03/03/2023
DIVISION 1
With both teams at full strength, Lightning A gave Hesketh Fleetwood a scare after winning 2 ladies and 5 mens to take a 7-5 lead into the mixed. However this lead was short lived as the experienced HF fought back to take 5 of the next 6 games to go into the lead at 10-8. In the final half of the mixed, HF again took 5 games to win the match 15-9. Caroline Andrew won 4 ladies and 3 mixed for the current champions. Oliver Hives won 5 for Lightning.
HF play next week needing only a draw against their main rivals Poulton to decide who will be champions. Lightning despite a disappointing end to the match pick up a bonus point which means they can finish 3rd if they manage a big win in their final match against bottom club Stanley.
A much under strength Kingfisher A still proved to be too strong for Hesketh Fleetwood B and ran out comfortable 19-5 winners in their final match of the season. Kingfisher dropped 2 mens and 3 mixed on their way to another 3 points. Alex Mackie and Kelly Anderson both enjoyed a successful night as they won the maximum 8. Ant Cross and Ben Yau won 3 each for HF.
DIVISION 2
Big congratulations to Lightning B who beat Hesketh Fleetwood C 16-8 to earn the 3 points needed for the title! Lightning took a slender lead of 7-5 into the mixed where they won 9 games. There were many close scores in the match with both sides winning 2 settings each which included a 27-25 win for HF and a 29-27 win for Lightning! Sean Andrews and Will Stafford won 4 each for HF but Polly Logan won all 8 for the new champions to be POTM.
Kirkham Charter B had a good win against Stanley C helped mainly by their men who won all 6 games. Kirkham led 8-4 after the levels and their lead was was quickly extended after winning the first 2 mixed sets. Stanley pulled a set back through Maggie and Aaron Cheung which gave them a chance to win a bonus. Kirkham won the next 2 sets to win the match at 16-6. In the final set Stanley's Lucy Johnson and Colin Dawson won 2 hard fought games to earn their team a deserved point. Kirkham's Dave Mackay and Jamie Sedgwick both won 8 and Maggie won 4 ladies together with her 2 mixed.
High fliers Kirkham Charter A had a tougher than expected match against lowly Stanley B but managed to win the 3 points with a 16-8 scoreline. Kirkham won 6 ladies but in the mens Stanley played well and won 4 games. Kirkham won the first mixed set but Stanley fought back to win the next 2 to earn a bonus and leave them trailing by only 2 games. However in the final 3 sets, Kirkham raised their level to easily win all 6 games. As usual this season, Amelia Parker was the best player and was the only player to win all 8 games. Aaron Cheung and Jake Meakin were Stanley's best players on the night as they each won 3 mens and 2 mixed.
LEVELS
Congratulations to Lightning A who beat Bloomfield B 16-0 to deservedly win the title. Hesketh Fleetwood A had a slight chance to overtake them but, unfortunately, had to concede their match against Bloomfield A. This was Lightning's 3rd title win in 5 years and was achieved in a most impressive season where they averaged nearly 14 games per match.
Hesketh Fleetwood B easily beat the unfortunate Kirkham Levels by 16-0. Ant Cross easily had the best points score, HF into 3rd, Kirkham remain rooted at the foot of the division.
There were some close games in the match between Lids A and Lightning B but with 4 set wins and 4 split sets, Lids ran out 12-4 winners which was enough to deprive Lightning of a bonus point. Jason Lydon won 7 for Lids to be POTM and Jon Jackson, still getting back to full fitness, won a respectable 3 games for Lightning.
