Results

Division 1– It is uncommon for teams to draw a match yet decidedly rare when we not only had two drawn matches in Division 1 but they both had identical scores. Firstly, Mad Batters entertained White Horse and there was nothing between the teams throughout the match. Marcus Short led the way for the home team with the only maximum plus the player of the match award. Jasper Pye added 5 points in his debut match for this season, and a further 4 were added by Matthew Short. With 6 doubles points Mad Batters ended with 24. White Horse battled hard and their outstanding player of the evening was Ian Rew who just missed his maximum with 8 points. Recent signing, David Bryant, added 7 and Colin White a valuable 4 points. White Horse were neck and neck throughout and their 5 doubles points meant that the match ended in a dead heat.

The second drawn game was House Martyns vs. Basement Dwellers. The dead bat of Scott Milton did it’s usual damage, but this time was thwarted by Dwellers’ own bat twiddler, Vince Court. Scott scored 7 and was well supported by an on-form Jack Lancaster with 6 and Joe Burt with 5 singles points. With 6 points from the doubles House Martyns ended with 24. For Basement Dwellers Vince’s bat scored the only maximum and with it the player of the match award. Paul Rees and substitute Jasper Pye [playing his second match of the week] added 4 singles points apiece. With a further 7 doubles points Dwellers managed to give us our second draw of the week.

Gnomads were visited by Minehead A. Gnomad’s Martin Rant has been on fire this season and none of the visiting team could extinguish his winning form and stop him from reaching a maximum plus the player of the match award. Mel Horner scored an excellent 8 and Nigel Foster 5 singles points. Gnomads had the better of the doubles with 7 points to bring their score to a winning 29 points. For the visitors, even Toby Kerslake’s extra thick bat couldn’t save the day and scored 7. Joe Camp had about the same level of success with 6 and David Veal added a further 2 points. Success was mirrored in the doubles with 4 points added to give Minehead A their final score of 19 points. Whilst the margin of victory may look significant it is noted that only 3 games during the whole evening were completed in the minimum of 3 sets. 

Final Division 1 match this week was Shooting Stars vs. seven times and current champions, Wiveliscombe. After the second game it was 3 points apiece when Geoff Williams managed to level the match. After that it was a battle for Shooting Stars to glean points. Martin Shoots also scored 3 and Robin Arkell another 2 singles points. A valuable 3 doubles points gave a creditable final score of 11 points for Shooting Stars – but not enough to keep them at the top of the table. Wiveliscombe were able to field David Woodland for his first match of the season after returning from injury. David obviously benefited from his long rest and his hard hitting gave him a maximum and the player of the match award. John Edbrooke and his bat also twiddled themselves to a maximum. 13-year-old Ben Cooper played well and took two of his games to 5 sets to grind out a valuable 5 points. With 6 doubles points the final tally for Wiveliscombe rose to 29 points for the evening.

Division 2– Space invaders used their home venue as their launch pad for their attack on Barn Boys. Matt Lawrence was at the helm with the only maximum and was duly decorated with the player of the match award. The score was boosted by Alan Blackmore who must be over the moon with his 6 points. With Jim Stiles’ 5 points plus a further 7 doubles points Space Invaders splashed down with 27 points when it was game over. Barn Boys played steadily throughout the match but could not resist the onslaught. Graham Lamacraft top scored with 6 points and was supported by Andy Fay with 5 and Paddy Parnell with 2. Barn Boys’ 4 doubles points raised their score to 16 points.

Allsorts played their second match of the season against Roy’s Boys and again this was another close match. For the home team it was the ambidextrous Sifa Vea that led the way with 7 points. Mike Lawrie scored 5 and Roy Pointer 4. Barbara Parker was the doubles specialist and again helped Allsorts to maximum doubles points and a winning team score of 25. Roy’s Boys battled hard and Diana Garner scored the only singles maximum to receive the player of the match award. Barry Hooper scored 6 and Roy Hooper 3 singles points. Peggy Hooper was the doubles specialist and helped win a crucial 3 doubles points. Despite not winning the match with 21 points, the doubles points from this match means that Roy’s Boys have taken the lead in Division 2 – well done!!!!

TABLES:

Division 1

Division 2