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Aristocats the team to catch

Round 5 of Jazzey’s Spring League began with a typically tight performance between the Jazz Standards and the Sweet Spots. Jerome Nicolle once again dominated proceedings with an assured display to claim 17 points for the Jazz Standards. A solid performance from Leonie Madigan (sub) and Vanessa McBrien looked like turning things around for the Sweet Spots with a good win over the improving Lisa Greaves and Geraldine Miller. But it was Lisa’s mixed doubles match with Ollie McShea which proved decisive in clinching victory for the Jazz Standards. All looked bleak at 2-5 down against Nick Hambley and Vanessa McBrien, but a strong fight-back from Lisa and Ollie secured an unlikely victory 7-5 to give the Standards a narrow victory 49-47.

The other Monday night series of matches amounted to an unusually decisive win for the Aristocats over the Bear Necessities by 58 – 38. Donal Burns proved to be in irresistible form with a series of magical drop volleys that cemented two good wins for the Aristocats. Liz Murphy and Janet Love (Bear Necessities) raced into a 3-0 lead against Leonie Madigan and Moira McAdam (sub). Although they were pegged back to 5-5, they managed to clinch the final game to take the match 7-5. However this win for the Aristocats makes them the team to catch at the half way stage.

Wednesday night’s matches saw the Cool Cats take on the Blue Notes. Stephen Kettles (Blue Notes) proved to be in great form, being particularly accurate with his volleys and with his partner Mary Griffin took the match 8-4. Long patient rallies were the order of the day in the ladies doubles between Bennie Sheridan and Catherine Sloane (Cool Cats) and Mary and Gwen Wilson with the latter pair clinching a narrow win 7-5. Davy Thompson’s serve hit all the right notes in his mixed with Andrea Crawford, and they managed a good draw against Hugh Maguire and Sonja (two shirts) Hateboer.

The second series of matches saw Alex Knowles and Sheila Colville (Nice ‘n Fly) race into a commanding lead 7 – 2 in the mixed before Nick Meeke and Maxine Leary (Rhythm Section) really found their stride. A strong fight-back by Nick and Maxine reduced the deficit to only two games by the end losing out 7-5. Martina Boyd and Martin Sharkey are proving to be one of the strongest partnerships in the league and enjoyed another two wins in their respective doubles. Overall, it was another convincing win on the night for the Wednesday night league leaders, Nice ‘n Fly who won 59-37.