PREMIER & DIV 1 ROUND UP WEEK 19
Published 19/03/2022 at 15:07:39 by David Wackrill.
PREMIER
BIAO BACK WITH A BANG
Just the one win recorded in the Premier this week with Greenleys Monarchs beating MK Pumas 9-1. The Pumas started brightly with their star man Hakan Karaagac getting the better of Dave Beddall but that was their solitary success as Monarchs took the remaining sets with just two of them needing a deciding game. Both of these involved Martin Hall, in the thick of the action as usual, who went the distance with both Hakan and Julie Snowdon, the latter at 11-9 in the decider. Cambridge ace defender David Tiplady made a rare appearance for Monarchs and Chris Belton was the third Puma. This win takes 2nd placed Monarchs to within 15 points of MK Spinners, who were without a match this round and should secure the coveted title next week. Pumas stay 6th.
The remaining matches ended in pulsating draws. The much anticipated clash between MK Sasaki and Greenleys Kings didn’t disappoint. Kings brought in lower Division man Jacob Midson alongside regulars Nick Howard and Guy Sparrow while Sasaki went with their usual trio of Michael Wilkins, William Kit Liang and Nicolas Wong. Throughout a terrific encounter there was never more than a single set between the teams. Jacob is enjoying a great season in Division 1, with more wins to his name than anyone else, but suffered from the step-up in standard and, although he played well, remained winless. This left Nick and Guy with a lot to do, but do it they did, sharing 5 sets between them, 2 singles each plus the doubles. They were both undone by Nicolas however, who had a brilliant match with a sparkling hat-trick, which left Michael and William with a win a-piece for Sasaki. These two sides are competing for 3rd place and although that resides with Kings for now, the run-in favours Sasaki.
The other match brought together Greenleys Warriors and Leighton Buzzard Van Hire. It was nice to see Biao Wang back with the Van men after a 6 week absence during which they lost every match and slumped to the bottom of the pile. But it was ‘business as usual’ for Biao with a fine maximum, taking out the Warriors trio of Adebola Odetayo, Darren Ward and, in the final set, Ricky Taiwo. Fabrice Spelta notched up a singles win for Van Hire and accompanied Biao to a doubles win. For Warriors it was two wins each for Ricky and Darren and one from Adebola. Another great encounter with no more than a set separating the sides all night. Paul Haigh was the other Van man. No change in League position for these teams with Warriors 5th and Van Hire last.
Player of the week : Nicolas Wong
DIVISION 1
TITLE CLASH DELAYED
With leaders MK Phoenix postponing the clash with their only rivals for the title, MK Topspin were left desperately looking for another match to fill in. Luckily Chackmore Hasbeens kindly agreed to bring forward their fixture due in a fortnight’s time to accommodate the void. This meant that for the second time this season the Hasbeens played off matches on consecutive nights at their Chackmore venue with Topspin being the ‘second leg’. On Wednesday a 2-player Greenleys Glory side were seen off 6-4, then on Thursday Topspin managed to reverse the result of their last visit by winning 8-2.
Jacob Midson won his usual maximum for Glory with comfortable wins over Bub Burman, and Andy and Chris Whitehead, but Glory only added a Christine Scaysbrook success against Chris to their total. Therefore, a rare win for the bottom side and a third defeat in a row for Glory in their worst run of the season. Glory seemed certain of a top half finish before these recent reversals, but no more as Open University Primes look to be well placed for 4th spot with their less challenging run-in.
Unchanged for the following night’s match with Topspin, the Division’s only ‘ever present’ players for their respective teams, Andy and Russell Penn, came face to face again. A win here for Russell who was in fine form for a hat-trick to steer Topspin to victory. Hasbeens’ Bub got his team’s wins with victories over Mervyn Kelly (13-11 in the 5th) and Tanmay Tijare.
O.U. Primes meanwhile took a draw from a 2-man MK Powers, whose Minesh Pitamber certainly rode his luck with close wins against Andy Tan (11-9 in the 5th), James Zeng (13-11 in the 5th) and Patrick Wong (11-8 in the 5th). Some precision play there from Minesh! And a good night’s work from Keith Carrington to provide the other 2 wins. As Primes claimed the doubles game by walk-over the only set they actually won on the table was Patrick against Keith. Powers should be able to hang on to 3rd spot though despite having the top two to play.
Finally, 6th beat 7th when Leighton Buzzard Avengers got the better of MK Hit ‘n’ Hope 7-3. Alex Du Noyer hit a hat-trick with two each from Richard Hardy and Bernie Raffe. For Hit ‘n’ Hope Paul Tompkins and Ivor Howard scored one singles win a-piece and combined for the doubles. Andy Frearson was the other Hoper.
Player of the week : Minesh Pitamber