PREMIER / DIV 1 ROUND-UP WEEK 15
Published 19/02/2022 at 13:26:59 by David Wackrill.
PREMIER TRICKY RICKY STRIKES AGAIN
Draw specialists Greenleys Warriors lived up to their reputation when hosting MK Sasaki this week. Although Sasaki got off to a flying start with straight games wins for William Kit Liang and Michael Wilkins over Darren Ward and Danny Sedgwick respectively, Warriors hit back strongly with skipper Ricky Taiwo, on his way to another hat-trick, again in prime form. Later on Sasaki’s Nicolas Wong squeezed home twice in tight 5-gamers but this wasn’t enough to deny Warriors a share of the spoils, with Darren clinching the draw in the final set against Michael. Danny, William and Michael all joined Darren with one win each.
Greenleys Kings recorded their biggest win of the season when beating MK Pumas 8-2, and this against the side they had lost 10-0 to in the opening week. How the fortunes of these two teams have turned around since then! While Kings are mid-table, Pumas are wrestling with Leighton Buzzard Van Hire for bottom spot. Hat-tricks here for Guy Sparrow and Jordan Moss, who more than doubled her win tally for the season. Iain Lindsay added another single and also Kings took the doubles. This left Pumas with wins from Hakan Karaagac and Andy Smith over Iain. Although winless, it was good to see Keith Carrington, playing up from Division 1, back in a Puma shirt and once again representing his old team.
Leaders MK Spinners were a player short for their match with Leighton Buzzard Van Hire, thus conceding 3 sets at the outset. A brilliant fourth was added when Fabrice Spelta notched up a terrific 5-game win over Jecu Aurelian. The 6 Spinners wins were settled in straight games as Jecu and Alan Cherry ran out easy winners on each trip to the table. Paul Haigh and David Broome were the other Van men.
Player of the week : Ricky Taiwo
DIVISION 1
CLARE PUTS ON THE STYLE
After 3 defeats in which the usually high flying MK Powers only picked up 5 points, they are back on the winning track after defeating lowly Leighton Buzzard Avengers 6-4. The crucial set came early with Clare Styles outhitting Alex Du Noyer in the opening exchange in a 5-game thriller. This win set up Clare for a hat-trick, her first of the season which brought her average up to exactly 50%. Minesh Pitamber lost to Alex, but his victories over Richard Hardy, reversing his only previous loss of the season at that stage, and Bernie Raffe proved vital. Keith Carrington sealed the deal with a good win over Richard himself. Powers stay 5th while Avengers slip to 7th.
It was top v bottom when MK Phoenix took on Chackmore Hasbeens. Phoenix ran out 8-2 winners after Terry Lau failed to maintain his excellent form from last week, losing to both Sam Willett and Bub Burman. No such hiccup for Alan Bolding and Mervyn Phillips, although Mervyn was in trouble against the ever improving Sam when 2 games down and only squeezed home 11-9 in the decider. This was Sam’s 5th 5-gamer of the season and he’s lost the lot, that’s gotta change soon, and surely will. Andy Whitehead was the other Hasbeen.
2nd placed MK Topspin came up against the red hot classy all-rounder Ivor Howard, who reeled off yet another hat-trick, in their match with fellow club-mates Hit ‘n’ Hope. But his was a one-man resistance as Hope’s Paul Tompkins and Mike Ainsworth remained winless. Hope picked up a 4th set when Paul assisted Ivor in the doubles but that was the extent of their scoring. So, a brace each here for Topspin’s Russell Penn, Mervyn Kelly and Tanmay Tijare. Hit ‘n’ Hope move up to 6th.
Finally, saving the best till last, the Open University Primes clash with Greenleys Glory ws a cracker. Only 2 points separated these mid-table sides beforehand and they looked well matched on the night. Primes’ Andy Tan opened proceedings with an 11-9 in the 5th defeat to Jacob Midson and ended with a 12-10 victory over John Stamp to claim a 6-4 win for his team. Patrick Wong joined Andy on two wins and Ning He completed the Primes scoring with a single. For the Glory boys it was yet another treble for Jacob with their other success coming from John. Dan Englander completed the line-up.
Player of the week : Clare Styles