Princes St A come out on top after thrilling evening
WITH the prospect of a very interesting contest, Princes St was the venue to be at to see if their A team could maintain their great start in the First Division against Holy Trinity A.
The debutant, young Daniel Watkinson, was first up to face the visitors number one, Paul Hutchings, and what a start to the evening.
An all out attacking display from both players produced some wonderful table tennis, which in the end Daniel edged 14-12,11-6,11-8.
Colin Turner then got off to a flyer for the hosts against Ted Cramsie, when he took the first two games with ease 11-1, 11-3, only for Ted to defy reason by taking the next two, both 8-11, before Colin retook control taking the fifth 11-3.
Michael Stewart then made it 3-0 with a three straight win over Holy Trinity’s captain Ned Hassan.
It looked likely that the home side would extend their lead when Matty Wilson teamed up with Daniel to face Paul and Ned, but surprisingly it was the visiting pair who came out on top in four games to make the score 3-1.
Matty then stayed put to resume normal service with a convincing win over Matt Cranny, before Daniel made the match at least safe at 5-1, beating Ned in three games.
Paul then turned on the style to make it 5-2, even after losing the first to Matty, which also put a ponderous expression on the home side’s nonplaying captain Darren Taylor. Worry not Darren, Michael was next up to secure his teams third win, with a no nonsense win over Ted, 11-5, 11-3, 11-6.
Matt Cranny then pulled it back to 6-3 with a win against Colin, before he and Michael completed a 7-3 victory with a final flurry in the second doubles encounter.
A superb evenings table tennis throughout, and as the table was being cleared away, news had filtered through via the internet that Crosby C had beaten their fierce rivals and early favourites for the title Crosby B.
Indeed, they had, Crosby B were without number one Rhys Davies, but messrs Wilson, Miller, Anderson and Lynch gave not a jot it seemed, and completed an astonishing 2-8 victory, to establish they too are in with a shout of that main prize.
Princes St B also sprung a few surprises away at Argyle A, top of that list being Ray Hibbs recovering from two games down to beat Chris Parkes in the fifth which ultimately made it a full quota for him on the night. A notable victory for captain Josh Taylor over home number one Barry Crook also helped the cause, and with Nick Foss, (stepping up from their E team) chipping in with two wins, the 4-6 win was assured.
Argyle B had better luck away at Southport A, where both Julian Quirk and Mike McCormack inflicted most of the damage for the visitors, however it was taking both the doubles that clinched the 4-6 victory. After an indifferent start Argyle D came out well on top in their 8-2 ‘derby’ win against their C team, who suffered a third loss in succession.
Holy Trinity B are still looking like the team to beat, as they lead the way in the second division, after a 7-3 home win over Princes St D.
Highlight of the evening though was Ian Lunts fine win over the hosts number one Mal Kent, where his epic win in the fifth included a 21-23 flash back to what some players would say ‘the good old days’ of 21up.
Waterloo A have also started very strongly, a 9-1 home success against Argyle E made it two wins from two for them, whilst their B team on the other hand, had a bad day at the office, suffering a maximum loss away to Princes St C. Southport C came out on top of their ‘mini derby’ against an understrength B team. Being without Jeff Cummins did not help in the 8-2 loss.
In the Third Division Argyle F returned to winning ways and lead the way, after an 8-2 home win against Carlton Tennis Club, who again put up a spirited display, but as yet they’ve not found that winning formula.
A maximum win for the Para’s over North Meols continued an impressive start for them, as it also did for Geremis Luces who was making his debut for the hosts.
Rainford remained unbeaten after they were held to a draw at to Southport E. Paul Andrews for the hosts and Southport’s Mal Collier were the standout performers in a match that neither side led by more than just one point. Nick Roberts and Ian McFegan were the heroes for the home side snatching the draw at the end.
Southport D’s resolve was truly tested when they trailed Princes St F 2-4 where again young Sam Davies caught the eye for the visitors with two impressive wins. But with first Brian Holden and then Stuart Gibson drawing the hosts level, they clinched a 6-4 victory by winning both doubles contests. Finally, Crosby G won the mini bragging rights with an 8-2 win over their H team.
All information can be found at southport.ttleagues.com