Clash could have been closer contest

Both the top and bottom places in the Ashford & District Table Tennis League seemingly have been decided with four weeks of the season to go.

Leaders Postling B eased past Pluckley Nomads, who might feel a little aggrieved by the 20-10 result.

With 10 of the 30 legs decided by just two points, Pluckley only managed to end on the right side of the scoreline three times - and never once the match had reached deuce.

The evening started well for Nomads as Phil Hayes came from losing the first leg to win 2-1 against Jason Freeston. Postling’s Ray Long and Jan Bennett then both came through 3-0 against John Caplen and Karthik Damodaran, respectively.

Hayes returned and almost won the first leg against Long, but he had to settle for a 15-13 defeat. The second leg went the way of Postling B as Long came through 11-5 before Hayes took the third leg 11-8. Freeston got on the board for the night with a 3-0 win over Damodaran, before Caplen raced into an unassailable 2-0 lead over Bennett but was unable to secure the bonus point.

Bennett then edged the first two legs against Hayes 12-10, 14-12, albeit Hayes raced through a consolation third leg. Freeston ended his evening on a high with a 2-1 victory against Caplen, but needed to win a deciding third leg.

Hayes and Caplen teamed up for a 3-0 triumph over Freeston and Ian Bewick - a guest in the doubles only.

The result left Pluckley in fourth, just four points ahead of Hamstreet B. Ashford TT F missed the chance to make up ground on the top spot during their visit to Bilsington - despite a 17-13 win. Brabourne & Smeeth F drew 15-15 with Ashford TT H.