Match Reports - Weeks Twenty and Twenty-One
Division 1
Debenhams ‘B’ 3
Forest Products 7
Graham Slack and Russell Hayward were too good for the hosts, both claiming hat tricks.
Graham didn’t lose a single game, whilst Russell had a straight games win featuring a 2nd game victory to love, dropping the opening game to Alec Robinson before coming through in 4 & lastly, had to fight back from 2 games to 1 down with Matt Kittle to triumph in a deciding game.
They also won the doubles together dropping nothing.
Matt, Alec & Phil Hatherall all defeated Lesley Slack to register a point each.
Rudford ‘A’ 4
Highnam ‘A’ 6
This was a tight contest, with nobody winning all three.
Richard Maddrell and Jason Million for the visitors both won two apiece, as did the home side’s Ann Barnes (who claimed the 2 points, both in deciding games versus Richard & Chris Pigott).
Paul Smyth and Simon Moysey contributed a win each for the hosts; Paul in 5 when taking on Jason and Simon also in 5 against Chris after being 2-0 behind. Chris did pick up a point for the away team, beating Paul in 4 games.
Jason & Richard secured the win for Highnam ‘A’ by winning 11-3, 13-11, 13-11 versus Simon and Ann in the doubles.
RSV & Friends ‘A’ 9
Rudford ‘B’ 1
Top played bottom, and there was only going to be one winner, as Abu Salebhai won all three, despite Keith Foord and Trevor Oliver taking a game off him, Yacoob Tilly secured a maximum without dropping a game and Suleiman Salebhai won two, which included a marathon victory over Trevor in 3 by the score of 11-9, 22-20, 12-10.
Keith Foord stopped RSV getting all the points, by edging out Suleiman 11-8 in the fifth.
Yacoob & Suleiman won the doubles in four games over Alan Perratt and Trevor.
Optimists 7
Forest Products 3
Not one of the singles ties went to five, as Darren Griffin had another unbeaten night’s work to maintain his 100% record, with Graham Slack doing well to take a game off Darren.
Steve Greening contributed two wins and Alan Churchill with a further win for the hosts.
Graham won his other two ties in straight games, and Rob Freeman picked up a solitary point by defeating Alan in 4.
Alan & Steve clinched the doubles in five games when taking on Rob and Lesley.
Debenhams ‘B’ 1
Rudford ‘C’ 9
This was a fantastic night for the visitors over a team that they will be competing with to stay in this division. Mel Garlick won all three for the first time as a Division One player, including winning two of her ties in 5 sets. She was involved in a long, grinding battle with Chris Ball with the score being 12-10, 12-14, 15-17, 11-8, 11-6. The other 5 setter was against Alec Robinson.
Lee Bruton had an easier three wins losing just 1 game to Phil Hatherall, whilst Rob Deeley won a further two points, that featured a bizarre 5 game triumph over Phil. After Rob lost the 1st game 12-14, the next game he whitewashed Phil 11-0, back came Phil winning the third 11-8, Rob once again responded winning the crucial 4th game 14-12, which practically finished Phil off, as Rob easily won the last game 11-4.
Chris Ball bagged a consolation point for Debenhams by coming from a game down to beat Rob in 4.
Lee & Mel finished off proceedings, by taking the doubles rubber in four games over Chris and Alec.
Could this terrible evening for Debenhams be pivotal come the end of the season?
Highnam ‘A’ 6
RSV & Friends ‘A’ 4
This was RSV’s second defeat of the season, against one of the teams battling for a top two finish. Optimists have been, the only other team to beat RSV this term.
Jason Million was the star with three wins over Abu Saleh, Yacoob Tilly and Peter Boruc who was playing for the visitors for the first time.
Richard Maddrell & Chris Pigott added a win apiece.
In response, Abu won two, with a win each for Yacoob and Peter (who squeezed out Richard in a deciding game).
Highnam claimed the victory, after Jason & Richard defeated Abu and Yacoob 14-12 in the fifth game of the doubles.
Division Two
Redcliffe College 2
Debenhams ‘C’ 8
The margin of victory for Debenhams ‘C’ doesn’t reflect how close the match was, with Debenhams winning 3 of the 4 ties that went to a 5th game.
Chris White had an unbeaten evening, coming through two five setters against Vidas Rimkus and Andy Taylor (two games down to Andy at one stage). Tony Williamson as well won all three with Vidas taking him too to a deciding game. Barrie Pope contributed a further win, over Andy in four.
Vidas finally won a tie by defeating Barrie in four and Richard Johnson came to life when taking on Barrie, storming back from a two set deficit to clinch the tie in five.
For the only the third time during the match, the doubles was over in straight games with Debenhams taking their 8th point.
British Energy ‘A’ 1
Highnam ‘B’ 9
It was a case of early half-time tea and coke in this match, as Highnam swept to a 4-1 lead by 8:45pm, all matches being won in 3 in the first half (not played in usual order due to the late arrival of Charles Campbell).
The second half was much closer, and even though Matthew Sproston won a point with a freakish trick shot off the net post, David Crabbe proved too strong.
The leaders’ James Dance & Dave Gough winning three apiece, with the closest either of them were to losing a match, was when James was taken by Matthew to a fifth game, which is not entirely surprising, considering Matthew is one of only two players to have won against James this campaign.
David Crabbe as well won two that included a 5 game win over Charles Campbell, but he was denied a 3rd win by Barney Upton beating him in straight games.
The doubles was very well fought, but once again Dave and James proved just that little bit to strong, winning 11-7 in the last game versus Matthew and Charles.
Highnam ‘C’ 6
British Energy ‘B’ 4
Highnam ‘C’ did win this fixture, but due to them sending in the scorecard late, they were docked two points, so in affect four points will be added to both team’s seasonal totals.
All the Highnam players won two, with Pete Dainty coming through a five setter with Dave Moore and a four game battle with Dave McIntosh by the score of 10-12, 14-12, 18-16, 11-7. Tony Wauchope won one of his ties in 4 and the other he was 2-0 behind to Dave Mc before winning the next three games (two in a tiebreak) to win his second. The remaining Highnam player Neil Dowding claimed his brace by two straight games wins.
This meant despite George Evans being the only player on show to win all his ties, which included fighting back from two games down to beat Neil (and deny Neil a hat trick), the visitors went home narrow losers after George & Dave Moore for the first time this season won a doubles together, and in straight games to boot against Neil and Pete.
RSV & Friends ‘B’ 8
Rudford ‘D’ 2
The pairing of Ben Roberts and Hamza Bham are on fire at the moment, both winning all three, with just one game lost between them. That was when Hamza played Stewart Jones.
Nick Walker added a win, by getting the better of Chris Beard in four.
Stewart picked up a win by overcoming Nick in 4 and Kim Selfe too, but in a 5th game instead.
RSV ‘B’ won another doubles again in a 5th game, where Nick & Hamza defeated Stewart and Kim 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8.
Debenhams ‘C’ 5
Highnam ‘C’ 5
Neil Dowding produced the goods for his team by having an undefeated evening, but this was not enough for an overall win, as the spoils were shared.
In the remaining singles ties only Tony Wauchope for the away team picked up any points, Tony beating Chris White 11-9 in the fourth to claim a point.
For the hosts, Barrie Pope and Tony Williamson won two each and Chris added a further point.
The doubles was the only tie that went to 5 games, as Neil and Tony did just enough to fend off Barrie and Chris, the score being 11-9, 7-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9.
Rudford ‘D’ 10
British Energy ‘A’ 0
A hammer blow to the visitors in their quest to stay in this division, as Stewart Jones, Kim Selfe and Chris Beard picked up all the points available to them.
Charles Campbell and Matthew Sproston came close, by taking Stewart Jones & Kim Selfe respectively to a 5th game. Charles also took a game off Kim and Chris.
In the final singles tie, just too really rub it in, the away team’s third player Barney Upton had to retire hurt after just the first two games when playing Kim, due to a recurrence of a shoulder problem that has plagued him this season.
The doubles went the way as well of Rudford by the score line of 14-12, 11-9, 11-2 to complete a miserable night for the visitors.
Highnam ‘B’ 9
Redcliffe College 1
The top team were ruthless in their expected quest to win the division this campaign.
Dave Gough & James Dance won six singles points between them, with both dropping just the one game each to different players.
Jo Pigott won two, but could not add a third, as Vidas Rimkus did just about enough to beat her by the margin of 14-12, 12-10, 11-13, 11-8.
The doubles for the first time on the night, that a tie had been settled in five games. Redcliffe’s Vidas and Andy Taylor were 2 games to 1 up against James and Dave, before the champion pairing fought back to take it in the final game.
British Energy ‘B’ 4
Rudford ‘E’ 6
Rich Spry was without doubt the star of the show with three wins, winning two in straight games, the other winning 11-3 in the fifth versus Dave McIntosh after being 2 games to 1 down.
Rich played very well indeed, far too good for George Evans and Dave Moore.
Pete Humble won two (all his ties were decided in four); with a third of the games Pete was involved in going to a tiebreak. Glyn Lloyd added another win by beating Dave Mc in 4.
The home side was 4-0, then 6-2 down but fought back towards the end getting narrowly defeated. George Evans won two to keep up his good form, Dave Moore claimed a win and together they won the doubles for the second week running, in five after being 2 games to nil to the good.
Dave McIntosh surprisingly didn’t win any, but wasn’t helped by playing with a sprained wrist which stopped him playing his usual attacking way.
At least he can have a rest from playing now, as it is 19 days now until the home team play again (the last day of February).
Division 3
S.T.R. ‘A’ 9
S.T.R. ‘B’ 1
Ian Kellie and Dave Smith were on song, as both claimed hat tricks. The sternest test either player was given was when Abdu went 2-0 up (15-13, 13-11) against Dave, but Dave clawed his way back slowly to begin with, winning the third and fourth games 11-7, 12-10, which must of ended Abdu’s resolve, as Dave whipped through the last game 11-1 to seal victory and his 3rd win.
Tony Saxton chipped in too with a brace, both in 4 setters vs. Ed Watson and Andy Marshall.
Abdu gained some consolation for Tommies ‘B’ by triumphing in five over Tony.
Civil Service 6
RSV & Friends ‘C’ 4
Mohammed Saleh’s maximum still wasn’t enough for his team to win this match-up, as the combination of Paul Daniels & Phil Lewis with two wins each and the two combining in the pairs to beat Mike Gray and Mohammed in 4 games proved too much for the away team.
Martyn Brown also added a win for Civil Service, while Jerry Winter did the same for RSV ‘C’.
Not a single tie went the distance, as seven of the ten ties went to a fourth game.
Grange Baptist 8
Rudford ‘F’ 2
A very competitive contest this, on the last day of January.
Alistair Wood had it fairly comfortable with a hat trick and Errol Johnson (pushed harder somewhat) also won all three, but both dropped a game or two.
Len Horwood had all the long matches, with all his ties going to a 5th set. Len beat Elaine Marshall, but came unstuck against Fabrizio Trifiro and especially when taking on Dave Vye, as after Len won the 4th game 12-10, to square it up at 2 games all, Dave destroyed Len in the final game by 11 points to 1.
The doubles featured two tiebreak wins for Alistair and Len in a straight games win versus Fabrizio & Dave.
Rudford ‘G’ 6
Crypt ‘A’ 4
The teams occupying the last two positions in Division 3 met on the first day of February, and the home side did just about enough to take the victory.
Will English had an undefeated evening, albeit he lost a game to Adam Crabbe & Josh Roberts and lost two games to Steve Parsons.
Luke Woodliffe clinched a pair of wins, but had the chance of all three, but from two games up against Adam Crabbe lost three on the spin to miss out.
Adam, Steve & Josh all beat Paul Russom in securing a point each to add to Adam’s win over Luke.
Luke got his revenge over Adam, later on when Luke paired up with Will versus Josh & Adam, and the Rudford pair fought back from a 2 set deficit to win in five and take the match overall.
Crypt ‘A’ 2
Phoenix ‘A’ 8
As expected one of the front runners of this division were commanding winners over the side rock bottom.
Andy Browett secured a maximum dropping a solitary game to Adam Crabbe, Angie Brear contributed two wins and so did Chris East.
Crypt’s points came from Nigel Cullis beating Angie 13-11 in the fifth set and from Adam defeating Chris.
Angie and Andy went from a game behind to win in four games in the doubles when taking on Josh and Nigel.
RSV & Friends ‘C’ 9
S.T.R. ‘A’ 1
S.T.R. ‘A’ shot themselves in the foot here by only one player turning up, giving RSV a 7-0 head start, plus undoing all the good work that they put in last time out to win 9-1. A significant blow to their promotion hopes!
In the three games played, Ian Kellie for Tommies ‘A’ lost a close three setter against Umair Ganny, then beat Jeremy Winter 11-9 in a deciding game and finally lost an even tighter 3 setter vs. Mohammed Salebhai which featured two tiebreaks.
Rudford ‘F’ 5
Civil Service 5
No one could touch Paul Daniels as he had 3 straight games wins, but Rudford emerged with a draw. Phil Lewis beat Dave Vye in the battle of the defenders, 11-9 in the 5th game.
Fabrizio Trifiro & Sten Salisbury picked up two wins each, Fabrizio winning both in 4; Sten one in straight games and the other a battling 5 game win over Kevin Burden from 2 nil down.
Dave Vye added another point with a three game win over Kevin.
The visitors though rescued a draw and a share of the spoils, as Paul & Phil beat Fabrizio and Dave comfortably enough in the doubles.
Division 4
Crypt ‘B’ 1
Highnam ‘D’ 9
Crypt ‘B’ started off by only fielding two players, to give Highnam ‘D’ a 3-0 advantage, and from then on the visitors put their foot on the accelerator. Huw Darch won his two in straight games, Clare Bell her win a straight game contest and Stewart Blencowe also won two, one in straight games and the other did go to 5 (11-7 in the fifth against Olly Tyndall).
Olly picked up a consolation point by coming from a set down to win in four versus Clare.
Highnam won the doubles in 4 to round off the action.
Crypt ‘D’ 6
Phoenix ‘B’ 4
The bottom two met here and the bottom side Crypt ‘D’ did well to win this match considering they were a player short.
Matt Skelding with a maximum, dropping the solitary set to Bob Vallender and Tim Smith chipped in with two wins, which included a close 5 setter when taking on Chris Harley.
Bob beat Tim in straight games to pick up a point, to add to the three which they were given before the start.
The hosts secured a great win by winning the pairs in 4 games.
S.T.R. ‘C’ 7
S.T.R. ‘D’ 3
In The Tommies derby of the lower teams, the ‘C’ team gobbled up all the points available to them, with the ‘D’ team’s three points due to Tommies ‘C’ being one player down.
Bohan Du & Chris Green were the point scorers for the ‘C’ side. Bohan dropped just the one game overall to Stuart Carver, whilst Chris was taken to a final game by both Harkeerit Kalsi and Gavin Kwok, but coming through both times.
The doubles was a straight games win for Bohan and Chris over Harkeerit & Gavin.
St James 2
Crypt ‘C’ 8
Bar one tie, every other tie was settled in straight games, as Andrew Perks won his usually three, including one tie where he lost just 4 points in 3 games, with the 3rd game being 11-0 to Andrew. Shirley Bailey won 2 and Ollie Perks did too, dropping a game to Trevor Henry along the way.
Alan Page beat Shirley and Ollie in straight games to register two points for the home side.
The Perks’ won the doubles in 3 games against Alan & Trevor.
Highnam ‘D’ 7
S.T.R. ‘C’ 3
Tommies ‘C’ put up a good showing considering they were a player short against one of the better teams in this tier.
Chris Green led the resistance with two wins and Bohan Du also won 1.
Huw Darch was the only Highnam player to beat both Bohan & Chris. He only just beat Bohan 11-7 in the fifth game. Stewart Blencowe added a win by overcoming Bohan in 4.
A good victory for the home side over a team that will be competing with them in the race for 2nd place!
Week 24 Result - Crypt ‘C’ 4-6 Highnam ‘D’
This match was brought forward from the start of March to the beginning of February, and was played on a Saturday.
Only seven ties were played, due to Crypt being a player short.
Andrew Perks won all three to stay unbeaten (33 wins out of 33) and without losing a game and Ollie Perks contributed a win by getting the better of Clare Bell in 4.
Stewart Blencowe beat Ollie in 3 and Derek Pigott overcame Ollie in four for 2 singles points.
Highnam ‘D’ clinched the win by winning the doubles in 4 games.
George Evans
Press Secretary
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