Southport finally
CROSBY B (28pts) are the new leaders in Division One of the Southport Table Tennis League after a good win at Holy Trinity B.
Rhys Davies winning both his singles, and victories in each of the doubles were key to their success.
Waddington A (26pts) slipped back to second after their home defeat to Argyle A, who moved up to third on 25pts.
Number one Matt Wilson was a notable absentee for the home side, who also gave Anthony Dixon his debut, but two wins apiece for Andy Clark and captain Nick Miller ensured victory for the visitors.
Crosby A gave James Chappel his first start, replacing Jack Dempsey at number one, which from the outside would seem a daunting task, but obviously James took it in his stride to secure a full quota of wins in his side’s convincing win.
Crosby A are now in fourth place on 24pts, with a significant match in hand on their rivals.
Argyle B got that winning feel for the first time this season overcoming Waddington B, the win coinciding with the return of Chris Parkes.
We headed off to Argyle this week to see their C team take on Southport A.
Whilst home captain Angus Taylor watched from the sidelines, son Allister came in for his first start of the season. Southport were also missing their number one Miro Veliky, so in came Thomas Ray who finished off a hectic couple of weeks, which now included appearances in each division.
Up first saw Allister take on Bernhard Frank, who isn’t the ideal opponent to blow those cobwebs off, and so it proved. An entertaining contest saw Bernhard take it three straight, 0-1 Southport.
Derek Mahen versus Tom was next, who proved ‘practice makes perfect’, winning in four intriguing games, 11-9, 7-11, 5-11, 6-11, which gave the visitors an early 0-2 advantage. Back came Argyle though, Mike McCormack overcame Southport captain Alan Nolan in four games to make the score 1-2, before Tom returned to the table where he would be involved in a fabulous encounter with Monica Coogan.
A terrific first game, went beyond expectation, with each player in turn looking to have it won, Monica eventually doing just that 14-12.
Tom must have learnt something there, as he utilised his topspin attack and resourceful defence with aplomb to take the next two games 8-11, 7-11. In the fourth Monica began to slowly regain control, with calm precision and the occasional unstoppable hit, until the game was won 11-8.
It was the same story and scoreline in the deciding fifth, which tied it all up at 2-2. Jim Irving then restored Southport’s