17 March, 2018 Daniel Clark
Queens A are still top of Division 1 of the Mixed league, but have had their lead over Exeter A cut to just four points – and they have Exeter B to thank for it.
Exeter A completed the double over St Leonards A with their second 9-0 win of the season against them.
But despite only managing to field two pairs, Exeter B, who have lost all six matches this season and sit bottom of the table, took two points off Queens A in a 7-2 loss, with Sam Owens/Katie Scotter winning two of their three matches. Jamie Roberton/Bronya Pike were unbeaten for Queens.
Ringswell A remain third, eight points off the top, but the title decider looks to be Exeter A vs Queens A on Monday, March 26.
Queens B are still favourites to win Division 2A after they beat Sidmouth A 6-3 to give themselves an 11-point cushion at the top. Five of the nine matches went to a final rubber, and Sidmouth won three of them, but led by the unbeaten Ben Herbert/Kate Povey, Queens B won the other four matches.
St Leonards C are in pole position to win Division 2B after their sixth win from six, beating Otter Vale B 7-2. Jess Hand/Anthony Towl were unbeaten for St Leonards C, in a match that saw bottom of the table Otter Vale lose matches 21-18, 24-22 and 21-19 in deciding sets.
Chulmleigh remain their closest challengers after a 6-3 win over Sidmouth B leaving them 20 points behind but with two games in hand. James Newcombe/Grace Williams again went unbeaten for Sidmouth, as they have done in all seven matches this season, but Chulmleigh won five of the other six rubbbers and were awarded the sixth that they initially lost after Sidmouth fielded an ineligible player.
The Beast from the East saw fixtures between Otter Vale A and Ringswell B, Sidmouth B and Otter Vale B and Queens B and St Leonards B postponed.