Tough night for under-strength Sibsey B in derby clash

The A team came away with a 1-9 victory against their opposition, who couldn’t raise a full team for the in-house derby contest.

The A Team’s Matt Haslam came very close to losing his 100 per cent record with Steve Hill taking him all the way before running out of steam, losing 4-11 in the fifth.

Steve did win the B team’s solitary point though, being on the right end of a five-end victory against Jason Cade.

Neil Snaith was the A team’s in-form player, winning all three of his singles, dropping just one end against the battling Steve Hill.

With Tony Hall unavailable, Mayflower 2 once again called up Matt Lilly from Division Three to take on Sibsey C, and Matt didn’t disappoint by taking all three of his singles matches.

It was a difficult start for Mayflower when Allan Marshall lost out to the spin and athleticism of Roger Hooton in the first match.

It didn’t get any better for Allan when he had to retire hurt in his next match against Mick Ellis, thereby gifting Sibsey another two points.

Matt Lilly was the star of the show though, winning all three of his singles although he only just scraped past the unlucky Roger Hooton 11-8 in the fifth.

Tim Sampson backed him up by taking two close five-end battles against Chris Cooke and Mick Ellis respectively, before teaming up with Matt Lilly to take a close fought doubles match 11-6 in the fifth.

So despite having an injured player, Mayflower will be pleased to come away with a 6-4 victory.

A 5-5 all draw seemed a fair result when Graves Park B took on Graves Park D with the D team calling up Pete Bell from Division Three.

And Pete Bell did his bit by winning the final singles of the night against Mike Freeston.

Mick Maltby was the star man for the B team - overcoming a stubborn Pete Bell in his first match of the evening from 1-2 down.

Mick gritted his teeth to take the next two ends 11-9, 11-8.

He followed that up with an excellent win against Paul Matschull, but came unstuck against the unique stylings of Mick Dodes.

For the D team, Paul Matschull and Mick Dodes did the damage in the singles with two wins apiece which meant that a win in the doubles would give the D team an excellent victory.

However, the B pairing of Freeston and Graham weren’t going to let that happen, coming through to win the decisive fourth end 11-4 to end an entertaining match.