Mawdesley rendered pointless for first time
WOODVALE’S fifth team made it a perfect return from the Christmas break to defeat fourth division leaders Mawdesley IV, 6-2.
That result makes it Mawdesley’s first match without claiming any points. It also gave everyone an opportunity to catch-up in week ten of the Master Lock & Safe Southport and District Badminton League.
Making the most of this result was second and third place teams Tarleton III, and Crosby.
Tarleton III have made it six matches without a loss after coming through 7-1 over bottom half side Southsands III. Whereas Crosby completely saw off Formby’s second team 8-0.
There was more success for Woodvale, as their first team produced a near perfect performance to topple Victoria Hall 6-2. That result moved them into second spot in the first division.
The mixed doubles almost saw Woodvale produce an early 4-0 lead. But a narrow win for Victoria Hall’s second mixed doubles pair Matthew Tolman and Caroline Bentzen over Chris Chu and Emma Walmsley 18-21, 22-20, 21-19 gave them a fighting chance.
But three more victories, including two three-set wins in the women’s doubles secured Woodvale their most important result in the league this season.
At the top, leaders Mawdesley cruised through their 8-0 win over a Burscough Pioneers side that are looking for at least two wins in their remaining eight matches to give them any hope of survival.
Churchtown have recovered well after an unprecedented run of three consecutive league defeats, to defeat bottom side Southport II in whitewash fashion 8-0. Barring any more injuries, Churchtown remain confi- dent that they can topple their division title rivals.
Elsewhere in the league’s top division, there was a comprehensive 8-0 win for Southport against Churchtown II. That result further cements their place in the top half of the table.
In keeping with the Woodvale theme, their seventh team continue to have a season to remember. Their 6-2 win at bottom side Southsands V puts them back as sole owners of top spot in division six. That is after Ormskirk IV suffered a setback in their losing draw to mid-table side Hesketh Bank III.
That scoreline now has Ormskirk looking behind them, as Southsands IV and Churchtown V both secured 5-3 wins to narrow the gap to just four points for the last promotion spot.
St. Cuthberts IV made a significant push for the seventh division title, as they produced a winning draw over their nearest rivals Burscough Pioneers IV.
The only other contest in this division saw Formby III quickly see off Southsands’ sixth side 8-0.
Formby are now one point off second place and face leaders St. Cuthberts in their next contest.
The three-horse race for the division three title continues, as all contenders secured three more vital points. Ormskirk IV brushed aside Woodvale’s fourth team 7-1, Hesketh Bank battled hard to win 5-3 against Burscough Pioneers and Ormskirk II overcame a stern test from St. Cuthberts 5-3. All three sides remain separated by three points.
Southsands II have given themselves a chance of survival.
Their narrow 5-3 win over bottom side Southport IV, now means one point separates four sides for the second relegation spot.
Meanwhile, Tarleton II extended further away from the battle at the bottom end of the table, after a well fought winning draw over Churchtown III.
It was a week to forget for Southport’s sixth and seventh sides in division five. They both suffered heavy defeats and continue to sit firmly in the relegation zone.
As for their victorious opponents, Mawdesley V keep their hopes of promotion alive as they are now four points off second spot and Churchtown IV move further ahead in their bid to win the fifth division.
In other fifth division news, Burscough Pioneers III produced a slight upset victory over Hesketh Bank’s second team 6-2 in an all bottom half encounter.
Nothing troubled the top four in division two, as they all began 2018 with comfortable victories over their opponents.
Leaders Victoria Hall II maintained their four point lead and extended it to nine wins with a 7-1 win over midtable side Woodvale III.
Southsands keep their promotion destiny in their hands with a strong and solid 6-2 win at Southport III. But keeping two points behind them are third place side Tarleton.
Their impressive season continues after a comfortable 6-2 home victory against a Formby side that is caught up in a tight relegation scramble.
It was a hollow victory for Mawdesley II, as they had to take down their third team 6-2, who remain planted at the bottom with no points.
For more info, be sure to check out the latest news, results and league tables on the league’s official website, www. southportbadminton. com. Also, make sure you like the league’s official Facebook page.