LIONS A followed up their impressive opening-week victory against Whistlers B by drawing with Whistlers A 5-5 and defeating Lions B 7-3 in a re-arranged fixture.

In the former encounter, Garry Dodd got the Lions side off to a flyer by defeating Phil Hunkin in straight games.

Alice Loveridge (pictured) mirrored Dodd’s feat by defeating Tim Le Page in straight games, but Phil Ogier helped the Lions side regain the lead by defeating veteran Mark Pipet in four.

The next rubber was always going to be crucial in the context of the match as Dodd stepped up against Loveridge, a player whom he had defeated 3-0 just two nights previously in the final of the Junior Group Tournament.

He started in the same vein, winning the first two games and was looking good. However, Loveridge stepped up her game and started to take command of some more rallies which helped her claw her way back to 2-2.

She made an excellent start to the final game and Dodd’s efforts were not enough on this occasion as Loveridge claimed her first Division One league win against him.