Constrasting wins for the leading two

WITH just over a third of the league season completed, the Division One title race looks a two-horse race between Lions A and Lions C. The former hold the advantage and enjoyed an easy week with a 5-0 win over bottom-of-the-table Whistlers D.

There were two wins apiece for James Lesbirel and Phil Ogier, who also combined to take the doubles.

Tim Le Page and Wasif Annees just did not possess the firepower to make a contest of the match, although Le Page made Lesbirel work for his win.

It was a contrasting story for Lions C's Scott Romeril and Jez Powell who had to work very hard for their two points against Whistlers B.

They got off to a good start, Phil Hunkin playing well to beat Powell relatively comfortably by four sets to one.

Romeril had the honour of playing his games back toback and his first game against Martin Gaudion was a test for the youngster.

Gaudion did everything but win a leg, but when it mattered, Romeril had just enough to close out each game and level the scores for Lions.

The next two games were key.

Romeril faced Hunkin having never previously beaten him in a league game and the former, on a high from his previous encounter, took the first leg conclusively 11-2.

Hunkin fought back well to take the next two games 11-5 and 12-10, before Romeril responded with two games himself 11-6,11-6.

Hunkin took the match to a decider by winning the sixth 11-4 and in the deciding leg it was all very tight, with Hunkin leading 5-4 at ends.

But Romeril again produced the goods when it mattered, winning seven points and losing just one to close out the game.

Whistlers were favourites for the doubles so the pressure was on Powell and Gaudion in the fourth game.

Powell started the better and won the first two games 11-7, 11-7, before Gaudion took the third 11-4.

The fourth turned out to be the crucial set.

Gaudion had chances to level the match but Powell pinched it 13-11 and in the fifth was never headed, taking the game and the match for Lions. The doubles duly went Whistlers' way four straight but was little consolation as Lions kept up their title challenge with two points.

Whistlers C scored a good win over Lions B.

In the other top-flight match, Whistlers A beat Lions D 3-2, the outcome being decided by the doubles and in favour of Whistlers.

Mark Pipet won two for Whistlers A with Graham Lesbirel and Steve Brouard both beating Neil Hastie for Lions.

Mark Pipet is currently top of the averages with only one defeat all season. Phil Ogier is second also with only one defeat, albeit having played one match fewer.

Young Romeril is a superb third and CI champion Peter Bretel is in fourth and Hunkin fifth.