Defending champions Whistlers A survived a major fright against Ravenscroft Panthers A to edge a 6-4 thriller and move two points clear at the top of Division 1.
With key player Luke Evans missing for sixth-placed Panthers, Whistlers were made to work far harder than expected, finding themselves 4-3 down before mounting a late comeback in the final game of the night.
Division averages leader Lawrence Stacey proved pivotal once again to protect his 100% singles record this season.
Stacey survived a massive scare in his opener against Barney Groves, clawing back from 9-6 down in the deciding fifth set-including turning around a fierce smash rally at 9-9-to take it 11-9.
He followed up with straight-sets wins over Nye Matthew and reserve Brandon Ferbrache.
With Matthew and Groves putting up a spirited fight for the Panthers – including an 11-9 fifth-set doubles win over Stacey and Kenedy Chepkor – the match came down to the final rubber. Matthew Casey held his nerve against Groves, taking the decider 11-7 to lock in the points ahead of this week’s top-of-the-table showdown with Lions B.
Elsewhere in the top flight:
- Lions A 5–5 Ravenscroft Panthers B: Third-placed Lions A were stunned by basement side Panthers B, who had picked up just a single point all season. An unbeaten singles night from Alex Robinson wasn’t quite enough for Lions, as Micah Cohen and Andy Gill starred for the Panthers-capping their night with a stunning 12-10 fifth-set doubles upset over previously unbeaten pair Robinson and Jamie Ferbrache.
- Whistlers B 5–5 Lions C: Captain Joshua Stacey produced an unbeaten singles masterclass to help seventh-placed Whistlers B hold Lions C to a draw, leaving Lions C locked level on points with their A side.
- Lions D 2–8 Lions E: Alice Edwards swept all three of her singles matches as strong reserves powered Lions E to a dominant derby victory, moving them level on points with Panthers A and Whistlers B.
