Davies duo do most of the Trinity damage
CROSBY B (87pts) maintained their slender lead at the top of the First Division, after a 7-3 home win against Holy Trinity A, where Rhys Davies and his dad Mark did most of the damage.
Fierce rivals Crosby A(85pts), who again were somewhat understrength, held onto a narrow 4-6 success away at Argyle A.
Chris Parkes inevitably caught the eye again for the home side, whilst Yameen Al Dahiri did likewise for the visitors, but winning both doubles was key in both matches.
Southport A (74pts) head the chasing pack after a convincing 8-2 win over bottom side Princes St B. Princes St A (72pts) are now fourth, a 7-3 derby win over their C team kept them in contention.
With their second win in a row, Crosby C moved out of the bottom two, at the expense of their D team, a convincing 9-1 win over their rivals causing the turnaround.
At the top of the Second Division, leaders Argyle D entertained Waterloo B in a repeat of last week’s Gunson Plate win, and to see if the visitors could exact some revenge.
This was the destination for our feature match.
There was one change each from last week, Les Dodd coming in at number two for the hosts, Euan Mason in at number four for Waterloo. Gary Corran got the visitors off to a very promising start with a cracking four game win over Mike Parker, before Dodd nullified Aidan Mooney’s attacking style in three straight to make it 1-1.
Euan then proved his selection with aplomb, overcoming Les Lord in three straight but as the 4-11, 9-11, 11-13 scoreline suggests, edging the third looked decisive.
Argyle’s number one Nick Miller, was then given a bit of a test by Gary, who in fact took the second 4-11, before Nick reasserted control to take the next two and level matters at 2-2.
Dodd then returned to the table to do battle with Waterloo’s Nathan Jago, who has regularly caught the eye this season.
Fascinating contest this, as the young player quickly found out with Les’s uncompromising style of close to the table ‘dead bat blocks’ causing him plenty of problems.
After losing the first two games, 11-4, 11-3, it looked like the youngster was catching on, and a 9-11 success followed by a 7-11 win squared it all up.
Into the fifth and that learning curve was cruelly ended, 11-8 to Les and Argyle had the lead at 3-2.
Back came the visitors, in the form of Euan, another three straight win over Mike made it 3-3, and it got even better with Nathan and Gary, pulling off a brilliant doubles win against Nick and Les Lord. Having played second fiddle to the home pair, for most of the first three games trailing 11-5,12-14,11-3, they mounted a superb recovery , 9-11, 9-11 to take the contest and the lead at 3-4.
Second doubles also provided an unexpected sting in the tail playing catch up at 13-11, 8-11, 9-11 down to Aidan and Euan, Les Dodd and Mike fought back 12-10, 12-10, to draw the match level at 4-4, leaving the Waterloo duo in despair.
Mind you with Argyle getting two very fortunate ‘nets’ in the last two points played, you could understand their disappointment.
Nick then won the honours overcoming Nathan in three sumptuous games, Nick summing up his win by paying the Waterloo starlet the compliment ‘that kid, can really play’.
At 5-4, last up was home captain Les Lord to face Aidan, who started much the better taking the first 4-11.
But as the second and third games then slipped away from him, so did the chance of what would have been a deserved draw for the visitors.
Fourth game to Les 11-6 and the win was secured, 6-4 Argyle, no revenge for Waterloo, but what a great match from start to finish.
With that win they stay well out in front on 91pts, 14 ahead of their C team in second place, who also recorded a fine 4-6 win at Holy Trinity B.
Southport B (68pts) stay in third place despite losing out 6-4 away to an in form Waterloo A, their number one Phil Cashmore with two wins being the pick of the bunch.
Princes St E (66pts) are in fourth place after earning the bragging rights in their derby win over their D team.
Captain Nick Foss and the returning Derek Aitken took the plaudits in yet another 6-4 win.
Crosby E completed a full house of 6-4 wins in the second tier, at lowly Argyle E, where it was good to see Emily Clare back in action for the home side.
At the top of Division Three, it continues to go the way of leaders Argyle H(97pts).
A maximum win at home to North Meols was duly taken, but not expected, as the visitors were very much below strength.
However a family atmosphere prevailed throughout this match, with brothers Lee and Paul Hesketh turning out for the home side, with their Dad Jeff in a supporting role.
Whilst husband and wife Dennis and Val Morley were in fine voice for North Meols. They had to be, their Grandson Ollie Moir was also in opposition, and it’s not everyday you play your Nan, is it Ollie!
Argyle F (71pts) are still in second place, even after a surprise away 6-4 loss and a first win for bottom team Crosby G, but being without number one Tom Johnson did not help the cause. The Para’s (66pts) move up to third place after an exciting 6-4 victory over Crosby H who are now fourth on 64 pts.
Finally, Southport D had a good 3-7 win at Argyle G.
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