Week 14: 31st July 2006
The weeks have flown past and already the end of the season has been reached with the fourteenth and final matches. Ormskirk 1 went to North Meols 1 and played mixed events first. There was no joy for 1st Mixed. 2nd pair R Staziker/F Sunners had a ding-dong battle, taking the first set 6/4 but just losing a close tiebreak. P Thomson/J Temple had a similar match but losing 4/6 then nipping the tiebreak. M Webster/J Birchall called on all their experience and consistency to grind out 6/5,6/5. So it was all square as the levels began. 1st Gents D Sherriff/R Staziker just had the edge in a close 6/4,6/5. P Thomson/M Webster recovered from a lost 3/6 to squeeze the tiebreak. 1st Ladies lost but this was offset by a solid win for J Temple/J Birchall 6/4,6/3. The end result was Ormskirk 1, 9 points North Meols 1, 7 points, confirming Ormskirk's 4th position in Division 1.
Ormskirk 2 were at home to North Meols 2 and the mixed events began proceedings. J McNeil/S Crowley lost a close tiebreak but held their nerve 6/4. B Sherriff/P Webster had an evenly-fought halved match 6/5,5/6. K Slater/A Vernon opened their account with a tiebreak but fell away 2/6. S Roche/L Ashcroft proved the steadier with a determined 6/4,6/5. 1st Gents J McNeil/B Sherriff did well 6/4 but couldn't continue in the same vein 2/6. K Slater/S Roche began with a convincing 6/3 but were edged out of the tiebreak. 1st Ladies S Crowley/P Webster crushed their opponents with an inspired 6/1,6/0. A Vernon/L Ashcroft did not let a 4/6 loss deter them as they tightened their game 6/1. The end result was a very creditable 10 points to Ormskirk 2 to 6 for North Meols 2.
Croston asked Ormskirk 3 to play mixed events first. P Morana/C Winrow began strongly 6/2 but relaxed too much as the 2nd set slipped away 3/6. 2nd pair lost. C Wilson/K Sumner set off on a roar 6/2 but lost a gear 4/6. G Birchall/B Lett began very tightly 2/6 but increased in confidence 6/1. 1st Gents P Morana/G Joyce took both points with a terrific 6/4,6/3. C Wilson/G Birchall edged the first set 6/4 but couldn't hold on 3/6. 1st Ladies found their opponents much too strong. 2nd Ladies K Sumner/B Lett continued the pattern of halved matches 6/3,2/6, which meant that at the end of the night Ormskirk 3 had just lost by 7 points to 9 for Croston. Thus Ormskirk 3 will also finish 4th in Division 3.
Ormskirk 4 played hosts to Formby HT 3 and started with mixed events. D Birchall/J Pierce were in convincing form with 6/2,6/4. D Smith/J Crompton delivered the bagel 6/0 but had to dig in to take a tiebreak. D Moss/R Jones made light work of 3rd Mixed 6/3,6/2. G George/S Hughes were much too good, beginning 6/1 but had to work a bit harder 6/4. The Gents pairs dominated. D Birchall/D Smith had an easy passage 6/2,6/2. The double bagel was the score for the merciless D Moss/G George and the result was a splendid 12 points to 4 over Formby HT3, ensuring safety in Division 4.
Ormskirk 5 had a tough job on their hands at Hillside 2. 2nd Mixed D Chorley/C Price pulled back from 3/6 to keep their nerve 6/4. K O'Sullivan/L Crossen held out 6/4 but were edged out 5/6. The only other point came at 1st Gents where I Duffy/D Chorley began strongly 6/3 but fell away 2/6. Although disappointed by the 3-13 loss to Hillside 2, Ormskirk 5 are safe in division 5.
Ormskirk 6 came up from Division 8 last year as champions and have confirmed their strength in depth by carving their way through Division 7 this season. Argyle 4 were in their sights for the final match. 1st Mixed P McConnell/Katie Sumner were unlucky 4/6 but came back strongly 6/2. S Charters/J Gregson opened their account 6/5 and improved 6/3. D Quirk/L Draper also took a tiebreak followed by a gutsy 6/4. C Wells/S Duffy were pushed all the way and dug deep to hang on to both tiebreak sets. 1st Gents P McConnell/S Charters were even-steven 4/6,6/4. 2nd Gents went down. Stars of the night K Sumner/J Gregson eased past their opponents without conceding a game. L Draper/S Duffy were barely troubled 6/1,6/2. The 12 points to 4 victory over Argyle 4 reflected the consistency of Ormskirk 6 these last two or three years and sees them take their place in Division 6 next season.
Latest League Tables
Previous League Match Reports
