18 April, 2012 <a href="mailto:andy.rowe@natwest.com">Andy Rowe</a>
Queens A are Division 1 champions following back to back wins over Cranford A and Sidmouth A.
All of Queens pairs picked up 2 wins in their 6-3 vistory over Cranford A, with the seasiders having Mark Trebble and Zak Phillips to thank for their 3 points. Queens A then confirmed their status as the top team this season by beating Sidmouth A 5-4, although the Sidmouth combo of John Carter and Chris Bird came away with 3 wins. University’s 6th win on the bounce have propelled them into 2nd place of Division 1. The students beat a depleted Cranford A 6-3, thanks to 3 wins from the pairing of Tom Fenner and Harry Hacking. Universitys winning streak came to an end, narrowly beaten 5-4 by Exeter A, in their final match of the season. The Exeter pair of Sam Lees and Gareth Pearse (3) steered Exeter home by beating the student pairing of Alex Banks and Luke Bristow 21-18, 21-17. Exeter A enjoyed a comfortable 6-3 win over Sidmouth A. Sam Lees and Dave Spencer led the way with 3 wins. Sidmouths Kelvin Edwards came out of retirement to bag a brace of wins with his partner Vernon Smeed.
Division 2 champions Ringswell A completed their campaign unbeaten with a comfortable 6-3 win over St Leonards A, win 3 wins apiece coming from the pairs of Steve Rice/Ian Walsh and Nigel Osborne/Guy Rollisson. John Gubbin, making his valedictory appearance for St Leonards B, finished on a high after inspiring his teammates to their best result of the season – a 7-2 win over Queens B. Gubbin partnered by Andy Rowe, was unbeaten, including a tense win over the Queens No1 pair of Ed Moffatt and Tom Fursdon, 21-14, 22-24, 21-18. Otter Vale put up a gallant fight against St Leonards A before slipping to a 6-3 defeat. Phil Nicholls and Adrian Midmer (3) were the saints top scorers whilst Otter Vales points came courtesy of the Wardale brothers, Charles and Tim (2) and youngsters Nic Williamson and Dan Clark (1).
Exeter B celebrated winning Division 3A by inflicting a 9-0 whitewash on 2nd placed St Leonards C. The Exeter team of Tom Phillips, Sam Owens, Garry Bourner, Tim Hackett, Neil Shire and Chris Bowker were rarely troubled on their way to their 8th straight win of the season. Sidmouth B picked up a morale boosting 7-2 win over a 2 pair Raleigh team, with stalwart Graham Baker and his partner Matt Wallis unbeaten. Raleigh had Mike Clarke and Paul Bryon to thank for their points. 2 pair Ringswell B beat 2 pair Sidmouth B 6-2, with unbeaten performances from Richard Burn/Rich McFarlane and Brian Jeary/Kevin Perryman.
In Division 3B Honiton ended their season on a high, beating Clyst Vale 7-2. James Goody and Simon Walker were in great form for Honiton and came away with 3 wins.