08 November, 2015 Helen Potter
Ringswell B have had a near perfect start in Division 2a with wins over Chulmleigh, Sidmouth B and St Leonards B. The partnerships of Becky Bailey & Steve Rice and Sylvia Child & Andy Taylor were unbeaten in the team’s 7-2 win over Chulmleigh. The team of Sylvia Child & Richard Burn, Sam Huggett & Stuart Daw and Ben Boyland & Sharon Strong inflicted a clean sweep with a 9-0 victory over Sidmouth B. In Ringswell’s match against St Leonards B, Jess Hand & Tom Phillips prevented another clean sweep for Ringswell by picking up St Leonards’ only point of the match in an 8-1 victory for Ringswell. The St Leonards B team of Jess Hand & Tom Phillips, Rachel Marson & Phil Matthews and Sharon May & Andy Rowe beat St Leonards C 9-0. St Leonards C fared better against Sidmouth B when an unbeaten display from Nicola Anslow & John Gubbin saw their side emerge 6-3 winners. The prize for the closest match of the season so far goes to St Leonards B and Otter Vale A. In a match which saw four rubbers decided in a third end and the only unbeaten pair being on the losing side, the teams were all square at 4-4 when Sharon May & Andy Rowe of St Leonards took to the court against Otter Vale’s Teresa Simic & David Williamson. This produced a nail biting end to the evening with Teresa & David winning, 19-21, 21-19, 21-17 to win the match 5-4 for Otter Vale A, although the unbeaten pair on the night was Jess Hand & Phil Matthews for St Leonards B.
In Division 2b the Ringswell C team of Sharon Strong & Steve Rice, Anne Jones & Ben Boyland and Chloe Tsang & Richard Burn are celebrating victories over Cranford and Honiton. They beat Cranford 9-0 and Honiton 8-1 with Janet Ingram & Ethan Leach picking up the point for Honiton. The Clyst Vale A team of Nicola Martin & James Allum, Sue Mayne & Dan Cordey and Rachel Dare & Jason Gibbins beat Clyst Vale B 8-1 although the B team duo of Mandy Gurzynski & Tom Browne fought to the end for their team’s point winning the rubber 23-21 in the third end. Otter Vale B started their season strongly when Anne Drury & Chris Smith and Clair Ross & Ray Puttick were unbeaten in their team’s 7-2 win over Clyst Vale B.
In Division 1, Queens and Exeter A have both started their campaigns this season with wins over Exeter B. Julia Melling & Sam Lees led the way for Exeter A in their 7-2 victory over their B team. Rowan Despard & Geoff Littler picked up both of the points for the B team and nearly caused a further upset when playing Julia & Sam, eventually losing 21-17 in the third end. Two days later Exeter B played hosts to Queens who with the unbeaten partnerships of Sarah Preece & Zac Phillips and Kate Povey & Jamie Roberton won the match 6-3. Exeter B took to the court for their third match of the season against a Sidmouth A side only able to raise two pairs. Rowan and Geoff were unbeaten once again contributing to a win of 6-3.
A full list of result and tables can be found on the League Website.