Division 1
The defending champions of the top-flight of the Doric Insurance sponsored senior leagues missed the opportunity to draw level with the league leaders this week, after being held to a draw.
Defending champions Lions A had the ability to draw level with the league leading Whistlers A side this week, but were held to a 5-5 draw by a resurgent Whistlers B side, that last week defeated the league leaders. The outcome leaves Whistlers A a single point clear at the top, albeit with a game in hand, ahead of the top of the table clash next week. Whistlers B's victory over their league leading A side last week was a surprise, however they came very close to doing the same here, as a commanding 4-1 lead was held following conclusion of the doubles rubber. Lawrence Stacey once more proved to be key to the result for his side as he concluded a second consecutive week of unbeaten evenings. He defeated Joshua Butler, Liam Robilliard and Matthew Stubbington in singles action, for the loss of just single ends to Robilliard and Stubbington in the process. In the doubles he combined with Mark Pipet to earn an impressive 4 set win over Butler and Robilliard, their first doubles loss all season. Pipet was also the player to pick up the crucial 5th win as he set the tone for the fixture in the match opener when he defeated Stubbington in straight sets. For the Lions side, all players defeated Shelby Timms, however this was far from plain sailing. Robilliard needed to battle back from 2-0 down to win in 5 sets, whilst Stubbington held his nerve in the final match of the night and also won over the full 5 set distance. Robilliard and Butler defeated Pipet in 4 and straight sets respectively.
Lions C are mathematically ahead in the table in 3rd spot, although they have played a game more than their B side. They ran out comfortable 7-3 winners over a 6th placed Lions D side this week. Phil Ogier and Jez Powell were each in strong form and were unbeaten. They both defeated Ryan Bichard, Steve Ozanne and Sam Clark in singles action, the closest of these being Powell's lengthy 5 set win over Bichard in the final match of the night, in which he clinched the deciding 5th end 12-10, despite having trailed 9-6. The doubles was also picked up by the victors as Powell combined with Charlotte Casey to overcome Ozanne and Clark in 4 sets. For the defeated side, all players beat Casey in straight sets.
Lions B also won 7-3 this week, with bottom placed side Lions E the beaten side. Averages leader Ben Foss was in control during straight sets singles wins over Paul Hainsworth, Andy Gill and Connor Powell and he also teamed with Jamie Ferbrache to beat Gill and Powell in straight sets in the doubles match. Ferbrache had a strong evening of singles action which saw him beat Gill in 4 sets and Powell in straight sets, whilst Nye Matthew defeated Powell in 4 sets in the final match of the night. For the defeated side, Hainsworth beat Matthew in straight sets and Ferbrache in 5 sets, whilst Gill fought back strongly from a 2-1 deficit to edge Matthew in 5 sets.
Lions J remain a single point clear at the top, ahead of their top of the table clash with Ravenscroft Panthers C next week.
The Lions side were 8-2 winners over Lions I this week in a match where Aiden Ozanne was the top performer. His stand out win came against averages leader Steve Potter in straight sets. This was just Potter's 2nd singles defeat all season. His other wins came over Ollie Sparkes and reserve Isla Bretel, whom team-mates Luke Evans and father Andy also defeated in singles action. The doubles was won by Aiden and Evans over Sparks and Bretel in straight sets. Potter prevented the whitewash due to his 4 set win over Evans and straight sets win over Andy.
The Panthers side on the other hand were ruthless 10-0 winners over Whistlers G this week. Barney Groves, Shaun Mosley and Steve Martin each defeated Ian Fitchet, Ken Falla and Shane Cotter in singles action, whilst Mosley and Martin won the doubles match against Fitchet and Cotter in straight sets.
