NEWLY-formed Marlbor-ough Trust had a stunning victory against Bish’s Fishes 16-7. Bish’s Fishes, who are current favourites for the title, were a little under-strength and paid the penalty for this.

The result was largely thanks to Mark Jefferies, Chris Chalmers and Kathy Fraser, who all beat their opponents, Max Trouteaud, Omar Kandili and Susie Storey 3-0 respectively.

However, Simon Gaudion, recently back from a knee operation at number one was unable to overcome the ever-lively Dave Paul and slipped to a 0-3 defeat.

Second-favourites for the league, Bank of Butterfield, had a convincing 17-7 win against Goldridge Stone, who were without Dave Merrien, who is also suffering with knee problems.

Terry Hodson was the only victor for Goldridge Stone, winning 3-0 against Ken Wrigley. Laurence Graham, Steve Hubert and Lynn Goodall beat Kevin Murphy, Cliff Connelly and Katie Ozard 3-0 respectively and were never troubled by their opponents.

Walbrook Trust were back to full strength for the first time this season, with Andy May beating in-form Greg Forino of Orchard PR at number one.

This was a match of hard-hitting, no-holds barred play. The best rubber was between Jacky Ozanne, Walbrook Trust, and Vicky Eckermans of Orchard PR. It was a thriller, going down to the fifth game with Ozanne just pipping Eckermans 9-6 in the fifth.

Andy Parr and Jeff Vincent were beaten by Larry Grover and Steve Cuddihee 3-0 and 3-1 respectively.

This meant that the teams were tied with two rubbers each and on countback Orchard PR won more games, but unfortunately lost valuable bonus points, which meant the match was tied at 12-all.

Yorkshire Guernsey played Pieces ’04 in the final match of the evening.

Karen Millard got Pieces off to a great start with a close 3-1 against Andrea Nightingale, only for Chris de Putron to make the match all-square, beating Andy Jefferies 3-0.

Paul Luxon of Yorkshire Guernsey started really well and was 2-0 up against birthday-boy Henry Birch. Birch, just back from a weekend in Winchester, began to find his form and squared the match at two games-all.

The fifth was nip and tuck, with both players having match point. Eventually Birch got his birthday present and won 10-9. Sam Shields did a captain’s job for Yorkshire Guernsey and won 3-0 against Pieces ’04 captain Steve Snell, who is getting fitter by the day.