by Debbie Yates

Division One

Havenstreet A 4 v Ryde Rankers 6, Ryde Goshawks 1 v Ryde A 9, Ryde B 7 v Ryde Revellers 3.

With five matches of the season played, last year’s league champions, Ryde C, are going to have to fight to hold on to their title, as Ryde A closed the gap at the top to just three points, after their 9-1 defeat of Ryde Goshawks, with Don Hobbs gaining the Goshawks’ only win, against Rob Smith.

Ryde Rankers, who lie in third, contested a tight match against Havenstreet A, with Hugh Idle unbeaten for the Ryde team, whilst team-mate, Graham Evans, won two. Roger Hookey also won two for Havenstreet, and the match finished 6-4 to Ryde after an easy doubles victory for Evans and Idle.

Division Two

Ryde Retailers 3 v Havenstreet B 7, Ryde Rogues 0 v Ryde Rising Stars 10, Ryde Rovers 5 v Shorwell Sinners 5, Ryde Resisters 1 v Newport Vics B 9.

Newport Vics continue to dominate in Division Two after five matches, with their A and B teams lying first and second, although Ryde Rising Stars have a game in hand in third place, and look likely contenders to take the second spot after a 10-0 drubbing of Ryde Rogues. The Rising Stars’ cadet players, Theo Lewis and Thane Taylor, are joined by experienced Tom Waddell, and are proving a force to be reckoned with this season.

Despite some hard matches the youngsters held their nerve and also won a tough doubles match at the end of the night.

Havenstreet B met recently-promoted Ryde Retailers in a tough match, with Ryde’s Robin Clegg continuing to impress in his first season in Division Two, winning two games, whilst Havenstreet’s Paul White was player-of-the-match and unbeaten. After a long five set doubles, which Havenstreet’s Carl Rye and Mike Prior won, the final result was 7-3 to Havenstreet.

Division Three

Shorwell Saviours 0 v Wroxall Warriors A 10, Shorwell Saints 6 v Wroxall Legendary Lizards 4, Wroxall Warriors B 1 v Cowes Baptists 9, Wroxall Warriors C 0 v Ryde Raiders 10, Newport Vics C 8 v Ryde Odd Balls 2.

Wroxall Warriors A have extended their lead at the top of the table after a 10-0 win against Shorwell Saviours, but after Wroxall B’s 9-1 defeat to Cowes Baptists this week they have slipped to fourth and Cowes now lie in second.

At the lower end of the table, Shorwell Saints enjoyed an excellent victory this week with a fine performance against the experienced Wroxall Lizards, with Shorwell’s Ian Parker unbeaten and player-of-the-match, and the final score was 6-4 to Shorwell.