Brothers unite to help Crosby see off visitors
DIVISION 1
CROSBY A were again without Charlie Williams in their home tie versus Formby Village A, but with Adam Schober Thomson back in the fold, Crosby soon settled into the groove, rattling off four wins on the trot.
Adam’s brother Stefan got them off the mark, with a three straight success over Barry Davis, before Jack Savage and Elliot Cooper added to their lead with further wins over Dave Stoddern and Colin Mitchell.
Adam then made it four with a victory over Mal Kent, after which they shared the doubles, to make it 5-1 Crosby.
It seemed there was no way back for the visitors now and Adam confirmed their fate with a terrific five game victory over Barry to make it 6-1 and into the semi’s they go.
In the first of two feature ties, Sandstorm B commenced battle with their high flying C team, and what a close run affair it was. But you wouldn’t think so the way the B team came ‘flying out of the blocks’..
Ray Hibbs, eager to get back to taking photographs, edged a wonderful contest against Luke Courtney 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, which was followed by a three straight win by Steve Collins over Genadijs Afanasjevs.
It was soon 3-0 as Josiah Nix repeated the treatment versus Michael Stewart. Could the C team rally, well Jordan Pipet was up next to face the B team’s number one Phil Petts, and indeed he could . Three straight and the deficit was reduced, and then with Genadijs making some amends by getting the better of Ray, the complexion of the match was looking a little tasty at 3-2 B team..
An epic first doubles, then produced the first five gamer, where the B team duo of Phil and Josiah edged it 11-8 in the fifth over Michael and Luke before the C team captured the second doubles to make it 4-3 B team.
That ‘never say die’ attitude worked again and remarkably the C team were level again after Luke produced some magic with a four game success over Josiah, 4-4.
With countback to games won a serious possibility, that score put the C team ahead at 13-15.
Steve then made it 5-4 (16-17 in games) after a fabulous 11-7 win in the fifth against Jordan.
Meaning, any sort of win for the C team, and they would progress.
Sport can be so cruel, and the C team were on the end of another example here, another epic battle between the two number ones Phil and Michael, ended in another one decided in the fifth, 11-6 to Phil which made it 6-4 Sandstorm B, the very last game being decisive, so, so close . Great cup tie!
Rainford won an exciting home tie against Argyle A 6-4, and it looked like it went all the way with Nick Roberts , Ray Elliot and Rob Midgley all winning their singles.
In the last of the quarters Sandstorm A progressed after disappointingly Crosby B conceded.
DIVISION 2
CROSBY D were again in fine form after a comfortable 6-2 home victory against Argyle B where Cherith Graham with a full quota of wins was simply outstanding. Sarang Sapre also chipped in with a full quota, whilst Chris Nebard and Paul Lunan were the point winners for the visitors.
Sandstorm D came out well on top in their ‘derby’ versus their E team, where Nikolaj Primuk was the only player to register a win for the E team, and that was indeed the worthy scalp of Nick Wilson who was previously unbeaten this season. Great contest too, with Nikolaj fighting back from 0-2 down to win it 11-7, 11-4, 11-9, it finished 1-6 Sandstorm D.
It looks like the tie between Formby Village B and Southport B had to be postponed due to a problem with the flooring at the Formby Clubs venue. Hopefully a solution will be found, as subsequent league matches there will also be affected.