Hugglescote Hares take a commanding six point lead at the top of the table

SIX games into the new Loughborough and District Table Tennis League season and impressive Hugglescote Hares have a commanding six-point lead.

Their latest 5-1 victory over Unicorn Avocets put the Hares in great shape going into this week’s crunch trip to second placed Draycott Dinosaurs.

Phil Jones and Alistair Hawthorn were the men in form with maximums – as only the final doubles eluded the Division One leaders.

Both Hawthorn and Maurice Newman have 100 per cent singles records and it’s difficult to see any other outcome than the title going to North West Leicestershire.

In Division Two, leaders Draycott Diamonds have seen their charge towards promotion stalled by two successive draws.

The latest was a well contested trip to Unicorn Bitterns whose Shan Gao emerged as the player of the night with two good wins over mother and daughter Joanne and Anna Green.

Both Greens earned themselves a win apiece and shared the doubles.

Although their winning run has been halted, Diamonds currently enjoy the luxury of a seven-point advantage over Students B at the top of the table.

It’s a similar story in Division Three where Goons A have opened up a 10 point gap.

Their experienced combination of John Szostak and Ian Whetherley has plundered 34 of the 36 points on offer so far, including a convincing 6-0 victory at Charnwood Choppers last time out.

Charnwood Blockers kept up their challenge in second place with a 4-2 win over Sawley Stars. Adrian Stevenson and Chris Barlow dominated most of the night although John Brindley won both his singles for the losers.

There’s a crunch clash on the horizon in Division Four between Melbourne Swifts B and Draycott Dragons who are currently fighting for top spot.

Nathan and Connie Dumelow combined to give Swifts a 5-1 victory over Charnwood Foxes who were grateful to Max Cherry for their single point.

But they will beware of the Dragons who have won all their five matches so far, taking 27 out of 30 possible points. Jasmin Coker and Dexter Fairbank have remained unbeaten so far.