12/02/2020
Division 1
Poulton had their biggest win of the season as they swept past Hesketh A who only had 1 mens and 1 mixed to show for their efforts. Richard Percival was involved in both of Hesketh's wins whilst Nikki Wilford, Michelle Skinner and Stuart Smerdon all had maximums. Poulton now with 30 points and a tough match with Kingfisher A to play.
Consistent Kingfisher A beat a below par Albany A to deservedly finish 3rd. Kingfisher were always ahead in this match winning both the levels and mixed by 8-4. Only a last mixed split from Jenny Stothard and Rob Oakes salvaging a point for Albany. Luke Bennett won 7 to be POTM and Jenny managed 5 for the losers.
Despite conceding 2 games Fleetwood A stay 1 point ahead at the top after beating Kingfisher B 20-4. Fleetwood's Cath Bagley was statistically the POTM and James De Wolf and Callum Grayson won a men's for Kingfisher. Still a lot at stake with 1 match to play for both teams. Fleetwood up to 31 points and needing just a draw against Pilling to retain their title. Kingfisher need a big win against Albany and hope Pilling don't win too many games against Fleetwood!
Division 2
Albany B overcame a determined Kirkham Charter A who were playing their final league match. After a poor start Albany were on the ropes and trailed their hosts by 7-5 at the end of the levels. Kirkham's ladies winning all 6. The first 3 sets in the mixed went to Albany, to take them into the lead 11-7. The final 3 sets ended 4-2 to Albany for a final match score of 15-9. Julie Somerside and Emma Gilfoyle both won 5 for the unlucky losers whilst Amit Mistry was the POTM as he won 8. For their efforts, Kirkham won a bonus point but this wasn't enough to avoid finishing in the relegation spots. Albany's win takes them to 25 points and needing just a draw in their final match next week to finish runners up.
Lids A move above Fleetwood B after a thumping 19-5 win. Lids were ahead 8-4 after the levels as their ladies won all 6, and then in the mixed they only dropped 1 more game. Lids ladies Steph Tsang and Lias Musson won all 8 games - Ant Cross was the only Fleetwood player to win half their games. Lids on a roll after their 3rd consecutive win puts them into fourth. Fleetwood conversely, sliding down the table after their 3rd loss in 4 matches.
In the final match of the season for both teams, Project 12 beat Hesketh B 18-6. Project were always in control after winning 4 ladies and 6 mens with the mixed also ending in their favour 8-4. Lisa Vickers was the only Hesketh player to win 50% whilst Project had 2 players who won 7 - Jon Jackson and Mark Pickles. After last season's promotion, Hesketh drop back down into Division 3. For Project, they end their fantastic season on 27 points. Now, it's a matter of wait and see, as they anxiously wait for the Albany result.
Division 3
Lids B, needing the points, managed to beat a stubborn Kingfisher C 16-8 in a match which had many close and exciting games. Lids only led 7-5 after the levels but a better performance in the mixed eventually gave them the win. Harry Heywood and Chris Hodkin won half their games for Kingfisher but a great performance from Wan Desmond, who won 7, helped her team to win. Kingfisher's bonus point means they will probably finish 4th. For Lids to finish second they not only need to win their last match but also require Ribby A to drop points next week.
A bottom of the table clash saw away team Stanley B come away with all 3 points in a close encounter with Ribby Hall B. There were many close games including several settings. Despite winning 4 ladies, Ribby only managed 1 other mens and 1 mixed. Melissa Jones helped to win 5 of Ribby's 6 games and Jake Meakin was POTM as he was the only player to win all 8. Stanley move well clear of bottom 2 but Ribby have a last match against fellow strugglers Kirkham Charter B to avoid the wooden spoon!
Levels
Project 12 comfortably beat Bloomfield 15-1 although there were several close games. Mark Pickles and Jon Jackson with the maximums and Richard Pascucci and Jordan Taylor-Millington won the consolation game. Project remain third from top and Bloomfield remain third from bottom.
Despite the 14-2 score line, bottom team Warton C managed to test a much changed Fleetwood side who were giving a debut to 13 year old Will Andrew! Jacob Carter won all his 8 games whilst Will managed to win 6! Richard Bates won 2 games for Warton who remain in bottom place. For Fleetwood the position is clear - they have a last match shootout against the unbeaten league leaders Warton A! However, not only do Fleetwood have to win, they also have to stop Warton A from winning 5 games and getting a bonus point !
