08/01/2022
Division 1
Poulton had a routine 20-4 win against struggling Pilling. The match was virtually over after the levels as Poulton took all 12 games. Pilling had more success in the mixed as they won 4 games including 3 of the final 4 games. Michelle Skinner and Nick Hodgson won all 8 games comfortably apart from 1 mixed which they eventually won on setting! All Pilling players won at least 1 game with Alison Crosbie and Tim Shipway managing 2. Poulton go joint top with maximum points after 4 matches, level with Hesketh Fleetwood.
The bottom 2 fought out a close relegation battle which,unfortunately, was spoilt by an early injury. Lightning B and Kingfisher B were both hoping to get their first win of the season when they met on Thursday. The ladies ended 3-3 whilst Lightning led 3-1 in the mens before they conceded the final set as Graham Cooper was forced to retire. This meant that not only did the levels end 6-6 but also that Lightning started the mixed effectively 4-0 down. In the 8 games that were played, Lightning won 5 and Kingfisher won 3 which was just enough to give Kingfisher a 13-11 victory. Lightning gain a bonus point but Kingfisher's 3 points enough to take them outside the bottom 2. Lynne Williams won 5 games for Kingfisher but the POTM, despite being on the losing team, was Amit Mistry who won 6.
Division 2
Kirkham Charter B had a good away win at Stanley B which was made possible after taking the first 10 levels games! A win in set 6 kept Stanley alive. The mixed games were much more even and ended 6-6 which included a 23-21 win by Clare Doherty and Jake Meakin in the penultimate set that gave Stanley a vital bonus point. Jake won 5 games and 4 players from Kirkham won 6 games with Melissa Jones having the best points difference.
Hesketh Fleetwood B kept their 100% record and proved their title credentials with a thumping 22-2 away win at Project 12. After dropping only 1 game in the levels, HF maintained their concentration, and dropped just 1 more game in the mixed. Katie Kinder, Sheena Carberry and Mike Percy all won 8 with Sheena winning POTM on points. Jon Jackson was Projects best player with 2 wins.
Mid table battle between Hesketh Fleetwood C and visitors Kirkham Charter A ended in a satisfying 19-5 win for the home team. 4 wins for their ladies plus 5 for the mens put HF in a commanding position which was sustained with 10 mixed wins. Linda Adams,Phil Fyles, and Callum Hau won 7 with Phil having most points to be best player on the night. Best player for Kirkham was Amelia Parker who, unusually, split each set to win 4 of her team's 5 games.
Levels
There was a close game on Wednesday when Lids entertained Hesketh Fleetwood B.
The visitors went 2-0 up but Lids quickly responded by winning the next 2 games. The next 2 sets were both split for a 4-4 halftime score. Then Lids won set 5 to move ahead 6-4. However, this was short lived as HF won the next 2 sets to regain the lead 8-6. A final split set was enough to take HF over the line for the 3 points whilst Lids were compensated with a bonus point. Minoj Mandahar won 6 for the winners as did Jason Lydon for the unlucky losers.
