Senior League Week 1

Division 1

 

Lions C have taken an early mathematical lead at the summit of the first Division due to their comfortable 8-2 win over a Whistlers A side missing their star player, Garry Dodd. Paul Hainsworth led the way for the victorious side and an unbeaten night resulted in singles wins over Mark Pipet, Ryan Gilson and reserve Sam Clark, with just the single end dropped to Gilson in the process. He also combined with Andre De Carteret in a narrow 4 game doubles win over Pipet and Gilson. De Carteret showed some good form himself in the encounter and his best performance came in an emphatic straight game win over Gilson, having earlier beaten Clark in 4. Phil Ogier also comfortably saw off the challenges presented by Gilson and Clark. Despite losing to Hainsworth, Pipet saved his best form for his other clashes against De Carteret and in particular Ogier. Pipet and Ogier led the way at top of the Island scene for numerous years and they have had many spectacular clashes. Ogier had not tasted defeat against Pipet for many years, however he was in danger straight from the off when staring down the barrel of a 2 game deficit. Pipet was playing some exceptional table tennis, taking the ball early and spraying his opponent around the table with aggressive play. Ogier is not one to give in and he characteristically battled back to force a decider, however Pipet was not to be denied on the night and claimed it 11-7. Pipet's other singles win over De Carteret occurred in the final match of the night and it was claimed in straight games.

 

Lions B are in 2nd position after their comfortable 7-3 win over Whistlers B. Olly Langlois got off the ground running with a hat-trick of wins over Joshua Stacey, Joseph Bourgaize and reserve James Rabey. Stacey took the opener of their encounter 12-10, but Langlois fought back strongly to take it in 4. Ryan Bichard overcame Bourgaize and Rabey in straight games and also teamed with Langlois to win in 4 over Stacey and Bourgaize in the doubles encounter. Luke Bichard added a 4 game win over Rabey, however he was defeated by Bourgaize in the 5th and final end of their encounter. Stacey overcame both Bichard brothers in straight games.

 

Whistlers C were the final side to obtain a victory in the opening matches as they edged past an under strength Lions A side missing Joshua Butler 6-4. Lawrence Stacey continues to display good form and he beat Ben Foss, Dan Collenette and reserve Liam Robilliard. His match with Foss was of the highest quality and he needed to battle back from 2-1 down to win in 5. The doubles encounter was won by Stacey and Matt Casey over Foss and Collenette in straight games. The tie was level at 4-4 going into the final 2 matches and it was at this stage that Albert Unden earned a shock straight game win over Robilliard. The final match was between the 2 Junior players, Collenette and Casey and it was the latter who held his nerve better and came through without loss.

Division 2

 

The 2nd Division started 2 weeks ago and completion of the 3rd round of matches sees both Lions D and Lions E locked together at the top with 3 wins each and the exact same games difference.

The D side were pushed all the way in their match with Whistlers D this week and they edged it 6-4. Jamie Ferbrache was a main factor for the league leaders as he secured 3 important wins. He started with a 4 game win over Keith Opie and followed this up with a solid straight game win over junior Corey Brouard. His final act came in the last match of the evening against Kay Chivers and he battled back from 2-1 down to win in 5 and secure the full array of points for his side. Andy Gill beat Opie and Brouard and was unlucky to miss out against Chivers over the full distance. The doubles was yet another key tie and it was Ferbrache and Gill that defeated Chivers and Opie in 4.

 

Lions E also had a tough clash on their hands and they too managed to sneak a 6-4 win, St Pauls A the side to be edged out. Luke Le Tissier was on superb form and he brushed aside the challenge of Chas Elliott, Maurice James and reserve Derek Carter without loss. He also combined with Mike Lucas to see off Elliott and James in a pivotal 5 game doubles win. Lucas added a win over Carter, but it was Luke's older brother and reserve Glenn that chipped in with a decisive 6th win. Glenn has not competed in a table tennis league fixture since the 2010/11 season, however he played well during a comfortable straight game win over Carter.

 

Division 3

 

Division 3 mirrored the first Division as the opening matches were contested this week. Lions I are the early leaders and they signalled their intent courtesy of a 10-0 whitewash of Whistlers I. Mike Brehaut, Lionel Jones and Jenny Powell all defeated Len Bretel, James Crocker and Matthew Board in singles action. Brehaut and Powell also combined to win the doubles match against Board and Bretel in 5 games.

 

Division 4

 

Like the 2nd, Division 4 started a few weeks ago and completion of the 3rd round of matches sees Lions J and Lions K locked at the top with 5 points each, both sides with the exact same games difference.

The J side were held to a draw by Whistlers K this week. Graham Mallett beat Andy Le Page and reserve Jayden Tucknott and he came ever so close to defeating Shane Cotter in the final match of the night, Cotter coming back from 2-1 down to win 11-9 in the decider. Mallett had earlier teamed with daughter Janine to win a crucial doubles match against Cotter and Le Page in 5. Janine beat Tucknott in straight games and this feat was mirrored by Derek Cave.

 

Lions K on the other hand had a much more straight forward night at the office, brushing Whistlers J. Val Guilbert, Diane Le Page and James Le Tissier all beat Jack Le Prevost, Leah Moore and reserve Erin Vaudin. Guilbert and Le Page also won the doubles match over Moore and Le Prevost in straight games.
Author: via Guernsey Table Tennis Association
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