In the Men’s Premier Division, it was a disappointing start for champions the Musketeers. Without their talisman of last season, Michael O’Driscoll, it was evident as they finished second from last only beating newly-promoted Norwich 4-2.
Bribar St Neots Saints kicked off their season with an unbeaten start. Three victories and two draws thanks to Jason Ramage who ended the weekend with a 90% record, his only defeat coming at the hands of Andrew Wilkinson from P Pong Vets.
New to the division Norwich, struggled to display any conviction over the weekend as they lost all five rounds. However, fellow newbies The Rams looked promising with a solid finish concluding in two victories, one draw, and two defeats. Enough to see them finish the weekend above the current champions.
The Women’s Premier Division appears much more evenly matched after the weekend in Derby. PPong finished top thanks to an astounding 100%-win record from number one, Sara Williams.
Champions Market Rasen Ladies 1 set off on the right foot, winning the opening two rounds comfortably against newly-promoted Waterside Fusion of Ladies, and Bribar IPS Tigers. Celebrations were cut short as the champions were held to a stalemate against Bribar Knighton Park, and defeat against weekend leaders PPong 5-1 followed.
Newly promoted Waterside Fusion of Ladies appeared to struggle to adapt to the standard of the top division which led to them losing all matches in the opening weekend.
Bribar IPS Tigers looked like they were going to struggle in the Women’s Premier Division, but they stole two victories thanks to strong performances from Deborah Auvache and Joanne Keighley.
Wolves Vets finished top in Men’s Division 1A, with an undefeated start which required a hard-fought out draw against Football Wise 1.
In Men’s Division 1B, Topspin Fusion proved dominant as they started the season with a 100% winning record thanks to emphatic performances from Ademola Bamiduro and Thomas Hadley.
Foresters Ladies finished top in Division 1 thanks to an unbeaten start. It proved a tough challenge in round four against Ellenborough which Forresters Ladies required a Julie Byrne victory to level things three apiece.
In Men’s Division 2A, only Draycott 3 remain undefeated at the end of the weekend. Thanks to impressive performances from Mark Romano and Trevor Kerry. PSP insurance had a weekend to forget, losing all five which they would hope to put right as the season progresses.
In Division 2B, Cippenham 1 had a memorable weekend in Derby with an undefeated start which resulted from 90% records for both Hari Gehlot and Martin Adams.
Northern Belles top Women’s Division 2 with an unbeaten start, with four victories and only one draw against HEL ladies. It was an astounding start for Angie Bristow of Sutton at Hone who remained undefeated with a 100% record after all ten matches.
Men’s Division 3A, Whitworth Academy 1 top the table having won all matches. Anthony Bates proved fundamental in the unbeaten start through producing a 100%-win record over the weekend. The rest of the division remains close with only Draycott 4 struggling to assert any dominance.
Nailsworth Phoenix remains undefeated in Division 3B. Although SycamoreZigabyte Vets are bottom, they can thank Richard Lightowler for getting them at least two points through an impressive 90%-win record.
Only one-point separates Border Reivers and the Crusaders in Division 4A. An astonishing 6-0 victory for Border Rivers against Crusaders appeared to be the defining moment leaving the Crusaders in second place.
Although, in Division 4B Stephen Brunskill maintained a 100% record, it was not enough to drag Swerve TTC 1 to a higher finish than sixth. Joola Plymouth 1 top the table with an unbeaten start. A draw against Crawley Community 2 the only slip up for the team that is now 2 points clear as the season continues.