Unicorn Avocets claim the Premier Division title as league season draws to a close

TABLE TENNIS officials needed to use their own version of ‘ VAR’ to separate two sides at the end of the Loughborough and District League season.

The final match of a closely-contested Division Three campaign saw Charnwood Choppers visiting Goons needing victory to have any chance of finishing runners up.

Waiting on were Unicorn Dippers who had already completed their 18-match programme with 76 points.

A rollercoaster night saw Barry Robinson making life very difficult for Choppers by beating Ian Kennedy and Tony Cook.

But the Choppers duo both got the better of Steve Webb and rounded off the night with a 13-11 win in the fourth to clinch their second doubles.

The 4-2 scoreline left players from both Dippers and Choppers unsure about the final outcome.

The table on the league’s website showed Dippers in second place on games won but this conflicted with the league’s rules.

This states that, in the event of a tie on sets, games difference is the decisive factor.

So, after consulting committee members, it was decided that Choppers finished second and Dippers third, behind champions Hugglescote Hawks who finished with 81 points.

The other three divisions were easier to determine with congratulations going to Unicorn Avocets for claiming the Premier Division title.

Their trio of Peter Haluska, Dave Roche and John Genovese all performed consistently well throughout the season as they finished five points clear of runners up Draycott Donkeys.

Division Two saw the top four sides separated by just eight points. Charnwood Aggressors were champions with Draycott Dynamos pipping club mates Diamonds for second.

Division Four was a one-horse race almost from the off with the ladies of Sawley Tempted, Louise Watson and Linda Walshe, in a class of their own. They finished 30 points clear of runners up Students G.