Three sides fight for second place
IN Division One of the Table Tennis League, there is a real dogfight going on behind league leaders Goons for who will finish second this season. Goons in their latest fixture demolished Cat H by 10 sets to nil and now lead the table with 101 points from 13 matches.
The fight for second is between three sides –Barlestone A who have 95 points from 14 games, G Ward A with 93 points but with a match in hand and Cat A on 90 points also with a match in hand.
G Ward A boosted their chances of finishing second when defeated Barlestone B by 9 sets to 1. Jason Essex (GWA) being man of the match with three good wins. In their next match they met rivals Barlestone A and ran out winners by 6 sets to 4 at Barlestone in a very close match. Barlestone A led 3 sets to 2 at the halfway stage but then Leigh Morris (GWA) pulled off his best win of the season overpowering Jon Jacom (BA) in a tense five set match finally winning 11-5 in the fifth to level the scores. Essex then became only the second player this year to defeat Adam Pettitt (BA) to put the Barwell side in front for the first time. Wins from Andy Spring (GWA) and the doubles secured a fine win for G Ward A by 6 sets to 4.
Barlestone A were also on the receiving end of another reverse this time at the hands of Cat A, despite A Pettitt (BA) winning his three, the more consistent Cat A secured the victory by 7 sets to 3. Cat A followed up this victory with a win over their own Cat B side by 8 set to 2 to keep up their challenge.
Queen’s Mira have found like a little tough in recent days firstly taking a well-earned draw against G Ward B in a closely contested fixture. G Ward B, led 4 sets to 3 but Mira fought back to claim the draw. Clive Stretton (GWB) being player of the match with three wins.
In their next match Mira came up against the improving G Ward D side and in a surprising result lost by 6 sets to 4. Eileen Shaler (GWD) was undefeated whilst Edward Brow (GWD) won two of his three matches and Callum Dale (GWB) won one of his for the victory.