PREMIER / DIV 1 ROUND-UP WEEK 1
Published 20/09/2022 at 16:24:02 by David Wackrill.
PREMIER DIV
KINGS THRIVE AS SPINNERS SLIP
The new season got underway with a full complement of 8 teams this time round, one more than last year, half of them supplied by the eponymous Milton Keynes club, 2 of which came up from Div 1.
Greenleys Kings kicked off events on Tuesday night with a resounding 9-1 victory over club-mates Warriors, a scoreline that’s made them early joint League leaders. Alongside the regular ‘dynamic duo’ pairing of Nick Howard and Guy Sparrow, who both posted maximums, Kings paraded their new summer signing Craig Brown. The transfer of Craig from club MK where he won 4 (or was it 5?) championship titles with Likely Lads and Spinners could prove to be a significant acquisition for the Kings if they aim to launch another title bid to go with their 2020 success. His only defeat here was from 10-6 up in the 5th against Warriors’ skipper Ricky Taiwo. Tricky Ricky once told me that he goes into every game expecting to win and never knows when he’s beaten, a philosophy that serves him well as the last point is often the hardest to win for his opponent, as Craig found out here. Warriors also had some fresh blood on view, Amaya Phatak has moved across from club-mates Monarchs and Shrishlal Basant Rai is new to the area from Chelmsford.
Current champions MK Spinners started their title defence with a blip, going down 7-3 to club-mates Sasaki. An undercooked Gary Jones came in for unavailable colleague Jecu Aurelian, while opponents Sasaki were strengthened with a rare appearance from Matt Evans. An England top 100 man, Matt is the highest ranked player in the League at the moment and duly won his sets as expected. Sasaki’s Nicolas Wong took a brace and William Kit Liang a single in this match. Spinners replied with an Alan Cherry brace and one from Tim Cheek.
Promoted MK Topspin set a new record for the oldest team ever to play a MK Premier League match, 212 years in total between skipper Russell Penn, sub Andy Smith (up from Div 1) and myself. We faced perennial League runners-up Greenleys Monarchs in this opening week and came away with 3 good points in the bag, one from Andy and two from me. All the Monarchs boys, Martin Hall, Dave Beddall and Dave Tiplady posted a brace.
The other promotees, MK Phoenix, took on Leighton Buzzard Van Hire at their new Wing headquarters and were trounced 9-1 to give the home boys a joint share of the divisional leadership. Hat-tricks here for Hakan Karaagac and Ben Rolfe, both on debut for Van Hire, and good support from skipper Fabrice Spelta with a pair to seal the convincing win. Fabrice lost to evergreen veteran Phoenix stalwart Alan Bolding while Ivor Howard, moving across from disbanded Hit ‘n Hope, and Gerald Ridgway were the other Phoenix men on view.
I have been requested to nominate myself as Player of the Week. Certain to be a rare, if not solitary, occurrence.
DIVISION 1
PUMAS TAKE CHARGE
This division looks to be similar in strength to last year with 4 incumbents joined by 1 relegated team, 2 up from div 2 and a Terry Lau led new side formed from the remnants of MK Hit ‘n Hope. MK club teams are prominent as usual, filling half the available places with the 4 sides providing 2 derbies in this opening week.
The Pumas, back in their natural environment after flirting with the Premier last season, provided stiff opposition for the newly formed Pioneers outfit, dropping only the one set when Andy Frearson got the better of Chris Belton in straight games. So, trebles for Julie Snowdon and Pumas’ exciting new signing, Lowri Hurd. 14-year-old Lowri, who is Welsh no. 2 cadet, fought back from 2 games down against Terry Lau but was not unduly troubled by his Pioneers’ team-mates Paul Haigh and Andy F.
Promoted MK Sharks got off to a swimming start with a 7-3 win over a 2-player Powers side consisting of Peter Tillotson and Clare Styles. Peter and Clare both beat Pedro Anastacio and took the doubles, leaving Derick Rodrigues and Rupert Greyling unbeaten on the night. Powers often go into matches with just 2 players, so future opponents should be prepared for the possibility of a shortened evening.
Greenleys Glory occupy second slot though after an 8-2 win over Open University Primes. Patrick Wong offered stiff resistance as usual for Primes with both their wins when he beat Ian Brown and Scott Dixon, and Ning He came close to Jacob Midson, just missing out 12-10 in the 5th. Andy Tan was the other Prime man.
Finally, Leighton Buzzard Avengers started with a 6-4 win over the other promoted team, Woburn Sands Mosquitos. Alex Du Noyer took the plaudits with just one game dropped in a fine hat-trick. Support came from Bernie Raffe and Christinel Hulpan with a win a-piece and Alex paired up with Bernie to clinch the vital doubles set 14-12 in the decider. 2 successes each here for Mosquitos’ Rob McPheat and James Molloy, leaving Glenn Barcham winless in the match.
Player of the week : Lowri Hurd