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

15th December-2009
WALTON D SHOW KILLER INSTINCT

In the closest section of the Colchester and District Table Tennis League Handicap, Walton D have eventually qualified as Group One winners. In contrasting final matches Walton beat Pegasus A 9-0 in what at first sight looks an easy win however, the fact that eight of the nine matches went the full three set distance shows this was quite the opposite! With both teams from Division Two the handicaps were minimal and John Hobson, Felipe Rodriguez and Chris Edwards held their nerve to overtake previous leaders, Pegasus to win the group. In the other match the 5-4 score line did reflect the closeness of the tie, the last four games all going to three ends won by Gt Horkesley D to overhaul H20 Rowhedge C. Phil Wolski and Denise Thompson starred winning both their two singles each.

Group Two despite having only three teams was also tight with each winning one match. Gt Horkesley C qualify on games difference despite losing to Lawford C who finish second.

Pegasus C had already won Group Three but after taking a 4-0 lead Lawford eventually ran out 6-3 winners over H20Rowhedge E to pip them for second despite finishing level on points! Lawford’s Jon Mills was unbeaten in the singles, but ironically lost both his doubles!

In Group Four as expected Essex University were victorious as they qualified without losing a game. They accounted for Division One highfliers H20 Rowhedge B 9-0, dropping just two sets. It will be interesting to see if their handicaps grades are lowered for the knockout stage. The Handicap Doubles event was the consolation for Rowhedge.

Group Five is yet to be decided with Pegasus E upsetting things with an excellent 6-3 win over leaders H20 Rowhedge D. Kevin Turner recorded fine wins over Tony Price and Peter Kirkland as all nine games were decided in two straight sets.

Dedham A needed six points to win Group Six and duly completed their task in the first six games and concluded the match at that point! Messrs Franklin, Culham and Gibson were victorious with St Peters finishing second following a 5-4 defeat by Dedham with Culham and Gibson again undefeated.

Disappointingly, following two concessions from Pegasus B in Group Seven, H20 Rowhedge A progress to the Quarter Finals after their 5-4 win over Lawford D, the only match to be played.

H20 Rowhedge F made it three wins from three to win Group Eight with Colin Powell and David Sacker winning their singles but missing out on their doubles together. Walton’s two points however, was enough to see them qualify for the Handicap Doubles in second place. The Li family came out on top of Pegasus D for H20 Rowhedge H thanks to Jimin and Hanggi’s doubles win that completed a 5-4 victory supported by Jane Li who like Jimin won both her singles.