Idles beat Irons in derby decider
WOOLTON Hill Irons were emphatic 13-4 winners over Thatcham Scorpions as the Newbury Table Tennis Summer League draws to a thrilling conclusion.
Duncan Groves beat Antony Baker – who has an impressive win rate of 83 per cent – 11-9, 11-2, 5-11, 15-13 before losing 10-12, 6-11, 11-13 to player-of-the-match Ian Langley.
Langley then beat Simon Barter in four, Barter in turn losing 3-0 to Baker.
There was to be no sting in the tail for Woolton Hill, who won the doubles 3-0.
The Irons then turned their attention to the Woolton Hill derby against the Idles.
In an absorbing clash, Idles were narrow 9-7 winners, condemning Irons to a defeat that rules them out of the title race.
Ian Langley beat Michael Barr 3-0, but suffered a reverse against player-of-thematch David Barr.
David Barr continued his fine form – he’s won all 18 matches this season, dropping just two games – with a
win over Anthony Baker before Baker bounced back to beat Michael Barr 3-0.
Crucially, Irons lost the doubles 3-1.
It’s still all to play for in the Division 1 title race – Woolton Hill Idles lie third with 136 points, but still have two games left to play.
Woolton Hill Irons are second with 157 points, having completed the full complement of 14 games and Thatcham Spiders sit top of the pile with 158 points from their 14 matches.
That means the title race will go down to the wire with Idles needing 23 points from their final two games – no mean feat – against Nets ‘n’ Edges and Thatcham Scorpions.
Meanwhile, there is just one match still to be played in Division 2.
Unbeaten Thatcham Cyclones, who have 125 points from nine games, need nine points from their final match against Tomahawks to overtake leaders Thatcham Lions and be crowned champions.
It’s been a memorable Division 2 season full of memorable performances.
Perhaps the standout second tier individual has been Dan O’Neill, losing two out of his 18 matches for a formidable win percentage of 89 per cent, while Andy Jeffrey won 15 of his 18 matches with a strike rate of 83 per cent.