Two horse race for Division One
The Colchester & District Table Tennis League Division One title race appears to be a straight fight between Tollgate A and Gt Horkesley A, both level on ninety-five points but Tollgate have played one game fewer.
The Leaders suffered defeat 6-4 at home to St James A however, whilst Gt Horkesley beat Walton A by the same score line. James Denyer in his own words warned of ‘payback’ time and was in the mood to avenge defeat a week earlier by Colin Stallwood in the Clacton League. He did this in four sets and added the scalp of Greg Green, who had beaten him first time around. With Green also suffering defeat to Denyer’s mother Gill Locke it was left to Jane Li, to beat Locke as did Stallwood in a damage limitation exercise.
The week before saw a completely different St James team lose 7-3 to Walton A with Colin Dearman rolling back the years winning three, the pick of which was a 15-13 fifth end defeat of Any Vincent playing up from Division two who won a creditable two. Dearman could not repeat his feat against Gt Horkesley A for whom Aimee Sparkes completed another maximum which included a return for Peter Burrows who she beat in four ends. Colin Bennett provided good support, also beating Burrows as he won two.
Horkesley were without Richard Goodhand and despite a valiant effort from reserve Steve Holland going down in all three of his matches in five ends as he ‘ran out of steam’ to quote him. Tollgate B beat Walton‘s B team 10-0 with Nigel Hodder unbeaten in all matches since his return in the second half of the season from injury. Pegasus A eased their relegation fears with a 9-1 win over Gt Horkesley B the consistent Ian Whiteside winning three.
Division Two leaders Walton C also suffered defeat, 6-4 at Pegasus B. Steve Noble was unbeaten in a rare Division Two appearance against two-player Walton. Second placed Tollesbury A took full opportunity to close the gap to one point with a 9-1 win over St James A. Tony Oswick claimed the seaside teams only point as Patrick Gilbert and Ben Page were undefeated.
Tollgate C are six points back in third place as they had a resounding 9-1 win at H20 Rowhedge E. Paul Tracey claimed the player-of-the-match with three straight sets wins, joined by Jon Mills with Holly Stubbings (2 wins) gaining revenge on earlier defeats by Martin Edwards and John Owen beating Edwards 12-10 in the final set. Lawford A rise one place to fifth following an 8-2 win over their ‘B’ team. Graham Mortimer and Nick Galley both won three, George Berry missing out on his own treble going down in five to Peter Freeborough.
One result from Division three saw St James D rise two places to third as they beat a two-player Tollesbury B 7-3. John Hatley and Russell Hillier were both undefeated.
It was business as usual in Division Four with leaders Gilberd A winning 8-2 and second placed Tollgate D 9-1 against Lawford D. Neil Huatan won his three for the school team as did Evaldas Ablonskis. Dedham B have not given up on promotion as they beat Gilberd B 7-3, David Austin standing defiant winning the three for school.
Gt Horkesley G are up to sixth place with a comprehensive 9-1 victory over H20 Rowhedge I. There were maximums for all three Horkesley ladies. Pegasus E defeated their ‘G’ team by the same score only losing the last match of the night at Derek Miller beat Vic Little. Paul Weston and Doug Green won three apiece. Gt Horkesley F continue their rise with a fine 7-3 win at Lawford D, Steve Lowe winning his three.