It’s musical chairs in battle for second place

It’s musical chairs in the three-way battle for second place in Division

1 of the Portsmouth Table Tennis League.

Earlier in the season Generation Platinum drubbed Soberton A 8-2 before the latter beat Cowplain Cocktails 6-4. Now Cowplain have crushed Platinum 9-1.

Platinum and Cocktails are now level on points with the same rubbers won and lost ratio. Adding to the congestion, Soberton are also level on points with those two.

Platinum got off to a good start as Mike Cooksley beat John Taylor in straight sets, but it was Cocktails all the way after that with Roger Winkworth and Paul May scoring maximums in a match without a single five-setter.

Soberton edged out Phoenix Satellites 6-4 helped by another hat-trick by No 1 ranked player Dave Woodacre, pictured, assisted by Richard Billings (2).

Satellites replied through Neil Lockton (2) but Duncan Poole and Andy Tiller could only add one apiece in beating Robin Plunkett.

Callum Shipp’s hat-trick helped Emsworth Eagles beat Generation Rhodium 7-3, backed by Steve Long (2) and Paul Fitzgerald. Kieran Wells (2) and Tim Currass replied.

Keith Dickenson’ treble helped Generation Iridium defeat struggling Knowle Valiant 7-3.

Knowle Rovers crushed two-man bottom side Cowplain Alexandra 10-0 with their line-up of Alan Baldwin, Kevin Smith and Trevor Farrow.

Leaders Portsmouth Red beat Soberton 7-3 in Division 2, a match featuring six five setters.

Billy Blades was man of the match with a hat-trick.

Second placed Knowle Tenacity edged out Sporting St Clares 6-4 thanks to John Cooper (3), Tony Emberson (2) and the doubles.

Malcolm Deacon’s hat-trick helped Emsworth Oysters get off the mark with a draw against Phoenix Pluto, for whom Roger Fearn and James Thomas won braces.

In a mid-table battle Portsmouth Cherry beat Phoenix Saturn 6-4 with a treble by Oliver Matthews and a double by Alfred Matthew.

Portsmouth Cobalt went level on points with Cowplain Yellow after a 7-3 triumph thanks to Adrian Wong (3), Francis Yeong (2) and Stan Marlow.

Division 3 leaders Emsworth Cygnets crushed mid-table Phoenix Jupiter 10-0 with their combination of Sam Yu, Matt Dennison and Amy Jones

Second placed Generation Gold trounced Emsworth Bluebell Pirates 8-2 thanks to Julian Sheldon (3), Jack Warwick (2) and William Jayne (2).

Bob Shaw’s maximum helped third placed Cowplain Magenta beat Portsmouth Azure 7-3.

Andrew Summers’ maximum helped Eastoke Leopards defeat Soberton C 8-2.

Cowplain Crimson caned rock bottom Cowplain Emerald 9-1 with triples by Jerry Wilson and Heather George.