Division 1 Roundup - Week 14

Avengers Pressure Promotion Places

*** Christmas / New Year over, so a slightly updated Report ! ***

With the last week of 2024's matches completing the two thirds point of the League season, Leighton Buzzard Avengers seem to be the ‘form’ team of the moment, and are threatening Milton Keynes Phoenix for runners-up spot, whilst Milton Keynes Sasaki remain clear at the top.

There were only three matches in the week, as the MK Phoenix v MK Sharks match was postponed.

Milton Keynes Sasaki maintain their lead at the top, winning 8-2 against fifth-placed Milton Keynes Pumas, despite top of the Averages (Michael Wilkins) being off injured, as Cannon Wong came into the team in his place, and Sasaki secured a good 8-2 win.  Minesh Pitamber won a maximum, only dropping one leg in each of his three singles, plus he shared the doubles in a very close five games (11-9 in the fifth) with William Kit Liang, against Andy Smith and Adam Snowdon.  William and Cannon each beat both Adam and Neil Riddy (making his first League appearance for some time), although Neil took Cannon to a fifth, but they each lost out to Andy Smith, with William going the close as he lost out in five games.

With MK Phoenix not playing, third-placed Leighton Buzzard Avengers go above them (having played a match extra), as a result of their 7-3 defeat of fourth-placed Chackmore Hasbeens.  Fabrice Spelta made it 13 singles wins on the trot, as he secured another maximum, including the doubles with Dave Broome against Bub Burman and Andy Whitehead, although both Bub and Sam Willett pushed Fabrice close in their singles encounters, each just losing out in a tight fourth game.  Steve Jordan added two singles wins, against Sam & Bub, and Dave Broome one singles against Andy, for Avengers, whilst for Hasbeens, it was one singles each for Bub, Andy and Sam Willett.  Avengers thus hold second spot for now, whilst Hasbeens remain fourth.

In the remaining match, seventh-placed Leighton Buzzard Spitfires secured their second 8-2 win over bottom team, Mursley Hawks.  Spitfies went 2-1 down, early on, but romped away with the remaining sets, to pull themselves well clear of the bottom of the table.  Andy King scored a maximum for Spitfires, including teaming up with Graham Silversides against Ian Spanswick and David Bartlett in the doubles.  Graham and Filip Simek each won twice in singles to complete the Spitfires tally, whilst for Hawks, there was one singles win each for David and Division 4 reserve, Bill Daniell.  David went the closest to a second win, going down in a close five games against Filip, whilst Bill's one win came after he stood 10-4 down in the third leg, as opponent Filip threatened a comeback, but held on for his first ever Division 1 win.  Spitfires have now pulled 19 points clear of Hawks, and are within five points of Spitfires, above them, although Spitfires do still have one match in hand. 

Player of the Week: Andy King.
Team of the Week: Milton Keynes Sasaki.