SPRINGFIELD A took a step closer to retaining their Division One title with a close fought 24-15 win over Budmouth C.

The tone for the evening was set in the very first match with Jamie Blair (8) overcoming Thomas Babler (8) in a lengthy five-setter.

Blair’s other two matches also went the distance including a final set 12-10 loss to Steve Jackson (8).

Park District notched up a 27-8 success over on Portland against Red Triangle. This looked like it might be a tight match with the score 9-8 to Park after four matches but they then won the remaining six without losing a set.

Both John Ryan and Geoff Ware secured full nine-point hauls with Derrick Dawson (4) top scoring for Triangle.

Budmouth A beat Colliton X 23-19 in a hard-fought match in Dorchester.

Colliton’s Andy Crouch and Budmouth’s Tom and Lily Cherry all scored eight points apiece on a night when only two matches were won in straight sets.

Wyke A defeated Shipton Gorge A in a convincing 29-10 victory.

Sai Maganti (9) and Mike Doyle (9) top scored with Shipton’s Gil Roberts securing their only win of the evening.

In Division Two, Springfield B hit the full 30 points in a 30-2 victory over understrength Budmouth D who could only field two players.

Both Eddie Knell and April Heasman put up a brave fight but their more experienced opponents were ruthless given their title aspirations.

All Saints overcame Preston A 25-13 in the longest match to be played at the school this season so far.

Ben Hannigan continued his good form this season with a full nine points.

Derrick Shilladay (7) top scored for Preston and then teamed up with Stan Smith to win an enthralling doubles from 2-1 down.

Springfield C beat Pilgrims A 22-17 in another close match with Pete Anderson claiming all nine points for the victors.

Steve Rook (8) also scored well for Springfield with Stuart Walden (6) top scoring for Pilgrims.

Preston C eventually overcame Wyke D 23-15 in a nip and tuck game.

Some excellent play from Roger Lovell and Eddie Chapman meant they both scored nine points for Preston with Ian South (6) and Gordon Bissett (5) top scoring for Wyke. Malcolm Smith won all his matches, including the doubles partnering Darren Smith, but it wasn’t enough to keep Preston D still looking for their first Division Three league win of the season in going down 23-12 to Shipton Gorge Youth. Pilgrims B sneaked a 23-21 triumph over STEPS J in a tie where half the matches went to five sets and four others went to four.

Thomas Wheeler, Frank Dallimore and Alec Bailey all scored seven points each for Pilgrims before Dallimore and Bailey teamed up to secure the win in gaining two legs in 3-2 defeat to Joe Snowden (6) and Jon Clarke (8).

The Moths, David (6) and Chris, lined up for Springfield D to take on Colliton C but the lack of a third player meant they were outgunned by Colliton in a 27-8 defeat.

Katherine Bundy (6) matched (David) Moth in winning both her matches for the Dorchester team.

Shipton Gorge C remain top of the division after a strong 30-2 win against the girls from Budmouth E.

They won nine of the 10 matches without dropping a set with Erin Stow claiming two legs from Graham Robinson for Budmouth’s points.

n All fixtures, results, tables and averages can be found at ttleague.co.uk