09 April, 2018 Daniel Clark
Queens A are on the verge of retaining their Division One Mixed title after winning their top of the table title decider against Exeter A 6-3.
Sam Lees/Julia Melling won all three rubbers for Exeter, but Jamie Roberton/Jenny Maddison, Lloyd Skinner/Mandy Bishop and Ian Kirby/Jackie Kirby each won two rubbers each to give Queens one hand on the trophy. They will secure the title if they beat St Leonards A in their last match.
Ringswell A can still pip them to the title though if Queens slip up, and have secured at least second place after a 7-2 win over Exeter A. Again it was Lees/Melling who won the points for Exeter A, winning two rubbers and losing a third 23-21 in the deciding set, but unbeaten Ian Walsh/Jess Hill led Ringswell to victory and leaves them seven points behind Queens A with one game to play.
Exeter B beat St Leonards A 8-1 in a potential relegation decider, but the result of that fixture has been called-in for discussion by the committee.
Queens B have won Division 2A after wins over Otter Vale A and St Leonards B. A 7-2 win over relegation-threatened Otter Vale put them on the verge of the title, before the team of Nathan Scase/Kate Povey, Sam Clark/ Bishop and Ben Jordan/Maddison won 9-0 over St Leonards B to claim the crown.
St Leonards B have a ten point lead over Otter Vale A in the battle to survive after picking up points in 6-3 losses against Ringswell B and then a two-pair Sidmouth A side. The two sides at the bottom of the league face each other on Tuesday, April 17, with Otter Vale A needing to win.
An unbeaten St Leonards C side have one hand on the Division 2B trophy after winning 5-4 against Chulmleigh. The team of Ian Jameson/Sharon May were unbeaten, while Anthony Towl/Jess Hand won two rubbers, including a vital 23-21, 16-21, 23-21 win over Adrian Borner/Karen Parish.
Chulmleigh though can still win the title if St Leonards C slip up in their final fixture. They secured a 6-3 win over Honiton with Mat Hamill/Michelle Wylde winning all three rubbers. They trail by 13 points with a game in hand, so would need St Leonards C to lose to Honiton if they are to become champions.