20/10/2019
Division 1
After a tough start to the season Albany gained their first win by beating Pilling 18-6. Leading 9-3 after the levels, Albany maintained their form to win the mixed by the same score. Elaine Danson & Andy Davis won 1 levels and 3 mixed for Pilling. Jenny Stothard put in a Captain's performance for the victors by winning all 8 games.
Reigning champions Fleetwood hosted title favourites Poulton in a heavyweight match which could have great significance at the end of the season. Poulton fielded a very strong team which helped them to a 8-4 lead after the levels. Despite some very close mixed games, Fleetwood were unable to close the 4 game gap as the mixed ended 6-6 for a final score of 14-10 to Poulton. Dave Wisemen played well on his return from injury and won 7 games for Fleetwood. Michelle Skinner and mixed partner Nick Hodgson also won 7 games for Poulton who are now the only team with a 100% record.
Another important game at the other end of the table saw both promoted teams from last season face each other. Hesketh's 4 ladies were overturned by the men from Kingfisher B who won 5! Hesketh won 3 of the first 4 mixed to tie the match at 8 all but Kingfisher's 3rd mixed pair of Paul McSweeney and mixed partner Bernadette Tomlinson won the next 4 games to swing the match back in Kingfisher's favour as they saw out the match to win 14-10. In a match of close scores Kingfisher won 3 of the game's 4 settings which proved decisive. Sheena Carberry won 5 for Hesketh but Paul and James De Wolf won 7 games for Kingfisher to be the best players on the night. Kingfisher's 3 points move them above Hesketh in their fight for survival.
Division 2
Pilling B beat Albany B 16-8 to go top of the table. It was their ladies who helped to give Pilling an 8-4 advantage after the levels. The mixed continued to go in Pilling's favour until the match reached 15-7. In the final set the first game went to Pilling 21-18 but Albany's Kat Oakes and League Chairman Rob Cockerill managed to win the final game 22-20 and gain an important consolation point. Rob won 2 men's and 3 mixed for his 5 games but Pilling's Alison Crosbie played well and was POTM for winning 7 games.
Project 12 and Fleetwood B battled to a 12-12 draw in a game where Fleetwood held the advantage after the levels and up to the penultimate mixed at 12-10. Projects Nicki Carr and John Wright won the first game in a setting and then the final game 21-15 for an exciting draw. Project won 3 of the match's 4 settings with Sarah Coultas and Kerry Nash both winning 6. POTM though was Fleetwood's Nick Metcalfe who won 7 games.
There was another fighting draw between Lids and Hesketh when Lids went into the mixed with a 8-4 lead. Going into the last 2 sets Lids had moved into a winning position of 12-8. However Hesketh's fighting spirit came through when Jill McMillan and Steve Blackburn won their games. In the final set Angela Fletcher and Mark Crosbie won both to complete a great comeback. A great match which reflected all the exciting games with great shots from everyone! Ling Fang from Lids and Mark Crosbie from Hesketh won 6 games each to be joint best players.
Levels
Warton A had no problems beating Bloomfield 16-0 with only 2 games reaching 16. All Warton's players won 8 but Nathan Bunting had the best points difference. Warton still with a 100% record and the favourites to retain the title.
Fleetwood also have a 100% record after winning 13-3 away to Broughton with both sides fielding 2 men and 2 ladies! Jacob Carter won all his 8 games and Bipin Lap played in all 3 of Broughton's win.
The closest match in the Levels this week was Stanley 9 Warton B 7. At the half way point Warton actually led 5-3 but Stanley won the next 6 games to win the match whilst Warton won the consolation last set. Youngster Jake Meakin won 6 for Stanley whilst oldster Mike Cooper replied with 5 for Warton.
