Thompson made to work for victory after West test

Thompson A maintained control at the top of the Sunderland Table Tennis Division 1, but were tested by their opponents West CA A.

Adam Webster managed to overcome Max Duffin 12-10 in the fourth end to put West ahead, and Anthony Barella immediately made it two with a four-end triumph over Jim Stamas.

However, the Thompson team regrouped. Stamas overpowered Webster 11-7 in the fourth, before Andrew Wilkinson exchanged attacking drives and loops with Barella before emerging with a four-end victory.

Wilkinson proceeded to complete his treble, but Barella added one more set for West when he beat Duffin in straight ends.

The leaders’ 7-3 win allowed second-placed St Chad’s to close the gap as they defeated the Thompson B team 9-1, with maximums from Keith and Charlotte Weatherby, and James Scope.

Mount CA were held to a draw by Unionist Club A. Mount’s Phil Prady scored a double and was supported by singles from Anthony Ainley and Rod Roberts.

However, Unionists had the services of Richard Wilson, who galloped to three wins. With the outcome in the balance, Dave Cutler recovered from a two-game deficit against Ainley and took the fifth end 11-5 to secure the visitors a share of the spoils.

St Gabriel’s A stayed in touch when George Gibson, Tom Bainbridge, and Norman Pescod saw off their B team without reply.

Bottom-placed Sacriston Bombers put up some stiff resistance against Durham CA, who were indebted to Christian Neumann’s triple-strike as they recorded a 6-4 win.

There were also three wins apiece for Jamie Dent and David McAllister as Backspin A beat Sacriston Aces, 6-4.

Brandon Air have opened up daylight at the top of Division 2 after their convincing victory over Redby CA.

Elsewhere, St Gabriel’s D line-up of Mark Rodgers, Istvan Soos, and Gary Anderson proved too strong for lowly Sacriston Comets in a welcome 9-1 win for the hosts.

It was a similar story at Silksworth IM, where, despite a double from the B team’s Jeff McKenna, the A team notched an8-2victorythankstoAlan Bickle (2), Howard Brown (3), and Graham Sleep (2).

The Division 3 pace-setters Brandon Crusaders continued in the same vein with a 9-1 home win against Brandon Devils.

West C consolidated second-place with an 8-2 win at Lanchester, Vic Austin being the only player to win three sets.

East Boldon Bandits travelled to Sacriston Eagles and were rewarded with a thumping 9-1 victory.

Jordan Dove and Adam Allsopp notched trebles, and there was a brace from Michael Stafford.

Rebecca Harrison’s lone win salvaged some consolation for the Eagles.