Main rivals outgunned as leaders Lions A march on

LIONS A continued their relentless surge towards the Division One title with a comprehensive 9-1 victory over their main title rivals, Whistlers B. The odds did not look good for the Whistlers side before the match had even started, as their highest ranked player, Oliver Langlois, was unable to play due to injury, giving up-and-coming junior and Division Two player Joshua Stacey the chance to get his first taste of the top flight.

Garry Dodd was on song for the leaders, winning all three singles rubbers without conceding a leg.

Phil Ogier was on equally impressive form, beating both Jez Powell and Stacey in straight games, but he was tested by Adam Langlois.

Langlois took a 2-1 lead before Ogier came back excellently to reel off the final two games.

Langlois was equally unlucky in his match against Peter Bretel, to whom he also lost in the deciding leg, having led 2-0.

Bretel dispatched Stacey in straight games, but was involved in a tight match with Powell, who took a 2-1 lead over the Lions player before Bretel took the rubber into a decider.

Powell played well and won the final leg to prevent the whitewash.

This victory should give the Lions players some confidence going into their final matches at the weekend at the British League Division Two South and Midlands, where Guernsey will be looking to improve on their current fourth position.

At the other side of the table, Lions B made their way off the bottom for the first time this season by earning a point against Whistlers A.

Paul Hainsworth was on good form through his two victories over Martyn Gaudion and Division Two reserve and GTTA president Derek Webb, but he did not have enough on the night for Phil Hunkin, who dispatched of him in straight sets.

Martin Sarre won twice for Lions also, beating Hunkin and Webb in four games, and was desperately unlucky to lose 11-9 in the fifth against Gaudion.

Lions reserve Liam Robilliard had an excellent night, beating Webb to earn the point for the Lions and he also played exceptionally well against Hunkin, to whom he lost in the final game, having looked impressive throughout.

Gaudion and Hunkin beat Hainsworth and Sarre in four in the doubles, which proved to be vital to the match result.

In the final Division One game of the week, third-placed Specsavers A edged past Whistlers C 6-4 in a match that saw the latter slip to the bottom of the table.

Scott Romeril won all his singles matches, although he was tested in each, losing a game to Andy Gill, Matthew Stubbington and Dawn Morgan.

Specsavers reserve Joe Clancy backed up Romeril well by defeating Gill and Morgan in four and crucially teamed up to beat Gill and Stubbington in the doubles.

Gill, Stubbington and Morgan each defeated Mark Fallaize and Stubbington played excellently to serve up Clancy's first loss of the season.