9-7 9-0 in straight games against a lacklustre Chris Haythorpe.

Dev Mahatme managed a couple of game points, but his opponent Vince Somers was never out of first gear, with Vince also coming through in straight games 10-8 9-1 9-8.

Bobby Hunt had a tough time in the best tie of the night against a classy Alan Soames, losing the first two 9-4 9-5. Bobby hung in, saving a match ball, eventually taking the third 10-8.

Thereafter Alan regained control, taking the fourth 9-6 to win 3-1. Mark Phillips shared the first two games 6-9 9-7, before Jonathan Pearson exerted his authority to comfortably take the next two 9-4 9-4, also coming through 3-1.

First-string Simon Howling used all his skill and experience from his seasons in Division One to give Paul Goodchild a master class, with Simon winning 9-0 10-8 9-3 in straight games.

Overall a 20-2 victory for the first team, with the only positives for Watton II were avoiding a whitewash, and losing to the Division Two

title favourites.