Bandits’ crowning delayed as they see off title contenders

This week’s Sunderland Table Tennis League Division Three schedule threw up a heavyweight encounter between teams looking to confirm their promotion berths in what was effectively a championship decider.

Leaders East Boldon Bandits duked it out with Backspin B, and there were two crucial five-enders.

Jeff Hope edged out Mark Patterson 11-9, and his Bandits team-mate Adam Allsopp beat John Cook 11-5 as the Bandits emerged with an 8-2 victory which may prove decisive in the tussle for the title.

The pair were swiftly back in action and Backspin emphatically sealed their promotion place with a 9-1 win over third-placed Lanchester Eagles A.

Meanwhile, the significance of East Boldon’s earlier big-match triumph was underscored when were held to a draw by their Cowboys team.

Ryan Campbell hit a double for the Bandits, while Ethan Brown (3) and Sophie Richardson (2) delayed their stablemates anticipated crowning.

There was also a top-of-thetable clash in Division Two as St Gabriel’s B rubber-stamped their title success as well as an immediate return to the top flight after a 7-3 win over second-placed East Boldon Amigos.

The match finished with an extravaganza of consecutive five-enders.

Amigos’ David Byers and Jordan Dove pipped Joe Muldowney by the same 11-9 margin, but Gabriel’s hit back as Graham Murden recovered from 2-0 down to beat Jamie Collins 11-8, and Jake Helm sealed a hat-trick with an 11-8 win over Byers.

Amigos’ consolation points were important in their bid to clinch the second promotion slot as chasing Sacriston Bombers failed to apply the pressure after being held 5-5 at lowly West CA C.

The stand-out performance came from West’s Michael Hepworth, who completed an impressive treble, defeating Ian McPherson and Colin Pritchard in five ends, and Daniel Hutchinson in four.

The battle to avoid joining West in a descent through the relegation trapdoor is a straight contest between Silksworth IM B and St Gabriel’s C.

A maximum from Silksworth’s Nigel Tree helped to restrict the margin of defeat against Brandon Crusaders to 6-4.

The first game saw Tree overcome Paul Dale 14-12 in a deciding end.

The visitors’ Brian Childs defeated Jeff McKenna 11-7 in the fifth, but was eventually overwhelmed by Tree, 11-3.

In their next match, Silksworth drew 5-5 at home against St Gabriel’s D.

Tree was restricted to a brace on this occasion as he fell victim to a magnificent debut show from Saints’ Joe Miller.

Relishing the challenge of stepping up a level, Miller capped a stellar effort with a devastating comeback against Tree, taking the fifth end 11-2.

In Division One, the battle to preserve top-flight status will also go to the wire.

Sacriston Aces grabbed a lifeline by defeating True Roof Direct 7-3.

Two crucial five-enders saw Duncan Fraser beat Lynsey Storey 11-6, and Ian McAllister pip Andrew Benjamin 12-10.

Brandon Bullets have a game in hand over the Aces, but it is an incredibly tight affair.