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

23rd October-2007
IS DIVISION ONE A TWO HORSE RACE ALREADY?

H20 Rowhedge are dominating Division One of the Colchester & District Table Tennis League and as usual it’s their A and B team at the top. However, look a little closer and you will see it’s with a complete change of personnel. Both teams are unbeaten and have beaten closest rivals third placed St Mary’s A in the past two weeks. Kevin Gowlett’s excellent maximum helped the A team to a 7-3 victory over the West Bergholt side including a fine four set win over Gary Young although he was pushed all the way by Martyn Green winning in deuce in the fifth end. Green also lost in five sets to son Greg whilst last minute replacement for Dave Cole, Lawrence Wilcox picked up a fine win also in five sets over the experienced Trevor Carter. Michael Andrews third consecutive hat-trick was matched by Mike Shore on the night as H20 Rowhedge B accounted for Walton A 7-3. Both had good wins over former Clacton champion Ian Vine as their team moved into second place. The most impressive fact was that in both their matches, five out of six Rowhedge players were under 20! Fourth placed H20 Rowhedge C went down 6-4 to a very strong Walton B team or whom Colin Stallwood was unbeaten assisted by Ian Vine with two wins and Dave Binns who won one. For the second week running John Andrews was without a win as six games went the full five set distance in a very close fought match. St Mary’s B are still without a win as they made it five straight defeats going down 9-1 to both Rayne A and Gt Horkesley A. Steve Pennel and Steve Elmes, on his first appearance this season won all their games for Rayne whilst there were first wins of the season for Lloyd-Bennett Smith for Gt Horkesley and Chris Gouldthorpe against Bennett-Smith.

Martin Edwards was the reason Division Two leaders Walton C lost their one hundred percent record to second placed St Mary’s C as he completed a memorable maximum following an incredible five set win over John Rice 7-11, 11-9, 11-7, 2-11 & 18-16. The 5-5 draw keeps the seaside team six points clear at the top with H20 Rowhedge D joint second after a 7-3 success against Gt Horkesley B with a welcome return for Peter Simmons who went trough the evening unbeaten. Anchor Press recorded a 7-3 success over Lawford A despite a brilliant maximum for Mark Nowers playing up a division.

Division Three leaders Pegasus A recorded their fifth straight win as they brushed aside Gt Horkesley D 9-1.Washbrook youngster Dan Farrrow was Gt Horkesley’s sole winner on his debut taking the notable scalp of Pete Mills in five hard fought sets. Pegasus B move up to third, who with only two players managed to beat H20 Rowhedge F 6-4 despite Ed Rudge’s best efforts. Nigel Parameter won his three with James Swabey supporting with two wins.

CRGS B head Division Four as they crushed lowly Lawford D 9-1 with Peter Li taking his fourth consecutive maximum along with three wins from Daniel Malcolm. Malcolm was instrumental n a 6-4 win playing up for CRGS A against second placed St Mary’s E with no player unbeaten. St Mary’s fared better against H20 Rowhedge G winning 9-1. Mark Smith continued his sensational start of nine wins along with Andrew Harvey who took his first ever three in a 7-3 win over Gt Horkesley E. Lawford C are third following two wins, 6-4 over Lawford C and 10-0 against H20 Rowhedge G with Andrea Alleyne impressing.