Three-horse race for Division One title

The title race in Sunderland & District Table Tennis League Division One appears to be developing into an intriguing three-horse race.

Just as Brandon Air had opened up a chink of daylight at the summit, their mini lead was dramatically reduced when they travelled to face a strongStChadsline-upofJosh andKeithWeatherbyandChris Blake. Josh Weatherby and Blake both sent Jamie Lupton packing in straight games.

Blake took a tight fourthend over Richard Johnson, 17-15, before sealing another Chads set, 11-5. Next, Keith Weatherby took the final two ends 11-7 to overcome Geoff Salter 3-2. There was no Air resuscitation on tap in the doubles, as the Weatherbys beat Salter and Lupton.

Josh Weatherby wrapped up a maximum haul without reply, before Salter salvaged a solitary crumb of comfort when defeating Blake in four ends.

Salt was rubbed into a woundedBrandonteamwhen, despite a spirited Lupton comeback, Keith Weatherby nicked their five-end thriller by an agonisingly-close 15-13.

Losing all four of the contests that went the distance made a devastating difference to the result, and a 9-1 defeat meant that Brandon now have their Chads conquerors nipping at their ankles at the top of the table.

Last season’s champions Backspin A are also within striking distance in third. The fine margin between victory and defeat was emphasised in one of the most competitive Division Two fixtures as West CABhostedBethanyChristian Centre.

A total of four singles went to a deciding end, and it was the home team who profited. Frank Booth and Amanda Paxton both out-lasted Bethany’s Alan Bickle, 11-4.

After nicking a close fourth end, 13-11, against Howard Brown, Paxton grabbed another five-end triumph on her waytoanimpressivehat-trick.

The final set saw Booth battle back from 2-1 down before toppling Brown 11-4 in the decider, and seal a 7-3 victory for West.

In Division Three, there were three narrow 6-4 home wins.

East Boldon Cowboys overcameDurhamCityTornadoes, BackspinDwentdownatStGabriel’sEandLanchesterEagles B defeated Brandon Fire.