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BOSTON TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE

All the up-to-date news from the Boston and District Table Tennis League 2005-2006

Round-up for February 2006 by Mick Williams

Report for week ending Friday February 24 (see update in latest tables section)

Win double sees Lodgers G return to pole position

A full programme in the league saw Lodgers G regain top spot in the Yates and Greenhough Division One with two victories — narrowly beating Wrangle and Shodfriars B, both matches being 6-4 wins.

Against Wrangle, however, only Andy Kirk and Kelvin Clements turned out for Lodgers. Kelvin won his singles without too much bother, while Andy picked up his first two, despatching Dave Coulson and Sam Cooper but needing four both times. Dennis Pattrick broke the Lodgers win cycle, beating Kirk in a hard fought encounter, Dennis scraping in 13-11, 13-11, 12-14, 14-12. With three walkovers and only the doubles to play, Wrangle sensed that they could snatch a draw but it was not to be, Kirk and Clements held firm doing just enough to grasp the game in three straight for a 6-4 win.

Three nights later Lodgers, this time with a full side, met the team of the season Shodfriars B. Ian Royle, who has had better seasons, seemed to find some of his old form and played brilliantly to win his three, beating the uncompromising Alan Ashberry. Alan took the first two ends fairly comfortably but Ian picked up the pace and moved on to his forehand at every opportunity to win the next three 11-9, 11-9, 11-8. An excellent game and a credit to both players and to table tennis, this being only Alan’s second defeat of the season. Scott “Twinkle Toes” Sykes had to be content with one, beating Andy Kirk. He was well beaten by Kelvin Clements but was unfortunate not to take an end out of Royle. Roger Hooton kept Shoddys in the hunt by beating Kirk, but he was never in it against either Clements or Royle. With doubles deciding the encounter, the formidable Lodgers pairing of Royle and Clements made sure of victory, beating Sykes

and Ashberry 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 to steer their side home.

Stickney A, who have dallied near the bottom of the table all season, put an end to any relegation feats, with two welcome victories, beating Shodfriars A 6-4 and doomed Lodgers F 7-3. Paul Hartnett got Stickney off to an excellent start against Shodfriars, beating “Jake the Pegg” in a tight five ender. But this was quickly cancelled out. Neil Snaith got the better of Steve Blanchard. Stickney edged ahead, Geoff Bourne making short work of Maurice Buck but Shoddys hung in there, Pegg beating Blanchard in four. However, Stickney started to show their authority, Hartnett beating an unconvincing Buck, while Bourne

after a third set scare by Snaith, made sure of it in the fourth. Shoddy’s though, were not to be denied and came roaring back, Buck turning in a sterling performance to beat Blanchard in five. Bourne, though, struggled to overcome Jake and Pegg. Star of the show, Hartnett completed his hat-trick by beating Snaith and then combined with Bourne to beat Pegg and Snaith in the doubles to steer Stickney to victory.

A few nights later, Stickney kept the ball rolling, beating Lodgers F, thus completing their second double of the season, and virtually signing Lodgers death warrant. Again Stickney started off well, Paul Hartnett picking off Pete Truepenny. And although David Kime quickly levelled the scores when beating Steve Blanchard, Stickney forged ahead — Geoff Bourne just overcoming a battling Steve Harker. Hartnett picked up his second win of the night beating Kime, while Steve Blanchard added to the lead by beating Steve Harker. Bourne, who was his usual immaculate self, saw off the threat of Truepenny and Kime and it began to look as though Lodgers were going to take a severe drubbing. However, they pulled one back, Harker playing well to beat Hartnett, while Truepenny gave the score a more acceptable appearance beating Blanchard in three. It was too late, though, as Hartnett and Bourne wrapped up the doubles in four to steer Stickney home.

The clash of the two Park teams saw the A keen to turn in a good result after losing 3-7 to the C the first time round 3-7. The C side started off well, Mick East looking in form making short work of reserve Dave Graham, who was taking the place of the unavailable Nick Langley. However, the A team took a shock lead before Rob smith levelled the score by beating No 8 ranked Martin Walters. Phil Brooks, after five close ends, got the better of James Quinton. East, though, was in tremendous form and had no truck with Smith. But Graham put the a back in contention beating a disappointing Quinton 12-10, 15-17, 11-9, 12-10 to give them a slender 3-2 lead. Walters beating Brooks cancelled this out but the A again fought back, Smith beating Quinton, who knew he had had a disappointing night. However, East again put the C on level terms beating Brooks, while Walters put them in the lead for the first time, with a narrow victory over Graham.

He (Walters) then partnered East in the doubles, this pairing making short work of the A duo of Smith and Brooks to steer the C to a narrow 6-4 win.

Honours shared in clash of two-player teams

In the A D Dickinson Division Two, Mayflower B stormed on but this week, despite a clear cut win, they could only secure five points. This could be put down to the fact that they only had two players but just to confuse matters their opponents Shodfriars C also could only field two players. Both Adrian and Mariusz Hering picked up their respective singles beating Dave Hocking and John Shortland and then combined to comfortably win the doubles making the score an unusual 5-0 win. This, though, will not stop them from winning the title as they are 30 points in front of the second placed team and only have four matches left to play. As long as they turn up for their matches the title is theirs.

The two Park teams in this division also met, the B looking to mount a promotion challenge after their disappointing result last week. No 3 ranked Mick Maltby and No 5 ranked Dave Graham were in immaculate form sweeping aside all the D lads, Dave Walters being the only one to take an end nicking a set 12-10 from Graham, who quickly sorted it out in the next one, Zenda Kwok was particularly unfortunate not to take at least a set out of Dave Walters, Zena leading 10-9 but Dave’s experience told which made the difference, Dave eventually winning 12-10.

Shodfriars C returned to the winning trail and kept away from the danger zone beating fellow strugglers Mayflower D 6-4. Dave Hocking was on top form, turning in a sparkling performance to take his three but it was far from easy, his games against Andrew Benjamin and Sasha Martin going the full distance. John Shortland chipped in with two beating Rachael Searles and Sasha Martin fairly comfortably but despite a brief flurry against Benjamin in the second, he was well beaten in the next two. Roly Sharp, who is a better player than his recent performances suggests, won only one, beating Martin in four but falling in the fifth against both Searles and Benjamin.

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

A D Dickinson Division Two: Mayflower B 5, Shodfriars C 0; Graves Park B 7, Graves Park D 3; Shodfriars C 6, Mayflower B 4; Mayflower D 4, Graves Park D 6.

Report for week ending Friday February 17

Wrangle facing prospect of the drop

It was verdict time for some teams in Yates and Greenhough Division One this week. Wrangle, in particular were drinking in the Last Chance Saloon and probably there away their chance of First Division survival. They lost 2-8 to Stickney A, who with this result should stay in the top flight for another year. Stickney never looked in danger, the first three going their way, Paul Hartnett beating Frank Burbidge, Geoff Bourne beating Dave Coulson, while Steve Blanchard just got the better of Dennis Pattrick, beating him 12-10 in the fifth. Hartnett making short work of Pattrick, while Bourne narrowly edged out Burbidge 13-11 in the fourth. Hartnett Bourne rounded off the night comfortably winning the first set of the doubles but the second set was a different matter, the Wrangle pair nicking it 11-6. This setback seemed to spur the Stickney lads into action and although struggling in the third, they got back into their stride to clinch the fourth 11-8 for an 8-2 victory.

Penmaen again turned out with two players for the visit of Lodgers F, only Andy Gilbert and Jimmy Brewster being available. Both players picked up their singles without any trouble, but this is possibly the last match that Andy will play this season, due to a serious knee injury. However, Lodgers were pleased to pick up three points but they too must see themselves as relegation favourites.

Graves Park C, who since Christmas have strung some decent results together, eased through into third spot with a useful 7-3 victory over Lodgers A, who locked together in the table, a mere point separating them. Lodgers drew first blood, two of the league’s stalwarts locking horns, the unranked Graham Lacey (he hasn’t played the required amount) taking on No 7 ranked Mick East. This as expected was a fast and furious game, Mick Losing the first 10-12 but hitting back in the second to win 13-11. A tight third end saw Graham take a slender lead to just hold it a 16-14 winner. The fourth set again was a close affair, Graham just clinching it 12-10 and it was a shame in such a game such that there had to be a loser. James Quinton quickly put the Park on level terms, beating Trev Blackbourn but Ian Stones and Lacey gave Lodgers a solid 3-1 lead beating Martin Walters and Quinton respectively. Stung by this the Park hit back, East making short work of Stones while Walters put the Park back in contention, narrowly beating Blackbourn 11-8 in the decisive end. It was now all the Park, Quinton getting the better of Stones and in another exciting encounter, Walters scuppered Lacey’s chances of a hat-trick beating him 12-14, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8 for a great win. East eased past Blackbourn and then set out the doubles while Quinton and Walters put the icing on the cake beating Blackbourn and Stones in a close five-ender to make the final score 7-3.

Lodgers B and Graves Park A, two teams who will have to settle for a mid-table spot met, the Park just snatching a 6-4 victory. The Park opened well, Nick Langley beating Tim Day in a tight five-setter, while Rob Smith saw off Vic Clements in four. Lodgers roared back to level the score, Phil Brooks meekly succumbing to Pete Evans, while Clements got his name on the board with an 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 victory over Langley. Undeterred by this, the Park pressed ahead, Brooks registered his first win of the night comfortably beating Day while Smith caused a minor surprise, beating the No 6 ranked Evans over five legs. With Brooks making short work of Clements, the Park switched on cruising but Evans gave Lodgers some hope with a narrow win over Langley. Hopes were dashed when Smith beat Day in the last singles of the evening but Clements and Evans gave the scoresheet an air of respectability beating the Park pair of Brooks and Smith, making the final score 4-6.

Two-man Park suffer narrow reverse

The top match in the A D Dickinson Division Two involved the two teams fighting for one spot, second placed Mayflower C taking on Graves Park B. Once again the Park could only field two players, Mick Maltby and Dave Graham dauntlessly battled on, picking up two each, both of them having little trouble against Emma Watson but finding Paul Gilbert a bit of a handful, Paul taking both of them the full distance, but fading in the fifth both times. Mick Dodes was the man of the match though boosting his position in the rankings, beating No 3 ranked Mick Maltby and No 5 ranked Dave Graham in straight sets, which at the same time turned out to be very close. With three walkovers the result hung in the balance, Dodes and Gilbert turning in a solid performance in the doubles, narrowly beating Maltby and Graham 11-8, 11-9, 11-7 to steer the team to a 6-4 victory, thus reversing the result from the first time round.

Mayflower B tightened their grip on the title with an emphatic 7-3 win over Graves Park D, for only the Park’s second defeat of the season. None of the Park lads had an answer to either Mariusz Hering or Adrian Hering, Adrian extending this unbeaten run to 36 games, while Mariusz picked up his three, and with this match he will now enter the rankings at No 2. Greg Pacho battled hard for no reward being well beaten by Paul Matshcull and Dave Walters and despite taking the first end from Sam Smith, Sam knuckled down to win the next three fairly comfortably.

Two of the middle of the table teams met, Pilgrim taking on Nomads, Walt Bridges team getting away to a brilliant start taking the first two, Dean Clow just getting the better of an obstinate Alan Davy and Walt beating an equally stubborn Fred Calvert. Barry Frankish put Pilgrim back in the frame beating Tris Clow in five but this despite was short lived as Nomads picked up the next two Dean Clow beating Calvert while Tris Clow made short work of Davy. Pilgrim, though, were not going to roll over, Frankish completing his hat-trick with a comfortable win over Dean Clow while Davy gained possibly the best victory of the night beating Bridges in three straight. Both teams needed the doubles for different reasons, the Pilgrim pair of Davy and Calvert taking the first end 11-8. Things only got better for Pilgrim, winning the next two 11-7, 11-3, to steer the team to a memorable victory.

Stickney B, who have not really shone all season, again failed to shine when they met neighbours Lodgers D. However, it was Stickney who got away to a reasonable start, Tony Sharpe beating Nev Leggate but Tim Sampson and Tony Hall were no match for either Tony Kime or Graham Bonsor, these two chopping away to win their singles. Having said that, some of the games were close and Sharpe must feel hard done by to end the night winning only one, losing to both Kime and Bonsor by the narrowest of margins. Nev Leggate failed to register but Kime and Bonsor crowned a successful evening, winning the doubles in four to give Lodgers a very good 7-3 victory.

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

A D Dickinson Division Two: Mayflower C 6, Graves Park B 4; Graves Park D 3, Mayflower B 7; Pilgrim 6, Nomads 4; Lodgers D 7, Stickney B 3.

Report for week ending Friday February 10

Park C maintain buoyant run of form

Results were a bit thin on the ground this week in the Boston Table Tennis League. Officially there were no scheduled matches, but a number of the more enterprising teams pulled in outstanding fixtures.

In the Yates and Greenhough Division One, Graves Park C — who since the Christmas break have been something of a revelation — recorded yet another 10-0 victory, Lodgers B falling under the Park onslaught. Having said that, victory was anything but easy, Martha Walters and James Quinton being taken to five by both Vic Clements and Pete Evans, and on another night the games to easily could have swung the other way. Mick East, who seems to have recovered some of his old form, beat Tim Day and Pete Evans fairly convincingly but was a bit surprised to being pressed to five by Vic Clements. The doubles saw East and Walters combine for the Park against the Lodgers duo of Day and Evans, and despite losing the second and being involved in a tricky third, the Park pair turned it on in the fourth for a convincing 11-3 victory.

The all-Lodgers clash between the G and the A teams, over the past few seasons, has seen the G in command. But it looks as though their reign of control may be over. The A, fielding a strong team drew first blood, Graham Lacey beating Andy Kirk but this was quickly cancelled out by Kelvin Clements beating Colin Bell, while Ian Royle just held the edge against Ian Stones. Clements increased the G’s lead to 3-1 with a tough victory over Lacey but Stones put the A back into the picture, beating Kirk 11-8, 11-7, 11-8. Bell then produced the game of the night beating No 5 ranked Royal in straight sets, putting the A on level terms. The G surged ahead again, Clements stuttering to a non-too-convincing victory over Stones, but all this did was to signal a fight back by the A Lacey, putting the defeat by Clements behind him, turned in a display to beat former team-mate Royle in compelling fashion. Bell then turned in a sterling performance to give the A the lead for the second time, beating Kirk 11-9, 12-10, 11-9m another game that could so easily have swung the other way. However, the G’s doubles partnership of Clements and Royle rescued the team from defeat, proving to be too consistent for the A pairing of Lacey and Stones, running out comfortable winners, making sure the spoils were equally shared.

At the moment Wrangle can’t buy a win, their woes being compounded, losing 9-1 to Shodfriars B (the team of the season). Alan Ashberry had little trouble with neither Frank Burbidge and Dennis Pattrick but he was given a run for his money by Dave Coulson, who not only took him to four but just lost the fourth end 9-11.

Dave ‘Smiler’ Smith has his best night of the season picking up his singles, brushing aside Burbidge and Coulson, but against Pattrick although winning, there were times when he looked most unhappy, especially in the first. Scott Sykes kept the tempo going and a clean sweep looked on the table, but he (Scott) let a 2-1 lead against Burbidge slip and he went down 3-2, Burbidge winning the last end 13-11 thus preventing the whitewash.

The A D Dickinson Division Two saw the big guns take centre stage, unbeaten Mayflower B take on second placed Mayflower C. Despite the C getting away to a good start, Paul Gilbert beating Greg Pacho, the B quickly fought their way back into the game, No 2 ranked Greg Dombek levelling the score, beating No 4 ranked Mick Dodes in four sets. Mariusz Hering was far too experienced for young Emma Watson, while Dombek further increased the lead beating Gilbert in three straight. Pacho got his name on the board with a non-too-convincing win over Watson and the B were cooking with gas. Dodes brought this to an end beating Hering, who had previously lost only one all season, this beating a tight five-setter, Mick edging home 4-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-7, 11-8. This revival though was short lived, Dombek and Hering putting the B into an unassailable position beating Watson and Gilbert respectively and even though Dodes pick up another beating Pacho in three straight, it was on a consolation. The doubles were pretty straightforward, Dombek and Hering, wrapping the game up to give their team a 7-3 victory, as they roll inexorably towards the title.

Graves Park B kept hot on the heels of the top two with a workmanlike 8-2 victory over Lodgers D.

Mick Maltby and David Graham rarely looked in trouble against Nev Leggate and Graham Bonsor, although Bonsor had Maltby a bit worried by taking him to five. The Park lad was always in for a great battle with evergreen Tony Kime and although beating him, it was far from easy. Recent signing Zenda Kwok notched up another win narrowly beating Nev Leggate in the fifth, but he had no answers to the style of Kime and Bonsor. The doubles never looked in doubt and although Kime and Bonsor nicked the third, Maltby and Graham sorted them out in the next leg for an 8-2 victory.

Nomads who seem to have fell off the promotion pace, got back on to the winning trail beating Shodfriars C 7-3. Walt Bridges and Dean Clow were on song, both of them making short work of Dave Hocking, although they both had to work hard against Roly Sharp and Paul Maxwell before coming through victorious.

Harry Paul, despite being involved in long games against Sharp and Maxwell, had nothing to show for his efforts but he put this to the back of his mind in his last singles of the night, beating Hocking in four.

Shoddys, though, had the last throw of the dice. Hocking making up for his defeats in the singles, combined with Maxwell to spring a surprise 11-7, 12-10, 11-8 defeat on Bridges and Clow to give the scorecard an air of respectability.

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Lodgers G 5, Lodgers A 5; Wrangle 1, Shodfriars B 9; Graves Park C 10, Lodgers B 0.

A D Dickinson Division Two: Mayflower B 7, Mayflower C 3; Nomads 7, Shodfriars C 3; Graves Park B 8, Lodgers D 2.

Report for week ending Friday February 3

Shodfriars A gain more than most from Penmaen

So far this season all Penmaen’s results in the Boston Table Tennis League had been either 8-2, 9-1 or 10-0 victories. This week, however, they had their worst result of the season, only beating Shodfriars A 7-3. Nevertheless not too much should be read into this, as Penmaen only had two players — Jimmy Brewster and Brian Hill being the only ones available. The six singles to be played all went the Penmaen way and despite brief flurries by Maurice Buck and Jake Pegg against Jimmy Brewster, the final result was never in doubt. However, Shoddy’s were pleased with the three points — which is more than anybody else has scored against the high-flyers this season.

Lodgers B moved up two places in the league table with mixed results, scoring a narrow 6-4 victory over stablemates Lodgers F, who on the night could only field two players. A few nights later they (Lodgers B) took on the might of their A team, who since Christmas have strung together some excellent results, the A running out 7-3 winners.

Although the F team had only two players, this shouldn’t detract from the outstanding performance they turned in. David Kime was in excellent form, coming from behind to win in the fifth against both Vic Clements and Tim Day. He saved his best to last, beating No 7 ranked Pete Evans. David narrowly won 11-4, 7-11, 12-10, 12-10. Pete Truepenny picked up the F’s other game, beating Clements in a tight five-setter. But although taking Day and Evans to five sets he faded in the final end. With the B team picking up two singles and three walkovers, it was all to play for in the doubles, the B’s regular pairing of Clements and Evans winning in three straight to give them a valuable 6-4 victory.

Against the A team — who once again were minus Graham Lacey — it was a different matter. The A side opened up a solid 4-0 lead. Ian Stones set the ball rolling beating Tim Day, whole Colin Bell set the scene with a four set win over Vic Clements. Trev Blackbourn increased the lead beating Pete Evans in a fantastic game, the vital fifth set being a massive 18-16 in Trev’s favour. Bell recorded his second win of the night beating Day 11-8, 11-6, 21-19 for the longest game so far this season, and the A seemed to be on a roll. However, the B team dusted themselves down and fought back, Evans getting his name on the board when bating Stones, while Clements had no trouble with Blackbourn. Evans reduced the deficit to one with a victory over Bell (another set going to the wire 19-17) and the game was back into the melting pot. Sadly however, it was not to be. Blackbourn gave the A side a bit of breathing space by beating Day, while Stones relieved any tension that there may have been, beating Clements 8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-7. With the pressure off, the doubles was only for personal pride, Bell and Stones just edging it in the fifth, guiding the team to a 7-3 victory and join third place in the table.

Graves Park A, who have had better seasons, slumped to a 10-0 home defeat against Lodgers G, who look as though they are going to have to settle for second place after eight or so years at the top. The game was rarely a contest, and although Rob Smith took Andy Kirk to five, he (Rob), faded in the vital fifth. Nick Langley might feel peeved to come away with nothing despite taking both Ian Royle and Kirk all the way, but a closer look at the scoresheets record he was well beaten in the decisive fifth end.

In the A D Dickinson Division Two, Graves Park B kept in touch with the leading pack, beating William Lovell, who only turned up with two players 8-2. The Park’s recent signing Zenda Kwok proved he is going to be an asset, comfortably beating Michael Bradshaw but losing to Tom Huskisson in four. Dave Graham had no trouble with Bradshaw but having some problems with Huskisson. It was going to be Huskisson’s night as Mick Maltby, who previously had only two defeats against him, fell 11-13 in the fifth. A lot of praise must go to Huskisson who has improved beyond all recognition since the start of the season.

Shodfriars C, owing to illness, could only field two players for their match with Pilgrim and although Roly Sharpe started off well, beating Alan Davy and Kit Calvert, he had no answer to Fred Calvert, who took the last two sets to clinch the game. Dave Hocking had to settle for one, this being a straight set win over Kit Calvert but despite pushing Alan Davy close, he was no match for Fred Calvert who dismissed him 11-5, 12-10, 11-6. The doubles was perhaps the closest game of the night the Pilgrim pair of Calvert senior and Davy edging home 6-11 in the fifth for a somewhat fortuitous 7-3 victory.

Stickney B were left feeling very unimpressed after travelling to Mayflower, only to find their opponents William Lovell had not turned up. This is the second time this season this has happened and if it occurs again they could be ejected form the league and their results nullified (see rule 9b).

Yates and Greenhough Division One: Shodfriars A 3, Penmaen 7; Lodgers B 6, Lodgers F 4; Lodgers A 7, Lodgers B 3; Graves Park A 0, Lodgers G 10.

A D Dickinson Division Two: William Lovell 2, Graves Park B 8; Shodfriars C 3, Pilgrim 7; Stickney B 10, William Lovell 0 (walkover); Mayflower D 4, Lodgers D 6; William Lovell 3, Mayflower D 7.