PREMIER/DIV 1 ROUND-UP WEEK 5

Published 29/10/2017 at 14:04:33 by David Wackrill.

PREMIER
MK Sasaki completed the first cycle of Premier fixtures with a draw against surprise package MK Bandits, which cut their lead to 2 points over defending champions Greenleys Monarchs. Carl Furness stepped up from Div.1 at short notice and Sasaki had to rely on a Matt Horrocks come back from 2 games down in the final set against James Tapp to save their unbeaten record. A maximum as usual for Sasaki skipper Dan Smalley whilst Bandit’s Michael Wilkins and Jamie Hendy claimed 2 a-piece.
 
Greenleys Kings sent for the Corby cavalry this week to try and plug the big hole in their sinking ship. Henry Arthur answered the call, making the long journey south and was rewarded with a couple of wins over Dave Allison and Julian Adams, against whom he survived a direct hit on the eyeball which saw Henry hitting the deck just as fast as a Premiership footballer looking for a dubious penalty. But with only one further victory going Kings way, courtesy of Guy Sparrow, a 5th defeat beckoned. Mark Purcell was unbeaten for victorious Kingpins.
 
For several years the Greenleys Monarchs/MK Spinners clashes used to decide the title’s destiny and it seems odd now for this meeting to be of minor significance. Monarchs claimed a 6-4 victory this time with braces all round for Dan Appanna, Ian Johnson and Martin Hall. Alan Cherry took a good hat-trick, conceding under 50 points over 9 games, and the doubles with Neil Massa.
 
Player of the week is Alan Cherry.

DIVISION 1
Both the top 2 conceded maximums to rival opponents and still won the matches. Alan Bolding took a splendid hat-trick against MK Topspin, but was outshone by an even better one from Julie Snowdon against Greenleys Warriors. The League leaders gave an outing to Romuald Baucherel, from Div.2, alongside regulars Ollie Horswell and Ricky Taiwo in their win over MK Pumas. The Monday night Summer League provided Romuald with a splendid platform to display his talent and he took full advantage with several wins, including Ricky and Pete Tillotson among his victims, to show that this is the standard he should be playing at. Unfortunately for Julie she only had Keith Carrington in support with no 3rd player in attendance. But with Warriors losing the doubles yet again the match finished 6-4.
 
My Topspin side are now the only team to have fielded the same 3 players throughout the current campaign and consistency in selection paid dividends again with our 4th win. Mervyn Kelly had been on a hot streak this past fortnight, seeing off 5 penholders in a row, plus Gerald Ridgway, when he faced Alan Bolding at the conclusion of the match. With both players unbeaten on the night a high class contest ensued and  Alan’s durability saw him home over 5 tough games. But Topspin won all the other singles to secure a 6-4 result.
 
3rd placed St.Christopher Van Hire showed that they can win without Biao Wang when they polished off OU Primes  8-2. A hat-trick here for Paul Haigh, in great form this year, and braces from David Broome and Fabrice Spelta. For Primes it was a win a-piece for Patrick Wong and Xiangyu Gau.
 
Woburn Sands Data were at full strength for the first time and duly forced a draw at Greenleys Eagles with wins from James Molloy (2), Rob McPheat and Dave McGarragh, plus the doubles. Geoff Callaway was outstanding for the home side with a treble.
 
Chackmore Hasbeens and MK Powers played out the first 2-a-side match since the rule change in the Summer restricting the points available in such a match to 5. Pete Tillotson got his 2, Colin Munford 1 and Powers won the doubles for a 4-1 result.
 
Player of the week is  Julie Snowdon.