Results Week 4

Division 1

This week Gnomads travelled to Minehead to challenge Basement Dwellers. After delaying the start to their season, Basement Dwellers hit top form from the start of the match. Both Vince Court and the hard-hitting Toby Kerslake scored maximums in the singles, with Vince receiving the player of the match award. Danny O’Leary played as a substitute for the evening and added 2 singles sets for the home team. The doubles were quite evenly contested with Basement Dwellers prevailing with 7 sets to give a final winning score of 27 points.

Gnomads never settled into the match. Many sets were decided by the minimum two points but rarely favoured the visitors. Martin Rant top-scored with 4 singles sets, with Nigel Foster and Tony Brooks adding 3 sets apiece. There was more success in the doubles with 6 sets, bringing the final tally for Gnomads up to 16 points.

Division 2

Despite the long, dark, and wet journey over the hills to Waterrow, Phoenix did not seem too ruffled once they settled into the match. Waterrow had a flying start by winning the first game but, as the evening progressed, it was the visitors’ match play that took off. For the home team Eamonn Farrelly was the stand out player with 6 singles sets. Dennis Buckingham and Russell Foote added one set each before the team combined to add 5 doubles sets. Waterrow ended the match with a total of 13 points.

Once Phoenix got off the ground it was Geoff Williams who was the high flier with the only singles maximum of the evening, earning him the player of the match award. Martin Shoots and Robin Arkell each scored an excellent 8 singles sets, before the team went on to score a maximum in the doubles. At the conclusion of play Phoenix had feathered their nest with 34 points.

Results Week 5

Division 1

Basement Dwellers challenged Allsorts this week but failed to maintain their form from their previous match. Vince Court persevered with his hard pimple bat to top-score with 6 singles sets with the remaining 5 singles being added by new signing, Danny O’Leary. With only one doubles set gleaned, Basement Dwellers ended their challenge with 12 points.

Allsorts gradually dominated the evening’s proceedings and the player of the match was Curtis King, who scored a maximum as he sought to improve his averages. The ambidextrous Sifa Vea was in close support with 7 sets, with Andy Berry winning 3. A maximum in the doubles gave Allsorts a convincing victory with 28 points

Gnomads were camped out in Bishops Lydiard when Hawks made a flying visit. After a hesitant start Gnomads soon dominated the match by winning all remaining games. Martin Rant led the way with a singles maximum and was awarded player of the match. Tony Brooks scored 7, with Nigel Foster returning to form with 6. An unopposed maximum in the doubles gave Gnomads a decisive victory with 31 points.

Hawks put up a spirited fight but their match never took off. Mark Scyner was the stand-out player for the visitors as he scored 6 singles sets, with Alfie Southam concluding the scoring with 3 sets. Despite many sets being won by the minimum margin the final tally for Hawks ended at 9 points.

Wiveliscombe got their season underway when they entertained Basement Dwellers in a match that was a closely contested affair. David Woodland led the way for the home side with 8 singles sets, supported by Paul Nutkins with a solid 6.  Eamonn Farrelly played as substitute for the evening and added 3 further singles sets. The outcome of the match would hinge on the doubles and Wiveliscombe won 5 sets for a final tally of 22 points.

For Basement Dwellers it was the hard hitting Toby Kerslake who served and powered his way to a singles maximum, and the player of the match award. Mike Vickery took time to settle back into match play but prevailed in 5 singles sets. Vince Court and his hard pimple bat struggled to get the better of his opponents and added just 4 further singles sets. The match was in fact decided on the final doubles game of the evening. Basement Dwellers won this game to give a total of 7 doubles sets, and the winning margin of 2 points, with a total of 25 points.

Division 2

Roy’s Boys braved the wet weather to travel to Minehead where they challenged Drifters. The match was an extremely close affair with no less than 14 sets being won by the minimum two point margin. For Drifters, both Danny O’Leary and Liz Fletcher won 7 singles sets apiece, with Andrew Miles adding 3. The doubles saw honours even with both teams tied on 6 sets each. The final score for Drifters totalled 23 points.

Barry Hooper was again the stand-out player for Roy’s Boys and his singles maximum earned him the player of the match award. Paul Sams prevailed in 5 singles sets, and Roy Hooper in 4. With a matching score of 6 in the doubles, Roy’s Boys just edged the victory with 24 points.

It was over the hills for Waterrow when they travelled to play Wanderers in Minehead. The home team played consistently led by Matt Lawrence with 6 singles sets, supported by Cass Chalk with 5 and Laurie Chalk with 4. A maximum in the doubles made the match a very close affair right up until the last game. At the close of play Wanderers were the victors by a narrow margin with 24 points.

With little to separate the teams all evening it was Waterrow’s Eamonn Farrelly who attained the player of the match award for his unopposed singles maximum. Dennis Buckingham brought his experience to bear to score an excellent 7, with Russell Foote adding the final 2 singles sets. The deciding factor in the match was the doubles. With only 2 sets won, this left Waterrow trailing at the end with a total of 20 points.