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

30th September 2008
Unbeaten Smith Leads H20 Rowhedge D To The Top

Two convincing wins over top teams Walton D and Gt Horkesley C for H20 Rowhedge D in Division Two of the Colchester and District Table Tennis League puts them nine points clear at the top. Phil Smith was unbeaten in all three of their matches and in the 6-4 win over Walton D he had good win over last season’s top performer Martin Edwards in four sets after losing the first 11-4. Edwards earlier beat Fred Button in three straight but the wily Button made amends with the match winning last game victory over John Hobson in the fourth end 12-10. Previous leaders Pegasus B were brushed aside 9-1 Smith’s son, Mark joining the party winning two, losing only to Toby Turner in three sets. Gt Horkesley were surprise winners over Walton D when the pair met Wuidong Lui in tremendous form beating all three experienced Walton players, again inflicting another defeat on Edwards which amazingly leaves Walton without a win in their opening three matches! Newly promoted Pegasus A are fourth with two wins out of two, Tollesbury A their latest victims 7-3. Steve Noble won three for the Copford Green based team who extended their doubles unbeaten run to twenty straight wins! Tollesbury also went down 9-1 to Lawford A, Tom Malster and Luke Swain completed maximums, with George Earle winning two. H20 Rowhedge E are also unbeaten recording a second win against Jobserve 7-3, only Roger Warren standing firm, his three wins denying Rowhedge’s veterans total domination.

With the return of the mercurial Antony Greenwood H20 Rowhedge B extended their lead at the top of Division One to four points following their impressive 8-2 win over Rayne. Greenwood was the only unbeaten player on the night with Michael Andrews and Mike Shore winning two apiece beaten by Steve Elmes and Andrew McEwan respectively, these were Rayne’s only two wins. Gt Horkesley A are riding high in second place and they made light work of St Mary’s A 8-2, captain Richard Goodhand’s three leading the way, his new rubbers giving him seemingly more control. H20 Rowhedge C are third after winning 7-3 at Walton A Dave Moss again unbeaten. Walton’s C fared little better against Gt Horkesley B losing 8-2 as Ken Lewis bounced back with a maximum.

Tollesbury B’s 10-0 whitewash of CRGS A means they head Division Three, two points clear of Pegasus C following their maximum win over Lawford C and a 6-4 defeat of Dedham. Sandy Isaac was their top scorer over Pegasus’s two matches winning five from six with Paul Woolnough starring against Dedham recording three good wins. Dedham also suffered at the hands of Lawford B 8-2 with Peter Armes the only player to win his three. Tom Jackson led H20 Rowhedge F to a 7-3 win over St Mary’s B including a close four set win over Marlene Smith.

Brett Angel helped H20 Rowhedge G to maintain their lead in Division Four, he completed an excellent three wins on his first appearance of the season. H20 Rowhedge H completed a great week for the village teams as they moved up to second with all three of their youngsters winning two as they beat CRGS B 7-3. Lawford E were held 5-5 by Gt Horkesley D for whom David Pratt won three and there was a fantastic start for Steve Irwin winning two on his debut.