By Stuart O’Dell
Stanhope Pack Horse V Stanhope Grey Bull (A)
Stanhope Pack Horse welcomed league leaders Stanhope Grey Bull (A) in what proved to be a closely contested encounter.
The home side made the perfect start, taking the opening point through David Nicholson. However, the visitors responded in impressive fashion, claiming three consecutive victories courtesy of Danny Thexton, Chris Woodruff, and David Craggs to establish a 3–1 advantage.
With the pressure mounting, Pack Horse needed a response, and Louise Fletcher and Peter Unsworth duly delivered, winning their games to bring the scores level at the conclusion of the singles.
With everything still to play for, the match went down to the doubles, where Pack Horse held their nerve to claim two of the three available points and secure a narrow 5–4 victory.
Stanhope Grey Bull (B) V St John’s Chapel Blue Bell
Stanhope Grey Bull (B) made a strong start to their home fixture against St John’s Chapel Blue Bell, taking the opening point through Chris Henderson.
The home side continued to build momentum, with Rob Graham, Julie Scott and Jack Tinkler all adding victories to establish a commanding 4–0 lead.
Richard James then secured the crucial fifth point to confirm the overall match victory for Grey Bull (B).
With the result decided, the visitors turned their attention to reducing the deficit and adding valuable points to their league tally. Mike Moor responded well to claim the final singles game, before Blue Bell showed further determination in the doubles, taking two of the three available points.
Despite the late fightback from the visitors, Stanhope Grey Bull (B) secured the 6–3 victory.
Wolsingham Black Lion V Stanhope Curious Grouse
Wolsingham Black Lion got off to an excellent start in their home encounter against Stanhope Curious Grouse, taking the opening two points through Doug Mill and Adam Martin.
The visitors responded with a win from Andrew Henry, but Black Lion quickly regained control. James Everitt, Reg Savory and Jonathan Elliott all added victories to extend the home side’s advantage to 5–1 and secure the overall match win.
With the result already beyond doubt, Curious Grouse were hoping to find some success in the remaining doubles games. Unfortunately for the visitors, The Black Lion proved too strong, sweeping all three doubles points to complete a dominant performance.
It was an excellent all-round display from Wolsingham Black Lion, who ran out convincing 8–1 winners.
Stanhope Club (B) V Stanhope Club (A)
There was an all-Stanhope Club affair this week as the (A) and (B) teams went head-to-head in an eagerly anticipated local derby.
With the (B) team still searching for their first victory of the season, they arrived with plenty of supporters behind them and were determined to cause an upset against last season’s league champions.
Adam Robinson got the (A) team off to a winning start, but the (B) side responded superbly, taking the next three games through Will Hutchinson, Jack Anderson, and Finlay Coates to establish a 3–1 lead.
With the pressure now firmly on the reigning champions, Adam Dobson stepped up to claim a crucial point for the (A) team before Alan Barker followed suit to bring the scores level at 3–3.
Everything would now be decided in the doubles, and it was the experience of Stanhope Club (A) that ultimately proved decisive. The (A) team produced a strong finish, winning all three doubles games to secure a 6–3 victory.
