SENIOR LEAGUE 2021-22 WEEK 16

The top flight of the Doric Insurance sponsored senior leagues saw the top spot held by a team for more than a single week for the first time since 8 December 2021.

Division 1

With the league leaders having changed for the past 4 consecutive fixtures, defending champions Lions A held onto the lead at the top this week and increased their games ratio advantage over title rivals Whistlers A in the process.

The Lions outfit were big 8-2 winners over the bottom placed side Whistlers C in a fixture where both Ben Foss and Ryan Bichard were unbeaten in singles action. Each defeated Matthew Casey, Ellis Tomlin and Joseph Bourgaize, whilst Steve Ozanne added further wins over Tomlin and Bourgaize. For the defeated Whistlers side Casey defeated Ozanne in straight sets and also teamed with Bourgaize to earn a solid 4 set doubles win over Bichard and Ozanne.

The Whistlers A side remain a single point adrift and they were fortunate to come away unscathed during their clash with 4th placed side Whistlers B which they edged 6-4. Recently crowned CI Top 12 winner Lawrence Stacey was the catalyst for the B side's efforts as he beat twin Josh, Dawn Morgan and Ryan Gilson in singles action. It was not all plain sailing for him as he needed 4 sets to get past Morgan before overturning a 2-1 deficit to get past an inspired Gilson 11-9 in the 5th and deciding end in his final match of the night. His other win over Josh however came impressively in straight sets. Ben Sharp added a nice 4 set win over Gilson, however the B side were just about unable to get the 5th rubber required. Lawrence and Sharp came the closest in the doubles rubber against Josh and Morgan but were defeated over the full 5 sets. For the victors Stacey and Morgan each beat Sharp and reserve Mark Pipet in singles action, whilst Gilson earned an important 4 set win over Pipet.

3rd placed side Lions B slipped a further point behind the leading duo and are now 4 points off the top. They were held to a 5-5 draw by 5th placed side Lions C. The B side were without averages leader Phil Ogier, however the in form Jez Powell proved to be a strong reserve, defeating Andy Gill and Charlotte Casey in straight sets. This feat was mirrored by Liam Robilliard, whilst Sam Clark earned a straight sets win over Casey. They were however unable to get the 6th rubber despite their best efforts. Paul Hainsworth was unbeaten for his side with a 5 set win over Powell and straight sets wins over Robilliard and Clark, whilst Gill defeated Clark in straight sets. The decisive doubles rubber was won by Gill and Casey over Robilliard and Clark in 4 sets.

Division 2

League leaders Whistlers D came through a potentially tough encounter with the previously 2nd placed St Pauls A side 6-4. Kay Chivers was instrumental in the win as she beat Maurice James, Trevor Bourgaize and Chas Elliott in singles action without dropping a set. Keith Opie also had a strong night which saw him defeat James in 4 sets and Bourgaize in 5 sets, despite being 2-0 down. He also teamed well with Chivers in the doubles rubber as they defeated James and Bourgaize in 4 sets.

Division 3

Ravenscroft Panthers B are still 5 points clear at the top and won 8-2 over Whistlers F this week. Shaun Mosley and Richard Edwards each beat Ken Falla, Max Burrows and Oskar Cleal in singles action and the duo also won the doubles over Burrows and Cleal in 4 sets. 4th Division reserve Pierre Jehan produced an impressive straight sets win over Cleal to extend the margin of victory.

Division 4

Lions K are still 6 points clear at the top after being held to a 5-5 draw by Lions J in the top of the table clash. Val Guilbert was in good form for the J side as she defeated Jenny Powell in 5 sets, Helen Barker in 4 sets and Cameron Powell in straight sets. Junior Alex Paul beat Jenny in 4 sets and Barker in straight sets, but was unable to secure the win for his side, losing out to Cameron in 4 sets. The doubles was another closely run match which was edged by Cameron and Barker over Paul and Diane Le Page in 5 sets.
Author: via Guernsey Table Tennis Association
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