Mission accomplished in Lodgers reversal

Having lost 4-6 in their home match at the start of the season, Lodgers got off to a great start winning the first five matches with Scott Sykes beating Sam Cooper and Dave Coulson, Steve Allen beating Pete Evans and Sam Cooper and Andy Pocklington beating Dave Coulson.

Steve Allen’s match up against Pete Evans was by far the best match of the evening, with lightning quick rallies on both forehand and backhand - Steve started off strongly, winning the first two ends before Pete pegged him back winning the next two.

However, Steve managed to regain his focus winning the fifth end 8-11.

Pete Evans was Wrangle’s form player of the night though beating Scott Sykes and Andy Pocklington, both in four ends.

Sam Cooper got one win for his hard work beating Andy Pocklington in the final singles match in four ends.

With Scott and Steve for Lodgers taking the doubles it meant that Lodgers achieved their objective with a good 3-7 victory.

A profitable trip to Lodgers B for Graves Park A, returning with a 10-0 victory although with three five-end matches, but Lodgers were unlucky not to take something away from the match.

All the Lodgers players had a sniff of victory - Trev Blackbourn being two games up against Rob Smith before losing the next three ends, Dave Kime being two games up against Alan Reetham before losing the next three ends and Colin Bell taking Phil Brooks to a decider only to just fall short 4-11.

Results: Wrangle v Lodgers C (3-7), Lodgers B v Graves Park A (0-10)

For the second time in the space of a week, Lodgers Blades took on Graves Park B in Division Two, with a 5-5 draw on paper looking like a fair result.

Simon Raistrick took all of his three singles, although Dave Graham almost caused an upset, just losing 14-12 in the fifth.

Young Nathan Raistrick did extremely well to defeat the experienced Mick Maltby in straight ends.

Dave Graham wasn’t in the mood to take any prisoners, defeating Nathan Raistrick and Gavin Read in straight ends.

So with Graves Park needing the doubles for a draw, Mike Freeston and Dave Graham teamed up to take on the regular doubles partnership of Simon Raistrick and Gavin Read.

With Blades 2-1 up after three ends it looked like Graves Park were staring defeat in the face but in the fourth end they rallied, taking it 4-11 to take it to the death and, in a very close fifth end, the Graves Park duo came through to take it 9-11 and with it a creditable 5-5 draw.

Results: Lodgers Blades v Graves Park B (5-5)

In Division Three, it was a tough night for Graves Park Nomads when they undertook the long journey to Tetford for their re-arranged fixture, only to lose 9-1.

Despite the scoreline, it was an entertaining match with some of the games being very close.

A special mention must go to Mary Silverton, who was called up as a last-minute replacement and performed admirably, winning two of her singles and only just losing out in five ends to wily campaigner Walt Bridges.

In another re-arranged fixture, Mayflower 1 regained top spot in the table courtesy of an 8-2 victory over Lodgers D.

Darron Kent and Matt Lilly continued their fine form winning all of their singles, both of them only dropping one end each in the process.

Ian Gorrie and Steve Harker were the point scorers for Lodgers, both of them defeating Tim Pexton.

Tim then teamed up with Matt Lilly in the doubles.

Together they comfortably defeated the pairing of Ian Gorrie and Steve Blanchard in straight ends.

This gave Mayflower a good 8-2 victory.

Results: Tetford v Graves Park Nomads (9-1), Mayflower 1 v Lodgers D (8-2).