#ruckinge

Division 2: Week 5

 Three Horse Race?

This season the league is showing real strength in depth with an exceedingly high standard of play within the all of the teams. At the moment division is shaping up as a three-way fight, but Sportsmen A should not be discounted at this early stage.

Currently Ashford A are sitting at the top of the pile with four matches unbeaten, and the divisions’ top performer in Frenchman Louis Bigalett.  That said they seem to have a certain knack of scrapping 5-4.  So far they have recorded this score line over Hamstreet A, fellow title chasers Postling C, and Postling B.  On each occasion they were reliant on Louis to bring home a hat trick of wins with both Reuben Tozer and Russell Swain adding a game each.  The exception was the visit of newly promoted Ruckinge D who struggled against Louis and Reuben, both recorded hat-tricks, how Russell was undone by the attack of Luke Bingham, and the ‘unique’ style of Brian Kennett.

A point behind Ashford are Ruckinge B, recently relegated but eager to bounce straight back to the top division. Whilst a point behind, they do have the advantage of a game in hand.  Ruckinge set their stall out early, after trailing to Sportsmen 1-0 they soon hit their stride and hat tricks from Mike Galvan & Chris Cloake, plus a brace from Trevor Heales saw them ease home 8-1.  Next up a local derby against Ruckinge D, but any hopes of an easy ride were soon eradicated.  Against Mike Galvan showed his season in Division 1 help bring home all three points but Luke Bingham proved to be the stumbling block for Trevor Heales (losing 12-14, 11-7, 11-8, 3-11, 6-11), and Mike Holiday (edged out 12-14,11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 9-11).  But Colin Bingham and Simon Dale were unable to stop Mike & Trevor getting two a piece and ensuring a 7-2 win.  Ruckinge have also played host to Ashford B where Matt Hills was in outstanding form and held his nerve for a for a 14-12 fifth leg win over Mike Holiday.  But in a evening of high entertainment and laughter nerves were not need with Mike winning over both Jenny Swain and Bob Young with relative ease, and Chris Cloake doing the same.  But hats off to Jenny Swain playing up from Division 3 and stealing Mike Galvan’s 100% record (3-0).  But a 6-3 victory for Ruckinge meant they would be entering this week’s match against Ashford A unbeaten as well.  So either Ashford A or Ruckinge B will lose their 100% record.

Postling C are sitting four points further back, but have suffered the loss of one of their stronger players which may impact upon their season.  But an early season 7-0 victory over Ruckinge D, and a 6-3 win over Hamstreet A have set them up well for a challenge however losing out 5-4 to Ashford A will be a dent in their title hopes after finishing runners up before Christmas.