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

9th January 2008
ST MARY’S B HOLD LEAGUE LEADERS

Colchester & District Table Tennis Division One leaders H20 Rowhedge A were held by bottom team St Mary’s B to a 5-5 draw as they failed to shrug off their Christmas hangover. Chris Gouldthorpe was St Mary’s star player with good wins over youngsters Greg Green and Lawrence Wilcox. With the scores level at 3-3 the St Mary’s doubles pair of Ian Brown and Chis Gouldthorpe came back from two sets down against Kevin Gowlett and Greg Green to win a crucial game. Green then redeemed himself with a four set win over Brown and Gowlett completed his maximum to put Rowhedge 4-3 up, in the process denying Gouldthorpe his maximum, only just, in five sets. Paul Browlie stepped up to win the final game for the West Bergholt team to complete a commendable draw. Rayne A moved into third place despite only fielding two players, Steve Pennell and Andrew McEwan who both won all their games including the doubles in a 7-3 win. As expected Walton A defeated their ‘B’ team, 8-2 with John Hobson unbeaten as both teams fielded wakened teams. These results leave Walton B and St Mary’s B in the relegation zone and favourites for the drop despite good performances.

Lawford A move up to third in Division Two with a surprise 9-1 thrashing of H20 Rowhedge E as Sian Cook and Luke Swain both won their three. Peter Simmons was Rowhedge’s only successful player, beating John Seabrook in the evening’s last game to avoid an embarrassing whitewash.

The top two met in Division Three and current leaders Pegasus A completed the double over second placed St Mary’s D 8-2 and in the process ended John Sorrel’s personal unbeaten season. Steve Noble was the man in form for the Marks Tey club winning his three in fine style, inflicting Sorrell’s only defeat in three straight sets in the opening game of the evening. George Berry returned to form with a maximum against Gt Horkesley D but despite his best efforts his Dedham B team went down 6-4 to end their deadlock in the league table. Clairmont are third as Dedham lost by the same margin to them with Stephen Haygren winning his three but once again ended on the losing side!

The draw for the Knockout Cup Semi-Finals has been made with H20 Rowhedge B meeting their ‘C’ team in the Kiltie Cup whilst Rayne entertain Gt Horkesley A. In the Intermediate Cup unbeaten Third Division leaders Pegasus A host H20 Rowhedge E and Anchor Press visit Gt Horkesley B. Finally the two Lawford Division Four teams, ‘C’ and ‘D’ clash with Pegasus D meeting H20 Rowhedge H in the Minor Cup Semi-finals.

Colchester players are reminded that entry’s for the closed tournament in March are due in by the end of January.