Division 1
Whistlers A continue to hold a comfortable lead at the top of the top-flight of the Doric Insurance sponsored senior leagues, however their nearest rivals each won this week, including 2 victories for the defending champions, Lions A.
The lead held by Whistlers A is sizable at 6 points, however their nearest rivals each have a game in hand. They had a hard-fought encounter against Lions D this week and won 7-3, despite an unbeaten evening of singles action for Ryan Bichard. Bichard was in super form during a straight sets win over Joseph Bourgaize and a 4 set win over Matthew Casey, however his best win came against the player that is leading the Division 1 averages, Joshua Stacey. Stacey had only lost 1 singles match so far this season, but Bichard was always in front and despite losing the 4th set 11-8, he held his nerve and closed out an excellent win, 11-9 in the decider. Unfortunately for Bichard, his side were unable to pick up any further victories on the night, but they did come mightily close in a few of them. Steve Ozanne and Sam Clark each lost out in deciding 5th sets to Bourgaize, 11-7 and 11-8 respectively. The doubles was won by Stacey and Bourgaize over Bichard and Ozanne in straight sets.
Defending champions Lions A's two wins this week included firstly a strong 7-3 win in their re-arranged fixture with Whistlers B. Joshua Butler and Liam Robilliard were each in strong form as they were unbeaten in singles action. This included strong 4 set wins over Lawrence Stacey, as well as victories against Mark Pipet and Shelby Timms. Matthew Stubbington added a singles win over Timms in straight sets, but he lost to Stacey in straight sets and Pipet in 4 sets. Stacey and Pipet teamed well to win the doubles over Robilliard and Stubbington in straight sets.
Their other win was identical in nature as it resulted in a 7-3 triumph, this time 4th placed side Lions C the side to taste defeat. The encounter saw a strong team performance shown as each player contributed to 2 x singles wins each. Robilliard and Stubbington impressed with 4 and 5 sets wins over Phil Ogier, whilst each also defeated Charlotte Casey in 4 and straight sets respectively. It was however Butler who came the closest to winning all of his singles matches on the night. He defeated Jez Powell and Casey in straight sets and led Ogier 2-0. Ogier however was determined not to experience the unheard of feat of ending a league match without a singles win and he rallied back strongly to win impressively in 5 sets. The doubles was won by Butler and Robilliard over Ogier and Casey in 4 sets. Powell continues to have a strong season and show strong form and this saw him defeat Robilliard in 4 sets and Stubbington in straight sets.
The final match of the week was a strange one that included 3 reserves used, and both sides missing their leading player. Despite missing Ben Foss, Lions B ensured they remain in the title chase and are level on points with Lions A in joint 2nd. They managed to edge past a Whistlers B side missing Lawrence Stacey 6-4. Nye Matthew is enjoying his debut season in Division 1 and he played a key role in the win for the Lions side this week. He started the night with a strong performance against reserve Ben Sharp, back from university at Christmas. He trailed 2-1 before battling through in 5 sets. He followed up impressively with a brace of straight sets wins over Timms and the other strong reserve Dawn Morgan. Jamie Ferbrache also had a tough clash with Sharp in the final match of the night and won in 5 sets. He earlier beat Timms in 4 sets. The doubles turned out to be a deciding factor and Matthew and Ferbrache combined to beat Sharp and Timms in straight sets. Each of the Whistlers players earned consolation wins over Lions reserve Jonah Ingrouille, whilst Morgan was also a strong straight sets winner over Ferbrache.
Whistlers E continue to hold their 100% winning record and they underlined their dominance this week courtesy of a 10-0 whitewash of Ravenscroft Panthers B. Craig Dunning, Tim Le Page and Oskar Cleal all defeated Mark Windsor, Juliette Yeaman and reserve Richard Wellfair in singles action. Dunning and Cleal combined to win the doubles over Yeaman and Windsor in straight sets.
Division 3
Lions J maintain their slender single point advantage at the top after they beat Lions L 9-1 this week. Graham Mallett was the player to prevent the whitewash due to his 4-set win over Andy Ozanne in the match opener. Ozanne, son Aiden and fellow junior Luke Evans then completed the rout with wins over Mallett and reserves Derek Cave and Roland Tracums. The doubles was won by Aiden and Luke over Mallett and Cave.
