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Well that’s the Boston Table Tennis League over for another season. All of the outstanding matches (except one) were completed during the week under review.

The Yates and Greenhough Division One saw Penmaen retain their crown with an emphatic 10-0 victory over Lodgers A and then following this up with a 9-1 win over Graves Park B. Penmaen fielded their heavy squad for the Lodgers fixture, Brian Hill making one of his infrequent appearances, never looking in trouble winning his singles. No.1 ranked Jim Brewster cruised past the Lodgers lads and although Ian Stones took him to 10-12 in the third the result was never in doubt. Andy Gilbert had little trouble with either Trev Blackbourn or Ian Stones but it took him all his time to break the will of Pete Evans, Andy struggling home 11-9 in the fifth. The doubles despite being over in three straight were close, the Penmaen pair of Gilbert and Brewster edging home 11-7, 12-10, 11-9.

With the victory above, Penmaen had already clinched the title, while the Park had done enough in their previous match to escape relegation, so really there was nothing to play for except personal pride. Penmaen started off in fine style, Andy Gilbert despatching Dave Graham but the Park hit back to level the score, (how many teams can say that they were level with Penmaen during a game this season), Mick Maltby gaining an exceptional result, beating No.6 ranked Brett Heppenstall 11-7, 5-11,11-9, 11-9. Brian Hill playing in place of Jim Brewster, made short work of Mike Freeston, while Gilbert after a second set hic-cup against Maltby, ran out a narrow winner in the fourth end. Hill did enough to beat Graham, while Freeston gave the out of touch Heppenstall a scare, winning the third end 11-9 but losing the vital fourth by a similar score. Hill completed his hat-trick without too much trouble and Gilbert, after a first set shock losing 10-12 to Freeston, comfortably won the next three. The Park had high hopes of winning the last singles of the night, Graham leading Heppenstall two sets to one but Brett summoned up his reserves to pull the game out of the fire for victory.

Graves Park C, who haven’t had the best of seasons, completed their fixtures with a 9-1 victory over Lodgers A, who have been without star man Graham Lacey since before Christmas. This was no ‘end of season game’ Mick East blasting past Trev Blackbourn while James Quinton struggled to overcome a battling Ian Stones 5-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9, 12-10 but Lodgers pulled one back, Pete Evans beating Martin Walters in a close five ender. East picked up his second of the night, this being somewhat harder than the first, dropping the third set to Stones while Walters got his name on the board beating a battling Blackbourn 11-9, 3-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6. The Park were now in control, Quinton beating Evans, although this one was far from clear cut, whilst Walters beat Stones in three straight. Evans gave East a fright by taking the third end but Mick put that right in the next, while another four ender saw the last singles of the night also swing the Park’s way, Quinton collecting his hat-trick to hand the Park a resounding victory.

Lodgers B became the champions of the A D Dickinson Division Two but not in the way they would have wished, going down 3-7 to stable-mates Lodgers E, currently the best team in this division. If the E had included their Christmas present, (Mark Vere), earlier in the season, they would have won this division hands down.

Mark Vere and Colin Bell respectively No.1 and No.2 in the rankings were in brilliant form, both of them winning their singles, Bell being a little lucky to beat Vic Clements in three, while Vere was pushed all the way by Tim Day before getting it right in the last two. Tomas Bell who is improving all the time was unlucky not to pick up something, taking Pete Truepenny to five, just losing the final end 9-11, while against Clements and Day both games went to four, Thomas fading a bit in the fourth end.

Lodgers F seem to have saved the best till last equalling their best win of the season beating Penmaen D 7-3.

Lodgers were obviously buzzing, opening up a massive 5-0 lead Boyd Smith beating John Shortland and Chris Cooke, both games being tight four setters. Simon Rastrick just got the drop on Chris Cooke, while the indomitable Steve Harker chipped in with two, beating No.7 ranked Dave Smith and Shortland. The game against Dave Smith was close and on another night the result could so easily have swung the other way. At last Penmaen got their night on track, Dave Smith picking beating Raistrick over another five setter but Harker settled the Lodgers nerves and celebrated his hat-trick beating Cooke, who by his standards had a poor night 3-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-4. Penmaen reduced the arrears, Dave Smith comfortably beating Boyd Smith but it was too little too late, Raistrick wrapping up the singles with a three set win over a disheartened Shortland. It still wasn’t over, Cooke and Dave Smith gaining some revenge for their singles defeats, turning in a good performance in the doubles, beating Harker and Raistrick 11-7, 11-9 11-8 adding a bit of gloss to a disappointing evening.

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Lodgers A 0, Penmaen A 10; Graves Park B 1, Penmaen 9; Lodgers A 1, Graves Park C 9; Graves Park A 7, Graves Park Nomads 3.

A D Dickinson Division Two: Lodgers B 3, Lodgers E 7; Penmaen D 3, Lodgers F 7.

News for week ending Sunday March 23

Depending on your point of view, it has been both a good week or a bad week for Graves Park B. All season long they have been involved in a relegation battle with Penmaen C. And at the beginning of the week the Park were four points adrift of Penmaen, but with two games in hand. However, one of those games is against champions-elect Penmaen A. And if the Park scored none here they would still have done well, while Penmaen had already put their name on the Yates and Greenhough Division One title.

Penmaen C completed their season by forcing a 5-5 draw with Lodgers A, Ian Stones opening the scoring for Lodgers, beating Roger Hooton over four ends. Maurice Buck replied with a sterling display beating Trev Blackbourn 11-5, 6-11, 13-15, 12-10, 11-8, while Neil Snaith put his team, (Penmaen), in the lead with a close five set win over Pete Evans. Stones put Lodgers on level terms with a comfortable win over Buck and Lodgers took the lead, Evans getting his name on the board beating Hooton 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7. Lodgers were now cooking on gas, Snaith overcoming Blackbourn in yet another tight five setter, while Evans made it 5-2, comfortably beating Buck. ossibly the game of the night saw Penmaen reduce the arrears, Snaith beating Stones 11-5, 8-11, 11-6, 1-11, 12-10 and with Hooton gaining a walkover against Blackbourn the result was in the melting pot. With Penmaen needing it much more than Lodgers, it was Snaith and Hooton who nicked the first end 12-10 but coasted home 11-4, 11-5 in the next two, thus ensuring their team an equal share of the points and keeping them in with a chance of cheating relegation.

On the same night Graves Park B met their A team, the B getting away to a solid start, Dave Graham beating Nick Langley in three, while Mick Maltby just overcame the big hitting Phil Brooks 5-11, 11-7, 12-10, 8-11, 14-12. The A pulled themselves together, Rob Smith replying beating Mike Freeston but the B re-opened their two game lead, Maltby comfortably beating Langley in three. Smith again kept the A in with a shout, beating Graham in a tight five ender but Freeston kept the A at bay, comfortably beating Brooks. Smith pulled it back to 3-4, while Langley picked up his first of the night to level the score, beating Freeston in three straight. Graham restored the B’s lead beating Brooks, who had a disappointing night but they (the B) were thwarted in the doubles, the A pairing of Brooks and Smith pinching it 12-10 in the fourth making sure the game ended all square.

With the situation much the same as at the start of the week, the B went in to their last but one match against Graves Park Nomads, not knowing how many points they actually needed to stay up. One train of thought was that it would be nice to stay in the first division while another train of thought was that it would be much easier playing in the second. The B despite looking the stronger side found Nomads who have already booked their passage to division two, determined to go out of division one in style.

Although never being behind in this game the B were always struggling to break free, Dean Clow being a constant thorn in their side winning his three. Dean though might consider himself to be a little on the lucky side being taken to five by Mike Freeston, scraping home 11-9, 11-8, 10-12, 9-11, 11-9. Dave Graham and Mick Maltby picked up two each both of them beating Tris Clow and Harry Paul while Mike Freeston could only manage one beating the luckless Paul 11-4, 11-7, 11-7. The B desperately needed the doubles to make sure of survival but Dean Clow combining with brother Tris put the B’s survival in doubt beating a lack lustre Graham and Maltby 11-6, 11-5, 14-12. A quick check with the Match Secretary showed that their fight had not been in vain, only needing five to survive, so it’s division one next season.

Elsewhere the big two clashed, Penmaen fielding their strongest team while Lodgers left out No.3 ranked Kelvin Clements. As expected Brian Hill and Jim Brewster both won their singles, Jim blowing away the opposition in straight sets, while Brian needed four to dispose of Ian Royle, Ian springing a bit of a surprise winning the first set 11-7. Brian shrugged this off, going on to win the next three 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 showing that the result had never really been in doubt. Andy Gilbert chipped in with two needing five to beat Mark Hulme, Andy scraping in 14-12 in the fifth but making short work of Royle. However, Andy had his hands full with Gary Hill, and although the games were close, Gary was there at the kill just edging it 11-8, 11-9 14-12. The doubles produced a bit of a surprise, Royle and Hill who don’t play a lot of doubles together beating the Gilbert/Brewster combination in four adding a bit of a gloss to the score.

With Lodgers conceding the title to Penmaen, they Lodgers went in their final match of the season taking on third placed Penmaen B. This was a typical end-of-season game, with not to much at stake apart from personal pride.

Kelvin Clements looked as though he was going to lose his no.3 ranking, losing to Alan Ashberry but Gary Hill made sure the status quo remained, beating Ashberry quite easily. Clements and Hill picked up two each and Mark Hulme one, all the Lodgers lads beating the unlucky Scott Sykes who fought hard all night for no reward. Pick of the Penmaen players was Ashberry and Jake the Pegg, (good win over Gary Hill), both with two apiece who then combined to win the doubles ensuring an equal share of the points of two well matched teams.

In A D Dickinson Division Two Lodgers put their name on the championship with solid 8-2 victory over their D team thus ensuring what has been expected all along. It was touch and go early on though, the D forging ahead, Tony Kime beating No.3 ranked Vic Clements and No. 8 ranked Pete Truepenny but in a close game with No.4 ranked Tim Day, he, (Kime) lost out by the narrowest of margins going down 9-11. 10-12, 10-12. All of the B players beat Bonsor and Leggate, Day taking the man of the match award by also beating Kime. The doubles was a close affair, Day and Clements gaining some revenge for their singles defeats, beating Kime and Bonsor 14-16, 11-6, 11-4, 12-10 to guide their teams to the title and an 8-2 victory.

Stickney B, who this season have had all kinds of team problems (unavailability of players), completed their season by playing two matches in four days and both times with only two players. Their first match up was against Graves Park F, who have disappointed this season, Tony Sharpe getting Stickney on the board with a five set win over Alan Davy. Tim Sampson made short work of Fred Calvert while Sharpe gained an excellent win over Frankish, whose form seems to have dropped in recent weeks. Stickney edged further in the lead Sampson being take to five by Davy but the Stickney charge was temporarily halted, Calvert comfortably easing home against Sharpe. Man of the match Sampson completed an excellent hat-trick with a superb five set win over Frankish but the great singles performances were all to no avail Sharpe and Sampson just being on the wrong end of a five set doubles, Frankish and Calvert rescuing the Park from what would have been an unmitigated disaster.

Wrangle, no matter what the score of their last match, can no longer be promoted. They just beat a two-man Stickney B 8-2 in their penultimate fixture. Sam Cooper opened the scoring with a five set win over Tony Sharpe, while Dave Coulson gave Tim Sampson short shrift. Dennis Pattrick got his name on the board beating Sharpe and it was left to Sampson to stop the run of defeats beating Cooper 8-11, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 12-10. Coulson returned Wrangle to the winning trail beating Sharpe in a close five ender, while Pattrick brushed aside the challenge of Sampson. The Stickney pairing of Sharpe and Sampson, gained some recompense for their singles defeats, combining to beat Cooper and Pattrick 5-11, 11-8, 11-3 11-8 in the doubles and it is this very game that scuppered Wrangle’s outside chance of promotion

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Penmaen C 5, Lodgers A 5; Graves Park B 5, Graves Park A 5; Graves Park Nomads 5, Graves Park B 5; Lodgers G 2, Penmaen A 8; Penmaen B 5, Lodgers G 5.

A D Dickinson Division Two: Lodgers B 8, Lodgers D 2; Stickney B 5, Graves Park F 5; Stickney B 2, Wrangle 8.

News for week ending Sunday March 16

With the league programme drawing to a close (only a week or so to go), there are still outstanding issues in both divisions.

The Yates and Greenhough Division One title is still undecided. Penmaen A look the clear favourites, but at the moment Lodgers G are leading Penmaen by seven points. However, Penmaen have a game in hand and all will be decided when the two meet this week. Relegation is no clearer either, only that Graves Park Nomads are dead in the water, while the other relegation place is between Penmaen C and Graves Park B. Penmaen are four points ahead of the Park but have only one game remaining. The Park on the other hand have three games to play, one against the prospective champions Penmaen A, one against Graves Park A while their last match will be against Graves Park Nomads. A victory here will see the Park safe and send Penmaen C down.

The top two teams in the Division One both had identical victories, Penmaen A defeating their C team 10-0, while Lodgers G disposed of Stickney A in the same manner. The clash of the Penmaens saw the A in charge and despite Neil Snaith and Maurice Buck running Andy Gilbert close in the third end, the result was never in doubt. Jimmy Brewster comfortably won his three, while Brett Heppenstall seemed to have recovered from his mauling the previous week, also won his singles despite losing the first end to Roger Hooton.

The Lodgers v Stickney tussle found the Lodgers lads in fine form, Kelvin Clements comfortably winning his singles straight ends. Ian Royle gave him excellent support, tidily beating Paul Hartnett and Andrew Benjamin but dropping a set to Vince Lozynsky, who is still settling in and next season he will pick up a lot more. Gary Hill also picked up his singles but he was made to work, struggling to beat Lozynsky and was then very lucky to come from 1-2 down to win the last two 11-9, 11-8 to beat Benjamin.

Stickney A had then perhaps their best victory of the season hammering the whipping boys Graves Park Nomads 9-1. Ironically Nomads opened the scoring, Tris Clow beating Paul Hartnett in the first game of the night but Vince Lozynsky levelled the score with a good win over Dean Clow while Andrew Benjamin put Stickney in the lead with a straight leg win over Harry Paul. Hartnett got his name on the board extending Stickney’s lead with a rather easy win over Dean Clow and with Benjamin beating Tris Clow, Stickney were in the driving seat. Lozynsky picked up his second of the night, struggling a bit in the first three against Harry Paul but the fourth end was decisive enough. With Benjamin collecting his hat trick at the expense of Dean Clow and Hartnett beating Harry Paul, Lozynsky cleaned up the singles with a hard fought win over Tris Clow. The doubles although meaningless were keenly fought, the two hat-trick boys. Lozynsky and Benjamin losing the first end 9-11 but hit back to win the next two 11-8, 11-7 and the crowned the night with a decisive 11-5 win in the fourth for a 9-1 victory.

Graves Park C (fourth) and Penmaen B (third) met and although only personal pride was at stake a very evenly contest was fought. No.4 ranked Alan Ashberry was in tremendous form, comfortably beating James Quinton and Martin Walters and although losing the first end to Mick East, he narrowly took the next two to give him a 2-1 lead. The fourth set was close but the spoils went to Ashberry, who just pinched the set 13-11. No 8 ranked Jake the Pegg could only pick up one beating Quinton and despite taking the third set out of Walters, he, (Jake) replied by winning the fourth end 11-8. Scott Sykes has had happier nights losing all three and although taking Quinton close he lost the vital fifth 10-12 and I know from experience how galling that can be.

Promotion from A D Dickinson Division Two is far from clear apart from the fact that Lodgers B are the undisputed champions. The runners-up spot though is still in the mix, although Graves Park D who have completed their fixtures seem firm favourites, However, Wrangle should not be ruled out and despite being 18 points behind the Park they still have two games remaining and 9-1 wins in both of these would mean a play off.

Graves Park D, in their quest for promotion, suffered mixed results, losing 3-7 to what is now the best team in this division, Lodgers E but two nights later the Park crushed promotion rivals Wrangle 7-3. None of the Park lads had any answer to the top two players of Division Two, No.1 ranked Mark Vere brushing aside the Park lads, although Paul Gilbert and Mick Dodes both ran him close. No.2 ranked Colin Bell did likewise beating Gilbert and Dodes fairly comfortably but he had all sort of trouble with Paul Matschull, Paul winning the first end 13-11 but just losing the next two 9-11. Thomas Bell was as expected no match for the experienced Park lads which left Colin Bell and Mark Vere to crown a successful evening, winning the doubles in straight ends to steer the team to temporary third place in the table.

Both the Park and Wrangle had their meeting marked down as the defining game of the season, Park surged into a 4-0 lead, Paul Gilbert beating No.6 ranked Dave Coulson and Dennis Pattrick while Mick Dodes had to come from 1-2 down to beat Pattrick 11-7 in the fifth. Wrangle at last got on the board, Coulson finding some form to beat Paul Matschull in three, but it was to no avail, the Park winning the next two, Dodes beating Cooper, and Matschull beating an off colour Pattrick 11-3, 11-8, 11-8. Cooper and Coulson staged a mini revival for Wrangle beating Gilbert and Dodes respectively but it was to little too late, Dodes and Gilbert combined in the doubles to beat the Wrangle pairing of Pattrick and Coulson 16-14, 13-11, 14-12, 11-5 for a 7-3 victory.

Playing two matches in three days saw mixed results for Lodgers D struggling near the foot of the table. Playing bottom team Stickney they struggled to a 6-4 win while three days later just going down to fifth placed Penmaen D 4-6. The game against Stickney saw Tony Kime in top form, brushing aside Tony Sharpe and Tim Sampson but he knew he had been in a game with Tony Hall, Hall taking the first set 11-9 and Kime having to call on his reserves to win the next three. Graham Bonsor had a poor night beating Tim Sampson, (arguably) Stickney’s best player), over five demanding ends, but losing to both Sharpe and Hall in straight ends. Nev Leggate chipped in with one with a three set victory over Tony Sharpe, He (Nev) then combined with Kime to win a close fought doubles guiding the team to a narrow 6-4 victory.

The match against Penmaen D saw two evenly matched teams, Penmaen breaking the ice, Chris Cooke after a second end blip, comfortably beating Nev Leggate. However Lodgers hit back, No.9 ranked Tony Kime easing past John Shortland but immediately Penmaen regained the lead, Dave Smith being pushed all the way by Graham Bonsor. Undeterred by this, Kime charged past Cooke but Penmaen hung on in there, Smith beating Leggate without any difficulty. Lodgers hit back, Bonsor, who has not been playing well lately, got his name on the board with a win over Shortland and then they, (Lodgers), gained the lead for the first time of the night, Kime completing his hat-trick at the expense of No. 5 ranked Smith. Penmaen though weren’t going to be denied, Cooke picking up his second of the night with a gruelling five set win over Bonsor while Shortland got his name on the board, pushing Penmaen back into the lead with a straight set win over Leggate. With the doubles deciding a riveting match, Cooke and Smith combined, gaining some revenge for their singles defeats, beating Kime and Bonsor 12-10, 11-4, 6-11, 11-7 in an absorbing contest for a narrow 6-4 win

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Stickney A 0, Lodgers G 10; Penamen A 10, Penmaen C 0; Graves Park Nomads 1, Stickney A 9; Graves Park C 5, Penmaen B 5.

A D Dickinsion Division Two: Graves Park D 3, Lodgers E 7; Wrangle 3, Graves Park D 7; Stickney B 4, Lodgers D 6; Lodgers D 4, Penmaen D 6; Lodgers F 4, Stickney B 6.

News for week ending Sunday March 9

The battle for what will be the runners-up position in the A D Dickinson Division Two continues apace.

Wrangle, who up until a fortnight ago, looked odds-on certs have seen their chances go pear-shaped and their promotion hopes now hang by a thread. They (Wrangle) are now 11 points behind Graves Park D and despite having a match in hand (against Stickney, possible 10 points here), they will still have to win their last match which is against Park D, who have made a late run, promotion could go down to the wire. Wrangle’s tale of woe started when they met Lodgers F and despite getting away to a good start, No.6 ranked Dave Coulson beating Simon Raistrick in three, David Kime quickly levelled the score, beating No7 ranked Sam Cooper in straight ends. Boyd Smith gave Lodgers the lead with a good win over Dennis Pattrick but Wrangle drew level, Cooper comfortably beating Raistrick 11-5, 11-4, 11-5. It was now Wrangle’s turn to take the lead, Coulson just getting the better of Smith but Lodgers quickly levelled, Kime beating Pattrick over four close ends. Wrangle regained the lead for the seond time of the night, Smith playing well to beat Cooper but it was all to no avail as Wrangle hit back, Pattrick beating Raistrick, while man of the match Coulson, despite losing the second set, made short work of Kime. Down to the doubles, both teams needing this for different reasons but the Lodgers pair of Kime and Smith were in great form, winning the first two 11-9, 11-6 and despite a blip in the third losing 6-11 they quickly wrapped up the fourth 11-4 to earn their team a draw and put a dent in Wrangle’s promotion hopes.

A few nights later Wrangle all but waved goodbye to promotion being beaten 3-7 by the team of the moment, Lodgers E. The resurgence of Lodgers E, who at Christmas were nearer the bottom than the top, is little short of phenomenal but this has mainly to do with the introduction of Mark Vere who so far has played 9 matches and won all his games. Although not appearing in the rankings and no matter how he does in this match he will be the divisions new No 1. Mark Vere attained the No 1 spot comfortably winning his singles, cruising to victories over No 6 ranked Dave Coulson and No 7 ranked Sam Cooper but after winning the first two sets against Dennis Pattrick he lost the third 4-11 and only struggled home 13-11 in the fourth. No 2 ranked Colin Bell gave him excellent support also winning his singles but he might consider himself to be a little lucky, needing four ends to see off the challenges of Pattrick and Coulson and being taken the full distance by Cooper before winning the fifth 11-7. Thomas Bell again played well but failed to win any but against opposition of this calibre it is hardly surprising.

At the top, Lodgers B march on and now need only seven points from their two remaining games to be sure of the title and although one is games is against Lodgers E, the other one against Lodgers D should be a less onerous task.

Lodgers B this week travelled to Penmaen D, Vic Clements putting the visitors on the board with a straight set win over John Shortland. Dave Smith levelled the score with a close five set win over Pete Truepenny and Chris Cooke turned the form book upside down, narrowly beating No.4 ranked Tim Day 11-4, 7-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, (good results this). Lodgers found themselves on the back foot but Clements steadied the nerves in a close game with No.5 ranked Smith while Day opened his account with a hard fought victory over Shortland. Penmaen briefly rallied, Cook beating Truepenny, but the revival was short-lived, Lodgers marching on, Day picking up his second of the night, Clements collecting his hat-trick to move up a place in the rankings, while Truepenny capped the singles with a four set win over Shortland. A shock result in the doubles looked to be on the cards, Smith and Cooke winning the first end 11-7, but the Lodgers pairing of Clements and Day got their act together, comfortably winning, the next three to guide their team to a 7-3 victory.

With results not in from the top two in the Yates and Greenhough Division One, Penmaen B look as though they are going to settle for third spot, trimming up Lodgers A 9-1 and a few night later Graves Park B 10-0.

Penmaen started off in some style against Lodgers A, Alan Ashberry making short work of Trev Blackbourn and although Ian Stones levelled the score beating Scott Sykes it was a short respite, as the Penmaen bandwagon started to roll, Jake the Pegg trimming up Pete Evans in straight legs. Ashberry had his work cut out getting the better of Stones, while Pegg had no truck with Blackbourn. Sykes got his name on the board with win over Evans, while Stones, who was the pick of the Lodgers team, just went down to Jake 12-10, 11-13, 12-10, 9-11, 8-11. It was all over with Ashberry picking up his hat-trick, while Sykes was a little lucky to come out of the game with a win over Blackbourn. With the Ashberry/Sykes pair contesting the doubles, Lodgers thought they may pick up a second, Blackbourn and Stones winning the first 13-11. This though was quickly dispelled by the Penmaen duo Ashberry and Sykes picking up the next three to sneak home 11-4, 11-9, 11-9.

With Dave Graham being on holiday Park B could see the writing on the wall and decided to play Penmaen with only two players. Every game was over in straight ends but nevertheless there was some close encounters, Scott Sykes just getting the better of Mike Freeston, a game that so could so easily have gone the full distance. Mick Maltby also ran Ashberry close but in the end the vital points went to the Penmaen player.

Stickney A had their best result of the season with a 8-2 win over Penmaen C and this result could herald Penmaen’s exit from the first division. They really need a good results from their last two games and as one is against Penmaen A and the other against Lodgers A, points are going to be few and far between. Penmaen found Andrew Benjamin in brilliant form, Andrew winning his singles and despite being taken the full distance by both Roger Hooton and Neil Snaith, he fought back to win the last two in both games. He was well supported by Paul Hartnett who also won his singles, Paul having possibly the best game of the night against Hooton, the game swinging first one way then the other but Hartnett got the break in the fifth to ease home 11-4. Vince Lozynsky chipped in with two, comfortably beating Snaith and Buck and although taking the second end out of Hooton, Roger tightened his game up to scrape home in the next two. Benjamin and Hartnett who had both had successful evening’s slipped up in the doubles and although winning the first two ends 11-4, 11-8, they got complacent, the Penmaen pair of Hooton and Snaith turning their game around to win 11-5, 11-6, 11-5 adding a little gloss to the score.

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Lodgers A 1, Penmaen B 9; Penmaen B 10, Graves Park B 0; Penmaen C 2, Stickney A 8,

A D Dickinson Division Two: Wrangle 5, Lodgers F 5; Lodgers E 7, Wrangle 3; Penmaen D 3, Lodgers B 7.

News for week ending Sunday March 2

With less than a month to go to the end of the season, the title race in the Yates and Greenhough Division One is down to a two horse race, featuring current champions Penmaen A and Lodgers G, who last season finished third.

Penmaen pulled in one of their outstanding fixtures playing two matches in the space of five days, comfortably beating Stickney A 9-1 in a re-arranged match but so nearly coming a cropper when they visited Graves Park C, scraping home 6-4, their worst result for almost three seasons. Their game against Stickney was a walk in the park, Jim Brewster and Andy Gilbert having no trouble winning their singles in straight legs. Brett Heppenstall despite narrowly losing the first game 11-9, 8-11, 8-11, 11-9, 10-12, to Paul Hartnett picked up his remaining two in straight ends and then combined with Gilbert to comfortably cruise home in the doubles.

The match with Graves Park C also looked a foregone conclusion, after all with virtually the same team, they (Penmaen) had beaten the Park 9-1 in the first half of the season. The Park by the same token have also had some wobbly bits, struggling against teams from the lower reaches just winning 6-4 but having reasonable results against some of the supposedly better teams. Penmaen as usual started in fine style, Jim Brewster and Andy Gilbert giving them a 2-0 lead but even here there was a question mark, both the Penmaen players dropping ends to Martin Walters and James Quinton. It was Mick East who put the Park on the board, beating Brett Heppenstall in four but Brewster restored the two game cushion, comfortably beating Quinton. Walters reduced the deficit to one with a win over Heppenstall but every time the Park got close Penmaen would win the next. So it went on, Gilbert playing well to beat East but the Park bounced back, Quinton beating Heppenstall, who had a miserable night losing all three, (for the fist time this season), which has seen him slip to No.9 in the rankings. Brewster completed his hat-trick beating East the game going to four ends and thus becoming the new No.1, now he has played the requisite number of games. The Park though weren’t finished and in a rousing finale, Walters gave them a fighting chance of forcing a draw, beating No.2 ranked Gilbert, losing the first 3-11 but coming back to win the next three 11-3, 11-4, 11-7 to keep the chance of a draw alive. With only the doubles to play the Park failed to shine, Brewster and Heppenstall comfortably beating the Park duo, snatching a victory to keep them on course for the title.

Lodgers G now Penmaen’s only contenders, held on to top spot beating Graves Park A 10-0 and at present lead Penmaen by 7 points. Penmaen however, have a game in hand and are scheduled to play Lodgers G in what will be a cliff-hanger in the last game of the season.

The race for promotion from A D Dickinson Division Two is just as tight although Lodgers B are firm favourites. Hot on the heels are Graves Park D who are 5 points adrift of Lodgers, who also have a game in hand. Unlikely the Park will catch them as they only have two games, remaining. Then there is Wrangle, who have three game in hand with the Park but are 19 points behind them. Also in the mix is Lodgers E who are not going to win the league but they can make things difficult for the top three as they still have to play all of them and results from these will be crucial, while Graves Park D also have to play Wrangle.

Lodgers B moved a step nearer the title, beating bottom team Stickney B 9-1. Vic Clements and Tim Day both picked up their singles, Clements unable to find his feet in the first set against both Tim Sampson and Tony Hall but once he had settled down, the result was never in doubt. Day had comfortable evening with wins over Tony Sharpe and Hall and although losing the first set 4-11 against Sampson, he cruised the next three 11-8, 11-4, 11-8. Pete Truepenny had little trouble in winning his first two but he blotted the teams copybook, losing the last singles of the evening to Tim Sampson, who was the pick of the Stickney team, Tim edging home 6-11, 11-9, 11-9, 14-12.

Graves Park D kept in the mix with a solid 8-2 victory over their F team, David Walters and Paul Gilbert (making one of his infrequent appearances), picking up their singles. However both of them were pushed by Barry Frankish, Walters needing four, while Gilbert narrowly scraped home 11-9 in the fifth. Paul Matschull had little trouble with Kit Calvert and Alan Davy but despite a hard battle with Barrry Frankish he lost out in the fourth. This win must have buoyed the F team, Frankish, fresh from his teams only singles success, pairing up with Davy to win the doubles in three straight.

Wrangle’s hopes of promotion were kept alive, with a confident win over Lodgers D, who now find themselves occupying bottom but one place in the table. Apart from a blip in the second, Tony Kime beating Dennis Pattrick, Wrangle swept all before them, Dave Coulson and Sam Cooper being in tremendous form, both of them beating No.9 ranked Tony Kime in three but needing four against Nev Leggate. Dennis Pattrick despite losing his first game of the night, picked himself up to overcome the challege of Graham Bonsor, the game going the full distance and then combining with Cooper to win the doubles for a 9-1 victory.

Lodgers E could be the team that might well decide who will be champions and such are the vagaries of the fixture list is that their last three fixtures will be against the three frontrunners. This week they themselves moved into fourth place with slightly differing results just scraping a 6-4 win over stable-mates Lodgers F but a few nights later beating a depleted Graves Park F 8-2. Against their F outfit, who themselves were fielding their stronger squad, No.1 ranked Colin Bell and soon to be No. 1 Mark Vere were in great form, both of them winning their singles. Colin was perhaps a little lucky to pick up his three having a ding-dong battle with David Kime, before inching home 13-11 in the fifth in a game which swung both ways. Kime and Harker gained some consolation for their singles defeats in the best game of the night, just edging out the experienced Bell and Vere 13-11 in the final set.

Against Graves Park F who only turned up with two players Bell and Vere were again both in sparkling form winning their singles. Vere had little trouble with Frankish but found Davy more difficult and was perhaps happy to scrape home 11-9 in the fourth. Bell also found Frankish straightforward but he was not firing on all cylinders against Davy, losing the first end 2-11 but the result never looked in doubt. Thomas Bell again turned in a decent performance losing both his games despite taking Frankish to four. However he shouldn’t be too disappointed, being beaten by players of this experience.

Penmaen D look to have staked their claim for a top five finish picking up some valuable points in an 8-2 win over a depleted Stickney B team. No. 5 ranked Dave Smith and Chris Cooke both won their singles fairly comfortably, although Tim Sampson gave him (Smith), a sound testing before fading each time particularly towards the end of the set. John Shortland picked up one beating Tony Sharpe but despite leading Sampson two sets to one, he lost out 9-11 11-5, 11-9, 9-11 10-12. Things didn’t get any better in the doubles either, Shortland and Smith managing to lose to the Stickney pair of Sharp and Sampson adding a bit of gloss to the scoreline.

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Penmaen A 9, Stickney A 1; Graves Park C 4, Penmaen A 6; Lodgers G 10, Graves Park A 0.

A D Dickinson Division Two: Lodgers B 9, Stickney B 1; Lodgers D 1, Wrangle 9; Graves Park F 2, Graves Park D 8; Lodgers F 4, Lodgers E 6; Lodgers E 8, Graves Park F 2; Stickney B 2, Penmaen B 8.

News for week ending Sunday February 24

With the Boston Winter Table Tennis League at the three-quarters stage, teams — especially those in the lower reaches of the Yates and Greenhough Division One — the results this week make some interesting reading.

The main beneficiaries of these results have been Graves Park B who turned in probably their best performance of the season beating fellow strugglers Penmaen C 7-3. The Park took an early lead, Dave Graham just getting the edge over Roger Hooton but Neil Snaith quickly levelled, with a four set win over Mick Maltby. Mike Freeston put the Park ahead with a positive win over Maurice Buck but Snaith again came to Penmaen’s rescue, comfortably beating Graham in three straight. At this stage the Park thought they may have a battle on their hands but Freeston edged them in front with a 10-12, 13-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7 over Hooton while Maltby had little trouble disposing of Buck. The match of the night came next, the two unbeaten players, Snaith and Freeston took the stage. This was a real close encounter, Freeston narrowly winning the first two, Snaith pulled a leg back but Freeston call on his reserves hit back to win the fourth 11-9. The Park were now in the driving seat, Graham beating Buck and with Maltby blasting past Hooton, it was all over. Penmaen’s despite knowing they had lost, their response in the doubles couldn’t be faulted and although just ncking the first 13-11 they hit form in the next two, beating Freeston and Maltby 11-7, 11-5, thus adding a bit of a gloss to the score line.

Penmaen’s troubles went from bad to worse when they visited Graves Park A, the corresponding fixture in the first half of the season being the last time they (Penmaen) actually won a match. The Park took a healthy 2-0 lead but this was quickly clawed back, Neil Snaith beating Phil Brooks while Roger Hooton disposed of Nick Langley in three straight. Back came the Park, Smith and Brooks adding to the score beating Snaith and Buck respectively and in spite of Penmaen snatching another, Snaith beating Langley, the Park seized the initiative, Brooks picking up his second of the night with an excellent win over Hooton, while Smith made sure of victory with a three set win over Buck. The Park knew it was all over and sub consciously relaxed, allowing the Penmaen pair of Snaith and Hooton nick the doubles in a tight fifth end making the final score 6-4 in the Park’s favour. This result plunges Penmaen deep into the relegation zone.

Graves Park C, who at the best could finish fourth, kept the momentum going with a 9-1 victory over their A team who are looking to occupy mid table. The A had Mick Dodes standing in for Phil Brooks and although not winning any he took Martin Walters to five, before going down 9-11 in the final end. Nick Langley fared marginally better, going the full distance with Walters and taking a set out of Mick East but he was no match for James Quinton being well beaten 6-11, 8-11. 1-11. Rob Smith proved to be the Park saviour Losing to East and Quinton but saving the Park from an ignominious defeat beating Walters in a tight five ender, Rob winning by the narrowest of margins.

Lodgers G kept up the pressure at the head of the table with two solid victories, beating both Graves Park Nomads and Graves Park B 10-0. The match with Park Nomads saw Kelvin Clements again in top form winning his three without too much trouble, while Gary Hill gave him excellent support alos picking up his three but being taken to four by Dean Clow. Mark Hulme despite winning his singles, had to fight all the way going to four with both Walt Bridges and Tris Clow but finding Dean Clow a bit of a handfull, Hulme scrasping home 11-9 in the fifth. Graves Park B thought losing 0-10 wasn’t too bad and looking on the bright side the match was over by 10pm. Most of the games were three seters, although both Mike Freeston and Mick Maltby did take an end out of Ian Royle. Freeston was also unlucky not to get more from his game with Mark Hulme, battling hard only to lose the fourth end 10-12.

Penmaen A moved menacingly toward top rolling over their B team 9-1 and then thumping Lodgers A 10-0.

Against their B team, the A fielded the heavy squad, Brian Hill making one of his rare appearances. As expected neither he (Brian) or Jim Brewster had no trouble with any of the B lads, both of them winning their singles in straight legs. Brett Heppenstall chipped in with two, beating Jake the Pegg and Scott Sykes in straight ends, but he had all sorts of trouble with Alan Ashberry and despite winning the third end 11-4 he faded in the fourth, Alan winning 11-3 for the B’s solitary point.

The game with Lodgers A could not have been more straightforward, every game but one being over in straight ends. Ian Stones showed the only glimmer of hope taking the second leg off Andy Gilbert but Andy cruised home in the next two to win the game.

Penmaen B showed that defeat by the A team had not knocked their confidence beating Park Nomads who now look certain to be relegated 9-1. Both Alan Ashberry and Jake the Pegg won their singles beating Walt Bridges and Tris Clow in three straight but finding Dean Cllow a tougher nut to crack, Dean taking both of them to four. It was perhaps the fitting that it should have been Dean who won Nomads only point, narrowly beating Scott Sykes 11-9 in the fifth, in a game that could have gone either way.

Stickney A who last won a game way back in early January failed to break their barren spell losing 3-7 to Lodgers A who themselves are in need of the points. Lodgers opened the scoring, Pete Evans turning in a solid performance to beat Paddy Hartnett in five but Andrew Benjamin redressed the balance beating Trev Blackbourn. Geoff Bourne put Stickney in the lead with a good victory against Ian Stones, which only seemed to sting Lodgers into action, Blackbourn beating Hartnett, while Evans put them in from with a five set victory over Bourne and with Stones beating Benjamin quite comfortably, Lodgers were in the driving seat. With Blackbourn beating Bourne and Stones beating Hartnett (who was having a nightmare night, how many times a season does he lose all three?), Stickney were home and dry and despite Benjamin making short work of Evans it was too little too late. With the game in the bag the Lodgers pairing put the icing on the cake Blackbourn and Stones wrapping up the doubles 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 to give Lodgers a welcome 7-3 victory.

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Penmaen C 3, Graves Park B 7; Graves Park A 6, Penmaen C 4; Graves Park C 9, Graves Park A 1; Graves Park B 0, Lodgers G 10; Lodgers G 10, Graves Park Nomads 0; Penmaen A 9, Penmaen B 1; Penmaen A 10, Lodgers A 0; Penmaen B 9, Graves Park Nomads 1; Lodgers A 7, Stickney A 3; Stickney A 4, Graves Park C 6.

News for week ending Sunday February 17

The main action of the week took place in the A D Dickinson Division Two. Lodgers E who have had an off-form/on-form second half of the season, took on stable-mates Lodgers D. 7-3 in favour of the E looks fairly convincing but the score line rather flatters them, No.1 ranked Colin Bell and Mark Vere (who will be No.1 when he has played enough matches) both winning their games. However, Colin was taken to four ends by both Graham Bonsor and Nev Leggate, although the deciding ends in both cases was fairly straightforward. Mark Vere, who so far hadn’t dropped a set, had his work cut out by Tony Kime. Mark, after winning the first two ends, was taken the full distance and scraped the final end 11-8. He also found Nev Leggate quite a handful, Nev playing some of his best table tennis of the season, Mark having to use his full range of shots to edge home 9-11, 11-6, 13-11, 11-9. Young Thomas Bell failed to pick up a game having hard luck against Leggate and although winning the first two, experience told with Nev taking the next three for victory.

Graves Park F due to a re-arranged fixture found themselves playing two matches in the space of five days, taking two of the Lodgers teams the “F” and the “D”. The Park got away to the worst possible start against the F, quickly finding themselves on a losing streak. Alan Davy got away to a poor start against Steve Marshall losing in four, Kit Calvert going down in straight sets to Simon Raistrick, while Barry Frankish might consider himself to a bit unlucky to lose to Steve Harker. It didn’t end there, Raistrick picking up his second of the night narrowly beating Calvert 9-11, 11-5, 11-8, 14-12. The Park at last broke the hoodoo, Frankish getting them on the board with a comfortable win over Marshall but it was short lived Steve Harker who on his day could be one of the best players in this division beating Calvert the only surprise being that it went to four. Despite Frankish picking up the Park’s second beating Raistrick it was to no avail Harker making sure of victory with a trouble-free win over Davy while Marshall turned the screw beating Calvert. Despite it being all over the doubles was the closest game of the night, the Park pair of Davy and Frankish after losing a 2-0 lead, scraping the final leg 12-10 giving Lodgers an important 7-3 win.

The match against Lodgers D had the word draw written all over it and so it proved, Barry Frankish picking up two beating Graham Bonsor and Nev Leggate while Fred Calvert and Alan Day had to be content with one each both of them beating Nev Leggate. Tony Kime proved to be the Park’s stumbling block Tony winning his singles and with Bonsor picking up two beating Calvert and Davy the result was reliant upon the doubles. As with so many of these games the doubles is usually a close affair, Frankish an Calvert storming into a 2-0 lead beating Leggate and Kime 11-3, 11-3 but the Lodgers’ pair hit back to win the third 6-11. The fourth set was nip and tuck all the way and at 10- all there was no sign of victory for either side and with the game swinging both ways the Park pair clinched the set 18-16 to earn their team an equal share of the points.

The top four teams in this division had mixed fortunes mainly because they were playing one another. With Lodgers B and Wrangle equally sharing the points Graves Park D missed a chance to close up on Lodgers only beating Lodgers F 6-4. Mick Dodes looked in good form winning his singles and although beating David Kime in straight ends he was taken the full distance by Boyd Smith and Steve Harker, Mick scraping in 11-9 in the fifth. Paul Matschull gave him good support picking up two beating Smith and Harker and after three close ends sets just going down 10-12 in the fourth. Dave Walters chipped in with one beating Smith fairly comfortably but despite pushing Harker all the way he faded in the fifth. The doubles were another close affair, the Park pair of Dodes and Matschull narrowly wining the first 11-8 but the Lodgers combination of Harker and Kime held firm winning the next three to add a bit of gloss on the score line.

Wrangle, playing their first match since the Christmas break, met a very much in-form Penmaen D, and after a close encounter it was down to the doubles to decide the result. The match itself was always close with Wrangle tasking a one game lead only to see Penmaen claw it back the very next. Sam Cooper was the man in charge, winning his singles playing well to beat No.2 ranked Dave Smith, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 11-4 but dropping a set to Chris Cooke. Dave Coulson and Dennis Pattrick could only manage one each. Both of them beat an out of touch John Shortland. It was Penmaen’s turn to win the doubles but obviously Wrangle hadn’t read the plot, Cooper and Pattrick after a first set hic-cup narrowly won ther next three to give Wrangle a 6-4 victory.

A few night later saw the Wrangle v Lodgers clash and although it was supposed to be at Wrangle, Lodgers were the home team. Still it doesn’t matter much as they are next door to each other anyway. It was Wrangle who took an early lead Dave Coulson beating Pete Truepenny in four whille Dennis Pattrick caused the surprise of the night beating No.3 ranked Vic Clements in three straight. Tim Day steadied the ship with a good win over Sam Cooper and Clements got he show back on the road beating No.5 ranked Coulson in four. Wrangle edged ahead again Cooper beating Truepenny in a tight four-ender but Day kept Lodgers in the hunt narrowly beating Pattrick. Lodgers took the lead for the first time Clements gaining a foue set win over Cooper but Wrangle stormed back, Coulson beating Day and with Pattrick beating Truepenny it look as though Lodgers might suffer their second defeat on the bounce. However it was not to be the strong Lodgers partnership of Clements and Day despite losing the first leg 8-11 to Pattrick and Cooper, narrowly won the next two and then taking the fourt end with something to spare earning their team an equal share of the points.

The above three matches have left Lodgers B looking as firm favourites to win the title as although Graves Park D are only 4 points behind them Lodgers have a game in hand, while the Park only have three matches remaining. Penmaen D look to be out of the running as too many points were dropped in the first half of the season and Wrangle might nick the runners-up spot if they can win all their games in hand by a huge score.

The fly in the ointment though is Lodgers E. Although fifth in the table at the moment, they still have five matches left to play. Three of these are against the top three teams Lodgers B, Graves Park D and Wrangle. If Lodgers E play their key player Mark Vere, they could have a major say as to who would take the title and the runners-up spot (although Lodgers B seem to have the title wrapped up).

A D Dickinson Division Two: Lodgers E 7, Lodgers D 3; Graves Park F 5, Lodgers D 5; Penmaen D 4, Wrangle 6; Graves Park D 6, Lodgers F 4; Lodgers B 5, Wrangle 5; Lodgers F 7, Graves Park F 3.

News for week ending Sunday February 10

Although there has been a fair bit of action in the league this week, there has not been a lot of positional change in the tables.

Lodgers A, playing two Yates and Greenhough Division One matches in five days failed to capitalise and although beating Graves Park B 9-1 they slipped up in their second match, losing 4-6 to Graves Park A. Against Graves Park B, Lodgers without the injured Graham Lacey, for their fourth successive match, called up Colin Bell from Division Two. Colin didn’t disappoint, comfortably winning his singles, disposing of Dave Graham in three straight and although beating Mick Maltby in three it was a bit closer, Colin edging home 16-14, 11-8, 11-8. He was given a minor scare by Mike Freeston losing the first but coming back to win the next three to complete his hat-trick. Pete Evans also chipped in with three having a comparative easy ride against Maltby and to a lesser extent against Freeston, but struggled against Graham and after losing the first 5-11, he could so easily have gone down in the next two, scraping home 12-10, 11-9. Trev Blackbourn required five ends to see off the challenge of Graham and four to beat Maltby but coming unstuck against Freeston who picked up the Parks solitary point.

Five days later they (Lodgers) travelled to take on Graves Park A but due to a breakdown in communications only Trev Balckbourn and Pete Evans arrived. Nick Langley set the ball rolling for the Park, coming from two sets down against Trev Blackbourn to win the next three, while Phil Brooks did likewise, only this time Phil, after winning the first two allowed Blackbourn to level the score, before thumping him 11-3 in the final end. Lodgers Pete Evans however, was in sparkling form, winning his singles and although needing five to overcome the challenges of Smith and Brooks, he beat Langley with something to spare. With the score at three all, the all-important doubles saw Smith and Brooks take on the Evans/Blackbourn partnership. Apart from a brief flurry in the third end, which the Park pair won 11-7, there was no stopping the Lodgers duo winning the vital fourth 11-6. Despite losing the doubles the Park weren’t too unhappy as the three walkovers had given them a 6-4 victory.

Graves Park B fared better when they entertained stable-mates Graves Park C, virtually any score being better than the 1-9 thrashing from first time round. An entertaining game saw James Quinton take the man of the match award, comfortably beating Graham and Freeston and being a little lucky not to be taken to five by Maltby, James just scrambling the vital fourth 13-11. Martin Walters battled hard to win two, narrowly beating Maltby and surrendering a two set lead against Freeston, before winning the vital fifth 11-7. He wasn’t quite up to scratch against Dave Graham though, and despite a brief spell in the second leg he faded in the next two. Dave Walters, standing in for the unavailable Mick East failed to pick up a game but didn’t disgrace himself, losing in straight sets to Freeston and Maltby but despite taking the second set off Graham failed to capitalise on it, allowing the next two to slip away. With the score at 5-4 in the C’s favour, there was still all to play for, Quinton and Martin Walters gaining the upper hand against of the B pairing of Graham and Maltby comfortably winning 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-2, guiding their team to a 6-4 victory.

Current champions Penmaen A kept up the pressure on the teams above them beating Stickney A, who they still have to play from first time round, 9-1. Jim Brewster and Andy Gilbert were in commanding form, both of them winning their singles in three straight, while Brett Heppenstall contributed with two. Brett despite beating Geoff Bourne and Vince Lozynsky, fell foul to young Andrew Benjamin and finding himself 2-1 down began to play a bit. Andrew though matched him point for point and in a thrilling fourth leg Andrew edged home 13-11 to gain Stickney’s solitary point.

In the battle of the basement, Graves Park Nomads met fellow strugglers Penmaen C, a close encounter culminating in a 5-5 draw. Dean Clow was in brilliant for Nomads winning his singles and although needing four to see off Maurice Buck and Roger Hooton, he disposed of Neil Snaith in three. Unfortunately his team mates were not on the same wavelength, picking up one between them, Tris Clow beating Maurice Buck, while Harry Paul despite battling all night, went home with nothing. With both teams requiring the doubles for differing reasons, the two Clow boys earned their team a well-earned draw beating Hooton and Snaith 11-2, 11-7, 11-7.

The top two teams in AD Dickinson Division Two continually keep changing places, Graves Park D edging into the lead, only to see Lodgers B bounce back to retake it. Park D claimed the leaders spot with an 8-2 victory over Lodgers D, Paul Gilbert making one of his rare appearances for the Park. Mick Dodes was in fine form picking up his three and although being taken to four by both Tony Kime and Graham Bonsor the result was never in doubt, Mick winning the fourth leg 11-4, and 11-2 respectively. Dave Walters gave him excellent support also picking up his singles but having to work that bit harder against Kime and Bonsor but edging home in the fourth end. Paul Gilbert’s lack of games showed a bit and although he beat Nev Leggate he suffered at the hands of Kime and Bonsor who claimed Lodgers two points.

Two days later Lodgers took over at the top hammering a hapless Graves Park F, winning all nine singles games.

Lodgers took charge from the off, the first five games all being three setters and although Barry Frankish gave Pete Truepenny a run for his money, Pete nicked the third end 13-11. Fred Calvert went down in four to Tim Day, while Frankish did well to take Vic Clements to four. Just when it looked as though a clean sweep was the order of the day, Calvert and Frankish saved the Park’s blushes, beating Clements and Day 11-9, 4-11, 11-6, 11-9 in the doubles to save their team from a whitewash.

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Lodgers A 9, Graves Park B 1; Graves Park A 6, Lodgers A 4; Graves Park B 4, Graves Park C 6; Stickney A 1, Penmaen A 9; Graves Park Nomads 5, Penmaen C 5.

A D Dickinson Division Two: Lodgers D 2, Graves Park D 8; Lodgers B 9, Graves Park F 1.

News for week ending Sunday February 3

Despite half of the fixtures in the A D Dickinson Division Two being called off for one reason or another, it was just as well there was a full programme in the Yates and Greenhough Division One. This is to say the least unusual for Division Two as so far this season they have by and large kept their fixtures up to date.

In Division One, the big three surged further ahead of the remainder with emphatic wins, leaders Lodgers G setting the pace beating Penmaen C 9-1. Second placed Penmaen B did likewise, with a 9-1 win over Stickney, while Penmaen A went one better, a 10-0 demolition job over Graves Park A.

Penmaen C were no match for the strong Lodgers G outfit, Kelvin Clements effortlessly winning his singles. Gary Hill gave him excellent support winning his singles but finding Roger Hooton a tough nut to crack and could so easily have gone down in both the third and fourth ends. Mark Hulme had to be content with two, which could so easily have been only one, just beating Neil Snaith 11-6, 14-12, 12-14, 9-11 11-8. Mark though had no answer to Roger Hooton, (pick of the Penmaen team), Roger narrowly winning the first two. Mark hit back in the third with a comfortable win but Roger turned it on in the fourth winning 11-4 to gain Penmaen their solitary victory.

Penmaen B hung on to Lodgers coat tails with what on paper looked a solid 9-1 win over Stickney A. It wasn’t as clear cut a the score suggests and although Alan Ashberry opened the scoring with a straight set win over Geoff Bourne, ends two and three could so easily have swung the game. Jake the Pegg hardly knew what to do against Andrew Benjamin and was happy to scrape the fifth 12-10, while Scott Sykes had all sort of trouble with Vince Lozynsky, Scott inching home 11-8 in the final end. If these two game had swung Stickney’s way a shoch result might have occurred. Ashberry and Jake both went on to win their singles, while Sykes although beating Benjamin in straight legs lost out to Bourne, who saved the home team from a whitewash.

Penmaen A who still look the team most likely to succeed if only they could keep up to scratch with their fixtures, took on Graves Park A winning 10-0, a disappointing result for the Park, who first time round lost only 3-7.

Jim Brewster who when he has played the required number of games will no doubt be No.1, again picked up his singles, comfortably beating Phil Brooks and Nick Langley but dropping the second set to Rob Smith, before putting that right in the next two. Andy Gilbert had a busy night needing five to overcome Smith and then being involved in a 19-17 fourth set win against Langley. Brett Heppenstall was nearly as busy needing four to see off Langley and five to beat Smith, who after a hard night saw no reward for the Park.

Graves Park C, despite beating stable-mates Graves Park Nomads 9-1, are now a massive 31 points off the pace and the best they can hope for is fourth spot, which will be a bit of a blow for them after last seasons runners-up place.

No.10 ranked Mick East had little trouble winning his singles in three straight while Martin Walters also chipped in with three, Martin having to work that bit harder being taken to the decider by Dean Clow. James Quinton weighed in with two beating Tris Clow and Walt Bridges but after gaining a 2-1 lead against Dean Clow he let this slip, allowing Dean to nick the last two for the Park’s solitary point.

Of the matches that did take place in Division Two, Graves Park D, who since Christmas have turned in some amazing results, consolidated second place in the table, beating third place Penmaen D 8-2 and a few nights later beating league leaders and previously unbeaten Lodgers B 7-3. This is a great result for the Park because first time round they were unceremoniously thrashed 0-10 by Lodgers. Lodgers found the Park lads in great form, Dave Walters opening the scoring beating No.2 ranked Vic Clements in a tight five ender and they increased their lead Mick Dodes seeing off Pete Truepenny. Lodgers hit back, Tim Day beating Paul Matschull in four while Clements made the score all square getting his name on the board with a hard fought win over Dodes. With Walters losing to Day things were looking decidedly pear shaped for the Park but Matschull retrieved the situation putting the Park on level terms with a four set win over Truepenny. Dodes meanwhile still seething over his defeat by Clements, took it out on Day beating him 11-4, 11-3, 11-1. The Park were now in control, Matschull beating Clements 11-6, 4-11, 11-7, 11-8 and this defeat will knock Vic off his No.2 perch. Walters made sure of a Park victory beating Truepenny in yet another tight five ender and then teamed up with Dodes to win the doubles, condemning Lodgers to their first defeat of the season.

Lodgers’ match with Penmaen saw Penmaen draw first blood, John Shortland beating Dave Walters in five and with Chris Cooke beating Paul Matschull it .looked as though a shock might be on the cards. Mick Dodes settled the Park nerves with a non to convincing win over Paul Maxwell, while Walters putting his first game defeat behind him struggled to a 5-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-7 win over Cooke making the scores even. Dodes who now looked in great form, gave the Park the lead for the first time and Matschull made it 4-2 beating Maxwell in four and the Park were on a roll. Dodes now really buzzing, completed his hat-trick beating Cooke, while Walters grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat beating Maxwell in a tight five-ender. Matschull wrapped up the singles beating a battling Shortland 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7 and Dodes and Walters put the icing on the cake after a first set hiccup, beating Maxwell and Cooke in the doubles.

Lodgers E, who are unbeaten since mid-November, moved into fifth spot with an excellent 7-3 win over Penmaen D, who have now lost two matches in a row. Penmaen were fielding a strong team, including No 6 ranked Dave Smith but Lodgers went one better fielding the unbeaten Mark Vere for his fifth game of the season. If he plays the remainder of the matches, Lodgers whist probably not gaining promotion, could be up there pushing the top teams. Both Colin Bell and Vere won their singles, Vere beating all the Penmaen lads in straight sets, while Bell comfortably beat Dave Smith and John Shortland but made hard work of it against Chris Cooke. Thomas Bell failed to register a win but he should take heart, almost causing an upset, running the experienced John Shortland to five, narrowly losing the last two sets 9-11, 10-12.

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Penmaen C 1, Lodgers G 9; Stickney A 1, Penmaen B 9; Penmaen A 10, Graves Park A 0; Graves Park C 9, Graves Park Nomads 1.

A D Dickinson Division Two: Graves Park D 7, Lodgers B 3; Penmaen D 2, Graves Park D 8; Lodgers E 7, Penmaen D 3.

News for week ending Sunday January 27

With the Table Tennis League back in action, a full programme has seen some changes, with at least two teams dropping out of the Yates and Greenhough Division One championship race.

Lodgers A, who at the break were seen as outside contenders blew this in two matches, losing 1-9 to stable-mates Lodgers G and just beating strugglers Graves Park Nomads 6-4. For both these matches, the A team were without Graham Lacey, who is out of the game at present with a back injury, and without Graham the team is a little short of terrible and it would appear all their confidence seems to drain. Playing their G team they drafted in Colin Bell from Division Two and although not making much headway, he took a set out of both Gary Hill and Mark Hulme but faded each time in the vital fourth. Trev Blackbourn battled away with no success, all his games going to four, the crucial end in each game being the decisive one. Ian Stones fared a little better and although being well beaten by Ian Royle, it was by the narrowest of margins against Hulme. It was Stones who rescued the A from complete disaster, narrowly overcoming Gary Hill in the fifth to save his team from a whitewash.

Against Park Nomads things began to go pear shaped, Lodgers losing the first two, Tris Clow beating Trev Blackbourn in three straight while Dean Clow trimmed up Ian Stones 11-2, 11-6, 12-10. Pete Evans got Lodgers out of the rut with a comfortable win over Walt Bridges but Dean Clow maintained Nomads lead, beating Blackbourn over four close ends. Lodgers at last showed some spark, Evans picking up his second of the night, while Stones stumbled to an 11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 2-11, 11-5 win over Bridges. This made it 3-3 and it was game on and it was Nomads who looked as though they might cause a shock, Dean Clow putting them 4-3 in front with a four set win over Evans, which was immediately cancelled out, Blackbourn picking up his first win of the night beating Bridges . At the critical time Lodgers took the lead for the first time in the match. Stones beating Tris Clow in four and despite the Park lads intrepid performance in the doubles, the Lodgers pairing just nicked it for a 6-4 victory.

Lodgers G meanwhile strengthened their position at the top of the table with a 9-1 win over Graves Park C and despite the Park holding onto fourth place, this effectively ends any aspiration that they may have had. Kelvin Clements and Gary Hill picked up their singles, both of them comfortably beating James Quinton and Martin Walters but being taken to five by Mick East. Ian Royle had to be content with two beating Quinton and Walters but losing out to East, who gained the Park’s solitary point.

Penmaen B showed that they are still in with a shout, beating their C counterparts 9-1, the B winning the first eight singles of the evening. Nevertheless there were some close games Scott Sykes being taken to five by Neil Snaith while Jake the Pegg was pushed all the way also by Snaith. None of the C team had any answer to Alan Ashberry who won his singles, cruising home in straight legs and never looking in trouble. Just when all seemed lost, up popped Roger Hooton to rescue the C from a whitewash, Roger beating off a challenge from Sykes, losing the first end 9-11, but winning the next three 11-7, 11-7, 11-8.

Stickney A who had an indifferent first half, started the second in the same vein, beating Graves Park B 7-3 but losing by the by the reverse score when they met Graves Park A a few days later. Their first match saw them take on Graves Park B, always a difficult team to beat. However, they got away to a flyer, Paul Hartnett beating Dave Graham, Andrew Benjamin beating Mick Maltby, while the recently signed Vince Lozynsky scored a good straight set win over Mike Freeston. Although Graham pulled one back beating Benjamin, Stickney ground on, Hartnett beating Freeston while Lozynsky picked up his second with an 7-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-5 victory over Maltby. The Park reduced the arrears, Freeston beating Benjamin but it was to no avail, Lozynsky completing his hat-trick with a straight end win over Graham making sure of victory. Although the Park pulled the last singles game evening back, it was too little too late, the Stickney pair putting the icing on the cake winning the doubles in four for a 7-3 victory.

Visiting the Park it was the home team that jumped in a solid 2-0 lead, Nick Langley who just lately is playing well and Rob Smith beating Geoff Bourne and Vince Lozynsky respectively. Andrew Bernjamin pulled one back beating Phil Brooks. while Bourne levelled the score with a comprehensive win over Smith. Undeterred, the Park strode on, Langley after a tight battle just getting the better of Benjamin while Brooks got his name on the board narrowly beating Lozynsky 12-10, 5-11, 11-5, 13-11. Smith strengthened the Park’s hand, seeing off the challenge of Benjamin and despite Bourne beating Brooks to reduce the arrears it was to no avail, Langley supplying the final touches, completed a magnificent night, beating Lozynsky, who toiled all evening for no reward. With the game in the bag the Park pair of Brooks and Smith rounded off the evening, confidently beating Bourne and Lozynsky to guide their team to a 7-3 victory.

Lodgers B maintained their place at the top of the A D Dickinson Division Two, thrashing their F team 10-0.

Steve Marshall and Simon Raistrick could make no impact against any of the B team, every game being over in three. Steve Harker put up a great fight but narrowly went down in the fifth each time and had vital points gone his way, he might have picked up all three. Lodgers F had better experiences when they met their D team running out 8-2 victors to lift them to 6th place in the table. Boyd Smith was in tremendous form picking up his singles, beating Nev Leggate and Graham Bonsor quite easily but the star performace of the night was his defeat of No.7 ranked Tony Kime, Boyd inching home 17-15 in the vitakl fifth end. Steve Harker and David Kime chipped in with two each, Steve beating Leggate and Bonsor, while Kime saw off Leggate and his father, Tony in a five end thriller which could have swung both ways, David getting the edge 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 10-12, 12-10.

Stickney B re-started their season by entertaining Lodgers E, who always seem to field a strong team when playing Stickney. This game was no exception, Mark Vere turning out for Lodgers who not unexpectedly picked up his singles but not before dropping a set to both Tim Sampson and Tony Hall. Colin Bell also picked up his singles, confirming his No.1 ranking, Tim Sampson taking him to four but the result was never in doubt. Young Thomas Bell failed to register but he shouldn’t be downhearted, taking Cliff Davey to five before fading in the last, and going down to Tony Hall in the four.

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Lodgers A 1, Lodgers G 9; Lodgers G 9, Graves Park C 1; Graves Park Nomads 4, Lodgers A 6; Penmaen C 1, Penmaen B 9; Stickney A 7, Graves Park B 3; Graves Park A 7, Stickney A 3.

A D Dickinson Division Two: Lodgers F 0, Lodgers B 10; Lodgers D 2, Lodgers F 8; Stickney B 3, Lodgers E 7.

News for week ending Sunday January 20

After the festive holiday break, which lasted almost a month, the Boston and District Table Tennis League began the second half of the season.

Results so far are a bit thin on the ground, some scores have yet to arrive but Yates and Greenhough Division One looks like a Penmaen v Graves Park mini-league, all three Penmaen teams taking on teams from the Park.

Graves Park C, eager to keep in touch with the top three, saw their hopes of featuring in the championship race recede, just scraping to a 6-4 victory over basement team Penmaen C. Penmaen sprang into a shock lead, Roger Hooton beating James Quinton in three but Penmaen recovered from this, Martin Walters beating Neil Snaith, while Mick East trimmed up Maurice Buck in straight legs. Hooton put the Park back in contention with a close five ender against Martin Walters, Roger despite being 1-2 set down, fighting back to win the next two. Undeterred the Park strode on, Quinton getting his name on the board beating Buck and with East beating Snaith 8-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5 the Park looked in control. Penmaen though showed that they were still in with a shout, Buck scoring a wonderful 8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 13-11 victory over No.9 ranked Walters to throw the result back into the melting pot. Penmaen made sure of victory East beating Hooton, while Quinton sealed the win with a three set victory over Snaith. Snaith though gained some recompense for these defeats, combining with Hooton to win a four set doubles encounter, gaining Penmaen 4 valuable points. By contrast this is a this is a far from good result from Graves Park C, who if they want a top three finish will have to score on average two more points per game than first time round, not lose two points.