The father/son combination of Chris and Jack Rogers recorded two wins each for Knighton Park firsts in their clash with top team Unicorn firsts in Division One of the Leicester & District League, but neither could get the better of Jared Patel who won all three, although both took him to five games.
Reza Kiani for KP and Tim Sheppard for Unicorn each won one, the latter with Patel winning the doubles for the share. This was Unicorn’s first dropped points but they dominate at the top.
The senior Rogers’ sister, Karen Smith, was meanwhile winning a superb maximum for the Park’s second team against Electricity firsts but in a 6-4 defeat as only George McClurkin could support with one. For the Sparks Andy LeButt and David Grundy took a brace apiece as well as the doubles with Chris Brewer supplying a crucial one.
Division Three has a log jam from fourth place downwards with nine teams vying against relegation and just a couple of points between them, although Holwell Sports continue to rule the roost at the top. Their latest success was a 9-1 win over Syston Casuals when Dave Roach and Mike James both emerged undefeated while Dave Sharp, playing his first match, took two.
Fleckney lost 7-3 to Electricity IV in a rearranged match but had Jason Prescott back again against Knighton Park V, winning three as did James Robertson, Robert Palmer chipping in with one, their team still interested in the runners-up spot along with Electricity’s fifth team.
The Spark’s fourth team, meanwhile, are at the top of that relegation pile although two victories, one against Fleckney and then by 6-4 over Abbots Road III, will have done their cause a power of good. Andy Searle was unbeaten in both matches.
David Mountain recorded his best maximum to date for Knighton Park VI against Unicorn III, spearheading his team to a 6-4 victory in which Steve Adams supported with two and Eddie Kwok one.
Unicorn’s fourth team are leading Division Four after Eric Baker and Jordan Tweed had both emerged undefeated in the singles as well as their doubles against Regent Sports III in a 7-3 success. Keith Bramhall, Dave Dewsbury and James Smith each won one for Regent who remain very much in the relegation zone.
Second are Goons II who just retain that position after defeating Nomads III 6-4 when John Jacques scored three, Steve Harrison two and finally the doubles in five to tip-toe home. Terry Highton won two for Nomads, Rob Sanders and Dave Weston one apiece.
Desford Village III were top but dropped a couple of points in drawing 5-5 with Syston Casuals IV who are never easy to beat having Wes Glauds and Nick Bishop each taking two and Tony Monteiro one, the latter’s three sets all needed a fifth game. Luke Blair was undefeated for Desford to maintain good recent form with Alan Oxbrough one. Blair is still top of the averages on 86.7%.
Terrific tussle between Abbots Road IV and Knighton Park VII finished 5-5 with no-one unbeaten. Dave Rana and Bradley Lapworth two each for Abbots, Ketan Patel one while Alec Downes and Abe Lam each won two for the Park and took the much needed doubles.
Blaby and Whetstone continue to have all their own way in Division Five, their latest success a 9-1 victory over one of their nearest rivals, Knighton Park VIII. Alan Willson retained his unbeaten record but needed five games in all three sets while Jack Angrave also took a maximum, Tom Phipps won two, losing to Mike Smith who at least prevented a full house.
An outstanding feature in this division was a wonderful maximum for Gemma Hargrave of Desford Village IV who along with mum, Gillian Wisdish who also won three, helped her team to a 6-4 success over Fleckney III for whom Ian Prentice, Jan Nix and John Standish won one. Gemma has battled away having won no sets at all five years ago, and is now on the edge of a break through.
The local Derby between Knighton Park’s ninth and tenth teams resulted in a surprise 6-4 victory for the tenth with their opponents rueing not having their star player, Charlie Gilmour-Evans, available. But Michael Parker’s maximum for the victors should not be downgraded in any way while he had support from Hugh Duffield (2) and Roma Morjaria (1). Alex Bousbaine won two and Alex Randle one for the ninth team.