Draycott’s quest to capture the Women’s British League title is well and truly on course after making it five wins from five in the final round of fixtures. A 4-2 victory over Fusion saw them end the weekend three points clear of their nearest rivals, a solid cushion at the midway stage.
Emma Vickers played a pivotal role as she secured two victories over Fusion, including a 3-0 victory over Lois Peake, whilst Abbie Milwain also won one set. Although Inta Zdanovska’s unbeaten start came to a halt in defeat to Emma Tovey, her victory over Sarah Short meant Draycott clinched victory.
Draycott’s nearest rivals are YHL, who ended their weekend on a high after defeating Thorntons 6-0. It was a birthday to remember for both Yolanda King and Vicky Smith as they picked up two wins each, whilst Rachel Trevorrow came from 2-0 down to defeat Liz May to secure two wins of her own.
Thorntons finish the opening weekend bottom with just one draw to their name, however they have produced enough performances to maintain hopes of consolidating their place in the league.
Halton drew their third match in five as they played out a stalemate with Burton Uxbridge. Kate Hughes and Nicole Hall delivered the goods for their respective sides with two wins each, which ultimately earned their team a point apiece. Burton’s Hughes picked up two impressive victories in the fifth over Janay Gibson and the in-form Beth Roberts, whilst Hall defeated Sophie Neil and Isobel Ashley.
Division One league leaders Draycott II were pushed all the way before eventually beating the league’s bottom side Leeds Ladies 4-2. An excellent double for Leeds’ Becca George, who defeated Diana Rusinova and Kate Cheer, had given Leeds hope of a result. However Rusinova and Cheer won their other matches whilst Nicole Bird won two sets to secure victory and give Draycott a one point lead at the top of the division, with Knighton Park in second place following their 5-1 victory over Ulster.
Division Two is tantalisingly close as three teams are joint at the top of the table. Fusion II and Byng Hall A drew in the final round, whilst Halton II defeated St Andrews 5-1. The teams all drew with each other in the opening weekend, with the table currently decided on a solitary set in Fusion’s favour.
York Garden Angels maintained their lead at the top of Division Three after defeating Byng Hall B 4-2. They are two points ahead of Draycott 3, who ended the weekend with a 5-1 victory over Cardiff City TTC
Burton Uxbridge II ended the weekend as the joint most dominant team across all the divisions. With five victories from as many games and just five sets dropped on the way to the top of Division Four, their final victory of the weekend, a 4-2 win over Halton TTC 3 proved to be the toughest, but two wins from Charlotte Bardsley saw them home.
The other team as dominant as Uxbridge II were MK Vixens, who stormed to the top of Division Five with five consecutive victories, and hold a four-point advantage at the top of the division at the halfway point.