Unicorn, holders of the Leicester & District League Division One title, made no mistake as they kicked off their defence with a decisive 9-1 victory over Arnesby. That one gained by Arnesby displayed the one disturbing aspect creeping into local league matches, at least at the top of the tree – that of giving the doubles away. It happened in half the Division One matches last week which is a shame as it is a part of the match that is enjoyed by many.
Georgios Briskolas made his league debut for Unicorn with a maximum backed up well with the same from Jared Patel, who won last term’s individual title with an unbeaten record, and Tim Sheppard. James Lancaster, Ian Brown and Darren Bramhall all went very close in their first visits to the table before the student settled into a routine.
Another team to give the doubles away was Ajax Wolvey who otherwise beat Knighton Park II 8-2 when George McClukin beat Jon Williams for KP’s one legitimate success. Both John Fuller and Aiden Walsh emerged undefeated for Ajax with James Morley and Aman Rashid the other KP players.
Top at the moment, despite one draw in their three matches, are Desford Village who cemented that place with an 8-2 victory over Electricity II. Malcolm Truman has made a very good start to his league career, he and Tony Smith both unbeaten, while Jessica Birbeck won one, the first two being allowed to play the doubles this time for the eighth set.
Meanwhile Richard Hayes was scoring an excellent maximum for the Desford Village second team but could not quite prevent his side going down 6-4 to Abbot Road. For Abbots, Ali Ahmed and Ross Adams both won two, Vishal Parmar one while Allan Crowson won the Villagers’ other one.
Trevor Kerry continues to impress for Thringstone with another maximum, this time against Electricity, out-performing Maurice Newman who won just two, Barry Taylor taking the other. David Grundy was the Electricity player to beat Newman, winning two, both in five games, while Andy LeButt grabbed one and they were also given the doubles as a present.
Former demon fast bowler, Simon Aldis, has been persevering for two previous seasons in the league and his diligence has finally paid off with his first maximum as Knighton Park X beat Desford Village III 7-3 in Division Four. Supporting with two apiece were Kenny Obilaso, who used a whole tube of deep heat on his calf, and Abe Lam.
Ian Lockington battled in vain for Wigston Conservatives as his team dipped to a 6-4 defeat against Nomads III for whom Mark Clay, Roger Burley and Laszlo Kocsis showed what teamwork is all about with two each.
Young Jack Kermode has taken the move from five to four for Winstanley Wizards in his stride as he showed against Regent Sports III when he won all three in a 6-4 success. Chris Webster with two and John Hurst one supported ideally.
Bruce Johnson is slowly finding his touch in Division Three after an uncertain first couple of matches when he won three from six. Against Nomads II the Leicester Taxes star was at his majestic best as he powered to his first maximum of the season to help his team to a share of the spoils at 5-5. For Nomads, Trevor Hawkins and Steve Andrews both won two.
Nomads’ first team, down from Division Two, made short work of Goons in their attempt to gain their higher placing again. Only Barry Robinson could find success for the Goons when he beat Cliff Smith, but Andy Searle and Zaheer Mohamed were both supreme for Nomads in their 9-1 win.
A very good full house for Mike Eastell in Division Five failed to save Lutterworth Rotary from a 7-3 defeat at the hands of Electricity VI, who had Dave Silvester, Bryan Moylan and David Reid all winning two, both Silvester and Reid losing 11-9 in the fifth against Eastell.
Another maximum saw Knightpn Park XI get the better of Syston Casuals IV by 7-3 when Simon Taylor emerged undefeated, Phil Wood backing with two and Aga Hirt one.