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

20th October-2009
TITLE RACE HOTS UP!

With the top four teams in Division One of the Colchester & District Table Tennis League once again all winning there is a clear divide forming. Reigning champions H20 Rowhedge A lead the way following a 10-0 drubbing of bottom team Walton C. Captain Michael Andrews returned to maximum ways, joined by Mark Mulley and Steve Joslin, once more proving their strength in depth that ultimately makes them favourites to retain their title. That said, Gt Horkesley A are only five points behind with a game in hand as they made light work of their ‘B’ team, 9-1. Aimee Sparkes and Richard Goodhand continue to impress, unbeaten with Ken Lewis registering the single point for the second string. St Mary’s A are staying the pace with Gary Young and Greg Green both registering their fourth maximums in an 8-2 win over Rayne A who were perhaps a little unlucky to be on the wrong end of four, five set losses. H20 Rowhedge B have uncovered another gem in the form of Andrew Mudie, who made light work of the Walton B players, all in straight sets in an 8-2 win. Peter Burrows did his best winning two for the seasiders but had no answer to the Mudie backhand drives. Rayne did have some consolation in the form of a 9-1 win against Gt Horkesley B who are hovering one place above the drop zone. Ian Whiteside and Jon Hill scored their first maximums of the season.

Alan Burgess’s thirteen game unbeaten start finally ended at the hands of both Martin Edwards and Felipe Rodriguez as Walton D extended their lead at the top of Division Two. The pair both collected maximums as H20 Rowhedge I suffered their second successive defeat despite a good three set win for Andrew Harvey over Annabelle Rodriguez. Lawford A beat Pegasus B 8-2 to remain second. Mark Nowers was on top form winning his three whilst Pegasus’s Toby Turner claimed the notable scalps of Graham Mortimer and Peter Armes. Gt Horkesley C are putting a good run together as they beat Lawford B 6-4. Wudong Liu is now unbeaten in nine games and it is no coincidence that the inclusion of Lorrie Austin in the team has brought about their improvement as he won two. Pete Simmonds was in inspired form from the under-achieving H20 Rowhedge D as his team recorded their first win, 6-4 over Pegasus A for whom Paul Woolnough picked up a brace of wins. No St Peters player has gone through the evening unbeaten so far however, they also picked up their first win 6-4 over Clairmont despite Paul Tracey’s best efforts in winning his three.

Walton E are the new leaders of Division Three, courtesy of two big wins, 7-3 over Tollesbury B and 10-0 against Pegasus D. Youngster James Denyer is rapidly making a name for himself as he remains unbeaten for Walton. The division’s two other unbeaten records both fell in the same night as Tollesbury A beat Dedham 6-4. Dale Everett opened the evening in style ending Roger Clarke’s run and Clarke then downed George Berry in the final game of the night. H20 Rowhedge F then beat Dedham by the same score as Berry got back to maximum ways. Previous leaders Pegasus C did nothing wrong beating St Mary’s B 10-0 but still drop to second.

In Division Four H20 Rowhedge G had a narrow 6-4 win over Pegasus E mainly thanks to Mark Burrows who like his son, Sam is unbeaten so far this season, joined by Rob Bozier from Essex University who beat second placed Lawford 8-2 to go fourth.