Thompsons under pressure as they lack their usual ping

Thompsons, the reigning and multiple Sunderland & District League Division One table tennis champions, have failed to bolt from the blocks in the explosive style of past campaigns.

Though still winning, shorn of their usual strength in depth, their regular demolition jobs of opposing teams have, at least temporarily, been curtailed.

CurrentmainstaysAndrew Wilkinson and Peter Smallcombe produced the goods to defeat Unionist Club A 7-3.

The visitors’ Richard Wilson and Mick Grimes notched sets against Allan Thompson in four ends, but Thompson was a whisker away from turning round his fortunes against Dave Cutler before succumbing 11-9 in a deciding end.

It remains to be seen whether any other candidates will prove capable of maintaining a sustained challenge to depose Thompsons, but their recent closest rivals both recorded victories.

St Chads squeaked past True Roof Direct 6-4, a lastgasp doubles success for Keith Weatherby and Barry Cuthbertson over Andrew Benjamin and James Bradbury proving significant.

Brandon Air also harbour title aspirations, and they disposed of St Gabriel’s B in a contest that included hat-tricks for Geoff Salter and Jamie Lupton.

A solid team performance from Dan Dodds, Troy Maddison and Jamie Dent earned Backspin A a narrow win at Durham City Aces.

Boosted by the return of Frank Booth, Redby CA finally got their Division Two campaign out of the sidings at Old England Nomads.

Amanda Paxton contrib- uted an 11-9 fifth-end win over Paul Wiggins, but Booth cleaned up in clinical style, dispatching Brian Bateman, Stuart Anderson and Wiggins in straight games to claim a 7-3 triumph.

It was a closer affair when St Gabriel’s C played out a 5-5 draw with Durham City Bombers, Mark Burton and Stephen Young with wins, while a David Revell double was bettered by Durham’s Daniel Hutchinson.

Backspin B enjoyed a 7-3 win over West C as Lyndsey Irving beat Mick Redfearn 14-12, and John Cook outlasted Alan Whitwham, 11-8.

Alex Nicholl added a brace for Backspin but was denied at the death when Whitwham eased past him, 11-5 in the fourth end.

Division Three produced some hefty home wins, Henderson Leisure weathering the incoming Durham City Tornadoes, 8-2, thanks to Ryan Morton (3), Damien Henderson (2), and Dominic McCabe (2). Ross Clennell provided the consolation sets for Tornadoes.

Elsewhere, Brandon Devils proved too strong for Brandon Energy, maximums from Tony Taylor and John Spencer putting the stamp on another 8-2 score.