Leaders Desford Village II were knocked sideways in their latest Division Two match in the Leicester League when losing 9-1 to mid-table Regent Sports, who asked the questions and supplied pretty well all the answers as Martin Bolton and Charlie Bateman both emerged undefeated, while Kevin Sanderson produced the other two. Kevin Parker won Desford’s lone set to prevent a full house, and it was good to see Allan Crowson’s name back on a scoresheet after illness.
Queens are second and they made up some leeway with a workmanlike 7-3 victory over Newfoundpool who worked very hard for their consolation point, Chandresh Sodha winning two and Steve Pratt one. Dave Daniels was the star with an excellent three, supported by two from Nick Raynor and one by John Winsper.
A terrific match between Knighton Park IV against Electricity III saw four players come away with two victories and Park winning 6-4 with two each for Peter Wilson and Mike Lapworth and a crucial one from Steve Adams with the first two getting home in the doubles for full points. For the Sparks, Tomas Oravec and Chris Woodward gained a brace each.
Sam Radenhurst was the star for Electricity’s second team, who defeated Great Glen 7-3. Andy Wright contributed two and there was one for Russell Pettitt. Alex Mason won two for Glen, while Kelvin Herbert had a splendid win over Pettitt.
Eddie Lyons remained unbeaten when he emerged with three for Knighton Park V in his team’s 7-3 win over Abbots Road, Max Lewis-Clarke winning two and Dean Jordon one.
The other 9-1 score of the week came when Nomads almost demolished Syston Casuals with Zaheer Mahmood and Cliff Smith maximums and two from Andy Searle in a 9-1 success. Ian Wetherley won Syston’s set.
Unicorn made virtually sure of the Division Three title by beating second-placed team, Arnesby II who were without Dave Small, one of their key players, the score being by the closest margin of 6-4. Playing his heart out for Arnesby was Dave Wagstaffe, who completed a brilliant maximum, all in four games. For Unicorn, Ron Forster and Andre Pagett both won two and John Genovese one.
Although Great Glen II look doomed at the bottom they may have a say who goes down with them after a fighting 5-5 draw against Blaby & Whetstone thanks mainly to a fine unbeaten return by Martin Taylor, while Phil Tomlin won a very important singles against Jack Angrave before Glen won an easy doubles for the share. For Blaby Robert Vassalio won two, Rich Davies and Angrave one apiece but they will be disappointed not to pick up full points in their quest to stay up.
Fellow relegation prospect, Knighton Park VII, did well to pick up a point against Electricity IV in a 6-4 defeat, with the Spark’s Harry White in superb form, gaining a deserved maximum. The key set in the end was the first one of the match when Asher Abraham, who went on to win two, beat Chris Parmar-Saville 11-9 in the fifth. For Park Martin Pember won two.
In week seven (of nine) of the popular and innovative Ladder League leader, Andy Searle, was unavailable which gave a very good chance for others to come up with positive results to at least reach or possibly overtake. But in yet another round of tight results those closest, Charlie Bateman and Steve Bessant, both had small losses at minus two to lose a little ground.
Meanwhile three players scored plus four in Group B, including Eddie Kwok coming into the fray for the first time. Chris Parmar-Saville comes close to jumping into the top group while Roger Burley had a good competition.
Click here for Ladder League results and standings
John Bowness (publicity officer)
March 9, 2015