Results

Division 1

White Horse were on home turf for their match against Hawks and, with a fast start, looked as though they would gallop away from their opponents. Towards the later stages of the match the persistence of Hawks gradually reined in the home team before a grandstand finish to decide the match. For White Horse it was David Bryant who led the field with 8 singles sets with Jamie Robertson in close pursuit with 5 and Ian Rew scoring 4. With the teams level on points the result hinged on the final doubles game of the evening. White Horse prevailed to raise their doubles tally to 7 and passing the winning post with 24 points.

Hawks battled hard throughout and soon got their talons into their opponents. Mark Scyner received the player of the match award for his maximum and was well supported by Alfie Southam with a solid 6 singles sets. Nathaniel Southam added the final 3 before they went on to win 4 doubles sets. Eagles ended the match with 22 points, just missing the victory in a photo finish.

Gnomads started their season with a visit to Allsorts at the Lawns. The home team never settled and fell behind from the outset. In the singles Curtis King top-scored with 3 sets, severely denting his season’s average. Andy Berry added 2 singles sets, with the ambidextrous Sifa Vea scoring 1. There was however success in the doubles where Allsorts won 7 sets to end the evening with a modest 13 points.

Gnomads dominated proceedings from the commencement of play and never relented throughout the match. David Webb made his debut for the visitors and proceeded to score a maximum and receive the player of the match award. Martin Rant also scored a fine maximum. Geoff Williams played his second match of the week as substitute and scored an excellent 8 singles sets. With 6 doubles sets Gnomads completed a comprehensive victory with 32 points.

Division 2

Phoenix paid a flying visit to Bampton where they were hosted by Roy’s Boys. It was Barry Hooper who was the stand-out player with a singles maximum that earned him the player of the match award. Roy Hooper provided stubborn opposition and added 4 sets. Paul Sams entered the scorecard with the final 3 singles sets. With 4 doubles sets to add to their total, Roy’s Boys ended their evening with 20 points.

It took until the mid-point of the match before the score for Phoenix started to take off. Martin Shoots top-scored for the visitors with 7 singles sets, closely supported by Geoff Williams with 6. Robin Arkell added the remaining 4 singles sets before the team combined to win an excellent 8 doubles sets, leaving Phoenix to fly home with a total of 25 points.

Wanderers and Drifters found themselves at the Lawns this week for their match. Wanderers continued to develop their match play and were on sparkling form. Cass Chalk recorded his first league maximum in the singles and looks like developing into a formidable opponent as the season progresses. Matt Lawrence also scored a maximum and was awarded the player of the match award on points difference. Laurie Chalk also put in a solid performance with 6 singles sets. With a further 6 doubles sets, Wanderers wrapped up a decisive victory with 30 points.

Drifters provided consistent and stiff opposition all evening with both David Smith and Liz Fletcher winning 5 singles sets apiece, closely supported by Andrew Miles with 4. A hard-fought 4 doubles sets raised the final score for Drifters to 18 points.