26 February, 2018 Daniel Clark
Queens looked set to win both Division 1 and Division 2A, but two defeats to Ringswell sides have thrown the divisions wide open.
Four wins from win for Queens A put them top of Division 1, but they suffered a shock 5-4 loss at home to Ringswell A in the reverse fixture. Sarah Preece/Zac Phillips won all three rubbers for the Crediton-based club, but Ringswell rallied with Erin Whitten/Nigel Osbourne, Jess Hill/Ian Walsh and Claire Harrison/Tony Clark all chipping in, before Harrison/Clark came from behind to beat Jackie Kirby/Ian Kirby 15-21, 21-16, 21-14 in the decisive ninth rubber.
And a 7-2 win for Ringswell over St Leonards A has taken them to the top of the table, although just by a single point having played one game more. Whitten/Osbourne and Harrison/Clark were unbeaten for Ringswell in a match that saw five rubbers go to three sets. Exeter A are third after a 9-0 win over St Leonards A to leave them just seven points off the top.
Division 2A also looked to be Queens’ for the taking until their B team were beaten 5-4 by Ringswell B. Four of the nine matches went to three sets, but crucially, Ringswell won them all, with Sylvia Child/Tony Clark twice winning 21-19 and once 23-21 in the deciding rubber.
Queens B stay top but their lead is now down to just six points after Sidmouth A beat Otter Vale A 9-0.
St Leonards C stretched their lead in Division 2B after a 6-3 win over Sidmouth B, with Grace Williams/James Newcombe winning all three points for Sidmouth to stay unbeaten this season.
Honiton are second, but now 13 points off the pace after they lost 5-4 to Otter Vale B to give them a first win over the season, with Anne Drury/Andy O’Brien leading from the front with three victories.