Divisions gearing up for intense conclusions

Competition for titles and promotion places is evident in all three divisions of the Sunderland & District Table Tennis League, but there is no more greater intensity than the race for second spot in Division Two.

West CA B are the latest team to move into the coveted slot after recording back-toback 8-2 victories.

The first of these was achieved at Old England Nomads. Nomads’ Nigel Coe saw a 2-0 lead disintegrate as West’s Malcolm Deneven took the crucial third-end 12-10 before accelerating away, 11-5 in the deciding-end. There was a touchofdéjàvuasFrankBooth came back to defeat Stuart Anderson in the fifth to heap further agony on the home team.

Remarkably, the third set also went to a decider, and WestagainprevailedasAmandaPaxtonfendedoffPaulWiggins, 11-7. Paxton and Deneven completed hat-tricks as West moved on. Although the ensuing win over lowly Brandon Devils was equally convincing, there was again a plethora of sets that went the distance. Crucially, West again took most of these.

Brandon Crusaders are close on West’s heels, and they disposedoftheotherbasement team, Lanchester Eagles, 9-1.

Elsewhere, West C played consecutive fixtures against St Gabriel’s teams. First on the menu was Gabriel’s C, and althoughKishoreSridharanand Dave Thomson hit two sets each, neither could contend withDavidRevell,whoensured a 5-5 outcome.

Next, West hosted Gabriel’s D, but found themselves on the sharp end of some consistent play by the visitors. David Snowdon’s triple-strike gave Gabriel’s a platform, and team-mates Howard McCain and Tony Watson were also chasing maximums.

Both men dismissed the challenge of Thomson and DaveBarberinstraightgames.

Watson seemed on course for another 3-0 win but, facing 9-10, Sridharan saved the situation to snatch the end 15-13, beforebreakinghisopponent’s spirit in the fifth. Finally, Sridharan and McCain duelled in a fascinating contest with McCain’s determination giving him the edge to triumph 11-9 at the death.

Gabriel’s D, fourth, see the pointsdifferentialbetweenthe three teams chasing leaders St Gabriel’s B is tight enough to promise an exciting finish.