DIVISION ONE TITLE RACE LAST IN LEAGUE TO BE DECIDED
With Divisions Two, Three and Four champions already crowned the only title yet to be won in the Colchester and District Table Tennis League is Division One. Reigning champions H20 Rowhedge A are almost there, requiring 13 points from there last two games to be mathematically certain. Their prolific run has stuttered a little in recent weeks but a 6-4 win over Tollgate A has all but put the Holmwood House based team out of contention.
Both teams were under-strength but there was an interesting match-up with Marcia Ma beating both Michael Andrews and Alan Burgess but unable to beat Colchester Men’s Singles runner-up Steve Joslin, going down in five tight games. James Denyer won two for St James in a 7-3 defeat against the champions elect but it was the returning Antony Greenwood that took the player-of-the-match award winning his three.
Tollgate A are second and had previously dropped just one point in their last three games. They still have to play Gt Horkesley A who are third and needing to win both of their last two games by big margins if they are to challenge Rowhedge. At the bottom, Walton B are relegated with their ‘A’ team requiring three points from their last two games to relegate Gt Horkesley B.
Walton C are Division Two champions having lost just one match and sealed things with an 8-2 win at second placed Tollgate C. Skipper John Rice won three as he had done in his previous three outings to steady the ship. Tollgate C have completed their fixtures and stand seven points clear of third placed Lawford A who thus need eight points from their last game to snatch promotion. Their efforts weren’t helped when they lost 6-4 at Pegasus B with the irrepressible Glen Lang completing a hard fought maximum.
The proverbial Division Two relegation specialists St Peters finished bottom and are joined by H20 Rowhedge F, both teams were promoted last season from Division Three showing how strong the division is.
Lawford B have completed their fixtures and are champions of Division Three this season and should be joined by new boys St James C. When the two met the Manningtree team just edged it 6-4 with Richard Spence unbeaten. Gt Horkesley D will need to ‘pull a rabbit out of the hat’ if they are to overhaul the Clacton team but at the bottom it’s much closer. Gt Horkesley E are relegated but H20 Rowhedge H require four points from their last game to avoid the drop at the expense of Pegasus E who have finished their matches.
Division Four has been the most closely contested of all divisions and St James D have managed to come out on top in their debut season. CRGS A have fought off Gilberd A in the battle of the schools to secure second spot and promotion to Division Three. Gt Horkesley F have the unwanted tag of the winners of the ‘wooden spoon’, winning just one game.
Captains are reminded the season ends on Friday 6th April and all outstanding fixtures must be fulfilled by then. Please contact teams with whom you have postponed games as a matter of urgency to ensure the integrity of the league is maintained.