By Isle of Wight Observer
by Debbie Yates
Division One
Havenstreet A 9 v Ryde Goshawks 1, Ryde Revellers 2 v Ryde A 8, Ryde Rankers 3 v Ryde C 7
Havenstreet A, the sole non-Ryde team in Division One this season, showed they will be hard to beat as they won easily against Ryde Goshawks, taking the match 9-1. Roger Hookey was player-of-the-match and unbeaten, with Don Hobbs winning the only game for the Goshawks against Havenstreet’s young player, Jye Lock.
Ryde Rankers met last year’s league winners, Ryde C, and the C team had cadet, Thane Taylor, playing as a sub this week. Thane put up a creditable performance playing up in the First Division, taking a set off Graham Evans, and most notably partnering Ryan Cates in the doubles, which they won in four sets against Evans and partner, Elaine Mills.
Division Two
Newport Vics B 7 v Havenstreet B 3, Ryde Resisters 0 v Newport Vics A 10, Ryde Rovers 3 v Ryde Retailers 7
In Division Two, Newport Vics’ two teams are looking strong, with the A team winning 10-0 against Ryde Resisters without dropping a set, whilst the B team got the better of Havenstreet B in a much closer match with some exciting five-set games. Paul Freeborn was player of the match and unbeaten for Newport, but was taken to the wire by Havenstreet’s Jo Hurt.
Newly-promoted Ryde Retailers played a long and thrilling match against Ryde Rovers, with many games going the full distance.
Ultimately the Retailers took the match 7-3 after winning the doubles, and Steve Laing was player-of-the-match, unbeaten and also successful in the doubles along with Robin Clegg.
Division Three
Cowes Baptists 3 v Wroxall Legendary Lizards 7, Ryde Raiders 6 v Ryde Oddballs 4, Wroxall Warriors C 0 v Shorwell Saviours 10, Wroxall Warriors B 5 v Newport Vics C 5, Wroxall Warriors A 9 v Shorwell Saints 1
Wroxall’s four teams all had different fortunes this week, with their strongest team, Wroxall A cruising to a 9-1 win against Shorwell Saints, Wroxall B drew with Newport Vics C in a very exciting match, and the new players of Wroxall C lost to Shorwell Saviours 10-0. Wroxall Legendary Lizards enjoyed a 7-3 win against new team Cowes Baptists.