The final week of action in the Doric Insurance sponsored senior leagues prior to the half term break saw the top flight's defending champions and league leaders extend their advantage at the summit of the table.
Lions A extended their lead at the top to 2 points after title rivals Whistlers A were held to a 5-5 draw by 3rd placed side Lions B.
The league leaders may have been missing Ryan Bichard, but they were ruthless 8-2 winners over a 5th placed Lions C side missing Andy Gill. Ben Foss made no mistakes for his side and was unbeaten on the night. He beat Paul Hainsworth in a well contested 4 set encounter before beating both Charlotte Casey and reserve Jonah Ingrouille in straight sets. His evening was completed with a 4 set doubles win alongside Steve Ozanne over Hainsworth and Casey. Ozanne himself picked up singles wins over Ingrouille and Casey, a feat which was matched by reserve Nye Matthew, although Matthew did need the full 5 sets to overcome Casey in a well fought match.
The draw for Lions B against Whistlers A was largely due to an unbeaten evening for the returning Phil Ogier. He had missed the prior 2 league matches due to injury but returned in real style with straight sets singles wins over Josh Stacey, Ryan Gilson and reserve Derek Webb. Liam Robilliard and Sam Clark each earned singles wins over Webb to secure the draw. Stacey and Gilson each performed well with singles wins over Robilliard and Clark, whilst the important doubles rubber saw Stacey and Gilson come through in 4 sets.
Whistlers C may be bottom of the table and yet to earn a victory, however they came mightily close this week on their way to earning a 5-5 draw with 4th placed side Whistlers B. All of the C side's players in the form of Matthew Casey, Joseph Bourgaize and Ellis Tomlin earned singles wins over reserve Erin Vaudin, whilst Casey and Bourgaize each beat Sharp in straight sets too. The 6th rubber however could not be found despite 3 of the other 5 matches going to the full 5 set distance. Tomlin was the first to be edged out when Sharp came back from 2-1 down to win in 5 sets before the very next match saw Lawrence Stacey and Sharp overcome Casey and Bourgaize over the distance. The very final match of the night saw the last 5 set encounter and it was Stacey who held his nerve against a spirited Bourgaize to get over the line 11-7 in the final end of their encounter. The other singles wins were obtained by Stacey over Casey in 4 sets and Tomlin in straight sets.
Whistlers D continue to be in control of the Division and maintained their 6 point advantage at the top. They ended out as ruthless 9-1 winners over Whistlers D this week. Kay Chivers, Keith Opie and Erin Vaudin were dominant against Stuart Sarre, Darre Sarre and reserve Ian Fitchet, with Stuart's straight sets win over Vaudin the only success for the defeated side. All other matches were won by the league leaders in straight sets except Chivers 4 set win over Stuart in the final match of the night.
Ravenscroft Panthers B also appear to be on cruise control to the title as they hold a healthy 5 point advantage at the top. They had a potentially tough test against 3rd placed side Ravenscroft Panthers C this week but ended out as comfortable 8-2 winners. Richard Edwards was the pick of the bunch as he defeated Brandon Ferbrache, Mick Ingrouille and Mark Windsor in singles action. Shaun Mosley and Steve Martin picked up wins over Windsor and Ingrouille to secure the points, whilst Edwards and Mosley combined well to beat Ferbrache and Ingrouille in straight sets in the doubles clash.
