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

31st January 2008
H20 ROWHEDGE A EXTEND LEAD AT THE TOP

Two good wins for Colchester & District Division One leaders H20 Rowhedge A has extended the gap at the top to sixteen points. They turned in a superb performance against fourth placed Rayne following the return of Dave Cole who along with Kevin Gowlett both recorded maximums. Greg Green dropped the point to Dean Andrews although he scored good wins over Ian Whiteside and Andrew McEwan both who were fruitless for the first time this season. That result means realistically only their ‘B’ team can stop them and following a 7-3 over Walton B they slipped up as they fielded only two players in a 5-5 draw at Dedham A. Like the ‘A’ team their top player Antony Greenwood does not turn out regularly but when he does invariably he wins his three games as he did against the seaside team backed up by Michael Andrews and Mike Shore who won two apiece. That score line was repeated for the ‘A’ side against Walton but due to Kevin James and Colin Dearman having reached their seven game quotas playing up their two wins did not count handing the league leaders another 9-1 win, Dave Harrison won two on his first appearance of the season for Rowhedge after his return from China . Playing without Greenwood , Michael Andrews excelled for H20 Rowhedge B winning his three including a superb four set win over Mike Wright in their draw with Dedham .

Third placed St Mary’s A have struggled since Christmas and are still without a win this year. They went down 6-4 at H20 Rowhedge C despite Gary Young’s best efforts as he was unbeaten but suffered a rare defeat at the hands of Colin Stallwood as his team suffered another 6-4 loss against Walton A. Stallwood was in imperious form winning all three of his games in three straight sets and after a long absence from the game has returned playing as well as ever. Young was back to maximum ways against Gt Horkesley A but his side still only managed a draw as they did with their ‘B’ team who conversely are unbeaten in the second half of the season and putting up a real fight. Fourth placed Rayne A went one better beating Horkesley 6-4, maximum man Steve Kerns being taken the full five set distance by Richard Goodhand. H20 Rowhedge C beat Walton A 7-3 with Dave Moss unbeaten. However, with Colin Stallwood back he inspired his Walton team to a 6-4 win over Dedham A who in turn drew with Gt Horkesley A 5-5 with Mike Wright winning his three.

In Division Two runaway leaders Walton B easily overcame bottom team St Peters 9-1 with John Hobson and Paul Meikle both recording maximums. St Peters suffered further defeats 6-4 at a two-man Tollesbury A as Neil Grandy continued his good form winning three and 9-1 at Gt Horkesley C with their debutant Kim Wah lee dropping just one set in his three wins.

Pegasus A made it eleven straight wins courtesy of an 8-2 victory over their ‘C’ team as Pete Mills overcame Toby Turner 26-24 in the final set of the night to complete his maximum whilst Turner won his other two singles. St Mary’s D remain second despite a 7-3 drubbing by Dedham B, George Berry inflicting only John Sorrell’s second defeat this term as he has now won nine straight. Mick Bowles joined John Sorrell unbeaten against Gt Horkesley D 7-3 with third placed Clairmont accounting for Lawford B by the same score line, James Tindle winning his three. Pegasus B are fourth despite Rob King’s treble for Tollesbury B in a narrow 6-4 defeat.

On a sad note the league was sorry to learn of the death of Dedham stalwart Peter Watson who will be sadly missed having played in the Colchester league for many years.