Division 1
The highly anticipated top of the table clash between Lions A and Whistlers A was unable to split the sides, due to a 5-5 stalemate being the outcome. The sides therefore head into the Christmas break and 2018 all square on points after 13 matches having been contested this season.
The Lions side still mathematically holds the slender advantage on games difference, but none of the team were able to get the better of Garry Dodd on the night. Still unbeaten locally in singles competition this season, Dodd was in good form throughout the encounter for the Whistlers side, brushing aside Ben Foss, Paul Hainsworth and Dan Collenette all in straight sets. He also played his part in the important doubles victory alongside Mark Pipet over Foss and Hainsworth in 4 sets. Sandwiched in between these Whistlers wins were victories for all Lions players over Martin Sarre and Foss and Collenette each added wins over Pipet. This made way for a deciding match between Pipet and Hainsworth to gain an outcome for the match, with the Lions side holding the 5-4 advantage at the time. It was a tight tussle, but it was Pipet who held his nerve better on the occasion and played the big points well, winning through in 4 sets and saving game points in each of the 3 ends he clinched in deuce.
Whistlers B hold 3rd spot going into the break, however they were surprisingly held to a 5-5 draw by the side at the bottom of the table, Whistlers C. Lawrence Stacey was the main reason behind the C side's outcome as he contributed to 3 of the 5 rubbers, courtesy of singles wins over twin Josh in 5 sets, Matt Casey in 5 sets and reserve Andy Lihou in straight sets. Ryan Gilson and Charlotte Casey each added wins over Lihou to secure the unlikely point.
Lions B are just a single point behind in 4th and they romped past Lions C 9-1 this week. Phil Ogier and Ryan Bichard each beat Andy Gill, Jamie Ferbrache and Ian Le Page in singles action, with Bichard needing the full 5 sets to beat Ferbrache. Andre De Carteret defeated Ferbrache and Le Page and also teamed with Ogier to come through against Gill and Le Page in a 4 set doubles win. Gill prevented the whitewash on the night courtesy of a straight sets win over De Carteret.
Whistlers D extended their lead at the top to 5 points following a 7-3 win over one of their title rivals Lions D. Kay Chivers beat Tim Le Page and Steve Ozanne on the night, whilst Ellis Tomlin overcame Le Page. Chivers and Keith Opie combined to beat Le Page and Ozanne in 4 sets in the doubles encounter and that was all that was required to secure the win because they earned 3 rubbers by walkover due to the absence of a 3rd player for the Lions side.
Division 3
St Pauls B extended their lead at the top by another point to 7 this week, however despite this fact, they were actually held to a 5-5 draw by Whistlers I. Miles Bishop-White rolled back the years for the Whistlers side due to singles wins over Craig Dunning, John Wills and Derek Carter. The points were sealed due to 5 set wins for both Matthew Board and James Crocker over Wills.
Division 4
