Division 1
In a week full of tightly contested top flight fixtures, it was league leaders Lions B that held their nerve during their narrow 6-4 win over Whistlers B, ensuring that their 3 point lead at the top was maintained.
Joshua Butler and Olly Langlois led the way for the victors with singles wins over Dawn Morgan and reserve Daisy Kershaw. The pair also teamed up to win what turned out to be a pivotal doubles clash over Alice Loveridge and Morgan in 5 games. Ryan Bichard chipped in with another important win, overcoming Kershaw in 4 games to seal the points. Loveridge has lost just 1 singles match this season and she sustained that record in the fixture with wins over Langlois, Butler and Bichard, dropping just the solitary end to Butler. Morgan was also on hand to add a comfortable straight game win over Bichard.
The chasing side in the form of Lions A also ran out 6-4 winners over a Whistlers side this week, the Whistlers B outfit consisting of Joshua Stacey, Lawrence Stacey and James Rabey the side to be edged out. Phil Ogier and Ben Foss both heavily contributed to the win with each overcoming Lawrence and Rabey in singles action. They also teamed up to win the important doubles fixture against the Stacey twins in 4 games. Jez Powell was the player to obtain the 6th and final rubber courtesy of his straight game win over Rabey. Joshua had a good evening despite his side's defeat, due to his singles wins over each Lions player.
Whistlers A moved into 3rd spot following a tight 6-4 win over Lions C. Garry Dodd kept hold of his 100% singles record, but he did drop just his 2nd and 3rd legs of the season during 4 game wins over Liam Robilliard and Paul Hainsworth. His other singles win came in straight games over Andre De Carteret. He was provided with good support from Mark Pipet who overcame Hainsworth in 4 games and De Carteret in straight games. The duo went on to win a closely contested straight game doubles win over Robilliard and Hainsworth. All Lions players earned singles wins over Phil Hunkin and Robilliard added a 4 game win over Pipet.
Division 2
The impressive start to the season continued for both Lions F and Lions D, who each recorded their 6th consecutive wins this week.
Lions F were merciless and obtained their 2nd 10-0 whitewash of the season, their H side the victims. Luke Bichard, Dan Collenette and Jamie Ferbrache all overcame Ken Tucknott, Rob Vile and reserve Terry Trustum in singles competition. Bichard and Ferbrache were then on hand to combine to take the doubles match in 4 games over Vile and Tucknott.
Lions D were equally impressive during their 9-1 rout of Ravenscroft Panthers B. Martin Sarre and Andy Gill enjoyed unbeaten evenings with singles victories over Peter Vivian, Shaun Mosley and Steve Martin. Ian Le Page added wins over Martin and Vivian, but he was defeated in 4 by Mosley. The team of Gill and Le Page clinched the doubles rubber over Vivian and Mosley in straight games.
Division 4
Lions I extended their lead at the top to 2 points following an emphatic 8-2 win over Whistlers J. Andy Ferbrache and reserve Steve Potter each powered their way to 3 singles wins over the junior trio of Corey Brouard, Alex Dekker and Matthew Board. They also won the doubles clash over Brouard and Dekker in straight games. The other Lions reserve Diane Le Page did well to add a singles win of her own over Dekker in 5.
The reason for the extension of the lead was due to 2nd placed side St Pauls B's surprise 5-5 draw with Ravenscroft Panthers C, spearheaded by an excellent performance from junior Billy Ogier. Ogier produced the goods with singles wins over Derek Carter, John Wills and Brandon Ferbrache and also teamed up with Nick Windsor to impressively see off Carter and Ferbrache in a straight game doubles win. Mick Ingrouille was the player to obtain the other win and he had to do it the hard way, coming back from 2-0 down to Ferbrache to win in 5.
Division 5
Lions L still lead the way over Whistlers O due to having a superior games difference and both sides recorded wins this week.
The Lions side did well to overcome the side level on points with them last week, Lions K, courtesy of a narrow 6-4 win. Graham Mallett led the way with wins over Diane Le Page, James Le Tissier and reserve Val Le Messurier. Daughter Janine added wins over Le Tissier and Le Page and it was Derek Cave who added the other win over Le Tissier in 4.
Whistlers O had a similar humdinger against a fellow club side, but also managed to come through 6-4 over Whistlers L. Junior Ellis Tomlin was the form player and beat Tom Hagerich, Morgan Price and Matt Hale. Shane Cotter beat Price and Hale, but lost out to Hagerich in 5 despite leading 2-0. James Crocker added a crucial win over Hale to secure the narrow win.
