09 February, 2014 Helen Potter
Exeter A remain at the top of Division 1 after a 7-2 victory over Ringswell A. Julia Melling & Sam Lees and Suzanne & Sam Owens were unbeaten for Exeter with the team’s remaining point coming from Sue Colwill & Russell Walker. Both of Ringswell’s points were secured in a deciding third end. Cranford A remain in second place after a 5-4 win over St Leonards A. This result was amended due to one of the Cranford team being unregistered. Claire Hannah & Jamie Roberton were unbeaten for Cranford. The St Leonards A team of Anne Stanley & Adrian Midmer, Louise Gubbin & Tim Wardale and Sue Banks & Guy Sweetman beat the University 8-1 with the University pairing of Lily Stanton & Ben Qiu winning the final rubber 21-19 in the third end to prevent a whitewash. The University beat Exeter B 6-3 with the partnerships of Lily Stanton & Brendan Foreman, Lucy Battersby & Harry Hacking and Natalie Kent & Nick Halliwell each securing two points towards the win.
In Division 2a the Otter Vale A and St Leonards C match concluded with the St Leonards C team of Jill McCord & Anthony Towl, Ruth McClelland & Ian Jameson and Sharon May & Pierre Aumjaud winning 5-4 to secure their first win of the season. Sidmouth A were unable to raise a team for their match against St Leonards B handing a 9-0 win to their opponents.
Otter Vale B have enjoyed wins over both Raleigh & Ringswell C in Division 2b. In a 6-3 win over Raleigh the Otter Vale partnership of Jean Lloyd & Andy O’Brien were unbeaten , Sue O’Brien & Daniel Clark picked up two points and the remaining point came from Maxine & Peter Sweetman. In the team’s 5-4 win over Ringswell C, no Otter Vale pair could beat the Ringswell partnership of Di Brooker & Brian Jeary. Sidmouth B remain at the top of the division after the team of Ann Price & Paul Carter, Hilary Herd & Steve Pritchard and Linda McCracken & Graham Baker beat Ringswell C 7-2. Chulmleigh beat Raleigh 7-2 with Ruth Crumbie & Mat Older unbeaten. Raleigh were hampered by the fact that they were only able to raise two pairs, but Nicola Martin & Dan Graham fought hard, picking up both of Raleigh’s points. The Honiton A team of Sue Caller & Paul Merchant, Helena Williams & Roger Tucker and Janet Ingram & James Goody beat Raleigh 9-0.
Whilst Clyst Vale A top division 3a, just two points separate the teams in 2nd to 5th place. Despite some very close claims, the Clyst Vale B team of Imogen Batten & Steve Hunt, Rachel Dare & Guy Allum and Ann & David Bromage beat Cranford B 9-0. Honiton B were only able to raise two pairs when they played Cranford B, but the quartet of Sue Fallows & Mark Stanley and Zaria Taylor & Simon Walker emerged the winners, 6-3.