Three-horse race is going Princes’ way
AS we enter the penultimate week of the Southport Table Tennis League season things are really starting to take shape.
In Division 2 we have seen a three horse race for the title and promotion and Princes St E, having already confirmed promotion, took a huge step to claiming the title with an impressive 9-1 win against Crosby D.
In actual fact they needed 10 points to guarantee themselves top spot and were only thwarted in that by a tremendous win for Ian Truman against Genadi.
However, the Princes’ knew that even if their nearest challengers, Rainford Synergy won their final two matches 10-0 that a solitary point from their remaining match against second bottom Argyle D would be enough.
This has been a wonderful season for the E team which is the only team in the League to have an unbeaten record.
Usually teams complain about injuries costing them a chance of success but in the Princes’ case it has been just the opposite.
A serious early season injury to Gordon Wood and a niggling elbow injury to captain Nick Foss forced them to recruit Jordan Pipet and what a signing he has proved to be with an 80 per cent average ably supporting talisman and No.1 Genadi.
Additionally, superb contributions from Andy Armstrong, Dave Noden, Nick Foss and doubles specialists Derek Aitken and Dave Mullan have been the key to their success.
With the Princes’ having played on Monday all eyes turned to Rainford’s match on the Wednesday when, ironically, they were the visitors to the Parc des Princes to play Princes St D.
An Ian Lunt inspired Princes St D pulled off a shock result that not only sealed the title for their E team cousins but also all but assured themselves of staying up.
After a brilliant, tension filled, match Rainford Synergy could only manage a draw.
That was due to a great team effort by the Princes’ led by captain Ian Lunt with a double. Rob Midgely was in great form for the visitors but it wasn’t enough to stop Princes St E finishing top of the division and many congratulations to them.
However, the consolation for Rainford was that promotion was subsequently confirmed when 3rd place Argyle C travelled to Crosby D and came away with only 5 points.
Argyle D kept their mathematical hopes of survival alive with an excellent 6-4 win against already relegated Southport B. Whilst it was great to see Jules Dutch back playing for Argyle, once again Michael Parker was the difference between the two teams and his maximum saw him take the “player of the match “award home. Waterloo beat Formby Village B 7-3.
In Division 1 and with two teams battling out for runners up Crosby C heaped the pressure on rivals Princes St B with an excellent 7-3 win against Crosby B.
Charlie Williams, continuing the brilliant form that we saw at the Southport Closed, was the star performer but really this was an excellent all round team performance to move them within three points of the Princes’ who, intriguingly, they play in their final match.
That begged the question – how would Princes St B respond and we only had 24 hours to wait until they visited Southport A.
After a tremendous tussle the Princes’ came away with a hard fought 6-4 win that puts them 9 points clear in 2nd place and means that provided they avoid a 10-0 defeat in that match at Crosby they will be guaranteed runner up spot. Once again Phil Petts was the Princes’ star performer picking up his fifth “player of the match” award this season. Josiah Nix also completed a maximum, maintaining his excellent form this season.
At the bottom Princes St C had their relegation confirmed with an 8-2 loss at Argyle A who were delighted to welcome back Julian Quirk after injury.
Despite a valiant attempt the C team have found it just a bit too tough in the top division.
Champions Princes St A celebrated in style with a 10-0 with against Formby Village A.
Our featured match was at Amelan Hall in Division 3 where Southport C took on Crosby G.
This was our first in depth look at the young Crosby team the team of the season last time round, awarded because of the plucky spirit that they showed in adversity. What immediately strikes you is the solid improvement that the team has made.
Despite remaining bottom of the division they are far better players and now competitive in most games as they proved once again in this match.
Southport C fielded a very experienced team, Andy Bush, Mark Wilson, Stuart Gibson and Ian Clark. Luke Pomeroy fresh from his success in helping St Mary’s get to the Final of the English Schools Championship led the very young Crosby G team and was joined by Mark Moyneux, his brother Harry and Isobel Boyd who won the Under 14 singles at the Southport Closed last week.
In an unusual move Luke called on the 1st doubles to start the evening. Unfortunately for Crosby Andy Bush and Mark Wilson just had too much know how for Luke and Mark Molyneux.
However, fast improving Isobel Boyd soon levelled the score beating Stuart Gibson 11-8, 11-7 & 11-6. What was particularly impressive was that Isobel was losing the first game 3-7 and staged a magnificent fightback to take the game. After that there was no looking back for Isobel, who, despite her tender age, has a fearsome weapon with her big forehand loop and kill which she used to great effect and to which Stuart had no answer.
Things got even better for Crosby when Harry Molyneux beat Ian Clarke 11-9,11-9 & 11-9.
Young Harry maybe diminutive in size but has some wonderful shots and clearly a great temperament and tactical brain as he twice claimed vital points with delicate drop shots. Southport skipper Andy Bush once more levelled the score with a straightforward win against Mark Molyneux who was unable to get his topspin game going.
Crosby again took the lead when Isobel and Harry teamed up to great effect to take the 2nd doubles against Stuart and Ian. Mark Wilson then returned to the table to take on Luke and played extremely well to claim a three straight win. Luke hit some impressive shots but Mark seemed to be in inspired form returning well. Stuart nudged Southport into the lead beating Mark. Andy added to the lead when he beat Luke in a fantastic match which went to 5 games with Luke desperately unlucky not to take the point. 5-3 to Southport. Isobel gave her team hope of a draw with another sparkling performance defeating Ian before Mark steadied Southport’s nerves with a win against Harry. Final score Southport C 6 Crosby G 4
This was a wonderful match played in great spirit between both sets of players.
The momentum swung back and forth and the narrow defeat whilst undoubtedly a fair result and is a measure of the progress Crosby G have made in 12 months.
The young Crosby team have learnt well under the tutelage of star coach Dave Graham but are also a credit to their respective parents being well behaved, extremely polite and well versed in the etiquette of table tennis. It is always a joy to see them play.
At the top of Division 3 we have again seen a very competitive race between Crosby E, Formby Village C and Southport D. Going into this round of matches and each with two matches to play Crosby were top with 100 points, Formby second on 92 and Southport third with 87 points.
Southport D took a huge leap forward with an impressive 9-1 win away at Argyle F. Only Robert Yeung with a super win against Jordan Shandley prevented the whitewash.
Formby Village C beat Argyle E 6-4 with the ever impressive Jackson Cockbain maintaining his unbeaten record. That win puts Formby 2 points clear of Southport D but given that Crosby E and Formby Village C play each other in the final game of the season Southport will surely think that their chances of promotion are very much alive.
Crosby E team beat their G team cousins 8-2 to confirm promotion and left them needing just one point from their final match to finish the season as Champions. Many pundits have thought that it was just a matter of time for Crosby E who have swept all before them this season. Brilliantly led by Captain Harry Hobson, Peter Crichton, rising star Callum Critchley and his dad Mark have made this a great team effort. Very well done boys!