Week two of the Jazzey’s Spring League saw another very tight series of matches on Monday night particularly in the early encounter between Innes Redmond’s ‘The Bear Necessities and John Griffin’s ‘The Aristocats’. Five of the eight matches were drawn and two other matches were won by the minimum margin. It was great to see Bernie Hall showing all of her competitive spirit by etching out two hard fought draws – the best of these when partnering Janet Love who also displays ‘a never say die attitude’ against two of the biggest improvers at the club, Leonie Madigan and Enid Redmond. The redoubtable Seamus O’Connell and Ruth Armstrong enjoyed a narrow 7-5 win for the Bear Necessities against Alex Knowles and Kathleen Murphy. But it was left to James Morrison and Liz McGuinness both regular club nighters to claim the most decisive win of the night in the mixed, earning ‘The Aristocats’ a narrow win on the night 49-47.
The second series of Monday night matches was between Claude Bersot’s ‘The Sweet Spots’ and Mark Cousins ‘Jazz Standards’. One of the newest recruits to the Enniskillen club Jerome Nicolle put in an eye catching performance for the Standards when partnering that sporting all-rounder Ollie McShea to a decisive victory in the men’s doubles. Once again Michelle Kennedy (Sweet Spots) proved strong in both her doubles matches when partnering Matt Dillon and Nadine Stewart. Claude and Nadine pipped Mark Cousins and Yvonne Masterson 7-5 in a tight encounter. This was Yvonne’s fourth match of the night and it was her last minute substitution that ultimately carried the night for the Jazz Standards who clinched victory also by 49-47.
Wednesday night encounters started off with Martina Boyd’s playing a captain’s role for ‘Nice & Fly’ when partnering Martin Sharkey to a decisive win in the mixed doubles. The singles specialist Cyril Boyd proved his adaptability in achieving a good win with Sheila Colville against Nick Meeke and Maxine Leary. The big serve of Vivienne Kells was rarely threatened in her mixed doubles match. The youngest participant Finn Corrigan proved to all that his number one position is well deserved by maintaining his unbeaten record in this competition so far. He contributed handsomely to Nice & Fly’s victory on the night 56-40.
The final series of Wednesday night’s matches was between Andrea Crawford’s ‘The Blue Notes’ against Catherine Sloane’s ‘The Cool Cats’. Davy Thompson had to stay on his feet to come through his mixed doubles with Andrea against Hugh Maguire and Sonja Hateboer. Stephen Kettles also took a tumble early on, only to rise to the challenge posed by Martin Hamblin and James Morrison winning the men’s doubles with Johnny Guette 7-5. Well used to the big stage, Stephen and Ruth Armstrong achieved a well earned draw against Martin Hamblin and Catherine Sloane 6-6. A strong comeback by Ruth and Gwen Wilson from 1-4 down to claim a 7-5 victory in their ladies doubles sealed the win for the Blue Notes 54-42.
