PREMIER
Late, late night at Greenleys on Tuesday as 7 sets went to a decider in the Warriors/Kings match. Expectant father, still waiting patiently, Nick Howard started the trend with all his sets going the distance before he dashed back to his wife’s side with his team 2-1 up. After beating Ricky Taiwo he missed out to Ollie Horswell and found himself 10-8 down in the 5th to Diego Garrido in what looked to be another defeat. But Nick battled through the fatigue of 15 consecutive games to launch a storming finish by taking the last 4 points. Ex Kings skipper Ian Brown, now in Division 1, made a welcome return to beat Ollie, who was triumphant in his other sets. Guy Sparrow bagged a brace and took the doubles with Ian for Kings other wins in their 6-4 victory.
Another 6-4 result for 2-man MK Kingpins at Greenleys Monarchs, who came away with their first win of the season and Craig Brown’s first maximum since January 2017. Fine support was provided by Mark Purcell, who beat Iain Dummett and Martin Hall, but found Dan Appanna too hot to handle.
This leaves champions MK Spinners as the only side without a win so far, though a great result for them this week against MK Sasaki. Matt Haynes hit a hat-trick for Sasaki that included a win over Alan Cherry in the final set to force a draw for the League leaders. Single wins here for Jamie Hendy and James George in support of Matt. A good brace for Spinners’ Neil Massa but a blank night for Gary Jones.
Player of the week is Craig Brown.
DIVISION 1
Leaders MK Topspin kept up the winning habit at St.Christopher Van Hire despite running into an indomitable Paul Haigh, whose maximum in the 7-3 defeat was a stunning performance. So Russell Penn, Mervyn Kelly and myself had to settle for a brace a-piece this time round, which in my case ended a run of 20 wins: the best in this division since 2015 when a Michael Wilkins 31 winning streak was ended by Russell. David Broome and Fabrice Spelta appeared for the home side.
Div 2 loan player Ivor Howard came close to what would have been a terrific hat-trick himself in MK Phoenix 6-4 win over Greenleys Glory. Having beaten Christine Scaysbrook and Orrin Edwards, playing up from Div 4, Ivor took Scott Dixon to 10-10 in the 5th game before capitulating. Alan Bolding got a maximum for 2nd placed Phoenix and Terry Lau one. Scott took a brace for Glory but Orrin was a bit out of his depth, conceding some big game losses.
After Andy Smith overcame Geoff Callaway 13-11 in the deciding game of the opening set, MK Pumas negotiated a potentially tricky fixture against Greenleys Eagles with ease. Julie Snowdon joined Andy on a maximum with Keith Carrington chipping in with a single in a 7-3 victory. Geoff Callaway and Barry Bishop could only manage a win each for the visitors but took the doubles set comfortably against Andy/Julie. Eagles Dave Plumb is still to get off the mark. Pumas now have an identical record to MK Powers, who did not play this week, as they sit equal 3rd in the table.
After a uncharacteristic sequence of 6 heavy defeats Woburn Sands Data sprang into meaningful action at last with a 9-1 win over promoted Newport Pagnell Vantage. A few more wins like this one and they will be off the bottom spot. Sue Lewis saved the whitewash with a late, straight games win over Dave McGarragh as well as putting up stern resistance when going down in deciding games to early leaver Rob McPheat (15-13 in 5th) and James Molloy. Incredibly these were both Rob & Dave’s first wins of the season too as Vantage regulars Mike Howard and Tony Ardis could make no impression on the scoreline.
Player of the week is Paul Haigh.