Results

Division 1– Wiveliscombe had a grand slam win this week when they visited White Horse. The home team scored one singes point by Colin White, plus 2 doubles points, against a full strength and on form Wiveliscombe. All three visiting players (David Woodland, Paul Nutkins and John Edbrooke) scored maximums in the singles and doubles, With John Edbrooke being awarded player of the match. The final score of 36 points has now clinched the division 1 championship for Wiveliscombe with one match still to play. Wiveliscombe have now retained their title for, I believe, the 7^thyear in succession. Well done!!!!

Division 2 – It was the final week for all matches in division 2 and it was certainly a nail-biting end to the season.... 

Roy’s Boys entertained Drifters and had a spectacular match. All three home players scored maximums (Roy and Barry Hooper and Di Garner) plus 8 doubles points to give Roy’s Boys a grand total of 35 points, with Roy being awarded player of the match. Drifters may have been suffering fatigue after their journey over the hill and never got going in the match. David Smith scored 4 with Mike Pretty 3 and Liz Fletcher 1 point. With 4 doubles points Drifters returned home with 12 points.

Drifters were in action for a second time when they were hosted by Space Invaders.  Space invaders were ‘firing’ on all cylinders and their score soon ‘rocketed’ when ‘rising star’ Matt Lawrence scored his first match maximum to ‘land’ the player of the match award. The score ‘took off’ when Jim Stiles added 6 points and ‘boosted’ further by Margo Baker with 5. Di Rodgers was the doubles specialist for the evening and must have been ‘over the moon’ to score 7 doubles points. Final score for Space Invaders: 27 points and 7 puns. This match Drifters appeared to benefit from playing at their home venue and put up a good fight. Mike Pretty led the way with 7 points with Dave Smith scoring 5 and Andrew Miles 3. Another 5 Doubles points gave a very respectable final score of 20 points.

The final two matches were to decide the division 2 championship. Mad Batters had set a target of 367 points to beat. The nail biting began....

First of the two key matches was Allsorts vs. second placed team, Tony’s Troopers. Allsorts struggled to get to grips with the match against a team attempting to win the division on the night. It was only Andy Godfrey that had any success when he scored 6 points. Mike Lawrie added 4 and Barbara Parker 1. The doubles were a disappointment for the home team having been consistently one of their strengths during this season. With only 2 doubles points Allsorts score rose to a modest 13 points. Tony’s Troopers were on the attack from the outset with player of the match Sifa Vea scoring the only maximum of the evening. Tony Burrows scored 7 and Jon Kemp 3 singles points. 7 excellent doubles points gave a final match score of 28 points for Tony’s Troopers and a total for the season of.... 369 points to go top of division 2.

The absolute final match of the season took place two days later when third placed junior side House Martyns took on Roy’s Boys. For the visiting team it was Di Garner who was the player of the match with the only maximum. Thereafter resistance faltered with Roy Hooper scoring 3 singles points. With 3 doubles points Roy’s Boys ended the match with 15 points. The juniors kept their focus throughout the match and were all very consistent as a team. Their improving form meant that Joe Burt and Jack Lancaster scored 8 points apiece and Ellie Baker a further 6. An excellent score of 7 doubles points meant the match was won with 29 points. This gave House Martyns a final tally forthe year of.... 371 points and the division 2 championship. Well done....

On Wednesday 11^thApril the singles non handicap tournament was held at the Lawns. There was a good attendance and, after the group stage and the quarter finals, the two semi finals were played between Vince Court and Geoff Williams, and Martin Rant and Robin Arkell. Most of the participants stayed on to watch the two matches and enjoy the play. Vince Court got off to a flying start by winning the first two games. Geoff Williams then came back to win the third and was well placed in the next game to overcome Vince’s bat. This was not to be when an unkind ‘edge’ put Vince into the final. The second game was more defensive with the occasional attack. It was Martin Rant that ground out the victory against Robin Arkell and will meet Vince Court in the final. 

On Saturday 14^thApril the junior singles tournaments were held at the Lawns. There were two age groups: under 13’s and under 18’s.

The final of the under 13’s will be a family affair between twins Alfie and Nathaniel Southam.

There was an attentive audience for the two semi-finals of the older age group. Joe Burt kept control of his match against Ethan Plenty for a comfortable victory. The match between Ellie Baker and Jack Lancaster was a much closer battle with Jack making it into the final against Joe.

The finals will all be played on Saturday 21^stApril, starting at 4pm at the Lawns.

Division 1

Division 2

Geoff Williams - Press Officer