After the woman of the British League ran riot last week, this weekend allows the brightest stars on the circuit to cause mayhem as the opening weekend of Junior British League takes place.
SEVENTY-FOUR teams shall take to the spectacular Derby Arena as they all battle it out to reign supreme, the largest event the British League has to offer.
Stars on display include Alex Ramsden, Billy Forster and Emily Bolton amongst the twelve divisions. All the divisions consist of six teams excluding the Boy’s Premier Division, which features eight teams that split into two divisions of four at the halfway stage.
Ormesby and Burton Uxbridge start the season hoping to the defend their respective titles after success last year but will face stern competition on their way to retaining their titles.
All updates from the weekend, including reports and interviews, shall be found on this page, twitter shall also be frequently updated @BritishLeague
END OF ROUND FIVE REPORT
The two powerhouses of the Boys Premier battled it out in the final round of a spectacular weekend of Junior British League, with the two teams ending in stalemate. Cliffedale Chandlers Grantham College and EBATT had been clinical in their previous four matches, both entering this crunch match unbeaten.
Once they finally locked horns, the two couldn’t be separated.
Daniele Pinto’s two victories for CCGC were backed up by Callum Evans’ win over James Smith. However Smith and EBATT teammates Alex Ramsden and Josh Bennett all won one each to salvage a point. EBATT now sit at the top of the division on sets difference going into the second weekend.
London Academy ended the weekend on a high with a 6-0 win over Sussex Blades Alliance, they ended the weekend in third place. There was also wins for Northfield and Irish Boys.
At the halfway stage, the Premier Girls competition appears to be a two horse race, with Ellenborough and defending champions Burton Uxbridge four points clear of the rest. Following a thrilling draw on Saturday, the two teams went on to win their other four matches, with fifth round wins emphasising their superiority.
Letitia McMullen and Gina Rieck stole the show as Burton defeated Draycott, with the pair both overcoming Kate Cheer, whilst Ellenborough destroyed Fusion 6-0.
Fusion surrendered their two point advantage at the top of Division 1 Boys following a 4-2 defeat to London Academy. Theodore Achampong was the thorn in Fusion’s side as he picked up two key victories for London. It means Fusion are now level with Draycott and St Marys Hull, who ended the weekend with victories over Wood Green and Wales respectively.
Warrington were one of very few teams to end the weekend with a 100% records as they defeated BATTS 5-1 to win their fifth consecutive match. Warrington are two points ahead of Draycott 2, who impressively beat Burton 2 thanks to Bhavika Mistry’s double.
Pompey made it five wins from five in Division 2A with a narrow 4-2 win over Halifax, whilst a draw was enough for Byng Hall Boys to move to the top of 2B after BATTS’ defeat to Lillington.
Alice Hazell inspired Sussex Alliance as they move top of Division 2 following a 4-2 victory over Greenhouse. Hazell won both of her matches to give Sussex a two point lead at the top of the league.
Wensum and Kingfisher opened a gap between themselves and Horsham Spinners in Division 3A with late wins. Wensum overcame Horsham thanks to two wins from Joseph Goss whilst Kingfisher had Jamie Liu to thank for his two wins in a 4-2 success at the hands of Blades TTC.
Joola Plymouth leapfrogged Halton to the top of Division 3B after beating their rivals 4-2. Calum Morrison was the architect to victory with two wins.
Amelia and Jasmine Chan won two each as Ellenborough Girls B picked up their fifth consecutive win, defeating Cardiff City 5-1. Amelia was in a very exclusive club of players to end the weekend with ten wins from ten.
Draycott 2 ended the weekend with a perfect record as they won 5-1 against Cardiff. Poww Boonyaprapa ended the weekend with 100% to cap a fine weekend for his team in Division 4A. Finally, Jersey opened up a three point gap at the top of 4B with a 4-2 win over Harrogate. Luc Miller’s two wins proved pivotal for Jersey.
END OF ROUND FOUR REPORT
Cliffedale Chandlers Grantham College and EBATT prepared for their mouthwatering clash by clinching their fourth wins of the season.
CCGC defeated Northfield 4-2 after two wins apiece for Daniele Pinto and Callum Evans, whilst EBATT thrashed Sussex Blades Alliance 6-0. Both teams remain unbeaten going into the match, with both opening a three point gap at the top of the league after four rounds.
Elsewhere, Harry Dai starred as Ormebsy defeated Irish Boys 4-2, whilst Greenhouse are still in search of their first set of the season following a 6-0 defeat at the hands of London Academy.
Ellenborough and Burton Uxbridge are still neck and neck at the top of Premier Girls following morning victories. Depsite a stunning win for Halton’s Kate Roberts over Emily Bolton, Ellenborough still won the match 5-1, whilst Burton Uxbridge had Amy Blagborough to thank as she helped her side to a 4-2 win over a Tiana Dennison inspired Fusion, who defeated both Letitia McMullen and Gina Rieck.
Fusion retained their two point advantage at the top of Boys Division 1 following a 4-2 win over Wales. Liam Grant’s superb season continued as his two wins were reinforced with wins apiece for Jack Merton and Luke Carter. St Mary’s Hull remain hot on their heels after a 6-0 win over Wood Green. Player of the weekend Mia Regan won both of her matches as Girls Division 1 leaders Warrington defeated Burton Uxbridge 2 4-2.
Pompey remain unbeaten at the top of Division 2A following a 6-0 win over Ellenborough. They face second placed Halifax in the final match, who defeated Rotherham Scorpions 5-1. Divison 2B remains a tight league, with Byng Hall Boys ahead of BATTS on sets difference after overcoming Lillington 5-1. Meanwhile, Sussex Alliance and Greenhouse Girls shall face off in the final round of fixtures on level terms at the top of Division 2. Sussex defeated Brixham 5-1, whilst Greenhouse overcame Cippenham 4-2.
The top two teams in Division 3A both dropped points, resulting in three teams all going into the final round of the weekend level on points. Previous league leaders Horsham Spinners suffered a 5-1 defeat to Kingfisher, with Reece Chamdal and Jamie Liu both picking up two wins for Kingfisher. It gave Wensum the opportunity to move top, however two wins from St Neots’ Jack Leader meant the game ended in a 3-3 draw. Kingfisher, Wensum and Horsham Spinners are now all level on six points. As for Division 3B, Halton remain on top following a 4-2 win over London Academy 3. Daniel Clarke and Ryan Lunn won two each.
Ellenborough Girls B moved three points clear at at the top of Division 3 following a 5-1 win over second placed Great Stuckley. Two wins each for Zoe Davies and Amelia Chan were the difference.
Two wins each for Joe Abbott and Poww Boontaprapa over Generation 2 kept Draycott 2 at the top of Division 4A, whilst Jersey’s four point cushion at the top of 4B remains intact despite a 3-3 draw with Dublin B.
END OF DAY ONE REPORT
Cliffedale Chandlers Grantham College and EBATT ended the first day with their 100% record intact after registering three wins apiece.
The two teams entered the event as overwhelming favourites, however they asserted their title credentials with a solid performance on the opening day. With Callum Evans and Daniele Pinto leading the charge, CCGC stormed to three comfortable victories, including a 6-0 win over Greenhouse.
As for EBATT, they too put in three sound displays, notably defeating Greenhouse and Ormesby 6-0, whilst squeezing past Northfield 4-2. Alex Ramsden and James Chappell ended the day undefeated.
A catalogue of surprising score lines resulted in a solitary point separating the top three sides. Defending champions Burton Uxbridge, Draycott and Ellenborough all remained unbeaten yet also dropped points on the opening day.
Burton currently lead the division on games difference from Draycott. Burton, featuring a young, hungry team, registered victories over Halton and Irish Girls before superbly drawing with favourites Ellenborough. The British League unearthed yet another star, this time in the shape of Charlotte Bardsley, who had her breakout moment with an incredible victory over Denise Payet, who also lost to Letitia McMullen.
Hot on Burton’s heels are Draycott, who also drew with Ellenborough after winning their two other games. Wins over Halton and Fusion were expected, but an impressive draw against Ellenborough impressed, with Kate Cheer’s victory over Emily Bolton and Gauri Duhan’s victory over Payet particular highlights.
END OF ROUND ONE REPORT
Cliffedale Chandlers Grantham College set the pace in the Boy’s Premier as they defeated Greenhouse 6-0. Callum Evans and Joe Pilkington came through the match without dropping a single game, whilst Lawrence John defeated Jamie Dignum in five.
Irish Boys and EBATT also got off to winning starts, picking up 4-2 victories over London Academy and Northfield respectively. Owen Cathcart was the start for the Irish as he registered two victories, including victory over Omar Khassal whilst two wins from Alex Ramsden helped EBATT to victory.
Draycott and Ellenborough got off to perfect starts in the Girl’s Premier as they both registered 6-0 wins over Fusion and Irish Ladies respectively. The two teams wasted no time in finding their top form as Kate Cheer, Amy Humphreys and Gauri Duhan won their sets for Draycott, whilst Emily Bolton, Denise Payet and Hungarian Kitty Korda won two apiece for Ellenborough.
Meanwhile, defending champions Burton Uxbridge started their title defence with a 4-2 win over Halton. Gina Rieck starred as she stormed to two wins whilst Letitia McMullen followed suit.
Will Hornsey started the season on fire as his two wins helped St Marys Hull defeat Draycott 4-2 in Division 1 whilst Burton Uxbridge 2 got off to a blistering start in Girl’s Division 1 after thrashing Ulster 6-0. Charlotte Bardsley, Mollie Paterson and Chloe Lingard all won their two matches on their way to victory.
Halifax TTC opened their account for the season with a hard-fought 5-1 win over Ulster in Division 2A although it is Pompey who sit top following a 6-0 victory over Rotherham Scorpions. Byng Hall Boys and Lillington surged to the top of Division 2B with 6-0 wins. Byng Hall defeated Formby, with Lillington defeating Northfield 2. Greenhouse Girls hit the top of Girl’s Division 2 following 5-1 win over Brixham. Sarah James and namesake Menghistab won two apiece for the league’s early leaders.
Finally, Ellenborough Girls B had a start to remember in Division 3 as they went top with a 5-1 victory over Swerve. Zoe Davies and Amelia Chan starred with two wins each.