Unicorn retain Division One title after drawing their final league match

CHAMPIONSHIP finishes do not get any closer than the top of Division One of the Leicester and District League – unless, of course, things are tied right across the board, writes John Bowness.

The final match of the season was a humdinger between the two top teams.

For most of the season, Unicorn have been three points clear of Knighton Park with a superior sets average, meaning the Park would have to beat their opponents by at least 8-2 to avoid Unicorn picking up a bonus point.

But lately the sets average has reversed, leaving the Park needing simply to win, while Unicorn could settle for a draw.

Chris Rogers, top of the individual averages, won a superb maximum for the Park, albeit two of them needing a fifth game and one 15-13 in the fifth against David Arrowsmith, with Richard Hayes and James Berry each grabbing one.

For Unicorn, both Arrowsmith and Adam Pettitt won two, leaving the score 5-4 to KP with the doubles to come and everything at stake.

It was Arrowsmith and Pettitt against Rogers and Berry and if ever a set deserved to be shared this was it.

The first two games were 11-9, 11-9 to Unicorn, and the next two 12-10, 12-10 to the Park.

In the deciding fifth set, Unicorn managed to get away to win 11-6 for a 5-5 draw to ensure they retained their title.

But all credit to the opposition to taking it to the wire.

Also in the top division, Wing Tat Victor Tam has had a decent first season in the local league for KP seconds.

He showed his skill against his KP third team clubmates when winning all three in a 5-5 draw, with Zia Malik winning two.

For the thirds, Karen Smith grabbed one and the doubles with Jack Mooney to go with the three defaults.

It was good to see international Lois Peake getting her first match for Loughborough Unicorn this season, helping her team to a 10-0 victory over Winstanley, along with Garry Knights and Geoff Parsons.

Another promotion place was decided in Division Two when Syston Casuals III defeated Unicorn III 6-4 despite the latter’s star, Abin Islam, scoring all three to finish the season on 75 per cent.

For Syston, who made sure of second place, Ian Whetherly, Martin Bolton and Kevin Sanderson all won their other two.

Just missing out on a promotion spot in Division Three were Abbots Road II, despite overwhelming Goons 10-0, with Steve Pratt, Bhulesh Rathod and Raju Rahul all very much on form.

In the end it was just a little too late.

So, the end of a successful league season which is gradually inching back up to full strength – of 60 teams – with a very good chance of two or three extra teams next season if all goes well.

Five divisions of 12 would be perfect.