Guernsey Press

Whistlers’ perfect record goes despite Stacey heroics

DEFENDING champions and current Division One league leaders Whistlers A have dropped points for the first time this season.

Published
Matthew Casey rescued a point for the leaders by defeating his sister Charlotte in the decisive 10th rubber. (26320671)

They surprisingly slipped to a shock 5-5 draw with fifth placed Lions C in a clash where they came mightily close to losing.

Paul Hainsworth and Andy Gill were the mainstays for the Lions side as each earned singles wins over Ryan Gilson and Matthew Casey.

Hainsworth defeated both in straight sets, while Gill beat Casey in five and Gilson in four.

The duo combined strongly in the doubles rubber where they earned themselves a solid four-set win over Lawrence Stacey and Gilson.

Hainsworth then led Stacey 8-2 in the deciding fifth game of their encounter before a superb comeback saw the Island champion battle back to win.

It was Charlotte Casey, though, who came closest to picking up the decisive sixth win for her side in the final match of the night.

She played some quality table tennis to lead younger brother Matt 2-1 and despite holding a few match points in the fourth and one in the fifth, she agonisingly lost both ends 13-11, 15-13.

The dropped point enabled title rivals Lions A to move to within a single point after their convincing 8-2 win over Lions D.

Ben Foss retained his 100% singles record for the season after recording wins over Liam Robilliard in five sets, Corey Brouard in four and Sam Clark in straight sets.

Ryan Bichard and Jamie Ferbrache added wins over Brouard and Clark and it was the combination of Ferbrache and Bichard that defeated Brouard and Clark in the doubles rubber over four sets.

Robilliard added straight sets wins over Bichard and Ferbrache to ensure that there was no whitewash.

Whistlers B are in third position and just three points behind the league leaders.

They earned themselves a narrow 6-4 win over Lions B.

Josh Stacey was the best performer on the night due to his wins over Phil Ogier in four and both Andre De Carteret and reserve Ian Le Page in straight sets.

Mark Pipet added straight sets wins over De Carteret and Le Page, while Ellis Tomlin added the final victory when he beat Le Page in straight sets.

Ogier defeated both Pipet and Tomlin, while De Carteret also beat Tomlin. Ogier and De Carteret earned a good four-set doubles win over Stacey and Tomlin.

In Division Two leaders Lions E pushed on from their strong showing last week by winning a third consecutive match 10-0, with Ravenscroft Panthers A the side on the wrong end of the result.

Steve Ozanne, Tim Le Page and Carl Le Tissier all defeated Ben Foote, Steve Martin and reserve Brandon Ferbrache in singles action.

Ozanne and Le Tissier defeated Martin and Ferbrache in straight sets in the doubles.

Lions F inflicted a second consecutive defeat for previous leaders Whistlers C when they edged through 6-4.

Jez Powell was on form for his side as he earned wins over Kay Chivers in five sets, Keith Opie in straight sets and reserve Ian Fitchet in four.

Andy Ferbrache beat Opie and Fitchet and combined with Powell to win the crucial doubles rubber.

Division 3

Lions H stay 2 points clear at the top after their 7-3 win over Ravenscroft Panthers C. Brian Ferbrache was unbeaten for his side with wins over Shaun Mosley, Mark Windsor and Juliette Yeaman. Jonah Ingrouille beat Mosley and Yeaman, whilst Sue Ferbrache added a 4 set win over Windsor. The doubles was won by Brian and Sue over Mosley and Yeaman in straight sets.

Division 4

Whistlers G remain 2 points clear at the top and they were ruthless 9-1 winners over Lions L this week. Stuart Sarre and Matthew Board each beat Diane Le Page and reserves Carly Tucknott and Alex Paul in singles action. Board and Darren Sarre won the doubles over Le Page and Tucknott in 5 sets. Tucknott prevented the whitewash due to her 4 set win over Darren, who had earlier beaten Le Page and Paul.