Shock defeats for top sides
There was a shock for the Bath & District Table Tennis League Premier Division leaders as they succumbed to a 26-14 away defeat at Bath Invaders B. Nicholas Branch and Jack Vaughan gained maximums as the Invaders dented Bathford’s title bid.
This gave Oldfield A an opportunity to gain and they took it with a 28-10 away win against Bathford B. Jamie Phillips and Alistair Pearson both won their games for Oldfield to put them within 27 points of top spot.
Chippenham A continue to find the form which eluded them in the early few months of the season. Gary Baldwin’s team won 28-6 away at Oldfield C; MOTM going to Terry Parkins. Chippenham B still search for their first win of the season, losing 24-13 at home to Oldfield B. Paul Redman was MOTM with Nigel Dagger also in fine form.
There was another shock result in Division One with leaders Bear Flat A losing. Third placed Yatton Keynell A beat Paul Green’s men 22-17 at home but couldn’t stop Paul Green picking up his 16th MOTM of the season.
Second placed Bitton benefited as they saw off a strong challenge from Key Centre A; winning 26-15. Keith Nesbitt was MOTM for Bitton and his side move within 13 points with a game in hand. Yatton could also overtake the long time leaders as they are only 26 behind with two games in hand.
mid-table, Yatton’s B team had an impressive 29-10 away win at Oldfield D; MOTM Adam Dawes. Radstock B stay in fifth, winning 28-9 at home to Bathford C; Mark Bennetts was MOTM.
Ensleigh A were pushed all the way by Key Centre B, beating the Keynsham side by a single point; 19-18 away.
Ping Zhang and Ian Clark were in fine form for Ensleigh with Zhang adding to his MOTM tally for the season.
Bear Flat B, the long term leaders of Division Two, did manage a win against their C team. Tim Cahill was back on fine form with another MOTM performance as his B team won 27-10.
Chippenham C moved into second with a 21-10 victory against bottom side Ensleigh B. MOTM went to Mark Lambe who was ably supported by Steve Berry with a maximum.
Nigel Woolley was back on song for Mayfield who stay in fourth with a 25-12 victory against an equally experienced Batheaston B side.
The closest game of the division was Key Centre C’s one point away victory over Oldfield E; 23-22. The new Keynsham side have been playing with no fear this season with teenager James Humble gaining eight points alongside an experienced Michael Burke who also picked up eight points and the MOTM award.