BOWDON came away with the points from a tough away trip to Wigan last Tuesday, sealing a 15-8 win.

After a nightmare journey through football traffic, Neil Guirey had to go on court immediately after he arrived and never really put his best performance together, losing 3-0.

Meanwhile, Mike Knight was competing for a similar accolade on the other court, getting into his usual off form' thrashing match.

On occasion brilliant, Knight's talent never managed to shine through, and he too lost 3-0.

At 0-6, team manager Di Parums was starting to get somewhat nervous as Mike Dickens, who has not yet won this season, took to the stage.

Her doubts were needless, as Mike relaxed into a match naturally suited to his athletic and varied style.

Fading a little in the third, Dickens concentrated hard and pipped his opponent 9-7 in the third for a straight sets victory.

Back on course to pull it out of the bag, Nick Murrills at three and Chris Ryder at one entered the fray.

Murrills cruised the first 9-0 but knew his opponent was capable of much more.

Indeed, the match became a crucial decider, with the next two going 10-9 and 9-10 respectively. Nick kept his cool and took the fourth and the match in style, opening up the fixture again to a Bowdon win.

Meanwhile, Ryder was playing a game of psychological cat and mouse with his young Australian opponent.

His opponent's injury at 7-7 in the first produced an exit from the court for over five minutes and, according to the rules of squash, the first game to Ryder.

However, to Ryder's astonishment and dismay, the professional referee was not aware of this rule and allowed the game to continue.

Ryder could not see clearly through the red haze of fury and dropped the first.

It took great mental strength for him to pull back the second 5-9, improve his tally 9-3 in the third and then, fully composed and back to his normal cool self, finish off the match 9-1.