DIVISION 2 ROUND-UP : WEEK 17

Published 18/02/2020 at 12:07:23 by Martin Johnson.

Division 2 Round-Up – Week 17  (Week 15 in D2)

There were a couple of changes of position in week 15 of League matches in Division 2, as Newport Lagondas edged into 4th spot past Mursley Hawks, with their 6-4 win against them, whilst St. Christopher Spitfire’s big 10-0 win over beleaguered Milton Keynes Blades moved them up to 6th spot, ahead of Woburn Sands Mosquitoes.  Meanwhile, the top two, Milton Keynes Tornadoes and Milton Keynes Hit ‘n’ Hope extended their lead above their rivals for promotion, with big wins.

Leaders, Milton Keynes Tornadoes, collected win number eight in a row, this time 9-1 against Milton Keynes Shambles, as Nicolas Wong and Matthew Curley went the night unbeaten.  The one that ‘got away’ was the penultimate set of the night, when Tanmay Tijare’s run of 15 consecutive wins was ended in four games by Paddy Patel.  Paddy had earlier been two games up against Nicolas, only to be pegged back and taken to a fifth game, and Paddy also went to a deciding game in the doubles with Steve Jordan, against Nicolas / Tanmay, but on both occasions, Tornadoes were able to finish the stronger.

Second placed Milton Keynes Hit ‘n’ Hope maintained their promotion position behind Tornadoes by thumping struggling Milton Keynes Cavaliers 10-0.  Maximums here for Paul Tompkins (taking his run of wins to seven in a row), Ivor Howard & Andy Frearson, against the luckless trio of Chris Paddon, Chris Welch & John Bradley.  John / Chris Paddon went the closest by going two games up in the doubles against Paul / Ivor, but lost out in five, whilst otherwise it was pretty much one way traffic.

Third placed Milton Keynes Classics were held to a 5-5 draw by Woburn Sands Mosquitoes, and are now 11 points back from 2nd spot, with only three further weeks to attempt to catch one of the leaders.  Dylan Cox took two wins for Classics, with Masoud Nassor and Nick Markham each winning one, to add to the doubles win for Dylan / Masoud versus Glenn Barcham / Paul Hamer.  Mosquitoes wins came from Glenn and Andy Jenkins with two each, plus one for Paul, on a night where no-one was able to go unbeaten.

Newport Pagnell Lagondas moved ahead of Mursley Hawks as they defeated them 6-4.  Chris Horn scored a maximum for Lagondas, including the doubles with Glen Davison, with Glen collecting the two other Lagondas wins.  Hawks captain, Martin Johnson, took two wins, both very close in the fifth, against Roy Read at deuce and against Glen 11-8, whilst Hawks’ two reserves, Joe Rich and Gerald O’Dell each managed to win once.

St. Christopher Spitfires moved up to 6th place with their big 10-0 win over bottom team, Milton Keynes Blades, as Andy King, Graham Silversides and Bernie Raffe all won maximums, with Graham / Andy taking the doubles against Brian Evans / Mark Thomas.  Mark & Andy Phillips went the closest for Blades, each losing out in tight fifth games against Andy King.  Bernie’s three wins takes him to 12 consecutive wins.

Players of the Week : Chris Horn and Matthew Curley.