Whistlers C continue be the front runners in the top-flight of the Doric Insurance sponsored senior leagues, however their impressive run of 6 consecutive wins was halted this week.
Division 1
The lead at the top held by Whistlers C dropped to 4 points following a 5-5 draw with 3rd placed side Lions A. The league leaders, who have played an extra match than their closest rivals, had won their prior 6 matches, but were unable to keep the impressive streak going. Phil Ogier was a key part in this as he led his Lions side strongly with an unbeaten evening of singles action. The highlight of this was his emphatic straight sets win over Alice Edwards, a victory which has pushed her off the top of the averages. His other wins came firstly in straight sets over Mark Pipet and then latterly a gritty 4 set win over Dawn Morgan, who had won the opener in their clash. The second end proved key in this match and Ogier edged it 15-13 to restore parity before taking the next 2 ends. Jez Powell was the player to pick up the other 2 rubbers for the Lions side as he beat Morgan in straight sets and Pipet in 4. All of the Whistlers players defeated Lions 2nd Division reserve Connor Powell, whilst Edwards defeated Powell in straight sets. The important doubles game was won by Edwards and Morgan over Ogier and Powell in straight sets.
Lions C are the side in second and they were emphatic 8-2 winners over a 4th placed Whistlers B side whom they had drawn with earlier in the season. The man of the match was Matthew Stubbington who is starting to find his groove upon his return to the sport. He was unbeaten in the fixture and this included an excellent 4 set win over the highly ranked Island player Joshua Stacey. His other wins were against Matthew Casey in 5 sets in the match opener and a 4 set win over Joseph Bourgaize in the final match of the night. He also teamed with Joshua Butler to beat Stacey and Bourgaize in straight sets in the doubles rubber. Butler and Liam Robilliard each defeated Casey and Bourgaize in singles action to secure the win. Butler came close during his clash with Stacey but was edged out 11-9 in the deciding 5th end.
6th place side Lions B inflicted a narrow 6-4 win over Lions E, a result which saw the E side fall to the bottom of the table for the first time this season. Ben Foss led the way for the victors with straight sets singles wins over Ryan Bichard and Sam Clark. He was however tested by Steve Ozanne and needed to battle back from 2-1 down to win in 5 sets and ensure he now leads the Division 1 averages outright. Jamie Ferbrache added wins over Ozanne and Clark in straight sets, whilst Chloe Le Tissier picked up the crucial 6th win after she battled back from 2-1 down to overcome Ozanne. Bichard was the best performer for the beaten side as he beat Ferbrache in 4 sets Le Tissier in straight sets. Clark beat Le Tissier in 4 sets, whilst Ozanne and Clark won a tight 5 set doubles encounter against Ferbrache and Le Tissier, having trailed 2-1.
Lions D moved off the foot of the table for the first time since the opening week but failed to fully capitalise on a Whistlers A side missing leading player Lawrence Stacey and drew 5-5. The result appeared to be heading to a win for the Lions side, who won the first 4 matches. Paul Hainsworth beat Ben Sharp and Ryan Gilson in straight sets, whilst Charlotte Casey came back excellently from 2-1 down to earn a handy 5 set win over Gilson. Lions own reserve Nye Matthew beat Whistlers reserve Shelby Timms in 4 sets in the other. The Whistlers side however managed to claw themselves back into the fixture and won 3 of the final 6 matches over the full 5 set distance. The doubles was one such critical tie and it saw Sharp and Gilson edge past Hainsworth and Casey 11-8 in the decider. This was followed up with another 5 set win as Timms edged out Casey in 5, coming back from 2-1 down in the process. Sharp then beat Matthew in straight sets to keep the comeback on, however Hainsworth comfortably beat Timms in straight sets to put his side 5-3 up. The final 2 matches were tight, but again the Whistlers side edged through. Casey was making a comeback against Sharp after winning the 3rd end of their encounter, however the youngster battled back in the 4th to pinch it 12-10. On an adjacent table Gilson was having an even closer contest with Matthew. Matthew edged a tight 4th 13-11 and looked to be in the ascendancy, however the left-hander raised his game and played some excellent table tennis in the decider to win 11-3 and salvage a point for his side.
Lions F are the only side across all Divisions to maintain a 100% winning record and their 9th consecutive win matched their best of the season so far, a 9-1 win over Ravenscroft Panthers B the order of the day. Nye Matthew and Caden Brouard continue with their relentless start to the season and as the leading players in the Division 2 averages once more went unbeaten in singles actions. They each beat Peter Vivian and reserves Mark Windsor and Will Davidson with few issues. Connor Powell also defeated all Panthers players, but needed a 5th set to defeat Vivian and by the narrow scoreline of 15-13. The Panthers outfit did manage to restore some pride due to the narrow 5 set doubles win for Vivian and Windsor over Brouard and Powell.
Ravenscroft Panthers D have returned to the summit of the table after title rivals Ravenscroft Panthers C slipped to an unexpected defeat.
The D side took care of their business with a crushing 9-1 win over Lions K and now lead the way due to having a superior games ratio. Mick Ingrouille and Mark Windsor each defeated Mike Brehaut, Dave Finn and Lynn Finn in singles action, whilst Pierre Jehan added wins over Dave and Lynn. The doubles was won by Ingrouille and Jehan over Brehaut and Lynn in 4 sets. Brehaut prevented the whitewash when he beat Jehan in straight sets.
