Squash: Vale lose top spot despite win

Jeremy Stopford eased to his usual 3-0 win at No 1, while at two, Adam Holtham, dropped one game before taking his opponent 3-1.

Andy Haines at three won 3-0, a feat replicated by Dave Jewitt at four.

The ever-improving Stuart Featon fought hard but lost 3-1.

Vale 1 are now one point in arrears to rugby club rivals, Preston Grasshoppers 6 at the top of the table.

With three matches to go, the title race is hotting up as the Powderhouse Lane boys face Hoppers 6 at home in the final match on April 2.

Vale 2’s fortunes did not improve with a loss to the fourth team from local rivals 3-1-5.

Rob Kitchen at No 1 lost 3-0 but John Harker at two staged a remarkable comeback from a recent hamstring injury and scored a typically battling 3-0 win after his opponent ran him close in the first two games.

Rupert Douglas-Jones at three went down 3-0 as did Kevin Olive at five.

Joe Hopkinson at four took one game off his opponent, but overall the team suffered a 4-1 defeat.