Tightest of matches a fine advert for the game

THE top-of-the-table clash lived up to its billing in the Doric Insurance Brokers League Division One as Lions B took on unbeaten Lions C. The B side welcomed back Peter Bretel who was first match on against Jez Powell.

The first two games were shared, both by 11-9. Powell then started to get his game flowing and took the next two games 11-4 and 12-10 and at 3-1 up, an upset looked on the cards.

Bretel, the CI champion, dug deep to take the next two games 11-6 and 11-8 to set up a decider and true to form it went all the way.

But it was Bretel who held his nerve to win the game 12-10.

Martin Sarre was next on for the B team, against Scott Romeril.

The game followed a similar pattern to the first, Romeril opening a 2-1 and 3-2 lead and Sarre pegging him back each time to level at 3-3, setting up yet another decider.

It was the C team and Romeril who prevailed this time, but again the game went all the way, with Romeril showing composure and maturity to snatch the decider 12-10.

With scores tied at 1-1, Bretel knew he had to beat the young pretender to give the B team a realistic chance. Romeril had other ideas and was now flying, taking the first 11-3.

Bretel dug deep to stem the flow and level with a 11-9, only for Romeril to respond with a 14-12 to go 2-1 up.

Bretel took the fourth convincingly 11-3 before Romeril pinched the fifth, again 14-12. The spectators were expecting Bretel to take the game to a decider but Romeril stood firm and shaded the sixth 11-9 for a memorable victory.

The C team were delighted and Powell took the table in an effort to gain both points but Sarre started well and led 2-0 and 3-1 before Powell powered back to win the next three 11-4, 11-4 and 11-8 in the deciding seventh.

Lions C remain unbeaten at the top of the table, having won a match that was a great advert for the senior game. It is unlikely there will be a tighter match all season.

In an anti-climactic doubles, it was no surprise to see Powell and Romeril rub salt into the wounds, winning in four straight games for a 4-1 match score.

Whistlers C's Dawn Morgan and Gary Willcocks saw off the challenge of Whistlers A, despite Mark Pipet winning both his rubbers.

Wins for Morgan and Willcocks over Neil Hastie and a doubles win earned the C team two points.

Lions A continued their unbeaten start to the season, playing two games in a week.

First up they saw off Whistlers A 4-1, Phil Ogier beating old adversary Mark Pipet in straight sets.

Ogier and James Lesbirel also beat Hastie and combined to win the doubles to win four and Pipet beat Lesbirel 11-4 in the decider to gain some limited consolation.

In their second match, they saw off Lions D by the same score line, Steve Brouard winning a consolation against Lesbirel.

Whistlers B won 5-0 against Whistlers D, with two wins apiece for Martin Gaudion and Phil Hunkin.

This week there has been a break in the league action with visiting English club side Bat and Ball in Guernsey for a series of matches over two evenings.