Waddington step up to challenge Crosby
IN the first clash of the new teams, Dismounted just got the better of Mixed Blues with a 37-34 victory with good scoring from Steve Watson (13), Frank Hansen (12) and Mike Williams (10).
ExPats top the table after four matches after a 31-23 victory over St Jeromes, dominating the second half after being down at half - time and led by Don Hobson 11.
Led by Ann Evans (16), MPs scored a fine 31-30 victory at Vikings with Kate Woods (14) leading for the home side.
Led by Nick Aindow (11), Formby Pavilion scored a 35-23 victory at Exams.
WITH Crosby ‘A’ (16 points) without a match this week, the opportunity was there to at least put points on the board, and let the favourites do the chasing.
Argyle ‘A’, back to full strength, did their cause no harm after a convincing home win over Holy Trinity ‘B’, which moved them up to fourth on 18 points. Holy Trinity ‘A’ had number one Barry Davis back, and his full quota of wins looked crucial in a mighty close home victory against Argyle ‘B’, the win putting them third on 19 points.
Crosby ‘B’ kept their 100% record and jumped to second place on 21 points, this after a good ‘derby’ win over their ‘C’ team.
Waddington ‘A’ gained top spot (23 points) and also maintained their 100% start after a good away success at Southport ‘A’.
Argyle ‘C’ ran Waddington ‘B’ very close, but two wins for home captain Roger Neal, was key for Waddington’s recovery from 2-4 down to clinch a 6-4 victory.
At the Waddington Club, the Second Division clash took place between their ‘ C’ team and Southport ‘B’, who from the start were under pressure, being without captain Jeff Cummins and Nigel Pilkington – Paul Harrison and the evergreen Bill Bradley came in.
There was also a Southport debut for Thomas Ray at number three, and it was Thomas who was up first to face home captain Frank Proffitt.
It was a very good start from him too, taking the first two games, 6-11, 8-11, before Frank pulled one back 11-6. Thomas overcame those obvious nerves in the fourth to win it 6-11.
Chris Foley then tied things up by getting the better of Bill in three games, before acting captain Jonny Cummins restored his side’s lead in an all out attacking tussle against Ian Lunt, 6-11,9-11,4-11, Southport 1-2.
Colin Fyles was then given quite a scare – although taking the first 11-7, Paul fought back hard to take the second 10-12, and nearly the third, just losing out by the same margin.
Normal service though was resumed in the fourth, 11-4 to Colin and it was all-square at 2-2.
Ian then returned to the table to face a buoyant Tom, and this contest was a case of picking your shots, and it was Ian who had the edge throughout, utilising his accurate counter hits to take it in three straight, 11-6,118,11-6, which edged the home side ahead 3-2.
In the battle of the number ones, Jonny Cummins came out on top, winning in three games over Colin, which levelled the scores again at 3-3.
Having put in a great shift in his first contest, Southport’s number two Paul found the going a lot tougher when he faced Chris, who comfortably took the first two games.
In the third it got better, but a 11-7 loss meant Waddington were in front 4-3. That was soon to be 5-3, after Frank won in three straight 11-4, 12-10, 11-5 against Bill.
With just the doubles to go the home side kept the momentum going, drawing on a wealth of experience, and they rounded off an entertaining night by taking both encounters, ensuring a well earned 7-3 victory against a stubborn Southport side.
Elsewhere in Division Two, Waddington ‘D’ won the their ‘derby’ versus their ‘E’ team, maintaining their 100% record and top place with 22 points.
Argyle ‘D’ kept up with the leaders with a very useful win away at Holy Trinity ‘C’, where both Callum Richardson and Patrick Devlin were the thorns in Holy Trinity’s side.
Two wins apiece along with one from Naresh Tagore put the visitors in charge, even then Patrick linked up with his captain Jules Dutch to snatch the win, overcoming home pair Bob Carr and Gordon Parmenter in five intriguing games.
Argyle ‘D’ are second with 21 points, followed by Waddington C with 18 points.
Crosby ‘D’ came out on top against their ‘F’ team, with their captain Elliot Cooper being the pick of the bunch, winning all his games.
Argyle ‘E’ kick-started their season with a maximum home win over Holy Trinity ‘D’.
Argyle ‘H’ (23 points) continued to impress in the Third Division, this time holding onto their 100% record and top spot after a good win at North Meols, who obviously missed number one Les Rimmer, and long term absentee George Bradley.
Waterloo ‘B’ are second on 18 points after winning well at Southport ‘D’, whilst Argyle ‘F’, without a match this week, are in third place with 16 points.
Para’s match against Crosby ‘H’ was a late postponement, and will be played as soon as a date is available.
Waterloo ‘A’ just got the better of Southport ‘C’ in a close affair, with Geoff Metcalf gaining two wins for the home side, whilst for Southport and having played up for their ‘B’ team earlier in the week, Thomas Ray again caught the eye again, with a full quota of wins. Crosby ‘G’ also had a debutant on show, Chitra Balakrishna gaining her side’s only point in a heavy home loss to Argyle ‘G’.
All information can be found at the official website www.tabletennis365.com/southport