No Jack Dempsey
SOUTHPORT Table Tennis League Division One leaders Crosby A were on the end of a near shock when they entertained bottom team Waddington C.
Yes, they were understrength being without key players Jack Dempsey and Yameen Al Dahiri, but the visitors look liked they deserved their draw, with all four team members contributing to those five valuable points, including a full quota from Nick Foss.
Crosby B were also short of personnel but managed to fare a little better, winning 3-7 at Waddington B.
Crosby C too, had to bring in Max Davies from their E team, making it a real family affair, joining dad Mark and brother Rhys, but it was a great double from Francois Rafferty along with success with Mark in the doubles that made the difference in an excellent 4-6 triumph.
So the three Crosby outfits stay resident at the top, Crosby A are still out in front on 58pts, the C team lie second on 49pts followed by the B team on 48pts, who have a match in hand. Holy Trinity A (46pts) remain in striking distance, this after a good win against Argyle A who drop to fifth.
Argyle D stayed at the top of Division 2 with 61pts after a maximum win over Southport B.
Holy Trinity C (58pts) kept up the pressure, winning well against Crosby E, whilst Argyle C (52pts) have slipped away a little, even after another excellent win at home to Holy Trinity D. It looks as though the two promotion places already will be fought over by these three teams.
After last week’s fillip of a first league win North Meols’ trip to Waddington D looked an interesting bet, so it’s there we go for our feature match.
A good start for the home side, Chris Foley winning in three straight over Bill Dawson, and obviously looking to improve his form quickly, Bill stayed at the table to take on Tom Caunce.
Not exactly what he had in mind, Tom took the first two games with some efficiency, 11-6, 11-8.
Back came Bill to take the third 4-11, reversing all that had gone before, same again in the fourth and the same score 4-11, the hits were going on with regular purpose, we are into the fifth. The turnaround complete, fabulous encounter, 6-11 to Bill and it’s all square.
Certainly on a mission here, Bill is joined by captain Dennis Morley to commence battle with home pairing Ian Lunt and Tom.
It was very close and cagey at first, just being edged 12-10 by the home side, a little more straightforward in the next two with Ian taking charge, 11-6, 11-4, making it an early finish for Bill and a score of Waddington 2 Bill Dawson 1.
Karen Gibson versus George Bradley up next , ‘textbook technique’ verses ‘a style of his own’, and this was a belter to witness. First game to Karen with an impressive 11-5 advantage, had she fathomed George’s style out, well not really as he’s back