Oxford Health & Racquets suffered their first defeat of the season in the Premier League with a 3-2 loss at home to newcomers Chapel Allerton.
Kristen Johnson was handed victory by the Leeds club’s manager and veteran campaigner, Simon Parke, who was forced to retire injured in the decider after twice cancelling leads by the Oxford player.
But after early Chapel Allerton wins by Jenny Duncalf and James Earles over Beverley Mackay and Richard Birks respectively, it was a four-game victory by Dutchman Dylan Bennett over Oxford stalwart Scott Handley that ultimately proved decisive.
The other game saw Oxford’s Cameron Pilley defeat Shaun Le Roux in straight games, but it couldn’t stop the visitors claiming their first win.
Oxford Health & Racquets 2, Chapel Allerton 3 (Oxford first): C Pilley bt S le Roux 11-9, 11-7, 13-11; S Handley lost to D Bennett 12-10, 7-11, 7-11, 8-11; R Birks lost to J Earles 5-11, 6-11, 9-11; K Johnson bt S Parke 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 10-12, 3-1 ret; B Mackay lost to J Duncalf 3-11, 1-11, 0-11.
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