15 April, 2018 Andy RoweS
Exeter D could not make 2 Become 1 but nevertheless secured 2nd place in Division 3A with a battling 6-3 win over Chulmleigh B, with Chulmleigh A winning this League. Exeter were missing 3 regular players but the reserves of Ian Halliday, Jon Baker and Kes Krishnamma-Hillier all played their part in the win, alongside the regulars of Jeremy Smith, Richard Grigg and Prakash Kripakaran.
St Leonards D overcame Honiton B 7-2 thanks to an unbeaten performance from Lee Clatworthy and Mike Lamboll. Ben and Tom Bennett got on the scoresheet for Honiton with 2 wins.
St Leonards D then beat Otter Vale B, 8-1, with the pairings of Martin Weller/Lee Clatworthy and Neil Robson/Martin Matthews winning 3 and Mike Lamboll/Barrie Sharman bagging a brace of wins. Andy O’Brien and Simon Witts picked up the solitary point for Otter Vale.
The Queens A of Ian Kirby, Zac Phillips, Callum Cheung, Jamie Roberton, Lloyd Skinner and Andy Brockie are favourites to be crowned Division 1 champions following a straightforward 9 – 0 win over St Leonards A.
Ringswell A ended their Division 1 campaign with a tight 5-4 win over St Leonards A. It was a solid team performance with the points shared amongst their 3 pairs of Joe Davies/Ian Walsh (2), Barry Harriss/Ben Hartridge (2) and Kieran Tsang/Nigel Osborne (1).
Exeter B’s couldn’t spice up their disappointing, winless season and so they say Goodbye to Division 1 badminton. They were comprehensively beaten 9-0 by the Sidmouth A team of Dan Harris, Dan Corby, Joh Carter, Martyn Schmidt, Paul Owens and Chris Bird. It was all Too Much for Exeter B as the loss also included a rare 21-0 score in 1 rubber!
Queens B then beat Exeter B 7-2. Ben Herbert returned to the Queens B team and partnered Sam Clark to 3 wins, matched by Ben Jordan and Nathan Scase.
In Division 2 St Leonards B completed their season with an 8-1 win over relegation threatened Otter Vale A. The Saints were missing their star player Sam (Baby Spice) Maltby who was replaced by wannabe B team player Ant Towl. Andy Rowe/Rob Price and Ian Jameson/Malcolm Travis came away with 3 wins apiece. The Otter Vale pairing of Dan Clarke and Dave Williamson picked up what could be a vital point for Otter Vale to Stop a 9-0 loss, whilst their pairing of Tim Hall/ Brian Deem fought galliantly and took all of the Saints pairs to 3 rubbers, but with no reward.
St Leonards C eased their relegation fears with a narrow 5-4 win over 2 pair Ringswell B and look like they will finish fifth forever. Once again the Ringswell pair of Steve Faulkner and Rich Burn played like some kind of superstars and picked up 3 wins in a losing cause.