Division One of the Leicester and District League is back in full swing, producing some interesting results in the first weekend of matches. Ajax Wolvey who finished 3rd last term were beaten comfortably by Thringstone’s attack of Trevor Kerry and Maurice Newman who took the match 6-4
Kerry won all three for Thringstone, including winning two in five games, while Newman won two, these two taking the doubles 11-9 in the fifth. For Ajax John Williams won two, Aidan Walsh and John Fuller one each.
Last season’s champions, Unicorn, only just edged home 6-4 against Desford Village, despite taking a 4-1 lead. Jared Patel won a superb three-straight maximum for Unicorn, backed by two from Tim Sheppard who lost a see-saw against Richard Hayes 3-2 (11-7, 5-11, 11-9, 1-11, 12-10). Hayes won his other two with Malcolm Truman and Tony Smith grabbing one apiece. In the end Unicorn took full points with a doubles success.
Knighton Park who finished second last season have started will with two convincing wins – a 10-0 thrashing of Electricity II and overcoming Desford Village 8-2
KP had the same team both times with Reza Kiani so far undefeated while Karen Smith and Les Baker both won two in the second match.
Arnesby beat Holwell Sports 8-2 thanks to three each from Steve Silk and Ian Brown with Darren Bramhall weighing in with two. Arnesby then defaulted the doubles, the scourge of division one when all points have been settled.
Kevin Yang made an impressive League debut for Knighton Park II when he posted a three-straight maximum in a 6-4 victory, young Jack Rogers winning two in support.
Two teams have made powerful starts in Division Three.
Blaby and Whetstone II beat Nomads II 9-1 and then followed up with an even better 10-0 against the luckless Syston Casuals III. John Winsper and Phill Hinson are both undefeated so far with Paul Hinson dropping just the one set.
Arnesby II have been almost as impressive with a 10-0 win to start their season off having Rhys Emery, Dave Wagstaffe and Dave Small all in good form, and then an 8-2 victory over Leicester Taxes put them marginally behind Blaby. Bruce Johnson won the two sets for Taxes but could find no way around Emery who played in Division Two last term.
In Division Four a terrific maximum by Pete Garford could not prevent Wigston Conservatives going down 6-4 to Regent Sports III who had greater team strength with Keith Bramhall, Dave Weston and James Smith all winning two.
There was a terrific match in Division Two when Electricity III and Abbots Road II drew 5-5. No-one won or lost all three when the two Pettitt’s, Russ and Adam, grabbed two apiece and Andy Wright one for the Sparks. For Abbots Fahed Sacoor won two with Geoof Hancock and Steve Pratt one each, and then Hancock and Sacoor won the doubles for a deserved share.