In a week of comebacks, week 6 saw the battle for semi final qualification start to tighten.
Monday Night
Given that players on Monday night had to contend with hail rain snow and high winds it was no surprise that the scoring swayed back and forth throughout the night. In the week’s opening match it was Jimmy Renfrew for Louise’s Slammers who handled the conditions best winning both his matches 8-4, firstly with captain Louise McGann in the mixed and then with Ollie McShea in the doubles. This 16 game haul was to prove the difference on the night as Louise Slammer’s fought out a 53-43 win over Andy’s Aces, leaving the Slammers in a strong position at the top of the Monday league.
After last week’s heavy defeat Matt Dillon’s Backhanders finally took to the court at full strength in the night’s second match and immediately reaped the rewards in a powerful 56-40 win over Maxine’s Magicians. Despite Maxine’s Magicians holding the Backhanders level at the half way stage thanks in no small part to a convincing win for Reggie Ferguson and Carol McCusker on court 4, it was the strength in depth of the Backhanders which shone through in the doubles with all eight Backhanders contributing handsome victories on the night. This win has tightened up the race for the second qualification place with only 3 games separating three teams for the second qualifying spot.
Wednesday Night
For the second week in a row both matches on Wednesday night were decided by the minimum 49-47 margin. With Davy Thompson and Leonie Madigan scoring an impressive 8-4 win over Clive Funston and Liz Murphy in the top match and with fellow Kissin’ Cousins Brendan Duffy & Josie Gillen and Mark Cousins & Gwen Wilson 5-0 up in their matches it was only two superb 6-6 comebacks from Lobbers Hugh Maguire & Heather Williams and Johnny Guette & Priscilla Fawcett that kept Lizzie’s Lobbers in the contest. Even better was to come for the Lobbers as following a tight 7-5 win in the top men’s doubles for Clive and Hugh, Liz and the high energy Heather Williams were to complete a 49-47 turnaround win with a marathon 7-5 win in the ladies doubles. Close throughout and with every game going to deuce it was only a brilliant down the line pass from Heather that could ultimately separate the ladies and the teams.
The last match of the week saw the critical scoring come again on court 4 as Joanne Knowles and John O’Callaghan continued their winning ways with a telling 9-3 win. Combined with Brian Donaldson and sub Bennie Sheridan’s 8-4 win on court 3, Redmond’s Rockets were in clear control. However, a fighting 9-3 win for Enid Redmond and Dominic Burns kept Meeks Marvels in touch and when the honours were shared across the four doubles matches it was only a two game winning margin for the Rockets leaving Meeks Marvels lead at the top of the Wednesday league cut to two games.
