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

21st September-2009
REIGNING CHAMPIONS OFF TO A FLYER

Current Colchester and District Table Tennis League Division One Champions H20 Rowhedge A have shown their intent on regaining their title with two 10-0 victories. Mike Shore made his presence felt before leaving for University recording two maximums and buoyed by the return of Antony Greenwood along with Captain Michael Andrews they easily accounted for Gt Horkesley B by the maximum score line. Next up was Walton B who despite Neil Crook’s best efforts, just missing out 15-13 in the fifth end to Andrews another whitewash ensued. Kevin Gowlett was undefeated for H20 Rowhedge B against Walton C in another 10-0 whitewash. The old guard of John Andrews and David Moss were also maximum men. St Mary’s A inflicted more pain on the seaside club beating their ‘A’ team 9-1. John Rice was the sole winner for Walton coming back from 10-6 down in the final set against Martyn Green. His heroics were nearly repeated against Greg Green, again saving match points in the final end before eventually succumbing 13-11. Gary Young dropped just one set, joining Green junior with three wins to leave them third. Rayne A also have nine points but from two games after going down 8-2 at last season’s runner’s-up Gt Horkesley A and beating H20 Rowhedge C 7-3. Mike Wright starred for Gt Horkesley winning his three whilst debutant Colin Bennett scored two fine wins including the notable scalp of Andrew McEwan. Steve Kerns first appearance brought about a 7-3 victory as McEwan just missed out on a maximum going down in five sets, 11-13, 11-9, 11-3, 4-11, 11-9 in the last match of the night to last season’s top Division Two player, Phil Smith. H20 Rowhedge C found their return to the top flight tough as they suffered a second defeat in as many matches at the hands of Walton B, 7-3. John Rice continued his good form with three wins whilst John Stubbings impressed for Rowhedge winning two.

A strong Walton D team reeled off two straight wins to top Division Two with skipper Martin Edwards leading from the front with six wins. Their first victory was closer than the 9-1 score line suggested. No fewer than four matches went the full five set distance with St Peters losing them all! Ian Carter was the telecom team’s only winner. Felipe Rodriguez joined Edwards unbeaten in both matches, Pegasus’s Steve Noble stopping the rout with a single win as again Walton won 9-1. Lawford A are the division’s surprise package winning both their opening games 7-3. Graham Mortimer was the only man unbeaten in either match, recording notable wins over Wuidong Liu and Steve Noble who won two apiece for Gt Horkesley C and Pegasus A respectively. Roger Warren won his first game for St Peters in a tight 5-5 encounter with H20 Rowhedge I, who have stepped in as Warren ’s old club, Anchor Press have withdrawn. As expected Alan Burgess won three but the highlight of the night was Hazel Hume’s 19-17 last gasp win over Ed Rudge! Lawford B like their A team have fourteen points, winning both their opening games. Luke Swain was unbeaten in both as his team beat Clairmomt 8-2 and Pegasus B 6-4. There was an impressive return from Lloyd Bennett-Smith guiding his team to a 7-3 win over Clairmont with three wins that included a five setter with Paul Tracey.

Both Tollesbury teams have fourteen points following two wins each in Division Three as like Lawford they lead the way. Things are closer in Division Four as Lawford C lead the way from Pegasus E both with a win and a loss in their first two games.