28/10/2022
DIVISION 1
A full strength Poulton side beat Kingfisher A 16-8 to move to the top of the table, although they have played a game more than others.Their ladies took 4 games whilst Kingfisher’s men did the same. Going into the mixed at 6-6, a close match was anticipated. However, Poulton proved to be much stronger as they won 4 sets with 2 sets being split. Disappointed Kingfisher do go away however with a consolation point. Michelle Skinner won 7 for Poulton, whilst Callum Grayson was the only Kingfisher player to win 50%. The match was made memorable as 2 sisters played against each other which may never have happened before for the top division. Rebecca Dewhurst won 5 for Poulton with sister Rachel winning 3 for Kingfisher.
DIVISION 2
Kirkham Charter A easily beat Stanley B 22-2 in a match that was virtually over after the levels, after Kirkham won all 12 games. Stanley managed to win the very first mixed game to ensure they avoided the whitewash. Kirkham won 10 mixed with Stanley’s mixed pair of Clare Doherty and Jake Meakin splitting both their mixed. Verity Parker,Emma Nickson, Ian Chase and Richard Pascucci all won 8 for Kirkham.
Project’s slow start well and truly behind them as they won for the second consecutive match - this time a convincing 20-4 defeat of Stanley C. A convincing start of 6 ladies and 5 mens put them on their way. Jon Jackson and Kat Platt won the maximum 8 games. Maggie and Aaron Cheung managed to win 2 mixed together and Andy Whyatt won 1 mens and 1 mixed for Stanley. Special mention to 13 year old Sophie Wilford who made her debut in the mixed league. Sophie nearly won 2 mixed games but was unfortunate to lose them 21-18 & 22-20!
Hesketh Fleetwood C we’re just able to hold off Lids in a close match that ended 13-11 for the home team. HF won all the mens but Lids did likewise in the ladies. The first 2 sets went to HF followed by 2 split sets to give them a 12-8 lead. In the penultimate set Lids were able to reduce the deficit to 12-10 to set up a final set decider. However, HF won the first game in the final set to secure the victory. POTM was Derek Hill who won 7 with Linda Settle and Pauline Weafer winning 6 for Lids.
Lightning B had a tougher match than anticipated but we’re still able to win the 3 points against Kirkham Charter B. Both the ladies and mens ended equally to give a 6 all match score at the half way point. In the first 3 sets of the mixed, Lightning nudged ahead to lead 10-8 but it was only in the final quarter of the match, where they won 5, that they pulled ahead. Lisa Dove won 7 for Lightning and Emma Nickson 4 for Kirkham.
LEVELS
On Monday, Lightning B edged a close encounter with Lids A by 9-7. At 5-1 up Lightning looked to be comfortable but a win in set 4 for Lids meant it wasn’t going to be plain sailing. A win in set 5 restored Lightning’s advantage at 7-3. Lids responded by winning the next set to close the gap to 7-5. The final 2 sets were split with all 4 games very close and ending 19-21 21-17 21-18 19-21 ! Jon Jackson won 7 for his second POTM performance of the week and Lids Jason Lydon had a great match winning 6.
Lightning A maintained their top position with yet another 16-0 victory this time against Bloomfield B. In the 5 matches played so far Lightning have dropped only 1 game - an impressive start to the season! Amit Mistry just edged James Bunting for best player for conceding the fewest points.
Last season’s champions Hesketh Fleetwood A are not going to give up their crown very easily as they also won 16-0 against Lids B to maintain their 100% record. HF have won all 4 games and dropped only 5 games in the process. Minoj Manandhar just winning POTM over Ant Cross as he conceded the fewest points.
