A late arrival meant Mike Walton started the match against Matt Oakes at 5.  Mike controlled the play early on and had the best of the rallies, winning his points through c/cs and b/h volley drop shots. The movement of 14 year old Oakes stood out as brilliant and after losing the first game he did not falter in his excellent court coverage. The long rallies tired Mike and Oakes fought back to win the 2^nd with impressive drives and a fantastic read of the front court. In the later stages Mike struggled for fitness and stopped hitting winning volleys and let Oakes rally into winning positions. 3-1 to Sandbach.

Greg Marshall took the top spot at 1 against Rennie Birch.  Birch attacked fiercely and charged forward to unleash powerful drives. Greg was stunned to lose the 1^st from a 4-0 lead. Birch continued to play bruttle squash and Greg struggled to get to grips with a menacing Birch serve.  So Greg was 2 games down with a lot do when he found Birch's weakness. Greg kept his balance and floated the ball into the corners; belting the ball back wasn't working and timing was essential to get Birch off the T and open up for a drop shot. Greg stuck at it very well and took the 3^rd game (9-7). The forth was also close but Birch wouldn't let it go and put Sandbach 2 up.

On stepped David Waring against Ian Turpin. Turpin played a similar sort of game to David, he played short to the front and looked to wrong foot his opponent. It worked! he won the first game (9-2)! and the second (9-6)!  However David was far from done and as the game drew on won more and more rallies. Using the home advantage to full effect he dominated the next 3 games easily catching Turpin out of position (9-3, 9-4, 9-4).

Steve O'Hare faced Mike Mulliner at 4. Steven played to his strengths; speed, power and passion. He took the first 9-7, the 2^nd 9-2, and the 3^rd 9-6.  There were some good rallies and both players applied pressure in spells but Steven's concentration was superior and he was first to the ball and all 3 points.

So 2 games all and Steve Costello took on Tony Taylor (a gas contractor on loan to Sandbach).  He was a good standard but Steve took no prisoners (9-1). In the 2^nd the early pressure hit home andTaylor got some luck off the frame to win (9-6). After a word from the balcony Steve bounced back and took the next (9-2, 9-4), using the b/h drop shot off the return of serve to maximum effect. This and a tight powerful drive was enough to finish of the Sandbach challenge.

            The match's final score was 16-9. One more win at Bollington to complete a 1^st half clean sweep.