PARK District A consolidated fourth place in Division One with a fairly comfortable 25-12 win over Red Triangle, although only Mike Doyle secured a maximum for the visitors.

Both Luke Hunt (6) and Ray Cody (8) suffered defeats to Shaun Beauchamp (4) and Mike Spracklen (5) respectively, and Spracklen was also two sets up against Doyle before succumbing in five.

Ben Howe (6) impressed for Budmouth B, however they were overpowered 27-7 by a strong Springfield A side.

Howe beat both Tim Scott (8) and Andy Pipe (7) while the immovable object that is Jeff Rigby was a match too far, losing in straight sets.

With Budmouth A’s match against Park X being rescheduled for a fortnight’s time, Springfield leapfrog them to the top of the table for the time being.

The only match in Division Two saw Springfield B close the gap on Shipton Gorge B at the top of the table to just a single point, in completing a comprehensive 29-6 win over Colliton C.

Gary Ayles and Paul Arnold both secured maximums, Arnold without losing a leg, with Alfie Chamberlain (4) stopping Springfield scoring the full 30 points by beating Chris Whitefield (8) in five sets and from 2-1 down.

Peter Loakes scored Colliton’s other two points in going down in five sets also after being 1-0 and 2-1 up.

With Shipton and Springfield both having two matches left, it looks as if the title will not be decided until the final week.

In Division Three, there was a really good result for the girls of Budmouth E in beating Preston E 20-14 as they continue to improve.

Holly Calton (7) and Sophie Storey (7), well supported by Ashleigh Browne (3), were too strong for Preston despite Paul Hammond’s maximum in an enjoyable yet competitive encounter.

In a long, close match, Budmouth D always had their noses in front against Wey Valley and eventually ran out 24-16 winners.

Wey Valley’s Ethan Bingham (8) was involved in two matches that went the distance, in the first he came from 2-1 down against George Ackerley to take it 11-6 in the fifth and the boot was on the other foot against Liam Critchard (9), as Critchard came back from 2-0 down to take it 12-10 in the fifth.

Critchard’s maximum, well supported by Ackerley (8) and Sam Melhuish (6), saw Budmouth still out in front at the top of Division Three with promotion well within their grasp.

Springfield D scored a 27-8 victory over Wyke B with Mike Wood (6) playing really well for two hard-fought wins over Rod Wyness (2) and Billy Blackmore (2).

Pete Anderson and David Moth gave Springfield the edge with maximums, although Ian Middlebrook (3) had an excellent win over Wood in straight sets – their only win on the night.

The doubles provided some high-energy entertainment before Springfield ran out deserved winners.

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