Aimee Sparkes GT Horkesley comeback win
Gt Horkesley A staged a remarkable comeback from 4-3 down to beat Colchester and District Table Tennis League Division One champions H20 Rowhedge A 6-4, taking their unbeaten record in the process. In the Gt Horkesley captains words his team “were about to go 5-3 down” but losing 8-4 in the fifth set the ever dependable Jimmy Farrow scored seven unanswered points to beat the reigning Men’s champion Antony Greenwood. This spurred on his team with Richard Goodhand beating Steve Joslin for the second time this season – his only two defeats. Aimee Sparkes completed the comeback, beating Michael Andrews from two sets down as all three Gt Horkesley players won two to open the title race up again. With Tollgate A the only team left in the league with a one hundred per cent record they gained on the other two with a 9-1 victory over their ‘B’ team. Sue Welham was their sole victor with an impressive three set win over Greg Green, whilst Nigel Hodder and Colin Stallwood were both unbeaten. H20 Rowhedge B remain fourth following a narrow 6-4 win at St James A with no player undefeated. Pick of the games was Kevin Gowlett’s 14-12 last gasp win over James Denyer to clinch the match win. Surprise team of the season Pegasus A move up to fifth with a 6-4 win at Walton A with Ian Whiteside winning his three games. Relegation threatened Gt Horkesley B and C did themselves no favours battling to a 5-5 draw, Gary Young once again unbeaten.
In Division Two leaders Lawford A defeated a stubborn H20 Rowhedge F 6-4, Nigel Claydon’s four set win over George Berry catching the eye as no player avoided at least one defeat. Tollgate C go second despite being held to a 5-5 draw at Tollesbury A. Surprisingly Tom Elder failed to register a win on his return to the Colchester League, twice going close, losing out by two points in the final end. Again no player recorded three wins, but Jane Li won two as well as a good doubles win with Neil Freeman. St James B surprisingly beat H20 Rowhedge E 6-4 to stay above them if only temporarily mainly thanks to the hard hitting Andy Vincent who won three which included the match-winning defeat of Martin Edwards 14-12 in the final set of the final game. Lowly St Peters went down 9-1 to H20 Rowhedge D who go up two places with Alan Burgess and Andrew Harvey both undefeated.
The promotion race in Division Three is hotting up with Lawford A and Gt Horkesley D both recording maximum 10-0 wins. Lawford beat H20 Rowhedge H and Gt Horkesley their ‘E’ team. St James C slipped up drawing 5-5 at H20 Rowhedge G with Tony Oswick unbeaten. Tom Lewis maintained his good form with another hatrick of wins for Tollesbury B in a 5-5 draw against Pegasus D. Lewis was unable to match this feat at the University of Essex as his team went down 6-4 with Chester Chung’s three wins seeing his side home.
Russell Hillier sustained his first defeat of the season for Division Four leaders St James D at the hands of the experienced Roger Springett. Colin Beaumont was on hand with three wins to see his team home 6-4 against a spirited Gilberd A team in the top of the table clash. The school team did their promotion hopes no harm with a 10-0 defeat of a two-player Gt Horkesley F. Third placed Dedham B kept the pressure on them despatching Gt Horkesley F 7-3, Marjorie Culham winning her three. Fourth placed Tollgate D promotion credentials took a backwards step, losing 6-4 at home to a vintage Lawford D despite Allan Smith’s best efforts, winning three. Lawford’s C team beat H20 Rowhedge I 8-2, Steve Marr undefeated but were beaten 6-4 by their ‘D’ team as Paul Hewitt marked his debut with three wins following his transfer from Clairmont. CRGS are seventh but with games in hand should figure in the shake up as they beat H20 Rowhedge I 8-2 with Ryan Cheung and Jasper Chan unbeaten.
Tollgate’s Jane Li won the Essex Schools Under 13 competition beating Rebecca Lowman 3-0 in the final at the BATTS club Harlow.
Colchester League players are reminded that entry’s for the closed tournament in March are due in by the end of this month.
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