24 December, 2017 Daniel Clark
As was the case Last Christmas, defending champions Queens A look set to retain their crown as they lead Division 1.
Although they are level on points with Ringswell A, Queens have played a game less and they had A Wonderful Christmastime as they thrashed them 8-1 in their table-topping clash, with Sarah Preece/Zac Phillips and Leoni Bishop/Jamie Roberton leading the way with three wins from them. Queens A then followed up bringing Joy To The World with a 9-0 win at Exeter B which enabled them to Stay Another Day in first place and dampen Ringswell’s hopes of a Fairytale Of New York to give them a first Division 1 mixed title.
Exeter B are bottom of the table and Lonely This Christmas with four defeats from four, although they only lost 5-4 in a close match against St Leonards A where they couldn’t Stop The Cavalry.
Five of the nine matches went to a decider as Adrian Midmer/Kay Brewer Decked The Halls and were the Saviour’s Day as they beat Vicky Prouse/Garry Bourner in the vital ninth rubber for St Leonards’ first win of the season. Rowan Despard/Geoff Littler though could Have Themselves A Merry Little Christmas as they were unbeaten for Exeter B and won all three of their matches.
Division 2A is also led by Queens B, who are currently Rocking Around the Christmas Tree and Walking In The Air as they top the table. But as is the case in Division 1, Ringswell B are second, level on points, but having played a game more.
Ringswell B found it was The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year a they won 8-1 away to St Leonards B to draw level on points with Queens B.
Sidmouth A are third and are only four points off the top after two comfortable wins to give them a Proper Crimbo. They beat pointless Otter Vale A 9-0 and then St Leonards B 8-1 – two teams who will need more than a Millennium Prayer to get promoted this season. “My Only Wish this year is to get off zero points”, said the Otter Vale captain as All I Want For Christmas is a win when the two sides meet in the first week of the New Year long after any hopes of a White Christmas have faded.
Division 2B is also narrower than Christmas Wrapping paper, with two teams level on points at the top and third team just a point behind. Unbeaten St Leonards C Step Into Christmas ahead of Chulmleigh by virtue of a 6-3 win when the sides clash. Captain Daniel Cordey teamed with Sharon May to lead the way with three wins from three as they rode to victory on a Great Big Sleigh.
St Leonards C made it a Happy Xmas (War Is Over) as a 5-4 win against Honiton. Despite Ethan Leach/Helena Williams picking up three wins for Honiton, it was a Silent Night for the visitors…..
Christmas Is Cancelled though for Otter Vale B, who probably prayed to Let It Snow. Instead, they up Driving Home For Christmas empty handed and bottom of the division after a third successive loss – this time a 9-0 loss at Chulmleigh to leave them needing the help of Mary’s Boy Child to not finish last as they are 11 points adrift.
Merry Xmas Everyone!