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

15th September 2008
H20 ROWHEDGE B SEND OUT EARLY WARNING!

With their ‘A’ team’s match against Gt Horkesley A postponed, H20 Rowhedge B got off to an ominous start in the Colchester & District Table Tennis League Division One, brushing aside potential challengers St Mary’s A 8-2. China bound Antony Greenwood paved the way with three good wins, supported by Michael Andrews and Mike Shore with two apiece. Greg Green on his return to the West Bergholt team got the better of Michael Andrews whilst Gary Young defeated Mike Shore to earn St Mary’s their only points. The H20 Rowhedge C team went one better, hammering Division One new boys Gt Horkesley B 9-1. John Andrews and Dave Moss both won their three whilst there was an upset for Alan Burgess who lost to Michael Rostoft, making his first appearance in the top flight, in five sets.

In Division Two another Rowhedge team the ‘D’ side are top courtesy of a 9-1 drubbing of Gt Horkesley C. There was a notable debut for Mark Smith who won two, with father Phil along with Fred Button unbeaten. Wuidong Liu was the sole winner for Gt Horkesley as Lorrie Austin failed to win on debut. Clairmont had a rude awakening at Tollesbury A courtesy of maximums for the village team’s stalwarts Neil Grandy and John Matthews. In the Pegasus battle the ‘A’ team came out on top 6-4 despite Toby Turner’s best efforts as he made a point by beating all three of the ‘A’ team players. Walton D and Jobserve shared the spoils in a 5-5 draw. John Hobson lead the way with three wins for Walton with Roger Warren and Keith Martin, making his first appearance both winning two. Peter Simmonds inflicted a rare defeat on Graham Mortimer on his debut for Lawford A as another close match was won 6-4 by H20 Rowhedge E.

St Peters’ A looking to make a swift return from Division Three beat Dedham 8-2, Ian Carter and Hazel Hume both winning three with David Jones edging a marathon against Dale Everett 14-12 in the fifth set. Paul Woolnough led Pegasus D to a fine 7-3 victory over CRGS A completing three wins without dropping a set. H20 Rowhedge F got off to winning ways with Tom Jackson in good form unbeaten, and Ed Rudge winning two. John Sorrell’s three wins inspired St Mary’s B to a narrow 6-4 win at Lawford C. Pegasus C and Tollesbury B shared the points, the highlight Dave Haslam’s maximum that included an incredible four-deuce sets out of five, the final one ending 13-11 in Haslam’s favour against Martin Lewis!

Pegasus E head Division Four inflicting a 9-1 win over CRGS B. Kevin Turner and Vic Little provided maximum points for the Copford team, well supported by Michelle Hiffin who won two. Darryl Lott was the star for H20 Rowhedge G as he remained unbeaten against a two-player Gt Horkesley G. His final win over veteran David Pratt was the closest, just edging it 13-11 in the fifth end. Dale Young had similar success in the nights final game after four shared sets with no more than two points difference in any he romped the fifth 11-5! Rowhedge’s H team were not as lucky against the ladies of Gt Horkesley E as they went down 6-4. Chris Jones spearheaded the victory, winning her three but there were impressive performances from youngsters Thomas Lewis, two wins Jake Elms-Larkin and Grant Donaldson who both won one each. John Lander rolled back the years, his unbeaten efforts giving St Mary’s D the win 6-4 over another all female team from Lawford E.