Promotion sewn up

Table tennis

A resounding victory for Ruckinge C saw them confirm their promotion straight back into Division 2 and become the first team this season to go up – but the title is still at stake.

The match-up between Ruckinge C and Ruckinge F – one seeking promotion and the other trying to fend off relegation – was one-way traffic as the league leaders swept to victory 10-0 for the loss of just three legs.

Daniel Simmons, Clive Develin, and Richard Wright stuck to their game and did what they needed to do to ensure a promotion from Division 3. Ruckinge F now find themselves eight points from safety but with a vital game in hand.

Meanwhile, Ashford TT C entered their match against Challock D facing the prospect of relegation, just a point above Ruckinge F having played the same number of games. Challock D started the match with only a mathematical chance of avoiding relegation.

Ashford TT C built up a 3-0 lead and went on to win 7-3.

Mark Lindow and Glen Walters brushed aside their opponents Christopher Hazelden and Michael Howells without dropping a leg, and Bob Young defeated Richard Partridge.

Walters beat Hazelden 3- 1, but

Challock’s Richard Partridge then swept aside Lindow 3-0 and Howells took a 3-2 win over Young. Partridge completed his brace with another 3-0 win, over Walters.

Three wins on the bounce had pulled Challock back into the match at 4-3, but Young then defeated Hazelden before Lindow sealed the win for Ashford with victory over Howells.

Walters and Lindow then combined to beat Hazelden and Partridge in the doubles.

The win moves Ashford eight points clear of relegation but Ruckinge F, while Challock D are now 26 points away from safety with only a possible 30 on offer.

Challock C and Ruckinge E fought out a 5-5 draw.

The Challock side of Roy Baker, Heather Robertson, and Richard Partridge edged ahead as Baker beat Ray Quinn 3-1. Ruckinge were then able to come back as Alan White beat Partridge 3-1 and Will Glennie edged Robertson 3-2.

Challock then went on a run of three wins for a 4-2 advantage. Although Glennie beat Partridge, Robertson took a 3-2 win over Quinn to ensure Challock couldn’t be beaten.

White got past Baker 3-2 and White and Glennie then won the doubles to earn the draw.

For full results and tables visit ashford.ttleagues.com.