SaS duo on target for Exeter A
22 February, 2014 Andy Rowe
Division 1 leaders Exeter A maintained their 100% win record following a 7-2 win over second placed Cranford A. The have now opened up a 19 point gap at the top. The SaS duo of Sam Lees and Sam Owens led the way with 3 wins, and were well supported by Gareth Pearse and Jamie Samuel (2) and Russ Walker/Geoff Littler (2). Cranfords 2 points came courtesy of Jamie Roberton and Zak Phillips.
Cranford A returned to winning ways with a battling 6-3 win over Sidmouth A. A trio of wins from Cranfords Mark Trebble and Jamie Roberton set them on their way, with Mark Anderson and Bernard Langlois chipping in with 2 wins. Luke Oxley and John Carter top scored for Sidmouth A with 2 wins.
In Division 2 University have a habit of either winning or losing 5-4. In their 7 matches so far, 4 have had this scoreline. The students beat Queens B 5-4 in a tense match where they fought back from 4-3 down to snatch the win. Luke Blades and Toby Hong (2) and Cam Levy and Darren Walsh (1) won the final 2 rubbers, after Alex Banks and Steven Ford picked up a brace of wins.
It was a repeat scoreline for University against winless St Leonards B. With the match tied at 4 all, Steven Ford and Tom Kelly beat the saints pair of John Gubbin and Sylvain Pasquier 21-12, 21-17 to seal the win. Andrew Wong and Toby Hong played well and were rewarded with 3 wins. The Saints top pair was Isaac Chung and reserve Malcolm Travis with 2 wins.
Chris Bowker and Dave Harland were unbeaten as Exeter C picked up their second win of the season beating Queens B 6-3. Jack Southcott/Alex Bulley (2) and John Phillips/Sam O’Connell (1) completed the scoring.
In a pulsating match 3 wins from Jack Southcott and Alex Bulley and a brace of wins from Chris Bowker and Alastair Banks steered Exeter C to a narrow 5-4 win over St Leonards B.
Cranford B are in a commanding position at the top of Division 3A, with a 16 point lead over Ringswell B. This was achieved following a convincing 8-1 win over Ringswell B, with the Cranford pairs of Paul Samme/Bernard Langlois and Jack Langlois/Barry Smethurst picking up 3 wins. Chris Gould and Phil Matthews rescued a point for Ringswell.
St Leonards C edged a tight match 5-4 against 2 pair Ringswell B.
In Division 3B Exeter D picked up their 1st and 2nd wins of the season, beating Clyst Vale 6-3 twice. In the first match Andy Sands and Sam O’Connell starred for Exeter with 3 wins and were well supported by Ian Halliday and Dave Marrison (2) and Charlie Tolley/Mike Dickson (1).
Andy Sands continued his unbeaten run in the return match, this time partnered by Charlie Tolley.
St Leonards D remain at the top after a hard fought 5-4 win against Chulmleigh. They looked on course for a larger win after storming to a 5-2 lead, but Chulmleigh dug in and were rewarded with the last 2 rubbers. Chulmleighs Matt Older and Ben Hamill were the only unbeaten pair.