Bill and Ted’s clash turns into excellent adventure
ANTICIPATION was very high on the agenda in the top two sides camps in Division One, when Princes St A welcomed Crosby C for an early title indicator.
Both boasted 100 per cent records, so something had to give, and it was the visitors who struck the first blow.
Tom Miller edging a thriller against Colin Turner in the fifth game.
Daniel Watkinson then cut short Crosby’s celebration with a close three straight win over Nick Wilson, before the home side turned up the heat with a further win from Michael Stewart over Felix Anderson and success in both doubles, which made it 4-1 Princes St.
There was no let up at all from the home side as first Daniel, and then Michael added to the visitors’ woes.
Even Matty Wilson finally got in on the act with two impressive wins either side of Colin’s four game victory over Ciaren Lynch, which gave us a surprising final score of 9-1 to
Princes St A.
That win extended their lead at the top to ten points, as Crosby C stay in second place on 33pts with a job on their hands now to catch the early favourites.
As do Holy Trinity A (31pts) who are in third after a very good win at Argyle A, whilst Crosby B (26pts) were understrength again and slipped further behind the pacesetters after a 6-4 loss away to Argyle D.
Crosby D’s 8-2 home win over Princes St B, was mainly down to a full quota of wins from both Liam Shaw and the dynamic Stefan Schober Thomson.
Finally, Argyle C remain rooted at the bottom, after having no answer to a rampant Southport A who ran out 9-1 winners.
Holy Trinity B (34pts) remain in top spot, despite suffering a surprise 2-8 home loss to Princes St C (32pts) who stay in third position on the same points but behind their E team who maintained their 100 per cent start with a very good 8-2 home win against Waterloo B.
But with the leaders having played a match more than their rivals, then that slender lead could well be threatened.
We dropped into The Amelan Hall to catch up on promoted Southport C, who were hosts to Princes St D, and the home side got off to a flyer.
Number one Liam Ward’s three straight win over Chris Foley was followed by a tense five game Ollie Moir victory against Ian Lunt where Ollie came back from trailing twice, 9-11, 11-4, 8-11 to take the final two games 11-5, 11-8.
It was soon 3-0, after Jeff Hesketh got the better of Frank Proffitt in three straight, before Liam returned to the table to extend his side’s lead, this time a four game success over his opposite number Colin Fyles, doing the trick, and it was 4-0 Southport.
Then when Paul Hesketh took the first game off Chris, it was looking bleak for the visitors.
But, ‘never count your chickens,’ Chris had other ideas and kickstarted the fightback, with a quickfire 7-11, 5-11, 1-11 riposte, and they were on the board at 4-1.
Colin then continued the fight with a controlled performance against Ollie, and having lost the first, he took the next three to make it 4-2.
Paul then put the brakes on the visitors’ recovery with a three straight victory against Frank, only for Princes St’s Ian Lunt to again revive the fightback, with first a win over Jeff, and then he joined Frank in a doubles success over Southport’s father and son duo, which made it an uncomfortable 5-4 for the hosts, with just the first doubles to complete.
With that 4-0 lead a distant memory the victory was eventually secured by Liam and Ollie who remained composed in a 11-4 ,8-11, 11-8, 11-3 win over Colin and Chris, which in turn maintained their unbeaten record and fourth place on 26pts.
A great evening’s table tennis with not quite the ending either side expected.
Waterloo A maintained their 100 per cent record, be it only from three matches, but nevertheless a Nathan Jago inspired performance was key to an 8-2 win over Southport B, who find themselves propping up the rest.
Newcomers Rainford are making all the headlines in the third division, they remained unbeaten after a 9-1 home win over Crosby H, which puts them in pole position on 35pts, two points ahead of the Para’s who were without a match this week but who are also unbeaten.
Argyle F (33pts) lie in third place, again it was Lewis Hible and Tom Johnstone who did most of the damage in an 8-2 home win versus Southport E.
Carlton continue to find the going tough, although they were a tad unlucky to lose out narrowly away to North Meols, where the home side edged it 6-4.
Finally, Southport D came unstuck for the first time this season at home to Argyle G.
A cracking match ended 4-6 for the visitors, of which the highlight was a superb contest between Bill Bradley and Ted Cripps, who had a combined age of 172 years!
Ted was victorious, but not content with that, he went on to complete a full quota of wins which ensured his side’s victory.
Hats off to both of you, for what was indeed, ‘Bill and Ted’s Excellent Match’ .... Had to!
All information can be found at southport.ttleagues.com