Tek Sing Lexden had a disastrous result against Lee-on-Solent, losing 4-1 in the penultimate match of the season.

This places their chances of gaining a semi-final place in severe jeopardy.

An understrength Lexden side had to play their two junior players before the end of the season and circumstances demanded that both play in this match.

In the ladies match, Lexden's Cheryl Beaumont put up a good fight against the higher-ranked Vicky Botwright and although Beaumont won the second, she eventually went down 3-1.

Lexden's home grown talent was on show on the next door court, but Peter Kliggerman, currently studying at Southampton University found himself out of his depth against Lee-on-Solent's Joe Russell.

The key match of the evening was Tony Hands against Lee-on-Solent's Ben Howell. Once again, Hands was involved in a game that went to the fifth.

In the fifth, the determined Howell fought off the stiff challenge from Hands, eventually winning it 9/7.

Lexden's Simon Parke played against the home team's Mark Heather and produced a fine display of stroke play, eventually winning 3-0.

The final match saw Lexden's David Evans play Bradley Ball.

The first two games were extremely tight but Ball eventually won 3-1.

The future of Tek Sing Lexden in this national competition now depends on their performance in the final match against table-toppers Broxbourne.

Published Friday, March 8, 2002