Lions A closer to title after convincing win over main rivals

LIONS A continued their relentless surge towards the Division One title last week with two comprehensive victories. The first was the most significant as they dominated their main title rivals, Whistlers B, who currently lie second, by an overwhelming 9-1 scoreline.

Garry Dodd was again on excellent form, winning all three of his singles encounters and extended past three games only in his four-game victory over Oliver Langlois.

Teammate Phil Ogier was also on fine form in claiming his three rubbers, although he was made to work a lot harder than Dodd.

Ogier dispatched Langlois in straight games and Jez Powell in four, but he was tested by Adam Langlois, who took the former island and CI champion all the way.

Langlois started excellently, opening up a two-game lead to leave himself within one of claiming victory.

Ogier's vast experience was to shine through, however, as he rallied through the third and fourth games to take the match into a deciding leg.

The fifth was extremely tight with Langlois having held the lead at numerous points, but it was to be Ogier's night as he edged it 11-9.

Langlois was to redeem himself later in the evening, coming from two games down to beat Peter Bretel in a deciding leg and in turn prevent the whitewash.

Bretel had earlier acquitted himself well through his four-game victory over Powell and his five-set defeat of Oliver Langlois.

He also teamed up with Dodd to claim the doubles victory over the Langlois brothers in four.

In their second match of the week, Lions A beat fourth-placed Whistlers A 8-2.

Dodd continued in the same vein as the previous evening, winning all three of his singles matches again.

He dispatched Phil Hunkin in straight games and Martyn Gaudion in four, but he was tested by Alice Loveridge.

The Island Games women's gold medallist edged the first two games 11-8, 11-9 to put herself into a commanding position.

Dodd suddenly found his form and played tremendously to win the remaining three for the loss of just 14 points.

Ogier continued his good form by beating both Gaudion and Hunkin in three and four games respectively.

He was also involved in another five-set epic, this time with Loveridge.

The first two games were very closely contested, with Ogier edging both 12-10.

Loveridge made a spirited comeback in the third and fourth, winning them fairly comfortably to set up a decider.

It was extremely tense as the game entered 10-10 with both playing superb table tennis away from the table that made for some excellent rallies.

The game went back and forth with both players earning themselves match points, but it was Loveridge who emerged victorious 19-17.

Bretel played well in his straight-game victories over both Hunkin and Gaudion although Loveridge, inspired by her win against Ogier, was too strong.

Dodd and Bretel again won the doubles, this time against the pairing of Gaudion and Loveridge.

In the remaining Division One match, Lions B claimed their first points of the season with a 7-3 victory over Whistlers C.

Paul Hainsworth continued his impressive form by winning all three of his singles matches for the second week in succession.

He beat reserve Len Bretel in straight games and Matthew Stubbington in four and edged out Dawn Morgan 11-9 in the deciding game.

Martin Sarre was also on good form winning two of his singles, beating Bretel and Stubbington. However, he was unlucky to lose to Morgan in four, despite playing well.

Tim Le Page added a victory for the Lions side, with his straight-game victory over Bretel.

He was also to team up with Sarre to edge the important doubles match in the deciding leg against Stubbington and Morgan.