One of the best individual performances locally for some time, and one that was awarded the “Performance of the Week”, came from Arnesby’s James Lancaster in Division One of the Leicester & District League when his team beat Thringstone 9-1.
James is graded 207 and he beat Alastair Hawthorn (240) and, best of all, Maurice Newman, graded 278. It is regarded very unlikely that anyone can beat a player graded 50 or more above them so this was a rare performance.
Lancaster’s maximum, alongside one from Ian Brown, while Steve Silk notched two, overwhelmed Thringstone, for whom Newman won the one to prevent a full house.
The top of this division is looking familiar already with Unicorn and Knighton Park side by side at the top. Unicorn scored a 7-3 victory over Ajax Wolvey with Tim Sheppard recording an excellent three while Lois Peake’s maximum all came in three straight and she is going to take some stopping. Unicorn had defeated Electricity Firsts 10-0 the match before when George Briskolas joined the other two undefeated.
Meanwhile Unicorn’s second team, up from division two, are holding their own as shown by grabbing a very good 5-5 draw against Knighton Park II, for whom Karen Smith was in super form with a three straight maxi. For Unicorn, Joe Kirkup and John Genovese won two, Alex Jackson one.
Two relegation candidates clashed in an exciting 5-5 draw when Syston Casuals had John Szostak and Jason Woodfield with a brace apiece, Clive Stetton one. Richard Hayes sparkled for Desford Village by emerging unbeaten, with Malcolm Truman one and the doubles for the share.
Keeping just ahead of Unicorn at the top, Knighton Park Firsts beat Electricity II 9-1 without top man, Chris Rogers. For the Sparks, Adam Pettitt defeated Adam Cross to avoid a whitewash but Jack Rogers and Reza Kiani were unbeatable on the night.
Holwell Sports continue to take Division Two by storm in their bid for re-election to the top sphere with a cracking 8-2 win over Arnesby II for whom Rhys Emery, who topped the division three averages last term, won the only singles. For Holwell, James Morley and Martin Brunning each took three, supplemented by two from Dave Roche.
There were other big scores including a 9-1 success for Desford Village II over Electricity III. Kevin Parker and Matthew Briggs unbeaten for Desford while Russ Pettitt beat Allan Crowson for the Sparks’ lone ranger.
Blaby and Whetstone II were promoted from three last season but are already staring relegation in the face after their two-man team of Hinson brothers, Paul and Phill, went down 8-2 to Syston Casuals II. Paul won two for Blaby while Ian Wetherly won both he played for Syston, helped by Mike James and Pritesh Nakeshree taking one from two.
Closest result featured a 6-4 victory for Abbots Road II over Knighton Park IV when Fahed Sacoor scored an excellent maximum, backed by two from Chetan Tailor. Sacoor included a crucial 17-15 success in the fifth game against Mike Lapworth, who won his other two for the Park.
Three significant maximums were the main feature of Division Three matches.
Terry Hall’s came for Syston Casuals III against Electricity IV in a 6-4 win, the latter’s Andy Searle winning two. Simon Aldis made all three for Knighton Park V against Electricity V in a 5-5 draw, Andy Wright and Dave Silvester, playing up, two each for the Sparks. There was three for John Bowness in another 5-5 for Regent Sports II against Winstanley Wizards, for whom Himansu Mishra and Dan Andrews each won two.
It is nice to see Tony Gil back playing after a year out, and he featured in an 8-2 victory for Nomads I over Knighton Park VI. Gil won three, as did Steve Andrews, while Trevor Hawkins took two.
Fleckney Firsts continued their challenge in Division Five with a 7-3 victory over Desford Village IV when Robert Palmer grabbed a maximum, crucially beating Gillian Wisdish for Man of the Match. Nick Wyche supported the win with two, Mike Miles weighing in with the other.
Nomads IV and Blaby and Whetstone III fought out a thrilling 5-5 draw with Dave Weston in good form for Nomads, emerging undefeated, one each from Mick Harvey and Julie Edwards. Alan Willson and Tom Phipps each scored two for Blaby.
Winstanley Wizards’ fifth team look the pick of their three teams in this division and they continued winning ways with a solid 7-3 team win against Knighton Park VIII. All three Wizards, Ben Cooke, Ted Eastman and Ian Knight, won two, while Alec Downes did the same for KP.