Sandstorm open up ten-point gap at top
DIVISION 1
LEADERS Sandstorm A maintained their 100% record after a 9-1 home victory over Argyle A, which took them 10 points clear of their C team in second place, with two matches in hand.
So it looks odds on now, that messrs Kenwright, Wilson, Turner and Pierce will be holding aloft the trophy yet again. But who of the chasing pack will secure the runners up spot ?
Well, Crosby A’s key visit to Princes St to face off with fellow challengers Sandstorm B, turned into a bit of a nightmare for them.
Travelling with just three players was hard enough, but to lose another through illness early in the match was catastrophic.
Of the six contests that were played, three were won by each side, Phil Petts being involved in all the host’s points, and Stefan Schober Thomson with two wins, Charlie Williams with the other for the depleted visitors.
Final Score 7-3 Sandstorm.
Sandstorm C the other team in the chasing pack had no such problems, taking a full strength team to face bottom team Crosby B, who again were way under strength having to bring in the young Glowacki brothers Jakub and Oliver from their G team.
So, there were no surprises here as the Sandstorm rattled off a maximum win, only dropping two games in the process.
As it stands Sandstorm A, B and C teams now occupy the top three places in the league. Southport A versus Rainford was sadly postponed.
DIVISION 2
IN the fight for 2nd Division Championship, leaders Crosby D completed the double over second placed Sandstorm D, and got at least one hand on the trophy.
Both Cherith Graham and Sarang Sapre produced virtually faultless performances, in not dropping a game between them in the 7-3 home win. They now lead the way by 15 points, with that 100% record also firmly intact.
Argyle D welcomed back Brian Sharrock for their home match versus Southport B, but it was Jules Dutch with a full quota of wins that made all the difference in a 7-3 home victory. .
Sandstorm E got back to winning ways after a very good 8-2 home win over winless Formby Village C.
Argyle C consolidated third position after a ‘titanic’ derby against their B team. With nothing between the sides after the singles, the doubles would decide things, and what a finish we had.
Adrian Hyland and Tony Sawyer edged the C team ahead, in the closest of encounters, which couldn’t have got any closer as the 11-9,1113,11-9,10-12,11-9 bears out. Phil Robinson and Rob McMahon did everything except win. Could player of the match Lewis Hible and partner Les Dodd clinch it for the C team? Well, another close one, but after a tense 13-11,13-11, 8-11 start, the Lewis/Les combo won it 11-5 in the fourth, 6-4 Argyle C. Wow!
Finally, Formby Village B won 2-8 away at Crosby C, where the full quotas from Ted Cramsie and Steve McGing were decisive whilst Crosby number one Callum Critchley was their only point scorer.
DIVISION 3
LEADERS Southport D kept up with the other leading teams in keeping their 100% record intact, as well as a healthy lead at the top.
A convincing 1-9 away win at Crosby F was buoyed by the return of Jayden Chau and Alan Nolan, but the Crosby youngsters had their moments, with Oscar Wilson securing their only point, and Harry Molyneux coming mighty close in both of his contests.
Our feature match this week is the mid-table clash between Sandstorm F and visitors Crosby E, so this may well be a close one.
Jack Pearce was first up to face Crosby Veteran Tony Bramham, and got off to a confident start, winning the first comfortably 11-4 before Tony settled and edged the second 10-12. Very close in the next two, 11-9,13-11 to Jack and the hosts lead.
Nick Foss then made it 2-0 after a three straight win against Jackie Schober Thomson. Mark Critchley then pulled one back for Crosby after getting the better of Harry Petts in four games, and it was all square when Jackie returned to the fray, with a three straight success over Roy Thompson.
Could Steve Williams complete the turnaround for the visitors? Well, he’ll be kicking himself now, after he let a 0-2 lead somehow disappear versus Jack,11-7,11-9,11-6, and it was the host’s who lead again, 3-2.
Sandstorm then played their ace, by introducing a Dave Mullan/Gordon Wood combo to play in their first doubles against
Tony and Jackie, and sure enough the plan worked and the home side were now 4-2 ahead.
Gordon then stayed at the table to be joined by Jack to face Steve and Mark in the second doubles, and again it was Steve whose dominant hitting gave the Crosby pair a 0-2 advantage.
Mark in the second doubles, and again it was Steve whose dominant hitting gave the Crosby pair a 0-2 advantage.
But it was a case of dejavu for Steve, as the home pair slowly fought their way back into the contest, finally clinching it 11-5,118,12-10, disbelief from Crosby, as the score was now 5-2 Sandstorm.
It was all over in the next encounter after Nick clinched his side’s victory with an entertaining win over Tony, making it 6-2 the hosts.
Some deserved consolation was finally earned by first Mark and then Steve who both won against Roy and Harry respectively to make it 6-4
Sandstorm..But it could have been so different, nevertheless a smashing nights entertainment.
Southport C consolidated third place after an 8-2 home victory over Argyle G, whilst Argyle E maintained their challenge on the leaders with a good 3-7 victory away at a strengthened Formby Village D outfit.
Argyle’s Robert Yeung deserved all the plaudits here after a commanding full quota of wins. There was another last minute postponement here, the Argyle F versus Crosby G match will have to be rescheduled.
All information can be found at southport. ttleagues.co