The current leaders, left to right – Mark Sheppard, Andrea Nightingale, Ross Kneller, Gary Rich and Matt Robin. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0866163)

PULP Friction enjoy a healthy 26-point advantage over nearest rivals Specsavers in the island Team League which has a new backer.

Steele Property and Marcwell Group Ltd have signed a new three-year deal with the Guernsey Squash and Racketball Association  to sponsor the 10-team squash league.

Known as the Steele Marcwell Island Team League, the property development and maintenance firms stepped in at the beginning of the new season and now, four weeks on, the leagues are picking up a great pace at Beau Sejour on a Monday evening.

The team league was set up to encourage regular competitive matches for both the top and keen island men and women and more recently the juniors, giving them the opportunity to play against adults as they begin their transition into this physically more demanding arena.

This season the league has risen from eight to a total of 10 teams, the largest entry in its history, which is proof in itself that squash is still thriving.

Island director of squash and league organiser Ben Rosec said the competition is a success on a number of fronts.