Squash

Because of the fairly good weather during the term, the squash courts were not so much in demand as usual. Nevertheless, the general standard of squash throughout the Senior and Junior Schools has continued to improve.

An open and a junior competition were organised at the beginning of term. The initial response was most encouraging but few boys seemed keen enough to play their matches quickly; as a result far too many had to be scratched. At the time of writing, both competitions have reached the semi-final stage. The Grove easily won the House competition, defeating The Rise 4-1 in the final.

On the whole the 1st V had a rather frustrating term; it was a young team and consequently a little inconsistent. However, considerable experience was gained during the season, which should benefit the team greatly, as it is possible that all the five will be at School for another year.

The captain, R. D. Harding, at present lacks the necessary speed and stamina to make the best of his hard hitting game. After a series of defeats at first string, he lost much of his confidence, but this returned after a spell at No. 2 and he finished the season with a fine win against the Barnard Castle second string, to whom Harding had previously lost twice.

J. J. Vooght continued to show what a good player he could be, and his win against the Rossall No. 1 was undoubtedly the best performance of the term.

P. F. Nettleton, at his best, is a very good stroke-player, but his form during the term was rather erratic. At No. 4 D. R. Baxter improved a great deal. He has a wide range of strokes and covers the court very quickly. At present he tends to be impetuous and makes too many careless mistakes, but this is mainly due to lack of experience. G. A. Willstrop worked very hard at his game during the term and did well to make the No. 5 position his own. His greatest asset is his speed, but he plays some good shots. if he can make his game a little steadier, he will always be ' difficult to beat.

Apart from the regular 1st V, who were all awarded their Colours, two Colts, N. G. A. Morris and J. C. Richardson, played occasionally for the team and showed excellent promise. The Colts team played only two matches, both of which they won easily; the high standard of this team certainly augurs well for the future.

RESULTS: 1st VII v. Staff. Lost 3-4. R. D. Harding lost to D. Kirby, Esq., 3-9, 3-9, 0-9. J. J. Vooght lost to M. Willstrop, Esq., 4-9, 1-9, 5-9.

P. F. Nettleton beat G. D. Craine, Esq., 7-9, 9-2, 9-10, 9-0, 9-2.

D. R. Baxter beat A. E. R. Dodds, Esq., 9-4, 9-4, 5-9, 9-10, 9-6. G. A. Willstrop lost to R. F. Harding, Esq., 7-9, 7-9, 7-9. N. G. A. Morris lost to G. M. Shuttleworth, Esq., 9-7, 5-9, 4-9, 4-9. J. C. Richardson beat M. Woodruff, Esq., 9-6, 9-2, 9-7. 35

1st VI v. Squashbucklers. Won 4-2.

R. D. Harding lost to Dr. W. Helm, 4-9, 4-9, 2-9.

P. F. Nettleton lost to N. J. Magson, Esq., 4-9, 6-9, 8-10.

D. R. Baxter beat Dr. P. Willis, 9-3, 9-7, 10-8.

G. A. Willstrop beat M. Wilson, Esq., 9-6, 10-8, 7-9, 9-6.

R. P. Shouksmith beat Dr. P. Lethem, 9-3, 9-3, 7-9, 9-7.

J. C. Richardson beat J. Haddock, Esq., 9-2, 9-2, 9-0.

1st V v. York R.I. (Away). Lost 0-5.

R. D. Harding lost to J. E. Fawcett, Esq., 2-9, 3-9, 6-9.

J. J. Vooght lost to G. Martin, Esq., 2-9, 9-10, 9-6, 4-9.

P. F. Nettleton lost to D. J. Oliver, Esq., 4-9, 9-6, 2-9, 4-9.

D. R. Baxter lost to N. J. Magson, Esq., 1-9, 4-9, 9-7, 4-9.

G. A. Willstrop lost to J. Hannon, Esq., 4-9, 0-9, 2-9. 9-2, 9-7,

1st V v. Hymer's College. (Away). Won 4-1.

J. J. Vooght lost to C. Orriss, 0-9, 0-9, 9-4, 2-9.

R. D. Harding beat R. Harwood, 9-1, 9-1, 9-3.

P. F. Nettleton beat H. B. Slater, 9-0, 9-1, 9-1.

D. R. Baxter beat R. J. Welton, 9-6, 9-2, 9-2.

G. A. Willstrop beat P. A. Beecroft, 2-9, 9-6, 9-0, 9-2.

1st V v. Harrogate. (Home). Lost 2-3.

J. J. Vooght lost to A. Maclean, Esq., 9-2, 3-9, 0-9, 1-9.

R. D. Harding lost to P. Southcott, Esq., 9-3, 7-9, 2-9, 6-9.

P. F. Nettleton lost to W. Audsley, Esq., 9-2, 9-0, 2-9, 0-9, 6-9.

D. R. Baxter beat N. Capon, Esq., 2-9, 9-7, 10-9, 9-5.

G. A. Willstrop beat C. Sproulle, Esq., 9-1, 9-5, 10-8.

1st V v. Old Peterites. Lost 2-3.

J. J. Vooght lost to G. W. A. R. Alderson, 8-10, 8-10, 4-9.

R. D. Harding lost to P. W. Shepherd, 2-9, 4-9, 10-8, 9-5, 1-9.

P. F. Nettleton beat N. J. Magson, 5-9, 9-5, 9-6, 9-0.

G. A. Willstrop beat J. Hannon, 10-8, 0-9, 3-9, 9-5, 10-8.

J. C. Richardson lost to C. W. Thompson, 5-9, 5-9, 9-1, 7-9.

Triangular Match:- Barnard Castle beat Rossall 4-1. (Barnard Castle names first).

B. Patterson beat M. J. Stokes, 9-4, 9-2, 9-4.

A. J. Davison lost to M. C. Wagstaff, 1-9, 6-9, 3-9.

J. K. Wakefield beat B. P. Craig, 9-3, 5-9, 9-6, 9-1.

A. Bullock beat I. S. Riley, 9-4, 9-2, 9-7.

A. P. Hope beat P. A. Cartmell, 9-4, 9-0, 9-5.

St. Peter's v. Rossall. Lost 2-3.

J. J. Vooght beat M. C. Wagstaff, 5-9, 9-6, 9-2, 5-9, 9-4.

R. D. Harding lost to M. J. Stokes, 7-9, 4-9, 3-9.

P. F. Nettleton beat B. P. Craig, 9-5, 9-4, 9-0.

D. R. Baxter lost to I. S. Riley, 9-3, 9-4, 6-9, 1-9, 2-9.

G. A. Willstrop lost to P. A. Cartmell, 6-9, 2-9, 6-9. 36