www

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.

Penmaen B temporarily climbed into top spot beating a jaded looking Graves Park A 9-1, Alan Ashberry and Jake the Pegg brushing aside the Park lads with consummate ease in straight legs. Scott Sykes chipped in with two beating Rob Smith and Nick Langley in four, both of whom have practised most weeks during the break but losing to Phil Brooks, who hadn’t picked his bat up since the league closed down for Christmas/New Year.

Defending champions Penmaen A with games in hand closed in on the teams directly above them beating bottom team Graves Park Nomads 10-0. Not to much to be said about this game, Penmaen proving to be the much the stronger side, every game but one going the full distance but when you have the No.1 and No.3 ranked players in the team along with unbeaten Jim Brewster the writing must have been on the wall. However, congratulations go to Dean Clow who took the first set off Andy Gilbert but faded in the next three.

In the A D Dickinson Division Two Penmaen D opened the gap on the teram directly below them to 16 points surging to a 9-1 win over Graves Park F, who are struggling to make an impact. No.3 ranked Dave Smith and Chris Cooke picked up their singles, Chris being a little lucky to come back from 0-2 down against Kit Calvert, to win the next three. The Park’s only crumb of comfort was their solitary win, Barry Frankish beating John Shortland but two losses in one night will surely see him (Barry) disappear from the top ten rankings.

Graves Park D who had an indifferent first half to the season started off the second half in some style, beating Stickney B 9-1. Sounds impressive but to put it in perspective, the Park beat them 10-0 in the first match of the season. Nevertheless still a good win, the brilliant Mick Dodes sweeping aside the Stickney lads while Paul Matschull, despite some resistance from Tony Sharpe, had little trouble from either Tim Sampson or Tony Hall. Dave Walters although losing his first match of the night to Hall, who picked up Stickney‘s solitary game, won his remaining games, beating Sampson and Sharpe but not without a scare, both of them taking a set off him.

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

A D Dickinson Division Two: Graves Park F 1, Penmaen D 9; Graves Park D 9, Stickney B 1.

News for week ending Sunday January 13 (mid-season point)

Unlike top section, the AD Dickinson Division Two is neatly split in two mini-divisions, the two teams relegated from last season leading the way, closely followed by Graves Park D and Penmaen D. The gap is more evident in the second group Lodgers E leading the way, closely followed by Lodgers F, Graves Park F and Lodgers D with Stickney B bringing up the rear.

Lodgers B: After being unfortunately relegated last season they have changed their team a little, Pete Truepenny coming from Lodgers A, while Pete Evans moved in the opposite direction. Didn’t start the season off well, only drawing their first match but haven’t looked back since, winning their next seven matches, often in convincing style. With all three players highly ranked in the top ten I cannot see any reason why they should not bounce back at the first time of asking.

Wrangle: Came down along with Lodgers B and after a shaky start to the season, losing two of their first four games, have since turned in some convincing results. At present they have a cushion of 7 points from the team directly below them but if they have poor results against frontrunners Lodgers B and particularly Graves Park D, they could see promotion elude them.

Graves Park D: This team is something of an enigma. A combination of Graves Park D and E teams, (who finished last season with only two players each), I thought that they would sweep all before them. Got away to a dream start but some inexplicable losses has seen them slip to third place. If their aim is promotion, and this I am not sure about, they will have beat the teams above them and not drop silly points to some of the lesser ones.

Penmaen B This is the team that has amazed me. I thought that they would be “just a run of the mill” team but when you see the experience packed into the team you can see why they are in fourth place. Have had some poor results particularly against the top two and these will have to addressed in the second half if they are to climb the into the promotion reckoning.

Lodgers E: Colin Bell pulled a masterstroke signing on Mark Vere pre-season. The problem is he has only played three games and that is why the team is in fifth place in the table. Despite being a shed load of points behind the leaders, if Mark played all the games in the second half of the season it is possible they could still gain promotion. This though is unlikely to happen and they will have to settle for a mid-table spot.

Lodgers F: New team this season and at the moment being kept alive by two of the league stalwarts David Kime and Steve Harker. Draws seem to be their speciality, their first three being that score. With five players in the squad can’t always field a settled team which is perhaps half the problem. Not yet out of the mire as the chasing pack are very close and a couple of bad results could plunge them down with them.

Graves Park F: Cannot understand why this team is so low down the league but the record shows that they have only won one all season. Like Lodgers F, they have become the draw kings of the division, and whilst not actually winning have turned in some solid performances against most of the top teams, their only poor results was being thrashed 9-1 by Park D. There is scope for them to rise a place or so but results must be better than in the first half.

Lodgers D: Despite the return of Tony Kime reuniting the old team back together, they have had what can only be described as a poor season. Got off to a reasonable start but in the last month or so, they have fell apart. The only was they can pull away from the depths is for Graham Bonsor, who has had better seasons than this and Nev Leggate to pick up a few more.

Stickney B: Have had a miserable season with illness and injury all taking it’s toll. With Tony Hall being unavailable from the second match they have struggled to field a full team playing at least two matches with only two players. When you are struggling, the above doesn’t help. Although winning their second match of the season they went through a barren spell before picking up their second win in the last match of the first half. Tony Hall should be back after the break and with his experience and a full team they should pick up a bit. It’s not too late to pull away from the foot of the table but a huge effort will be needed.

News for week ending Sunday January 6 (mid-season point)

The Table Tennis League is currently still inactive due to the festive break so the time would seem right to discuss how the teams are performing so far.

The Yates and Greenhough Division One seems to be breaking up into three mini-divisions, the two Penmaen team and Lodgers G edging away from the chasing pack. The second group consists of the two Graves Park teams, the A and C and Lodgers A. Bringing up the rear is the four teams who inevitably will be involved in the relegation dogfight, although just lately Stickney have begun to shine, winning two of their last three matches.

Lodgers G: Current leaders of Division One and last won the title in the 2004-2005 season. They seem to be caught between a rock and a hard place and despite being 13 points in front of Penmaen A, the current champions have two games in hand and are perfectly capable of gaining the required number of points. Only lost one all season, (guess who to), which was a heavy defeat. Apart from that they have had a good season but if they are to be champions again, they will have to improve on the return fixture against Penmaen A, which crucially, is the last match of the season.

Penmaen B: Basically two of players from last seasons Shodfriars B and Jake the Pegg from Shoddy’s A team. So far had a good season, with only two defeats, these being against their A team and Lodgers G. They, (the team), thought that they were good enough to be there or thereabouts but to mount a serious challenge they will have to average one more point per game in the second half of the season.

Penmaen A: If they were not behind with their fixtures they would no doubt be league leaders. At present averaging about 8 a game and I cannot see that diminishing and no doubt in the fullness of time they will claim their third championship crown.

Graves Park C: Last season’s runners-up and so far they have had a far from happy season. The two weeks that saw them without No.8 ranked Mick East cost them dearly, narrowly winning 6-4 and drawing 5-5 against teams that they should have beaten comfortably. Might hang on to fourth place but anything higher than that is a pipe dream.

Lodgers A: Their main downfall last season was that when Graham Lacey played they were a good team but when he didn’t, oh dear. This season Graham appears to be playing more regularly (No.1 in the rankings) but he does not appear to be getting the support of his team-mates with both Ian Stones and Trev Blackbourn averaging well below the 50% mark. Have a game in hand over the team above them and are a mere five points behind but I cannot see them getting any higher, in fact they may drop a place due to the resurgent Graves Park A.

Graves Park A: For the first seven weeks of the season this team couldn’t even buy a win but in December they really clicked, winning their last two matches before the break by 8-2 score lines which lifted them clear of the relegation zone. Desperately hanging on to Lodgers A and Graves Park C’s coat tails but they maybe a little too far behind them to make much of an impact. If they can maintain the form that they showed in December they may give Lodgers a run for their money but 6-8 points that they are adrift will take a lot of getting. A good start to the second half is needed.

Stickney A: Plagued by injuries and illness this season has seen Stickney turn out with two players in two matches, both resulting in heavy defeats. Nevertheless they turned in three draws against the three Park teams and with recent signing Vince Lozynsky things have begun to look up. Much like the Park they didn’t register their first win until December winning two of their last three matches. Cannot see them rising much higher though and despite having a game in hand, they are 10 points adrift which is lot to make up, especially when the opposition is Penmaen A.

Graves Park B: Promoted this season and like the other teams in the basement have found that victories and even draws are hard to come by. This season has seen a lot of lows and not many highs, their only success coming in late November against the team that was promoted along with them, Graves Park Nomads. Will have to have a better second half if they are to avoid relegation.

Penmaen C: Despite having suffered two or three heavy defeats they have also picked up a couple of wins and a draw, (ironically enough, all these against Park teams). A better second half must be had, otherwise its between them and Graves Park B who will get the chop come the end of the season.

Graves Park Nomads: Nine matches and nothing much to show for it their only glimmer of success coming from their early season draw against Penmaen C. The only chance they have to stave off relegation is to turn in wins against fellow relegation threatened teams, while at the same time use matches with the better teams as a damage limitation exercise.

* Division Two review next week

News for week ending Sunday December 30

With the Boston and District Table Tennis League virtually closed down for its Christmas break, the spotlight swung onto the town veterans’ team who travelled to play a strong Lincoln outfit, Boston running out 7-3 winners.

However, Boston were also able to field a strong team including the highly-rated Jim Brewster and Graham Lacey, both of them winning their singles. Boston’s other player Jake the Pegg tried hard all night but alas was just off the pace.

Boston got away to a good start Lacey beating the talented Steve Forbes in five, Graham losing the first end and third end 7-11 both times but fighting back well, winning the last two to edge to victory. Jake took on the equally talented Mike Thornley and although taking the third end off him, the Lincoln player ran out a comfortable winner in the fourth. Jim Brewster did just enough to get the better of Mick Johnson in three, while Boston made it 3-1, Lacey beating Thornley 6-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-9.

Lincoln were clearly rattled and Forbes, in an effort to reduce the arrears took the first two ends against Brewster but once Jimmy got his loop working, he moved up a gear and won the fourth and fifth with some big hitting.

The doubles, which are always played at game no.6 in Town matches (don’t ask), saw Forbes and Thornley take on the Boston pair of Brewster and Lacey. This was probably the closest game of the night, the Lincoln pair winning the first and the third but Boston fought back taking the last two, both ends being 11-6 score lines.

Lincoln managed to pull a game back, Johnson beating Jake but Brewster made the result safe beating Thornton in a tight four-ender. Lacey completed his hat-trick the very next game, comfortably disposing of Johnson, while Jake completed a miserable night losing 7-11, 3-11, 10-12 to Forbes. All in all this was a good result for Boston as Lincoln are one of the strongest teams in the county and it is not very often that Steve Forbes and Mike Thornley both lose two in any one night.

News for week ending Sunday December 16

Yates and Greenhough Division One

With three of the top four teams in the Yates and Greenhough Division One recording big victories this week, there has been some movement in the table. The main beneficiaries have been Penmaen A, who following their 9-1 success last week moved to third place in the table with a 10-0 victory over stable-mates Penmaen C.

The C were in trouble before a ball had been hit, Maurice Buck calling in sick, John Shortland being drafted in in his place. They (the C) were then dealt a further blow, Neil Snaith failing to turn up and it was left to Roger Hooton and reserve Shortland to face the might of Penmaen. Not unexpectedly the score was 10-0, although Hooton did take Brett Heppenstall and Andy Gilbert to five but faded away in the final set both times. Jimmy Brewster lost the first end against the battling Hooton but once he had sorted out which bat to use, he won the next three quite comfortably. Reserve Shortland put up a brave fight but found the going tough against his more illustrious opponents. No joy in the doubles either, Gilbert and Brewster overwhelming the C pair to win it in three straight.

Current league leaders Lodgers G took on a weakened Stickney A, who could only raise two players, both Geoff Bourne and Andrew Benjamin being unavailable. Making his debut for Stickney was Vince Lozynsky, who had a baptism of fire but considering whom he was up against, he didn’t fare too badly, just losing 9-11 in the fourth to Ian Royle, 11-13 in the first against Kelvin Clements, while against Mark Hulme he went down by the narrowest of margins. Paul Hartnett had a bit of an unlucky evening going down in five to Hulme, nicking an end off Clements but losing out in straight legs to Royle. Doubles were instantly forgettable, Clements and Royle cruising home for a 10-0 victory.

After their first win of the season last week it was back to normal for Graves Park B, going down 1-9 to pacesetters Penmaen B. Alan Ashberry moved up a place to No.5 in the rankings winning his singles very easily, while Jake the Pegg climbed to No.7, winning his singles in some style. Despite an early blip against Mick Maltby, losing the second end 8-11, Jake knuckled down to win the next two with some ease. The one bright spot as far as the Park were concerned was the performance of Dave Graham, who saved the Park from a wipe-out, narrowly beating Scott Sykes 11-8, 3-11, 11-9, 5-11, 14-12.

A D Dickinson Division Two

Stickney B who have been beset by injury and illness, once again could only muster two players for their A D Dickinson Division Two match against Lodgers F. The star of the show though finished on the losing side, Stickney’s Tim Sampson picking up his singles, all of them being close encounters. Tim although beating Steve Marshall in straight ends, the final leg was close, Tim nicking it 14-12. His other two against Simon Raistrick and Boyd Smith were both four setters, Raistrick winning the second but fading to go down 5-11 in the fourth. Smith surprised Sampson by winning the first 12-10 but Tim held firm to win the next three 11-7, 11-9, 11-8. His team-mate Cliff Davey didn’t fare so well, losing all three, not knowing how to handle Smith or Raistrick and although taking Marshall to five he faded in the final end to go down 7-11. Cliff gained some revenge in the doubles combining with man of the match Sampson to win in four, adding a bit of a gloss to the scoreline.

Lodgers B signed off for Christmas in style beating their D team 8-2 and even though the season is not halfway through this team has the title look about it. Tony Kime kept the D’s hopes alive early on, beating both Pete Truepenny and Vic Clements but the B weathered the storm, Clements and Truepenny both beating Nev Leggate and Graham Bonsor. Truepenny’s match against Bonsor was tight. The B players found himself 2-1 down, but fought back to comfortably win the last two. Man of the match was Tim Day who won his three, cruising past Leggate and Bonsor but his best was yet to come, Tim losing the first two ends to Kime but fighting back with great resolve to win the last three for victory. The doubles was a close encounter, both teams looking very even but the B gained the upper hand narrowly winning the first two 11-8, 11-8. The D hit back winning the fourth 11-9 but the B steadied the ship to scrape in 12-10 steering their team to an 8-2 victory.

Penmaen D consolidated their position in the table with a narrow 6-4 victory over Lodgers D, which leaves Lodgers anchored in the bottom two. It must be said that Penmaen got away to a flier, John Shortland scoring a non to confident win over Nev Leggate, while Dave Smith did his burgeoning reputation no harm at all with a four set win over Tony Kime, Dave just nicking the fourth 16-14. Paul Maxwell made short work of Graham Bonsor in the first two, almost letting the third end slip away and Smith eased Penmaen into a 4-0 lead, beating Leggate in straight ends. Lodgers were reeling but Bonsor pulled one back beating Shortland in three and with Kime getting his name on the board beating Maxwell, Lodgers were back in it. Penmaen however, failed to panic and stuck to the task, Smith completing his hat-trick with a comfortable win over Bonsor and when Maxwell picked up his second of the night beating Leggate, it was all over bar the shouting. Kime pulled one back but it was too little too late. He then combined with Bonsor to nick the doubles in the fourth giving the scoreline an air of respectability.

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

A D Dickinson Division Two: Stickney B 4, Lodgers F 6; Lodgers D 2, Lodgers B 8; Penmaen D 6, Lodgers F 4.

News for week ending Sunday December 9

Yates and Greenhough Division One

Some interesting scores this week and we are now seeing the top five, especially in Yates and Greenhough Division One, moving away from the chasing pack. It was a big week for Graves Park C, who were playing two matches, both against teams from the top five. This turned out to be a week of mixed fortunes, being thumped 1-9 by Penmaen A. However, they showed no ill effects from this, when a few nights later, they (Park), trimmed up Lodgers A 7-3. The score against Penmaen might be put down to a fluke result but this was clearly not the case, Brian Hill, making his first appearance of the season and Andy Gilbert winning their singles fairly easily. Brett Heppenstall had his work cut out by the Park lads, needing, four sets to see off James Quinton and five to get the better of Mick East and although Brett won the fifth 11-1, Mick will feel disappointed that he didn’t clinch it in the fourth. Park’s only success came at the expense of Heppenstall, Martin Walters narrowly winning the fourth and fifth ends to save the Park from the ignominy of a whitewash.

A few nights later all the disappointment was forgotten, the Park lads getting the winning streak back on track, steamrollering their way past the Lodgers A duo of Ian Stones and Trev Blackbourn. Blackbourn put up a fight beating Martin Walters 11-6 in the second but Martin settled down to win the next two comfortably. However none of the Park lads had the answer to Graham Lacey, Graham winning his three with all his games going the full distance. He was particularly lucky to beat Mick East 11-9 in the final end after being 1-2 sets down, whilst against Martin Walters, he, (Graham) was also 1-2 sets down, coming back to win the last two by the narrowest of margins. The doubles was also a close encounter, Walters and Quinton combining against Stones and Blackbourn. Despite the Lodgers duo winning the first two 11-7, the Park lads turned this round to win the third 13-11 and then run out 11-8, 11-8 winners for a 7-3 victory.

Graves Park Nomads and Graves Park A met. It was a clash of two teams without a win and both teams needing one — Nomads to keep in touch with the teams directly above the and Park A needing one to pull away from the relegation zone. The A started off well Nick Langley overpowering Harry Paul but Dean Clow quickly levelled the score beating Rob Smith in three. The A though weren’t going to be denied, Phil Brooks putting them back in front beating Tris Clow in four and with Langley beating Nomads danger man Dean Clow, the A were firmly in the driving seat. The A forged further ahead, Brooks picking up his second of the night beating Paul, while Smith got his name on the board, scraping to a four set win over Tris Clow. Nomads pulled one back, Dean Clow getting his second of the evening, beating Brooks in a close five ender in a game that could have swung both ways. However it was all too brief, Nick Langley winning his third of the night for the first time this season while, Smith put the icing on the cake beating Paul in straight legs.

A D Dickinson Division Two

In A D Dickinson Division Two Lodgers B surged to the top of the table with a comprehensive 8-2 win over Penmaen D, Vic Clements consolidating his number three slot in the rankings, beating John Shortland and Dave Smith in straight ends but needing four legs to see off Chris Cooke. Pete Truepenny and Tim Day gave him excellent support, both of them beating Shortland, who had a disappointing evening and Cooke (good wins these), over five ends, both games being evenly balanced and could easily have gone have gone either way.

Wrangle kept pace with Lodgers B, collecting an 8-2 over Lodgers F, Dennis Pattrick being the star of the show ripping Steve Harker and Simon Raistrick apart and despite David Kime pushing him all the way Dennis nicked the final end 11-7. Team mates Sam Coper and Dave Coulson chipped in with two apiece, Cooper beating Harker and Raistrick without too much trouble but losing in a close game to David Kime. No.2 ranked Coulson didn’t do much for his ranking position, only winning two, beating Kime and Raistrick fairly comfortably but having no answer to Harker. Cooper and Pattrick starred in the doubles and despite being 1-2 down, strode though to take the last two 11-8, 11-4 for a comfortable victory.

Stickney B are really making heavy weather of it and since their solitary win in the second week of the season they have gone steadily downhill. Their plight hasn’t been helped by the temporary loss of Tony Hall although he should be back after Christmas. This coupled with minor injuries of two of the others, has resulted in them turning out for a couple of matches with only two players. For their match against fellow strugglers Lodgers D, saw Stickney with a full complement of players but it was Lodgers who took the lead, Tony Kime struggling to overcome Tony Sharpe in five. Undeterred Stickney hit back Tim Sampson beating Nev Leggate in another five setter while Cliff “Dynamo” Davey gained his first win of the season with a good 11-7, 11-9, 11-1 win over Graham Bonsor. Lodgers clawed their way back into the game, Leggate beating Sharpe in a close four ender while Kime put Lodgers in front, beating Davey in three. The game was swinging both ways and Stickney levelled, Sampson in the end comfortably beating Bonsor. That though was the end for Stickney, Leggate winning his second of the night beating Davey, Bonsor getting his name on the board with a scrappy 3-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-7, 11-7, win over Sharpe while Kime made sure of victory beating Sampson in straight ends. With only the doubles remaining, Sampson and Davey made the score line look a whole lot better beating Bonsor and Kime 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6.

For their clash with Graves Park D, Lodgers E put out the heavy squad, Mark Vere making only his third appearance of the season. Mark, although still short of match practice, was much too experienced for the Park lads and although Mick Dodes and Dave Walters took a set out of him, (Dodes being unlucky not to take him to five), the result never looked in doubt. No.1 ranked Colin Bell was also good form winning his singles but here again Walters took him to four and Dodes pushed him in the first three but faded in the last two. All the Park lads were too strong for Pete Bell who despite taking Matschull and No 8 ranked Dodes to four ends, had nothing to show for his efforts at the end of the night. Vere and Bell tidied up in the doubles to give Lodgers a 7-3 victory which will be a blow to the Park title aspirations.

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Penmaen A 9 Graves Park C 1; Graves Park C 7 Lodgers A 3; Graves Park Nomads 2 Graves Park A 8.

A D Dickinson Division Two: Lodgers B 8 Penmaen D 2; Lodgers F 2 Wrangle 8; Wrangle 6 Graves Park F 4; Lodgers D 6 Stickney B 4; Lodgers E 7 Graves Park D 3.

News for week ending Sunday December 2

After a break of a week, which allowed most of the teams to catch up with their matches the league got back to it’s scheduled fixtures.

Yates and Greenhough Division One

Penmaen B made a surge for the top of Division One with a narrow 6-4 victory over Lodgers A but they had to be content with second spot being kept off the to the top by virtue of Lodgers G who were none too convincing in a 7-3 victory over Graves Park A. On paper, 7-3 sounds OK but with the Park leading 2-1 at one stage and then clawing back to level the scores at 3-3, nerves were jangling. Kelvin Clements opened the scoring for Lodgers beating reserve Mick Dodes, only for Phil Brooks level the score with a 6-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-9 win over Mark Hulme. Rob Smith gained his best victory of the season, beating the talented Ian Royle in the fifth set, this being a game that could have swung either way and the Park were leading 2-1. This lead lasted all of 15 minutes, Clements beating Brooks, and with Royle beating Dodes in three it seemed Lodgers were on the march. But no, Smith again put the Park on level terms beating Hulme but Royle who was beginning to find a bit of form put Lodgers ahead, narrowly beating Brooks 11-7, 11-1, 2-11, 11-8. Lodgers were now in the driving seat, Clements claiming his hat-trick beating Smith, while Hulme got his name on the board beating Dodes in three, each set being 9-11 and this another night could have gone swung the other way. Lodgers put the icing on the cake Royle and Clements combining to win the doubles despite Smith and Brooks nicking the third end 11-8.

Penmaen B held on to second place just getting the best of Lodgers A but here again it was a close game Lodgers perhaps being unfortunate not to snatch at least a draw. Alan Ashberry opened the scoring for Penmaen, cruising to a straight set victory over Trev Blackbourn but in what was to be the game of the night, Graham Lacey levelled the score beating Jake the Pegg in five epic sets, 10-12, 13-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-6. Scott Sykes struggled with Ian Stones before overwhelming him 11-3 in the fourth, while Jake got his name on the board with a comfortable win over Blackbourn. Ashberry found Stones tough going and needed five sets to see him off, Alan only being a whisker away from defeat after losing the first two. Lacey kept Lodgers in contention beating Sykes but the Penmaen bandwagon rolled on, Jake beating Stones while Sykes stumbled to a 11-9, 11-8 15-13 win over Blackbourn. A heavy defeat looked on the cards for Lodgers but Lacey, looking every inch the No.2 ranking that he so obviously is, swept aside Ashberry. And despite losing the first end 3-11, strode on the win the next three 11-5, 11-9, 11-8. Lacey then combined with Blackbourn to take on the strong pairing of Ashberry and Sykes in the doubles. In a very even contest the match swinging first one way then the other, it was the Lodgers pair who emerged triumphant winning 6-11, 11-7, 8-11, 14-12, 13-11 to inflict upon Ashberry and Sykes their first doubles defeat of the season.

Stickney A and Graves Park B, two teams without a win between them this season broke their duck’s in emphatic style, Stickney beating Penmaen C 8-2 while the Park beat fellow club mates Nomads 7-3. A result of 8-2 is just what Stickney needed, lifting them out of the doldrums and to relative safety, to sixth place in the table. Ironically, it was Penmaen who broke the ice Roger Hooton beating Paul Hartnett in four. However Stickney then took control, Geoff Boune warding off Neil Snaith, while Andrew Benjamin put them in the lead with a straight sets victory over Maurice Buck. Bourne who looked in top form collected his other two, for his first full house of the season while Hartnett after his first game defeat, completed his night beating Snaith and Buck. Young Benjamin after his first game win was full of confidence but was brought down to earth by Snaith and despite winning the first two, he fell away in the next three. He redeemed himself by beating Hooton in four, then sat out the doubles while Bourne/Hartnett completed the rout.

Graves Park B, who were beginning to despair of ever winning, met fellow club-mates Graves Park Nomads who like the B team were also winless. Nomads broke the ice Tris Clow beating Dave Graham in five but Mick Maltby and Mike Freeston repaired the damage, Freeston beating Dean Clow, while Maltby gained four sets victories over Harry Paul and Tris Clow. Dean Clow pulled one back for Nomads beating Graham but it was all to no avail as the B ground on, Freeston beating Paul, while Maltby completed his hat-trick, beating Dean Clow in a close four ender. Despite Tris Clow beating Freeston in three, the B made sure of victory, Graham at last getting his name on the board with a confident win over Harry Paul. Just to put a bit of a gloss on their first victory of the season, Freeston and Maltby joined forces to beat the two Clows in four giving the B a 7-3 victory, lifting them clear of the relegation zone.

A D Dickinson Division Two

Lodgers B surged back to top in the A D Dickinson Division Two with a 9-1 demolition of what appeared to be a rather dispirited Stickney B. Stickney night never really got off the ground, all the singles being over in straight legs and whilst some of the games were close, the result was never in doubt. With only the doubles remaining and Lodgers going for the kill, Stickney roused from their slumbers, Tim Sampson and Cliff Davey turning in a performance that belied their singles showing, matching their more illustrious opponents shot for shot. Despite losing the first end 10-12 they fought back to win the next two but it still looked odds on that Lodgers would complete the whitewash. It was not to be and in a stirring fifth Davey and Sampson sneaked home at the death to earn their team a point. Might be better after Christmas with the return of Tony Hall.

Graves Park F and Lodgers E, two of the teams in the divisions lower regions met and for two teams of matching strengths, the points were equally shared. Colin Bell always looked too experienced for the Park lads and not surprisingly he won his singles without any bother, only Kit Calvert running him close in one end. Special mention must go to Pete Bell who picked up Lodgers other singles, this being Pete’s first victory of the season. Now he has got this one under his belt, he’s hoping many more victories will follow. Kit Calvert and Barry Frankish replied for the Park, picking up two each, Kit having to work for his wins, needing five ends to see off Pete Bell, while Thomas Bell pushed him all the way before Kit’s experience told in the fourth set. With Alan Davy picking up one beating Thomas Bell, the doubles proved to be the all deciding factor Pete and Colin Bell combining against Calvert and Frankish who won the first end 11-9. The Lodgers pair bounced back to win the next two quite easily but with the Park pair nicking the fourth 11-8 it was down to the final end. This one saw Lodgers open up a healthy lead which the Park pair never recovered from, the two Bell’s winning 11-8 to earn their team a draw.

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Graves Park A 3, Lodgers G 7; Penmaen B 6, Lodgers A 4; Stickney A 8, Penmaen C 2; Graves Park B 7, Graves Park Nomads 3.

A D Dickinson Division Two: Graves Park F 5, Lodgers E 5; Stickney B 1, Lodgers B 9.

News for week ending Sunday November 25

Despite there being no scheduled fixtures, a number of teams put the “catch up week” to the best effect, pulling in some outstanding fixtures.

Yates and Greenhough Division One

In Yates and Greenhough Division One, the big movers were Lodgers G who eased from fifth to top spot, the team being no strangers to this position, as in seasons gone by, often as not was their permanent place. Their opening fixture was a top versus bottom clash, Lodgers taking on Graves Park B, who at the moment can’t seem to buy a win. Making his second appearance of the season was Ian Royle who had no trouble at all with any of the Park lads, winning his singles in straight ends. No.1 ranked Gary Hill played steadily and although narrowly beating Dave Graham 14-12 in the fourth and Mike Freeston extended him to four, the results of these two games were never in doubt. Mark Hulme chipped in with two, being on the lucky side to beat Dave Graham but in an equally close encounter, he lost out in the fifth to Mike Freeston, who saved the Park from a whitewash.

Their second match was against much sterner opposition, Penmaen B making the trip to Lodgers, who were fielding the heavy squad, Kelvin Clements returning to the team. It was a masterstroke by Kelvin to re-sign Gary Hill who looked as though he had never been away, Gary winning his singles, needing four to see off Alan Ashberry and Jake the Pegg but dismissing Scott Sykes in three. Kelvin Clements chipped in with two and despite beating Sykes and Jake rather comfortably, he struggled against the wily Ashberry, who finally got the better of him to win 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7. Ian Royle another returnee to the fold had a less than happy night, picking up just one, which will do his ranking no good at all, beating Sykes and although taking Ashberry to five he could do nothing against Pegg who beat him in straight legs.

Penmaen C picked up their second win of the season with a fine victory over fellow strugglers Graves Park A, Roger Hooton and Neil Snaith putting them in the driving seat, both of them beating Nick Langley and Phil Brooks respectively. Rob Smith replied, picking up two beating Snaith and Maurice Buck, while Buck put Penmaen into a strong position with a walkover against Langley, who had to retire midway through the first end with a leg injury. Smith capped a fine night, putting the Park back in the frame winning a five set thriller against Hooton but Penmaen held their nerve, Hooton and Snaith easing them to an 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 doubles win guiding the team to a 6-4 victory.

Penmaen C, thoug,h found Graves Park C a different proposition, the Park team powering into a 5-0 lead, Mick East picking up two. despite a stuttering win over Neil Snaith and a straight end win over Maurice Buck. James Quinton chipped in with a win over Buck, while Martin Walters disposed of Snaith and Roger Hooton, both of these being over in five ends and on another night could have swung the other way. Hooton put Penmaen on the board with a comfortable win over Quinton but there was no way back, the Park trio comfortably winning their final three matches. However Penmaen gained a crumb of comfort from the doubles, Hooton and Snaith after a disastrous first end, which they lost 2-11 turning this round to win the next three 11-9, 11-9, 11-8 for two hard earned points.

Penmaen B returned to the winning trail and how, beating a sorry Graves Park Nomads 9-1, Alan Ashberry and Jake the Pegg proving too strong for Park lads. With Scott Sykes chipping in with two, beating Tris Clow quite easily but needing five to see off a concerted challenge by Harry Paul, he succumbed to Dean Clow (the Park’s best player on the night) 8-11, 9-11, 10-12, 5-11.

The A D Dickinson Division Two

The Division Two all-Park clash saw Graves Park D move up the table with a crushing 9-1 win over their F team.

The D started off in style opening up a 4-0 lead Paul Gilbert beating Alan Davy, while Mick Dodes after three shaky sets against Kit Calvert got it together in the fourth to win 11-0. With Dave Walters beating Barry Frankish and Dodes beating Davy in three, things were looking good until Frankish pulled one back with a three end win over Gilbert. Any revival failed to materialise, the D grinding out the next four without too much trouble. No luck for the F in the doubles either, Dodes and Walters after a first end slip losing 4-11 winning the next three fairly comfortably to guide the D to top place in the table.

Wrangle showed that they intend to have a say in the title race, beating a Stickney B team 9-1, who so far this season have just not put it together. Surprisingly it was Stickney who opened the scoring, Tony Sharpe after four close ends against Dennis Pattrick, nicking the final leg 11-7. That was a far as any Stickney success went, Sam Cooper making short work of Cliff Davey, while Dave Coulson struggled to a four set win over Tim Sampson. Pattrick got his name on the board with a win over Davey, Coulson had to work hatrd to beat Sharpe, while Cooper was pushed all the way by Sampson, Coulson and Cooper both recording a hat-trick. Pattrick completed the proceedings beating Sampson, who fought long and hard all night for scant reward.

The all Lodgers clash saw the D take on the E, the D looking for their first win of the season, Captain Colin Bell was in great form for the E, winning his singles in straight sets and although being pushed by Graham Bonsor in the first two, Colin made no mistake in the third. Pete Bell failed to register, while young Tom Bell picked a welcome victory beating Nev Leggate but not knowing how to handle the experienced Bonsor or Tony Kime. With the doubles deciding the result, Colin Bell and son Tom combined for the first time winning the opening end 11-9 and despite losing the second came good in the next two to force a draw.

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Lodgers G 9, Graves Park B 1; Lodgers G 7, Penmaen B 3; Penmaen C 6, Graves Park A 4; Penmaen C 2, Graves Park C 8; Graves Park Nomads 1, Penmaen B 9.

A D Dickinson Division Two: Graves Park D 9, Graves Park F 1; Stickney B 1, Wrangle 9; Lodgers D 5, Lodgers E 5.

News for week ending Sunday November 18

Yates and Greenhough Division One

The big teams in the Yates and Greenhough Division One have begun to make their presence felt, the top five opening up a gap between themselves and the remainder. Graves Park B, who are one of the basement teams, met fellow strugglers Penmaen C who (like the Park) were without a win. So at least something had to give, Penmaen getting away to a flyer, Roger Hooton battling to the tightest of wins over Dave Graham, Roger winning the fifth 15-13. Neil Snaith extended the lead beating Mick Maltby in another close five ender, coming from 1-2 sets down to nick the last two 11-8, 11-9. Mike Freeston reduced the arrears with a straightforward win over Maurice Buck and Maltby levelled the score with a 11-9, 11-5, 10-12, 11-4 win over Hooton. Penmaen though still seemed to hold the upper hand, Buck recording his first victory of the season with yet another close win, beating Graham 11-9 in the fifth and with Snaith making short work of Freeston, Penmaen looked to be in control. The Park inevitably pulled one back, Maltby having to work hard to see beat a determined Buck but Penmaen drove on, Hooton beating Freeston in yet another five setter, while man of the match Snaith beat a very off form Graham 11-7, 11-1, 11-6. The game was effectively over but the Park gained a strategic point, Maltby and Freeston combining to win the doubles in three, adding a bit of gloss to the score line.

Graves Park C, who were without Mike East for the second match in succession, suffered a blow to their title aspirations being held to a 5-5 draw by Stickney A. Stickney got off to the best possible start, Paul Hartnett beating James Quinton, who previous to this had lost only one all season. However the Park recovered, Martin Walters beating Geoff Bourne in a somewhat controversial game, while Dave Walters required four to get the better of Andrew Benjamin. Stickney replied, Hartnett who was having an excellent evening levelling the score beating Martin Walters in five only to see the Park regain the lead, Quinton beating Benjamin in four. Stickney hit back to take a surprise lead, Bourne getting his name on the board with a four set win over Dave Walters, Benjamin causing the shock of the night beating Martin Walters in four and Hartnett picking up his third with an 11-3, 5-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 win to put Stickney within touching point of victory. Park however sensing defeat dug in, Quinton beating Bourne in three straight and then combining with Martin Walters to snatch a 13-11 victory in the fifth set of the doubles to force the draw.

A D Dickinson Division Two

The A D Dickinson Division Two saw Wrangle move off the bottom of the table to fourth position with mixed fortunes and although beating Lodgers D 9-1, they went down 4-6 to title rivals Lodgers B. Against the D there was only one team in it, Dennis Pattrick and Dave Coulson sweeping aside the Lodgers lads. The main surprise here was joint No.2 ranked Tony Kime losing in straight legs to Coulson, also ranked joint No.2 and Dennis Pattrick. Sam Cooper chipped in with two beating Graham Bonsor and Nev Leggate but losing out to Kime who saved Lodgers from an embarrassing whitewash.

The B side, though, provided a sterner task, although Dave Coulson put Wrangle on the board, beating No.4 ranked Vic Clements by the narrowest of margins (11-9 in the fifth). Lodgers, however, drew level, Pete Truepenny beating Dennis Pattrick, and then surged ahead, Tim Day beating the experienced Sam Cooper in three straight. Clements got his name on the board with a useful win over Pattrick and Wrangle were in deep trouble. Coulson rode to the rescue with a five set win over the dangerous Day but Lodgers were in the driving seat, Truepenny picking up his second of the night, Day needing four to see off Pattrick, while Clements made short work of an out of touch Cooper. It was all over and despite “man of the match man” Coulson picking up his third win of the night there was nothing he could do about the result. Cooper and Pattrick both of whom had an unhappy night, gained some comfort from the doubles combining to beat Clements and Day 11-7, 11-5, 10-12, 11-8 to make the score line look a lot more respectable.

Third placed Penmaen D enhanced their championship challenge with a 10-0 win over Stickney B who due to ill health and injury, could only field two players. However, having said that, most of the seven games played went to four ends, Tony Sharpe testing both Chris Cooke and John Shortland before succumbing. Cliff Davey was outgunned by Cooke and Dave Smith but he gave Shortland a run for his money just losing the first set 14-16 winning the second 11-9 before losing the next two 8-11, 6-11. The doubles was another four setter, Sharp and Davey despite winning the second faded in the next two, allowing Penmaen to register a whitewash.

Two of the Lodgers teams, the E and the F, met. Here, the F (after three drawn matches) registered their first win of the season. Colin Bell was in tremendous form picking up his singles, although he required four to see off David Kime, while against Steve Harker it was touch and go Colin just nicking the fifth11-9. Sadly Thomas and Pete Bell failed to shine, Thomas beating Boyd Smith in the first but the experienced Boyd eased home in the next three. The doubles were no more successful Thomas and Colin Bell winning the first end 11-5 but the Smith/Harker partnership rallied to win the next three rather easily.

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

A D Dickinson Division Two: Wrangle 9, Lodgers D 1; Wrangle 4, Lodgers B 6; Penmaen D 10, Stickney B 0; Lodgers E 3, Lodgers F 7.

News for week ending Sunday November 11

Yates and Greenhough Division One

The teams whom I expected to be in the Yates and Greenhough Division One championship race haven’t disappointed, Lodgers G moving into the top three and with a game or so in hand, defeating Graves Park Nomads 10-0. As expected the games were pretty one sided, although Dean Clow took a set out of Gary Hill while Harry Paul stretched Mark Hulme to five, just losing the final set 8-11. Kelvin Clements never looked in trouble, while Gary Hill, despite being out of the game for a couple of seasons, soon found his feet. Mark Hulme offered solid support and despite finding Paul a bit of a handful he made short work of the two Clow boys.

Lodgers A, since their nightmare first match of the season, have hit a run of form, winning two matches in the space of five days beating Graves Park A 7-3 and Stickney A 10-0 to propel them to top spot in the table. Against Stickney the score may read 10-0 but the score sheet tells a different story, with only two of the games going to three ends, three going to four ends while the remainder were all close five enders. The game between Paul Hartnett and Pete Evans was so close that they were almost inseperable Paul running out winner in the second end 20-18, yet he still lost the game. A good win for Lodgers but on another night this score could so easily have been so very different.

Graves Park A entertained fellow club mates Graves Park C both teams having to draft in reserves, due to injuries, illness etc. The Spalding based lads Graves Park C, drafted in Dave Walters from the D team, while the A pulled in Mick Dodes who also plays for the D outfit. This meant that team mates who both play for Division Two team Graves Park D, would be on opposing sides in this match. The C got away well, James Quinton beating Phil Brooks, while Martin Walters made short work of Rob Smith. Dodes kept the A in the frame beating team mate Dave Walters but the C surged ahead, Quinton having to work hard to beat Rob Smith. The A kept in touch, Brooks making short work of Dave Walters and despite Martin Walters narrowly beating Dodes, the A were still in it, Smith narrowly beating Dave Walters 7-11, 11-2, 11-5 7-11, 11-7. The C then cruised into a unassailable lead Quinton beating Dodes, while Martin Walters eased past Brooks but the A pairing of Brooks and Smith gained some recompense narrowly winning an exhilarating doubles (best game of the night), 7-11. 11-9, 11-9, 14-16 11-6 for four well earned points.

The all-Penmaen clash was probably the match of the week, both teams boasting 100% records so something had to give. The A fielded Jimmy Brewster in place of Sasha Martin, Jimmy showing he had lost none of his finesse, winning his singles in straight legs, without too much bother. Brett Heppenstall and Andy Gilbert gave him excellent support picking up two each, both of them beating Jake the Pegg and Scott Sykes. However they came unstuck against Alan Ashberry, Brett taking him the full distance before fading 11-2 in the final end. Gilbert fared no better losing 8-11, 8-11, 7-11 against a player who no doubt will feature in the top five this season.

The scrap at the bottom featured Penmaen C and Park Nomads and from two very evenly matched team a draw seemed a fair result. It was Roger Hooton who put Penmaen on the board with a four set win over Harry Paul but the Park immediately replied, Dean Clow battling to a 10-12, 11-5, 11-6 12-10 victory over Neil Snaith while brother Tris after a first set hic-cup comfortably beat Maurice Buck. With Hooton beating Tris Clow the game swung to a fro, first one team and then the other appearing to be in control. However Park looked as though they had it with two good wins, Paul making short work of Buck, while Dean Clow overcame Roger Hooton in the best game of the night, Dean winning a game of swinging fortunes 11-9, 11-9, 10-12, 1-11, 11-4. With both teams needing the doubles for differing reasons, the Penmaen pairing of Hooton and Snaith drew first blood beating Dean Clow and Harry Paul 11-3. The second was a bit closer, the Park lads going down 7-11 but the third end was in much the same vein as the first, the Park pair slumping to an 11-3 defeat to earn Penmaen an equal share of the spoils.

A D Dickinson Division Two

Wrangle after their surprise defeat the first week season at the hands of Lodgers E, registered their first win of the season in the A D Dickinson Division Two beating Penmaen D 8-2. However, it was Penmaen who opened the scoring, Chris Cooke narrowly beating Dennis Pattrick 11-9 in the fifth but Wrangle gradually took control, Sam Cooper beating both John Shortland and Cooke and Dave Coulson getting the better of Paul Maxwell in a very close encounter. Wrangle continued to press, Pattrick getting his name on the board with a four set win over Maxwell, Coulson registering his second win of the night beating Shortland while Cooper completed a clean sweep with a four set win over the unlucky Maxwell. It was all but over when Penmaen finally replied, Cooke giving the team some hope of making the score look more respectable beating Coulson 10-12, 11-8, 11-7 11-7, (a good win this) but Pattrick quashed any hopes, comfortably beating Shortland in three straight The doubles was perhaps the closest game of the night Cooper and Pattrick being involved with Cooke and Maxwell in a game that could have swung both ways, the Wrangle lads inching home 12-10 in the fifth for an 8-2 victory.

After two shock reverses, Graves Park D at last got back on the winning trail with two 8-2 victories beating Lodgers D 8-2 and three night later Lodgers F 8-2. Lodgers D came up against an in form Dave Walters, Dave easing past Nev Leggate and Graham Bonsor but finding Tony Kime a tougher nut to crack, requiring four set before edging home 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 14-12. Paul Matschull and Mick Dodes chipped in with two apiece, both of them beating Leggate and Graham Bonsor, Graham being particularly unlucky to come away with nothing against Matschull, and although the game was over in straight ends the 10-12, 11-13, 14-16 showed how close it was.

Against Lodgers F, the Park got away to a flying start taking the first five games and it was virtually over, Paul Matschull beating Boyd Smith and Simon Raistrick, Paul Gilbert picking up a straight set win over Steve Marshall, while Mick Dodes turned in a solid performance, with wins over Smith and Marshall, although he required four ends for both of these. Lodgers at last got on the board, Smith gaining some reward for his hard work beating Gilbert, while Marshall further reduced the arrears with a fine win over Matschull. However the respite was short lived, Dodes, after a first set 9-11 defeat to Raistrick, made no mistake in the next three. Matschull put the issue beyond doubt with an 12-10 11-6, 3-11,11-9 win over Marshall while Gilbert wrapped up the job with a straight set victory over Raistrick.

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Lodgers A 7, Graves Park A 3; Graves Park Nomads 0, Lodgers G 10; Stickney A 0, Lodgers A 10; Graves Park A 4, Graves Park C 6; Penmaen B 3, Penmaen A 7; Penmaen C 5, Graves Park Nomads 5.

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

News for week ending Sunday November 4

A D Dickinson Division Two

The A D Dickinson Division Two is relatively free of call-offs so far, Lodgers B opening up an 11-point gap at the top of the table, beating the experienced Graves Park D 10-0. This is the Park team who I expected to be pushing for promotion. Three nights later Lodgers continued their progress beating their weakened E team, who were without the influential Mark Vere, by an 8-2 margin. Lodgers expected a tough match against a full strength Park team, Pete Truepenny getting them on the way with a straight set win over Paul Matschull. Vic Clements extended the lead, a close four set win over Dave Walters and with Tim Day beating Paul Gilbert, Lodgers were cooking on gas. Things were just not going for the Park, Clements beating Matschull, Truepenny just getting the better of Gilbert in five and with Day defeating Walters 5-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-7, Lodgers were home and dry. Lodgers continued to press, Clements working hard to beat Gilbert, while Day completed his hat-trick with an 11-7, 6-11, 11-3, 11-9 victory over Matschull and Truepenny completed the rout with a four set win over Walters. To rub salt into the wounds, Clements and Day rounded off the proceedings, winning a narrow five set doubles encounter beating the Walters/Matschull duo 11-5, 5-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-5. A bad result for the Park and this along with their 3-7 defeat to Penmaen last week has plunges them from top spot to sixth place in the table.

Three nights later Lodgers B continued their good run beating their E team, who with Mark Vere in the team are good but when is is not there at best they are indifferent. So no Mark Vere, and Colin Bell didn’t get the E away to the best of starts against Pete Truepenny and although coming from two sets down to draw level, he just lost the final set 9-11. None of the Lodgers lads had any trouble with either Pete or Thomas Bell, although Pete Bell did give Truepenny a scare taking the set 11-6 before the Lodgers player turned the screw in the next two. Colin Bell rescued the E from total disaster beating Day and Clements but these two gained their revenge, narrowly beating Colin and Pete Bell in the doubles to give the B team an emphatic 8-2 victory.

Lodgers E this time with Mark Vere but with only two players took on Penmaen D, who so far have had a reasonable season, the two man team winning 6-4. Vere comfortably won his singles, although after losing the first set to John Shortland made him fight that bit harder. Colin Bell chipped in with two beating Shortland and Chris Cooke but just lost out in a titanic battle to Dave Smith, in a game that could have swung both ways. The doubles were equally tight, swinging first one way then the other, the Lodgers pair emerging triumphant winning the final set 12-10 for a 6-4 victory.

Graves Park F had mixed results, taking on two of the Lodgers teams narrowly beating the D 6-4 but only managing a draw against the two-man F team. It was Tony Kime who kept the D team in the game, winning his three, comfortably overcoming the two Calvert’s but struggling against Barry Frankish before winning the fifth fairly easily. Graham Bonsor picked up one beating Kit Calvert but Nev Leggate despite taking a set from both the Calvert’s failed to capitalise. The deciding doubles looked to be going Lodgers way, Kime and Leggate winning the first two but Fred Calvert and Frankish turned the game around, comfortably winning the next three for a scratchy 6-4 win. Against Lodgers F things looked rosy when David Kime announced they could only field two players but was looking at least for a draw, Lodgers two previous fixtures ending all square. Lodgers started off confidently winning the first three, Kime running out a 9-11, 11-7, 12-10, 5-11, 11-6 winner over Alan Davy. Steve Marshall made it two beating Fred Calvert while Kime added another beating Frankish in three straight. The Park deciding that they ought to take part in this match, pulled one back, Davy beating Marshall but Kime gave Lodgers their three game advantage beating a sadly out of touch Calvert. The Park knowing that they had three in the bag hit back and with Frankish beating Marshall reasonably comfortably the doubles became the crucial game. The Lodgers pair needed this and Kime and Marshall didn’t disappoint and despite losing the first 9-11, won the next three 11-6, 11-9, 11-6 to earn their team a well earned draw.

Yates and Greenhough Division One

One or two postponements in the Yates and Greenhough Division One saw Stickney A calling off their match with Penmaen A, while the Lodgers G v Penmaen B match was called off by the away team earlier in the week. Of the action that did take place, Lodgers G moved into joint third place beating Penmaen C 9-1. Ironically it was Penmaen who drew first blood, Roger Hooton who after losing the first set to Mark Hulme won the next three. From that point on it was all Lodgers, Kelvin Clements and Gary Hill comfortably winning their singles. Hulme managed to win his remaining two and despite dropping an end against Maurice Buck the result was never in doubt.

After playing two matches with only two players, Graves Park B were back at full strength for their clash with Lodgers A. The latter got away to a good start, Graham Lacey beating Dave Graham in three sets while Trev Blackbourn was involved in a battle royal with Mick Maltby, Trev looking as though he was going to lose, fought back to win the next two to take the spoils. The Park hit back, Mike Freeston making his first appearance of the season beating Pete Evans in a tight five ender. but Lodgers pressed on Graham Lacey picking up his other two. Graham and Freeston put the Park back in the frame, Graham beating Evans, while Freeston after a first set hic-cup, made short work of Blackbourn. Evans got his name on the board beating Maltby who fought hard all night for no reward but Graham gave the Park a glimmer of hope of forcing the draw, beating Blackbourne 12-10, 11-5, 4-11, 11-9. The deciding doubles was perhaps the best game of the night, the match swinging both ways and the final set score of 12-14 shows just how close it was, Lacey and Evans just nicking it to gain Lodgers a valuable 6-4 victory Not a bad result for the Park though and performances like this will see them safe from relegation.

However the Park’s bubble burst a few days later when they met Graves Park C, who will undoubtedly feature near the top, the B losing 1-9. The C were on top of their game Martin Walters and Mick East both winning their singles, Walters being taken to five by Mick Maltby and Mike Freeston, the Park lads feeling disappointed that they did not pick at least one of these. It was left to Dave Graham to pick up the B’s solitary game beating James Quinton in the last game of the night thus saving the B’s blushes.

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

A D Dickinson Division Two: Lodgers B 10, Graves Park D 0; Graves Park F 5, Lodgers F 5; Lodgers E 2, Lodgers B 8; Lodgers D 4, Graves Park F 6; Penmaen D 4, Lodgers E 6.

News for week ending Sunday October 28

Yates and Greenhough Division One

After last week’s defeat by stable-mates Lodgers G, Lodgers A got their first win under their belts beating newly promoted Park Nomads 7-3. The Park started off brightly, Tris Clow beating Pete Evans in four but Ian Stones quickly cancelled that out beating Walt Bridges 6-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-3. Dean Clow briefly restored the Park lead beating Trev Blackbourn, before Stones levelled the score again, this time beating Tris Clow. From that point on it was one way traffic, Evans after his shock first game defeat beating Bridges and Dean Clow. Blackbourn despite finding Tris Clow a bit of a handful, had little trouble with Bridges beating him in three straight, Stones wrapped the game up for Lodgers with a win over Dean Clow, thus completing his hat-trick but the Park snatched a last gasp win, the two Clows snatching the doubles by the narrowest margins possible, winning the fifth and final set 16-14. 14-16. Graves Park A with only two players (no Nick Langley) took on the mighty Penmaen A who fielded reserve Chris Cooke, his second outing of the season. As expected Phil Brooks and Rob Smith both lost their matches against Andy Gilbert and Brett Heppenstall although Smith had hard luck against Gilbert going down 9-11 in the fifth, while pushing Heppenstall to four after winning the first 11-7. Cooke turned in a plucky display, but it was all to no avail, going down to Brooks and Smith. Penmaen rather shot themselves in the foot in the doubles, the scratch Park pair of Brooks and Smith carving out a 13-11 5-11, 11-7, 12-10 win, giving Penmaen a 7-3 victory. This was a good result for the Park and many teams in the league would take this result if it was offered to them.

Graves Park C got their season off to a solid start beating Park Nomads 8-2. Mick East and James Quinton did the main damage, both of them winning their singles, comfortably beating Harry Paul and Dean Clow but finding Tris Clow rather sharp, Tris winning the first set against both of them but fading in the next three. Martin Walters chipped in with two beating Paul and Tris Clow and it came as something of a surprise to be beaten by Dean Clow for Nomads solitary singles game. However doubles this season are throwing up shocks and this one was no exception the two Clows combining to beat Quinton and Walters 12-10, 6-11, 11-6, 6-11, 13-11 to earn Nomads another point which come the end of the season may prove vital. Penmaen B moved to the top of the table with a 9-1 thumping of Stickney A, who this week found that they had only two players, Andrew Benjamin failing to put in an appearance. However, Alan Ashberry was in tremendous form winning his singles without any bother, beating both Geoff Bourne and Paul Hartnett with consummate ease. Jake the Pegg brushed aside Bourne in three straight but he was pushed all the way by Hartnett, Paul after holding a 2-1 lead losing the last two sets, the last end being a real cliff hanger, Jake nicking it as the death 17-15. Scott Sykes had little trouble with Geoff Bourne winning 11-6, 8-11, 11-1, 11-7 but despite winning the first set 11-8 set against Hartnett he slipped up dramatically in the next three. With three walkovers, Penmaen were on the way to a big win, Ashberry and Sykes wrapping up the doubles beating the Stickney pair 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 to record a 9-1 win.

A D Dickinson Division Two

Results in this division are all over the place, teams who had lost heavily the first week turning in some sparkling performances. Graves Park D must be a case in point, hammering Stickney B 10-0 in the first week of the season, so the visit of Penmaen D didn’t look too taxing. On paper the Park looked the stronger team but Penmaen threw caution aside, building up a impregnable 5-0 lead, Dave Smith drafted in, in place of Paul Maxwell, beating both Mick Dodes and Dave Walters in straight ends. John Shortland after a first set 6-11 defeat to Dave Walters, comfortably won the next three 11-5, 11-8 11-7 and Chris Cooke added to the mayhem, beating both the talented Mick Dodes and Paul Matschull. Panic reigned supreme, but the Park to their credit managed to string some games together, Matschull getting them on the board with a narrow win over Shortland. Walters further reduced the arrears beating Cooke 11-7, 11-5, 7-11, 12-10 and with Matschull beating Smith in four it looked like game on. However, Shortland settled the Penmaen nerves with a four set win over Dodes, these two being team mates from their Besco days. The result was in the bag but the Penmaen pairing of Smith and Cooke rubbed salt into the wounds beating Matschull and Walters in straight ends in the doubles for a brilliant victory. After being unluckily relegated at the end of last season (I thought so anyway), Lodgers B have made a less than auspicious start in the A D Dickinson Division Two. After last week’s draw they visited Graves Park F who were without star man Fred Calvert, Alan Davy taking his place. The game looked to be pretty one-sided, Lodgers picking up six of the first seven games, Vic Clements comfortably beating Alan Davy and Kit Calvert. Tim Day brushed aside Calvert and somewhat surprisingly Barry Frankish while Pete Truepenny saw off the challenges of Calvert and Davy. Just when it looked like an overwhelming Lodgers victory the Park woke up, Frankish finding some of last seasons form to beat Clements, while Day got his name on the board in a five set tussle with Day. The doubles was perhaps the closest contest of the evening and at 2-0, seemed to be swinging the Park’s way but Day and Clements drew on their reserves to narrowly win the last two ends to give Lodgers a 7-3 win. The season is only a couple of weeks old and already it seems that Lodgers D and F are going to be the draw specialists of this division. This week they met, (you’ve guessed), the points being equally shared. The F found Tony Kime in tremendous form and although he brushed aside Simon Raistrick he found Steve Harker and Steve Marshall different propositions. Although beating them Tony found Marshall quite a handful, Steve giving Tony a scare, narrowly losing the second and then going on to win the third. It was no picnic against Harker, Steve coming from behind on two occasions only to go down in the final end 6-11.

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Stickney A 5, Graves Park A 5; Lodgers A 7, Graves Park Nomads 3; Graves Park A 3, Penmaen A 7; Graves Park Nomads 2, Graves Park C 8; Penmaen B 9, Stickney A 1.

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

News for week ending Sunday October 21

Yates and Greenhough Division One

One or two surprise results in the Boston Table Tennis League this week, no more so than in the Yates and Greenhough Division One where newly-promoted Graves Park D equally shared the spoils with Stickney A. Nothing remarkable there, you probably say, as on paper both teams appear to be equally balanced. But what gave this score such importance is that the Park only had two players. With Mike Freeston recovering from a back injury, Dave Graham and Mick Maltby did themselves proud, Dave winning his singles in four and despite hard games against Paul Hartnett and Geoff Bourne, Dave pulled through. Mick Maltby gave him excellent support chipping in with two, comfortably beating Bourne but having to come back from two sets down against young Andrew Benjamin, just scraping the final end 11-9. All the Stickney lads had to show for their efforts was Hartnett’s narrow win over Maltby but with three walkovers the result was reliant upon the doubles. This as far as the Park were concerned was an unmitigated disaster and although just losing the first end 10-12, they were blown away in the next two, earning Stickney a very lucky draw.

Lodgers G showed that they mean business thumping their A team 8-2. Back in the Lodgers fold after a couple of years or so was Ian Royle and it looked as though he had never been away, beating last seasons No.2 ranked Graham Lacey and Trev Blackbourne in straight sets, while Ian Stones succumbed 8-11 in the fourth. Mark Hulme and Kelvin Clements gave him excellent support picking up two each, Mark beating Blackbourne with some ease and Stones, while Kelvin made short work of Stones and claimed a walkover against Blackbourne. Neither of them however had any answer to Lacey who came from two sets down against Hulme to win 10-12, 10-12, 11-9, 11-6, 11-3 and despite losing the first set against Clements, he, (Graham) fought back to take a 2-1 lead. Clements quickly levelled the score narrowly winning 11-9 but Graham held his nerve and came through victorious o win the vital fifth 11-9.

A D Dickinson Division Two

Shock of the week in Division Two though goes to Stickney B who played two matches within the space of five days.

Their opening match of the season was against the strong Graves Park D team, who look as though they will take some holding in this division. The Park completely overwhelmed the Stickney team, eight of the nine singles being over in three straight, the only game going any distance being Tony Hall who took the first set out of Dave Walters. Dave quickly remedied that by winning the next three 11-9, 12-10, 11-4. Tim Sampson had a patchy night despite pushing Paul Matschull close in the third but against Dodes and Walters he was never in it. The dynamo must have had a flat battery, Cliff, who I doubt if he has picked up a bat during the close season, never really give the Park lads a game. The doubles were in much the same vein and apart from a brief flurry in the third end, Matschull and Walters closed down the fourth for a 10-0 victory.

What a difference a few days make, Stickney’s next outing visiting Lodgers E, who only a few days earlier had beaten Wrangle, one of the expected contenders 6-4. The difference here though was Lodgers were without the influential Mark Vere, while captain Tony Sharpe came into the Stickney line up. Lodgers eased into an early lead, Colin Bell beating Tony Sharpe but Stickney quickly drew level and then edged 3-1 ahead, Tony Hall beating Pete Bell in a tight five ender, while young Thomas Bell played exceptionally well, taking and end out of Sharpe and Sampson before losing in the fourth. Colin Bell pulled one back making short work of Hall but Stickney were in the ascendancy winning the next three thus making the game safe Colin Bell picked up his third of the night beating Sampson but despite teaming up with brother Pete for the doubles, they were narrowly beaten by Hall/Sampson partnership 2-11, 12-10 11-8 9-11, 11-9 earning Stickney a unexpected 7-3 victory.

The all-Lodgers clash saw the B take on the newly formed F team, Vic Clements giving the B the lead with a win over David Kime. Tim Day made it 2-0 narrowly beating Steve Marshall, who was making his debut but Steve Harker slowed the B’s charge down with a straight set win over Pete Truepenny. Kime levelled the score beating Day, while Harker gave the F the lead with a surprising straight set win over Clements. The B hit back, Truepenny beating Marshall but Harker (that man again) and Kime gave the F renewed hope, Harker beating Day while Kime fought out a close win over Truepenny. The F were sitting pretty but the B replied Clements making short work of Marshall to leave the result in the balance and then combined with Day to narrowly win the doubles earning the B a lucky draw.

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Graves Park B 5, Stickney A 5; Lodgers G 8, Lodgers A 2; Penmaen A 8, Graves Park B 2; Penmaen B 10, Penmaen C 0.

A D Dickinson Division Two: Stickney B 0, Graves Park D 10; Lodgers B 5, Lodgers F 5; Lodgers E 3, Stickney B 7.

News for week ending Sunday October 14

Yates and Greenhough Division One

The new season kicked off rather slowly as most fixtures were played later in the week and with the postal strike, not many score sheets have been received. Of those who were involved in Division One, two Graves Park teams and two Penmaen teams were in action. Park A took on the strong Penmaen B side while newly-promoted Graves Park Nomads faced the unenviable task of taking on league champions Penmaen A. Park A started off on the back foot against the new look Penmaen B, the Penmaen lads winning the first two without too much effort, Alan Ashberry beating Rob Smith in four while Jake the Pegg comfortably beat Nick Langley in straight ends. Phil Brooks pulled one back for the Park, with a good win over Scott Sykes. However, Penmaen maintained their two game advantage (though not without a fright), Ashberry after losing the first set 10-12 to Langley promptly won the next three 11-0, 11-6, 11-4. Smith after a tight first end dished out Sykes’s second defeat of the night to reduce the arrears, the Park man winning 12-10, 11-2, 11-5. Inevitably Penmaen ground on, Jake struggling a little to overcome Brooks, Sykes getting his name on the board with a surprisingly easy win against Langley while Ashberry made short work of Brooks beating him 11-7, 11-2, 11-6. Jake completed his hat-trick with a narrow win over Smith in a game which in fact could have swung either way, then he, (Jake) and Ashberry tidied up in the doubles beating the Park pair in three straight for an 8-2 victory. Graves Park Nomads fresh from promotion from the second had a baptism of fire in their first match in the higher sphere taking on champions Penmaen. With no Brian Hill and no Jimmy Brewster young Sasha Martin was called on to deputise and despite beating Harry Paul in three went down to the two Clow boys, both times by the narrowest of margins. Brett Heppenstall and Andy Gilbert both picked up their singles, Brett needing four ends to see off Dean Clow and Harry Paul, while Andy required five legs to fight off a concerted challenge from Dean Clow, Andy at one stage being 1-2 down before scraping the fourth 13-11 to level and comfortably coasting the fifth for victory.

A D Dickinson Division Two

Wrangle, relegated last season, suffered a shock defeat being beaten 4-6 by Lodgers E, who last season finished bottom but one in this division. However, this season things are so very different, and the signing of Mark Vere during the close season will undoubted strengthen the team. Mark soon showed he had lost none of his sparkle winning his singles although it must be said both Dave Coulson and Sam Cooper gave him a testing time (just wait until he really hits form). Colin Bell chipped in with two, requiring four ends, before getting the better of Coulson and Dennis Pattrick. However his (Colin’s) game with Sam Cooper was the closest of the night the score of all four sets being 11-9, three of them going Sam’s way. The decisive doubles looked like going only one way but when Pattrick and Cooper nicked the second set 13-11 the result was back in the melting pot. The Lodgers pair of Vere and Colin Bell rallied, winning the next two very easily to give their team a narrow 6-4 victory.