Ryde C underline their title credentials in Division 1 with a commanding victory over rivals rivals Ryde A.
Ryde C strengthened their grip at the top with an emphatic 8–2 victory over closest challengers Ryde A. Scott Lawson had lost only 2 games all season prior to this encounter, so it was a surprise that he failed to register a win, despite pushing Paul Rainford and Ryan Cates in close contests.
Mark Turner secured a singles victory for the A team, while Turner and Lawson combined to take the doubles against Cates and Joe Chapman to account for Ryde A’s second point.
Ryde Rankers’ 6–4 success over Ryde B proved to be the match of the week. Hugh Idle was unbeaten for the Rankers, although Tim Giles pushed him all the way before narrowly losing out on deuce in the fifth set.
Giles also suffered an unexpected defeat to 14-year-old substitute Thane Taylor, who was playing up from Division Two and triumphed in another five-set battle.
The outcome rested on the doubles, where Alex Rorke and Bryce Wilson faced Idle and Graham Evans. Another five-set thriller followed, with the Rankers prevailing to secure the match and move up to third place in the table.
Elsewhere, Ryde Revellers edged Ryde Goshawks 6–4.
Results:
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Ryde C 8–2 Ryde A
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Ryde Goshawks 4–6 Ryde Revellers
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Ryde B 4–6 Ryde Rankers
In Division 2…
Newport Vics A remain clear despite rare dropped points.
Top-of-the-table Newport Vics A unexpectedly dropped 2 points in their 8–2 win over Ryde Retailers, with Paul Cates and Robin Clegg securing victories for Ryde. However, Newport still hold a commanding 23-point advantage over nearest rivals Ryde Rising Stars.
The Rising Stars kept up the pressure with an 8–2 success against Ryde Rovers.
The match of the week saw third-placed Havenstreet B take on second-from-bottom Ryde Rogues in a long and closely fought encounter. Joe Millward was in superb form for the Rogues, winning all 3 of his singles matches and partnering Trevor Jones to take the doubles against Mike Prior and Jo Hurt.
The Rogues emerged 6–4 winners, climbing a place in the table and moving clear of the relegation zone.
Shorwell Sinners also impressed with a 7–3 victory over Ryde Resisters.
Results:
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Ryde Rovers 2–8 Ryde Rising Stars
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Ryde Rogues 6–4 Havenstreet B
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Ryde Retailers 2–8 Newport Vics A
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Ryde Resisters 3–7 Shorwell Sinners
In Division 3…
Wroxall Warriors A continued their dominance of Division Three, although they were required to call upon 13-year-old Josh Helyer from their C team as substitute against Ryde Raiders.
Helyer won all his matches convincingly and partnered Andrew Bailey in the doubles as Wroxall recorded a comprehensive 10–0 victory.
Newport Vics C produced an excellent 9–1 win over Shorwell Saviours. Debbie Yates and Chris Gordine were unbeaten, while Richard Jackson won 2 of his 3 singles, losing only to Martyn Walker. Newport now sit third in the table with matches in hand.
Cowes Baptists moved into second place following an 8–2 win over Wroxall C. Thirteen-year-old Aimee Waddell claimed an excellent win over John Spalding and teamed up with fellow cadet Wesley Coombe to secure the doubles for Wroxall.
Ryde Odd Balls also enjoyed a strong 7–3 victory over Shorwell Saints.
Results:
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Shorwell Saints 3–7 Ryde Odd Balls
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Newport Vics C 9–1 Shorwell Saviours
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Wroxall Warriors C 2–8 Cowes Baptists
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Wroxall Warriors A 10–0 Ryde Raiders
