UK PACKAGING squash club continued their dismal run of away defeats in the National Squash League with a 3-2 loss at Lee-On-Solent.

The Connaught based side have now failed to win all of their away fixtures, hardly championship winning form.

This latest defeat leaves them with little or no chance of reaching the play-offs, being closer to the foot of the table than the top.

Things began brightly on the south coast, with UK Packaging's Linda Charman-Smith outclassing Vicky Botright in three games, for the loss of just six points.

However, UK Packaging's Daryl Selby trailed 1-5 to Joe Russell and did well to recover at 6-6, but by then, local boy Russell had the backing of a vociferous crowd and he closed out the match.

Iain Higgins made short work of Greg Tippings to restore the lead for UK Packaging. His straight games lasted under 25 minutes culminating in him winning 10-8.

Making his debut for UK Packaging, Stuart Cowie battled long and hard against Mark Heather. He almost got the team home when up 2-1 and 8-8, but once again the crowd helped the local boy out and Heather edged home in five.

Tim Garner was unable to produce a win for UK Packaging and instead it was Bradley Ball who emerged the hero.

Ball punished Garner with straight kills and volleys, eventually sealing victory in four games and the overall tie 3-2 for the home side.

Garner explained: "It's been a struggle away from home so far. We've won both home games but lost all three on our travels.

"Thankfully we have more home games in the second half of the season, so that should do us good judging by our form there at the moment.

"Our main downfall has been losing Julian Wellings who took on a coaching role and Lee Jemmett broke his wrist, but after having the plaster off last week, he should hopefully be back for the second game of the second half of the season."