Unicorn Avocets close gap at the top of Division One and still have a match in hand
THE opening week of the second half of the Loughborough and District Table Tennis League season saw both the main challengers for the Division One title press their claims.
It was, however, a slightly better week for Unicorn Avocets who closed the gap on leaders Draycott Donkeys to just a single point with a vital match in hand.
Peter Haluska and John Genovese took all six points from their match against Students B. Closest call of the night was Genovese’s set against Jacques Vander which he eventually clinched 13-11 in the fifth.
Donkeys were made to work much harder at Hugglescote Hares as four of the six sets went the full distance before they triumphed 5-1.
Jeremy Henty took his 100 per cent record to eight sets of eight but Hares may consider that Alastair Hawthorn’s singles success over Erin Green was the least they deserved as he and Clive Stretton also went very close in both doubles.
Students A also took five points from the other top flight match of the week against Unicorn Bitters as Simone Broersen and Luke Greenfield remained unbeaten in the singles.
Top Second Division match of the week failed to separate Draycott Diamonds and Unicorn Curlews as two of the top three sides fought out a 3-3 draw.
Man of the match Malcolm Allsop was taken to five games by both Lucy Vernon and Helena Dicken but came out an 11-4 winner on both occasions.
Both Vernon and Dicken won a singles apiece for Diamonds with the doubles being shared.
Lee Brookes enjoyed a notable personal milestone in Division Three as he won his first singles for Sawley Stars.
His hard-earned success over Steve Webb also helped Stars claim their first team win of the campaign as John Brindley won two in a 4-2 triumph at Goons.
Paul Chung was in fine form for leaders Unicorn Dippers with two victories in their 5-1 defeat of Students D
Nearest rivals Hugglescote Hawks were pipped 4-2 by third placed Charnwood Drivers despite a double from Gary Pitts. Peter Crown and Richard Earle took a singles each and then both doubles.