Saints Close Encounters of the 3rd Game
14 December, 2013 Andy Rowe
In Division 2 St Leonards A edged a very tight match 5-4 against University. In a really close encounter, with 6 rubbers going to a 3rd game, the match was tilted in Universitys favour at 4-3 going into the final 2 rubbers. The saints Mark Newson and Andy Rowe secured their 3rd win of the match in beating Steven Ford and Toby Hong 18-21, 21-19, 22-20 and Leo Robbins and Guy Sweetman their 2nd win beating Luke Blades and Mikey East 16-21, 21-12, 21-14, to seal the win.
Ringswell A extended their unbeaten run to 5 wins with a narrow 5-4 win over University. Steve Rice and Nigel Osbourne were once again in excellent form in winning 3, including a tense win over the student pairing Alex Banks and Steven Ford 19-21, 21-17, 25-23.
The Queens B team of Mike Barlow, Andy Hawkins, Lloyd Skinner, Nick Masson, Nathan Scase and Emmanuel Sapin extended their unbeaten run to 2 matches with a 9-0 whitewash of St Leonards B.
The University pairing of Steven Ford and Darren Walsh (3) have helped their team climb into 2nd place with a 7-2 win over Exeter C. Exeter had Chris Bowker and Dave Harland to thank for their 2 points.
Rob Flack and Ross Coomber’s 3 wins guided Exeter B to their first win in Division 1, beating Sidmouth A 6-3. They were well supported by Ryan Parker-Bowker and Tom Phillips (2). John Carter and Luke Oxley (2) were the pick of the Sidmouth pairs.
A treble from Cranford A’s Mark Trebble and Zac Phillips helped earn their team a 6-3 victory over 2 pair Sidmouth A.
Sidmouth A came out on top in a controversial match against Queens A. Queens A triumphed 7-2 on the night, but fielded an unregistered player in Harry Hacking, which meant the final score was amended to 5-4 in Sidmouth’s favour.
Cranford A had a comfortable 8-1 win over Exeter B helped in part by Exeter not being able to field a full team on the night.
In Division 3A the Otter Vale team of Brian Deem, Dan Clark, Mark Brown, Ray Puttick, Nic Williamson and Ed Bugler triumphed 9-0 in their local derby against Honiton. Otter Vale veteran Brian Deem was almost lost for words at the result “This is only our second win in 2 years and in my 15 years plus at Otter Vale I can never remember a 9-0 win to us…an amazing result!”
Ringswell B have had back to back 7-2 wins over St Leonards C and Honiton. Against St Leonards Phil Matthews and Chris Gould played well to secure 3 wins and were well supported by their Ringswell teammates Ben Boyland/Mike Clarke (2) and Brian Jeary/Sean Lewis (2). Martin Matthews and Ali Rehemi salvaged 2 wins for the Saints.
Rich McFarlane stepped in for Ringswell against Honiton and came away with 3 wins with his partner Phil Matthews.
St Leonards C had a helping hand from 2 pair Honiton to end their run of defeats. They won 7-2 with all the team of Martin Matthews, Ali Rehemi, Lee Clatworthy, Allister Brimble, Mike Lamboll and Andy Mann contributing.
In Division 3B St Leonards D top the division after a 7-2 win over Exeter D. Mark Stanley and Chris Neil were unbeaten whilst teammates James Lam/James Tribe and Christie Clarke/Barrie Sharman bagged a brace of wins. Andy Sands and debutante Sam O’Connell starred for Exeter with 2 wins.
Sidmouth B started their campaign with a tense 5-4 win over St Leonards D. Graham Baker and Paul Merchant led the way with 3 wins.
New boys Chulmleigh remain unbeaten following a narrow 5-4 win over Clyst Vale. Matt Older and Paul Smith beat Clyst Vales Steve Hunt and Tom Brown 23-21, 21-16 in the final rubber to secure the win.