SWINDON made a winning start to the South West Intermediate League season as they defeated Cheltenham 4-1.

The two sides had three players each and played four singles and one doubles, each game lasting three hours.

Swindon captain John Small and Terry Walton played John Barrus and Liz Potter in the doubles with Mike Graham taking on Cheltenham's Alan Slater in the singles.

Cheltenham made the better start in the doubles. With both teams playing a tactical game, it was a long wait before Barrus put Cheltenham into a commanding lead by scoring several hoops.

Swindon were lucky to have debutant Walton on board as he battled to bring Swindon level.

Potter and Small fought hard to give their respective teams the winning margin, before Small gave his side a 24-16 win.

In the singles, Graham played superbly to thrash Slater 26-4 in an hour and a half, giving Swindon a 2-0 lead at lunch.

Graham carried on from where he left off in the morning session when he defeated Barrus 26-12.

Small was much-improved from his morning display as he saw off the luckless Slater 26-10. Walton was unfortunate to lose 23-21 to Potter but overall victory was Swindon’s.