SQUASH PISTOLS finished top of the pile at the end of the first session of the Bedell Cristin Team League this week, with Alexander Forbes II winning Division II.

Pistols only needed to win to ensure top placing in Division I, and they cantered home 4-1 against Alexander Forbes I.

That meant Pistols won the session by three points ahead of second placed Bedell Cristin I, who also finished on a high, 5-0 against Ash Shopfitting.

The two matches of the night were Kevin Moore’s win for Alexander Forbes I over Pistols’ Charlie Journeaux – a hard fought classic – and David Evans far from easy win for Bedell Cristin I against Jonathon Hibbs of Ash.

Moore’s pace and fitness eventually saw him home 3-1 against the ever improving Journeaux, while the large gallery was mesmerised by the quality of squash played by the former world No 3, Evans, and the ever youthful former Channel Islands champion Hibbs.

Evans ultimately won 3-0, but was made to work for every point as Hibbs produced shots that would have been winners against lesser opponents.

The other Division I tie, between Harriers and the resurgent All Sports, had the latter taking the honours 4-1.

Harriers therefore are relegated for the next session.

Alexander Forbes II will replace them in Division I after beating OVs 4-1 in what shoud have been an evenly-matched contest.

Island representative Mark Corradine saw off OVs’ Nigel Johnson 3-1 in 50 minutes and team-mates Si Aziz and Paul Mundy also had 3-1 wins over Gordon Burgis and Jeremy Rothwell respectively.

The tie already decided, Jon Richardson despatched Dave Tupper of OVs 3-0 in quick time which left Gerard Gardner poised to complete a clean sweep.

He was, however, unable to match youngster Charles White for speed around the court, with White coming through for a 3-0 consolation.

Yo Yo’s title challenge evaporated when they lost 3-2 to Chiltern and in the final tie Bedell Cristin II restored some pride by upsetting the strong Apsley Road Garage 3-2.

The second session starts next week, following on directly from this weekend’s Jersey Squash Festival.

Details of the latter can be found on www.jerseysquashclub.co.uk.