New-look Isle of Man squash league season gets under way

The Isle of Man Squash Winter Leagues got under way last week, marking the start of the 2026/27 season with a new-look format in the A League.

Teams in the top division will now compete with three players rather than four, providing a different challenge as the sides battle for league points.

The Tin Whisperers and Moore Dixon Jaguars share the early lead with 12 points apiece, following an opening round which included several closely-fought matches.

Argosy secured a 2-1 victory over Atla Storm, with David Norman recovering from losing the opening game 11-4 to Ashley Sandyford-Sykes to win their match 3-2.

Malcolm Levy added a 3-0 success over Phil Butler, while Fraser Dorling claimed the consolation for Atla Storm with a straight-games win over Richard Cretney.

Moore Dixon Jaguars made an impressive start, recording a 3-0 victory against Buchanan and Pitts Racketeers Buccaneers.

Joshua Green and Shaun Wyllie both won 3-1, against Patrick Fitzpatrick and Ben Leith respectively, before Lance Wyllie completed the clean sweep with a 3-0 success over Jonathan Gower-Jackson.

Phil Shaw Vehicles also opened with a 2-1 win, overcoming Team Aon. Hamish Thornton defeated Jason Crease 3-0 and Mark Webster-Smith followed with a 3-1 victory over Liam Davies. Nathan Quilliam secured Aon’s point with a straight-games win against Mark Henson.

The Tin Whisperers share top spot after a 3-0 win over the Tenacious Titans. Thomas Whiteway beat Harvey Douglas 3-0, while Ben Peach was taken to five games before overcoming Dafydd Lewis.

Dasa Brynjolffssen then completed the victory with a 3-0 result against Clare Townsend.

CES Sharks edged Mavericks 3-2 in a dramatic encounter which featured three five-game matches.

Alan Macnair opened with a 3-2 victory over Richard Cretney, winning the deciding game 20-18, before Magnus Lamprecht and Harrison Callow put Mavericks ahead.

The Sharks fought back through Greg Ansara who defeated Dasa Brynjolffssen 3-2, before Sarah Simpson secured the deciding point with a 3-0 win over Keane Brentley.

Racketeers Pioneers also recorded a 3-2 away win against Outcasts. Daf Lewis and Fraser Dorling gave the visitors a 2-0 lead, but Peter Ginty and Max Birchall levelled the tie. Stephen Pitts then defeated Elliot Henson 3-1 in the deciding rubber.

The early B League standings are headed by Racketeers Pioneers on 17 points, one ahead of Mavericks, with CES Sharks third on nine and Outcasts fourth on seven.

Island Tyres and Autocare made the strongest start in the C League, defeating Dragons 5-0.

Mark Stratford edged Beth Jones 3-2 in the opening rubber, while Mark Grace, Patric Russell, Peter Sharples and Leslie Callow all followed with straight-games victories.

Crazy Jacks Barbershop began with a narrow 3-2 win over Falcons. Greg Ansara recovered from two games down to beat Richard Simpson 3-2, but Crazy Jacks responded through Max Birchall and Lee Alexander.

Elliot Henson levelled the tie with a five-game win over Matt Ripley, before Tek Min Ewe defeated Kevin Cretney 3-0 to secure the deciding point.

Racket Raiders also won 3-2 against Racketeers. Dasa Brynjolffssen and Phil Whittam put Raiders two ahead, before Charlie Beard and Steven Wright levelled the contest. Nicholas Maurel then secured overall victory with a 3-1 win over Andy Dalrymple.

Island Tyres and Autocare lead the early C League standings on 20 points, followed by Crazy Jacks Barbershop on 18 and Racket Raiders on 15.

LES CALLOW