Division 2 Roundup - Week 16

Published 23/02/2022 at 13:38:31 by Martin Johnson.

Battle at the Top Continues

Just two matches to report on, this week, as the scheduled match between the bottom two teams, Milton Keynes Shambles and Little Horwood Wooden Tops, does not appear to have been played, as neither team was present at the Kingston Centre on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Milton Keynes Sharks stay top as they gained a 7-3 win, to avenge one of only two defeats this season, as they beat fifth placed Mursley Hawks at the MK Centre.  Hawks drew first blood, in a topsy turvy set, with Martin Johnson finally coming through in five games against Rupert Greyling, only for Derick Rodrigues to even things up for the home team with a four games win over David Bartlett.  Ian Spanswick put the visitors back ahead with a straight games win over Abhay Tijare, and Hawks also went 1-0 up in the doubles, but from that point onwards, the leaders took control, reeling off five wins in a row.  Rupert and Derick steadied the ship in the doubles, to take it in four games, and then Derick avenged one of only two defeats this season, against Martin, coming through in four games on his way to yet another maximum, and taking his winning run to 15 sets.  Rupert returned to winning ways as he beat Ian in straight games, and rounded off the evening with another win against David, in four games, despite David taking the opening leg.  Abhay chipped in with a win in a tight encounter against David is set seven, although he went down in another close one to Martin near the end of the night.  The win leaves Sharks six points ahead of title rivals, Woburn Sands Mosquitoes, but they have played a match more.

The previous night, second placed Mosquitoes, unbeaten in four matches, had been the visitors at third placed Newport Pagnell Lagondas, themselves on a run of eight matches unbeaten, so it seemed that something might have to give!  Tony Ardis continued his form of last week for Lagondas, edging out Rob McPheat by the narrowest of margins, 12-10 in the fifth.  James Molloy evened things up by beating Roy Read, and then Glenn Barcham beat his namesake, Glen Davison, in another five gamer.  The tables were turned in the doubles as Glen D / Tony beat Glenn B / James, to make the score 2-2.  Mosquitoes edged ahead 3-2, as James beat Roy in straight games, but Tony evened it up yet again with a four games win over Glenn.  Mosquitoes finally forged ahead, as James beat Glen and Glenn defeated Roy, both in straight games, to put themselves 5-3 up.  Glen upped his game in set nine, to inflict a second, at the death, loss on Rob, who this time lost out at 11-9 in the decider.  This set up the encounter between Tony and James, both unbeaten so far, but ultimately it was James who maintained his season long 100% record, running out the winner in four games, to give Mosquitoes the win, and stretching his unbeaten run to 24 sets, and the team's unbeaten run to five matches.

The top two teams are due to meet next week, in what could potentially decide the fate of the Division 2 title, when Sharks visit Mosquitoes on Wednesday night.

Players of the Week : Derek Rodrigues and James Molloy.