By Isle of Wight Observer
By Debbie Yates
Division One
Shanklin A 10 v Newport Vics B 0, Ryde Goshawks 0 v Ryde C 10, Newport Vics A 6 v Ryde Ravens 4, Ryde Reprobates 5 v Ryde B 5.
It was the penultimate week of matches in Division One, and Ryde C are now confirmed champions after their 10-0 victory over club-mates, Ryde Goshawks. Despite some spirited play by the Goshawks, Paul Rainford, Graham Evans, and Ryan Cates, proved too good for them, although the Goshawks’ Ricky Lock pushed Evans all the way, eventually losing in the fifth set.
Third-placed Ryde Reprobates met club-mates, Ryde B, in the match-of-the-week. The Reprobates’ Hugh Idle was player-of-the-match, winning all three, including a five-set thriller, over Alex Rorke. Both players are competing in the British Senior League this season, so the standard of play was particularly high. The Reprobates’ junior, Lewis Johnstone, another British Senior League player, lost two games against Rorke and Tim Giles, whilst team-mate Para champion, Tom Johnson, also lost two against the same players.
Newport Vics A were pleased with their 6-4 win over Ryde Ravens to pull them safely away from the bottom spot occupied by club-mates, Newport Vics B, who lost 10-0 to Shanklin A.
Division Two
Ryde Lizards 1 v Ryde Rascals 9, Havenstreet Hooters 6 v Ryde Rockets 4, Wootton Wanderers 5 v Ryde Revellers 5, Newport Vics C 10 v Ryde Allsorts 0.
With four more matches to play in Division Two, Newport Vics C cemented their lead at the top of the table after a 10-0 win over Ryde Allsorts, with Newport’s Charlie Stapeley player-of-the-match.
Havenstreet Hooters stayed in second place after their close match against Ryde Rockets. The Rockets’ highly-ranked Trevor Percival was unbeaten, despite being taken to five sets by Dave Rendle and Carl Rye, whilst team-mate, Tim Wakeley, won one against Havenstreet’s Paul White. Havenstreet took the doubles to ensure the win, with Rendle and Rye getting the edge over Wakeley and team-mate, Maggie Preston.
Ryde Rascals lie in third place, just 2 points behind Havenstreet, after their 9-1 victory over bottom-placed Ryde Lizards.
Division Three
Ryde Rustics 9 v Ryde Frogs 1, Ryde Retailers 4 v Newport Vics D 6, Ryde Retailers 3 v Shorwell Spinners 7.
With three matches left in Division Three, Newport Vics D are confirmed as the champions, although they had to fight all the way to overcome second-placed Ryde Retailers. The match went on very late into the night, as it was nip-and-tuck all the way. The Retailers’ junior player, Joe Millward, was on form, winning all three, and was largely untroubled by the efforts of the Newport players. The Retailers’ brothers, Paul and Shane Cates, both took Newport’s Sam Pascoe to five sets, with Pascoe edging out Paul, but losing against Shane. Newport’s sub, Richard Jackson, won two, and paired with Chris Gordine in an epic doubles match, which they won in a very close five sets, to take the match 6-4.
In their second match of the week Ryde Retailers lost 7-3 to Shorwell Spinners, who are ready to pounce just three points behind them in third place, and with a game in hand.
