In division 1 this week, Carlton A was not only shown by MGS A in which order on the scorecard, but how the current Champs play badminton! Ashley Gibson & Caroline Andrew won all the 6 games in the 4-14 win to keep up their 100% record. Next week, they face David Lloyd A & that is gonna be such an explosive match, where something will have to give in the current title chase….. I can’t wait!

I knew it was a flash in the pan when Ani sent me the scorecard in virtually when the match ended in their 1^st home match! In their 2^nd home match of the season, they hosted MGS C & in a very good spirited match, they thrashed them 18-0 to go top of the table.

MGS B fought hard against David Lloyd B, with the opening 3 sets being split before the visitors broke in the 4^th set by winning both games. The mixed sets were literally a ‘mixed bag,’ leaving Mary Peel & Tom Lowe needing the final pair of games to draw the match for MGS. Mary & Tom won the 1^st game to a nail biting 17-16, but they ran out of steam in the final game, as Michael Johnson & Cathy Atfield won the game 15-13 for David Lloyd. A truly cracking match, in which no fewer than 6 sets were split in the 8-10 result.

St. Andrews A won 12-6 at home to Hawks A to keep them in 2^nd on the tables. Nick Hodgson was MOTM on the evening taking his 6.

Springfields A lost 2-16 at home to YMCA this week, with a trend building around the score 16-2! Paul Hope & Helen Borrowdale won all their 6 games to be the best pair on the evening. Next week, spring face David Lloyd B… I wonder if there is a sniff of a point going?

In division 2, St. Andrews B fell at Carlton B, as Denzil Wates & Dave Boon won all their 6 games in the 12-6 home win to put their team up to 3^rd on the tables. Andy Barnes & Sarah Gradwell won the final pair of games to salvage a point for Andy’s.

Hawks B thrashed their own D team 18-0, to stay on course for a quick return to division 1 badminton next year.

Hawks C had a cracking 16-2 home win over Clitheroe A this week. Sam Ames & Rob Courtley won all their 6 games to be the best players on the night. With another potential loss looming for Clitheroe next week, I feel they still haven’t recovered from Div 1 last yr!

St. Vincents played their 1^st home match of the season against Springfields B. Chris Howard was the best performer on the evening, he won 5 of his 6 games in the 12-6 win to take his team onto the same points as Spring B in the mid table section.

In 3, Battledore continued with their winning ways when they beat MGS D 10-8 after an 8 all classic, in which Linda Matthews & Nigel Robinson won the final 2 games, 15-3, 15-4. Sylvia Mulla was the rock for Battledore, as she won 5 games to assist in the fine win.

Evergreens A v Clitheroe B……. Card has not arrived yet.

Martin Hobin & Helen Wilson from Team 2000 B won the final pair of games, 15-11, 17-14 to snatch all 4 points from the match when they played Clayton Crusaders A. In the 13-5 win, Helen Black won all of her 6 games to be LOTM & keep her team in pole position.

The hillbilly’s drew up their drawbridge again this week & took no prisoners when they beat Springfields C, 14-4 to take max points. Stuart Smerdon, Cath Coleman & Gordon Jackson all won their 6 to assist putting the team exactly on joint top of the tables with 2KB.

In division 4, Springfields D had a fine 14-4 home win over Team 2000 C. Iain McLean won all his 6 games to be MOTM & put the team joint 2^nd on the tables. Next week, they meet Hawks E, in which is bound to be a crunch match to decide who will stay 2^nd!

Flight had a cracking 15-3 win over Penwortham A to keep them also in joint 2^nd. Judith Thompson was LOTM, winning all her 6 games.

Whittle A beat a 5 sided MGS F, 11-7. Despite being on the losing side, Jenny Stothard was best on the night, as she won 5 of the 7 games won for MGS. They might have even won the match if the 3^rd man had turned up!

Huffa Puffa & Co came across Hawks E this week, but yet again, they were far too strong for the young side to put up any resistance. Roy Atherton & Hugh Dixon managed to win the 1 game off the mighty team, 15-12 & should be very proud of themselves! J

In division 5, Clayton Crusaders played their 1^st match of the season. They managed to win 11-7 at home to Whittle B & in the fine win, Katy Dutton won 5 games to be the best player on the night. Next week they face College B, who are still looking for their 1^st win!

Clitheroe C had their 1^st win of the season when they beat Preston College B, 12-6.

In an early crunch match at Clayton, current leaders Hawks F, battled hard against 2^nd place St. Andrews D. In such a nip & tuck match, it was 4 all after the levels. A split 5^th set was followed by Andy’s winning the 6^th & then Hawks winning the 7^th. In set 8 it was split to leave an 8 all classic to fight over. Sheila Burgess & Daniel Porter won the 1^st game in set 9, 15-9, but Josh Robinson & Hannah Pallett fought back & managed to win the final game 15-8 to share the points on the evening. A sense it was a fair result on the night, but my hat truly goes off to the youngsters at Andy’s who showed me how much they have improved, as at least 4 of the Hawks players are well experienced Mid Lancs players who have served our league for many years! A truly sensational match, so well done everyone! J

Springfields E won 11-7 at home to Evergreens B. Hiram Sturdy & Dave Burridge won 5 games each to be the best players on the night.

In 6, Hawks G took all 4 points when they beat Whittle C, 13-5. Graham Andrews won all his 6 at 3^rd to keep the ship steady!

Penwortham B beat Garstang B, 14-4 to keep their 100% points record intact. Luisa Malaney was the star on the night, as she won all her 6 games & keeps the team in 2^nd position.

Evergreens C come across the leaders, St. Andrews E this week & lazy me decided to cut & paste from Andy’s webpage! ‘’Another good away win & creditable E team debut for Robert with a 15-1 first game! The men split their sets & the ladies dragged us back to 6-2 after the levels. Games were won by all, including great performances by Hannah and Charlotte (who each got 5 games) and four close games for Harry and Lily finishing the night with a fab 15-13 final game win. A really friendly Evergreens team but “no mercy” next time!’’ The win keeps Andy’s in firm control at the top, but next week Whittle C are waiting to wreck their form!

Whittle D took on Clayton Crusaders C this week. Laura Curtis was LOTM on the evening, as she won all of her 6 games for Clayton when they beat the opposition 11-7.

Don’t forget, you can all see the latest tables and results as they happen on www.fixtureslive.com

Paul