08 March, 2013 Andy Rowe
Sidmouth A’s tenure in Division 1 is dependant on other match results going their way. They won a “must win” match against fellow relegation battlers Ringswell A 6-3, but then slipped to a 5-4 reverse to Cranford. John and Paul Carter starred for Sidmouth with 3 wins against Ringswell with Chris Bird and Simon Heusen picking up 2 wins. Nigel Osborne and Steve Rice bagged a brace of wins for Ringswell A.
Sidmouth A saw victory snatched from them at Cranford as Vernon Smeed and Steve Faulkner edged the deciding rubber against Chris Bird and Simon Heusen 13-21, 24-22, 21-19 to secure a narrow 5-4 win for Cranford. Cranfords Joe Davis and Zac Phillips laid the foundations with 3 fine wins.
Queens A completed the double over Cranford, winning 7-2, thanks to unbeaten displays by Kevin Cobbledick/Darren Frisby and Simon Brassington/Ben Watkins
Exeter A remain the only unbeaten team in Division 1 following an 8-1 win over University. The students didn’t help themselves as they fielded 2 unregistered players! Exeters Mark Trebble partnered young Sam Owens to 3 wins which was matched by Sam Lees partnered by reserve Geoff Littler.
In Division 2 Exeter C won their 4th match of the season, beating Queens B 6-3. Sunam Uddin and Tim Hackett were rarely troubled on their way to 3 wins whilst the pick of the Queens pairs was Matt Brassington and Nathan Scase with 2 wins.
Exeter C completed their 2013 campaign with a hard fought 5-4 win over St Leonards B. The match was finely poised at 4-4 going into the final rubber. Exeters Jack Southcott and Alex Bulley edged the win against Andy Rowe and Antony Towl, 21-19, 21-23, 21-17.
St Leonards A recorded their 5th 9-0 win of the season against Otter Vale.
In Division 3 3 wins from Clyst Vales Dan Cordey and James Allum couldn’t prevent their team losing 6-3 to Exeter D. The Exeter D team of Ian Halliday, James Bryant, Steve Spencer, Mike Strawbridge, Yiping Chen and Dave Marrison all contributed with 2 wins apiece.
Honiton maintained their winning form beating 2 pair Sidmouth B 6-3, although none of the pairs could get the better of Sidmouths Graham Baker and Jimmy Newcombe who came away with 3 wins.
St Leonards C scraped a fortuitous 5-4 win over a resilient 2 pair Ringswell B team. 3 wins from Phil Matthews and Brian Jeary put Ringswell on the cusp of victory. However the saints Martin Matthews and Ali Rehemi atoned for a mistake ridden display in their first rubber to beat Mike Clarke and Sean Lewis 11-21, 27-25 21-14 to keep St Leonards in contention for top place.
RESULTS
Division 1
Sidmouth A beat Ringswell A 6-3
Cranford beat Sidmouth A 5-4
Queens A beat Cranford 7-2
Exeter A beat University 8-1
Division 2
Exeter C beat Queens B 6-3
Exeter C beat St Leonards B 5-4
St Leonards A beat Otter Vale 9-0
Division 3
Exeter D beat Clyst Vale 6-3
St Leonards C beat Ringswell B 5-4
Honiton beat Sidmouth B 6-3