27/01/2023
DIVISION 1
Poulton put on a dominant display against Lightning losing only 3 games. Earlier in the season Lightning inflicted Poulton's only defeat mainly due to Poulton having a weakened team. This time the roles were reversed as they were back to full strength whilst Lightning were the ones who were weakened. Oliver Hives won 2 mens and a mixed which was overshadowed by Michelle Skinner and Dawn Whitby who both won 8. Poulton's emphatic win makes them favourites to lift the title whilst this big loss means Lightning now have a tough task to finish in the top 3.
Stanley A fought hard in their away match v Kingfisher A but were outclassed in the end eventually going down to a heavy defeat with only a Kathy Howard and Steve Canavan game to show for their efforts. Stanley heading back to Division 2 but Kingfisher still very much in touch at the top of the table.
DIVISION 2
Stanley B and Hesketh Fleetwood B shared the points in an exciting match. Stanley won 5 ladies and 2 mens to edge the levels 7-5. HF started the mixed in dominant form winning 6 of the first 8 games to lead 11-9. A split penultimate set meant a final set shootout. The final set was won by Stanley's Wendy Rutter and Ross Adams in 2 very close games to earn their team a much deserved draw ! Derek Hill won 3 mens and 3 mixed for HF but the star of the match was undoubtedly Wendy who won all 8 games in an excellent performance.
LEVELS
The Bunting boys were Lightning's best scorers as they romped to yet another big win, this time against Bloomfield A. Lightning cementing their position at the top and averaging over 14 games per match with 6 of their 11 games ending 16-0. Bloomfield secure in mid table.
Lids B had an easy and important win over Kirkham Charter in a match where there were only 2 split sets. The 3 points keeps Lids B well away from the foot of the table.
Kirkham's Liam Rigby was involved in both Kirkham's wins whilst Tony Hayward was POTM as he won all his games.
There was a close match when Bloomfield B hosted Hesketh Fleetwood B. In the first 6 sets each side won 3 sets and then in the penultimate set Tai Yau and Ben New won a pair for HF to move them ahead and effectively win the match as the final set was split.
Phil Hough won 7 for Bloomfield as did Ant Cross for the winners. Special mention to Alex Gratton who won 3 and Ben who won 4 as they were making their debuts for HF.
At first glance a surprising result as front runners Hesketh Fleetwood A could only draw when they played Lightning B. However Lightning's team was very experienced and perhaps a draw was not that unexpected. Both teams traded games leading to a 5 all stalemate but then in set 6 Lee Williams and James Bunting won both games which was consolidated by a split in set 7 to give Lightning a lead of 8-6. In the final set Richard Percival and Minoj Manandhar won both for HF to draw the match and share the points. There were 4 settings in the match with both sides winning 2 each. Richard won 6 for HF and Lee and John Wright won 5 for Lightning.
