Division 1
The final matches of 2018 from the Doric Insurance sponsored senior leagues were completed this week.
Defending champions Lions A saw their single point advantage at the top removed after being held to a 5-5 draw by third placed side Lions B. The B side have been in good form recently and this was evident last week when they inflicted a first defeat of the season on previous leaders Whistlers B. The leaders just about managed to hold on for a draw in the end, with 2nd Division reserve Jez Powell holding his nerve well against Dan Collenette in the final match of the night, coming through 11-6 in the 5th and deciding game. Powell had earlier also overcome Andre De Carteret in straight sets. Ryan Bichard mirrored Powell's singles wins and also had to do it the hard way against Collenette, saving a match point in the 5th before edging it 12-10. Jamie Ferbrache got the 5th rubber for the leaders courtesy of a 4 set win over De Carteret and only just fell in 5 sets to Collenette. Phil Ogier was the top performer on the night due to his trio of singles wins over Bichard, Powell and Ferbrache. He also teamed strongly with Collenette during their straight sets doubles win over the previously unbeaten duo of Bichard and Ferbrache.
Whistlers B moved level on points with the Lions side due to a victory, but they did not have it their own way against now 5th placed side Lions C and narrowly edged through against the weakened side 6-4. Paul Hainsworth was the main threat for the defeated side due to a hat-trick of straight sets singles wins over Lawrence Stacey, Matthew Casey and Ryan Gilson, the former being only Stacey's third loss of the season. The doubles was the other rubber to go the way of the Lions side due to Hainsworth and Corey Brouard's 5 set win over Casey and Gilson in a match where they needed to overturn a 2-0 deficit. The Whistlers side did enough on the night due to each member overcoming Brouard and 2nd Division reserve Steve Ozanne in singles action. Ozanne came very close to causing an upset against Casey, who edged through 11-8 in the deciding end.
Whistlers C moved into 4th position following a tough 6-4 win over bottom placed side Whistlers A. Josh Stacey is the averages leader and he continues to demonstrate his quality and did so here with another unbeaten evening. He earned singles wins over Ellis Tomlin, Sam Clark and reserve Ian Fitchet on top of winning the doubles alongside Charlotte Casey over Tomlin and Clark in 4 sets. Mark Pipet made sure of the win for his side courtesy of his wins over Clark and Fitchet.
Division 2
Whistlers D continue to lead the way courtesy of their 8-2 win over Ravenscroft Panthers A. The victory was comfortable enough for the leaders consisting of Kay Chivers, Keith Opie and Ben Sharp, however Albert Unden did prove very firm resistance due to his excellent singles wins over Chivers and Sharp.
Lions E and Lions D continue to be in touching distance of the leaders. The E side are 2 points behind and defeated St Pauls A 8-2 this week. Jez Powell and Caden Brouard were unbeaten in the fixture over Chas Elliott, Trevor Bourgaize and reserve Andy Lihou, whilst Jonah Ingrouille also picked up a win over Bourgaize.
The D side are 3 points behind, but do have a game in hand on the leaders. They showed their full intent this week due to an impressive 10-0 rout of Ravenscroft Panthers B. Tim Le Page, Steve Ozanne and Carl Le Tissier all defeated Peter Vivian, Shaun Mosley and Steve Martin in singles action.
Division 3
St Pauls B held onto their 3 point advantage at the top, but they were tested by a Whistlers H side that just fell short 6-4. Craig Dunning was unbeaten in singles action for the St Pauls side once more which contributed to 3 of the wins. Brian Le Cras made sure of the victory due to his 4 set win over Darren Sarre, with the remaining rubbers coming to Le Cras and John Wills via walkover.
Division 4
Lions K struck a decisive 6-4 win over title rivals Whistlers I this week and now lead the way by 2 points ahead of Lions L. Val Guilbert was the best performer due to her singles wins over Andy and Joe Le Page and doubles win alongside Diane Le Page over the Le Pages. In the end that was enough as the Whistlers side were missing a third player.
