News & Views from the Colchester Table Tennis League
with Press Officer Martyn Green

17th October-2007
COLCHESTER JUNIOR’S EXCEL IN BRITISH LEAGUE

The Colchester Junior Table Tennis team made a promising start to their 2007 British League campaign in Division 4B at Loughborough University at the weekend. The team of Greg Green, Phil Lawson & Lawrence Wilcox finished joint second which was a highly commendable performance that leaves them well placed to mount a genuine challenge for the top in February’s final round of matches.

First up were Ormesby B which ended in a close 4-2 defeat with Green and Lawson, on BL debut winning one apiece and Wilcox unlucky to miss out with a five set defeat in the deciding game that would have secured a draw. That result was reversed against WLA TTK Greenhouse B as Colchester took their first two points courtesy of Greg Green’s brace and one win each for Lawson and Wilcox. Wilcox was the star in the final match of the day winning his two with Green and thirteen-year-old Lawson both winning one to end a most satisfactory day in joint second place.

On the Sunday Colchester made it three straight wins as Wilcox maintained his form with two more successes, matched by the ever improving Phil Lawson with Green just missing out in five sets as his team beat DHS London Progress 5-1. This meant a final showdown between the top two teams with Barrow Boys unbeaten, one point ahead of Colchester . Stamina levels were put to the test with Green running out of steam losing both his games as did Wilcox but Lawson took a consolation singles in a 5-1 defeat that leaves the team joint second.

Phil Lawson’s effort epitomised the team’s ethic as he showed maturity far above his thirteen years. He finished with 6 wins out of 10 with Green and Wilcox both ending with 5 from 10.

Holly Stubbings playing for Waterside B (Southampton) in the Girls Division One found the going tough winning two out of ten as her team struggled somewhat in the first series of matches.

In Division One of the Colchester & District Table Tennis League leaders H20 Rowhedge A destroyed their ‘C’ team 9-1, Dave Cole playing every other game so far this season winning his three joined by Kevin Gowlett with Greg Green beating John Andrews for the first time, in three straight sets but conceding the only point to Dave Moss in five sets. Gary Young lost his unbeaten record as did his St Mary’s A team in an 8-2 defeat at H20 Rowhedge B. In-form Michael Andrews was their hero inflicting Young’s first defeat in four sets.

Walton C extended their lead in Division Two thanks to a 10-0 drubbing of Gt Horkesley C who turned things round with an 8-2 win over Tollesbury A with Phil Wolski winning his three as his team go up one place to fourth. St Mary’s C did their promotion hopes no harm winning 9-1 against a two player St Peters team as they move up to second. H20 Rowhedge D are third as they had a close 6-4 win over Anchor Press with Fred Button and Jon Ward unbeaten.