The Cornwall County Squash Inter-Club Knockout Competition reached its climax when the finals were played at a neutral venue, generously hosted by Falmouth Sports Club, utilising two their three courts.

This year there were 14 men's teams playing in the first round in December, the winners of the first round competing in the Pawl Cup Competition while the losers contested the 'Hine Plate'.

With no teams participating in the Ladies Division this year, the Ladies Cup Competition was not played.

The losers of the first round matches all take part in the Hine Plate competition, unfortunately two of the first round matches were walkovers and the offenders, Bude and Lux Park, were scratched from the tournament.

St Mellion lost to China Fleet (1-4) in the first round and then beat Launceston (3-2) followed by a win against Torpoint (4-1) to reach the final. RNAS Culdrose lost their first round to Falmouth (0-5), had a bye and then beat RAF St Mawgan (3-2) to earn their place in the final.

St Mellion who have had a good season in the Whirlwind Sports Squash League, finishing second in division two, fielded a full strength side against Culdrose who are languishing near the bottom of division three.

Culdrose were clearly the underdogs and all the matches were over pretty quickly in three straight games.

Andy Challoner was the only one close to getting a game. He had two game balls in the second, but the experience of St Mellion's Steve Evans proved decisive as he doggedly ran down everything to come back from 6-8 down to win 10-8.

St Mellion beat RNAS Culdrose by five rubbers to nil:Ed Waugh beat Kev Johns, 3-0, (9/7, 9/2, 9/1); Jeff Headon beat Denny Drew, 3-0, (9/0, 9/0, 9/2); Simon Bird beat Pete Stretton, 3-0, (9/3, 9/5, 9/4; Steve Evans beat Andy Challoner, 3-0, (9/2, 10/8, 9/6); Dave McBride beat Richard Joslyn, 3-0, (9/0, 9/2, 9/2).

Penzance made their way to the Pawle Cup final by beating Launceston (4-1), China Fleet (5-0), and Helston (5-0) while Truro came from the other half of the draw by beating St Mawgan (5-0), Newquay (3-2) and Falmouth (3-2).

Truro beat Penzance by four rubbers to one:Jamie Moxom beat Mike Phillips, 3-1, (9/2, 9/0, 7/9, 10/8); Tim Smith beat Chris Davey, 3-2, (9/1, 9/4, 2/9, 6/9, 9/5); Neil Counter lost to Peter Eddy, 2-3, (9/1, 9/0, 5/9, 1/9, 3/9); Simon Johns beat Ian Hatch, 3-0, (9/0, 9/0, 9/1); Jon Bray beat Clive Richards, 3-1, (8/10, 9/6, 9/4, 9/3).

It was a thrilling finale to the competition which was played in good spirit. There was saw some of the best and most entertaining squash to be played in the county for a long time.

St Mellion were happy to get their name on the Hine Plate for the very first time while Truro took the Pawle Cup back with them for the third year running.