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

10th November 2008
H20 ROWHEDGE SHOOT THEMSELVES IN THE FOOT!

With no fewer than three Rowhedge teams in the top flight of the Colchester & District Table Tennis League its no surprise that two of them are vying for the title. However, with the ‘A’ team struggling with availability it’s their ‘B’ and ‘C ‘teams that are setting the pace, especially as they both went into the week unbeaten. It was all change however as ‘A’ met ‘B’ with Dave Cole making his third appearance of the season, joined by the ever-dependable Kevin Gowlett in unstoppable form as they destroyed their ‘B’ teams one hundred percent record, winning 8-2. One week earlier Gt Horkesley A had relinquished their unbeaten record to Rowhedge B and this week they repaid the compliment beating fourth placed H20 Rowhedge C 6-4, leaving no team undefeated in the top flight. Richard Goodhand was back on the maximum trail, incredibly beating Dave Moss 17-15 in the fifth end. Mike Wright narrowly missed out on his three, pipped by Alan Burgess 12-10, again in the final set. This leaves all three Rowhedge teams trailing Gt Horkesley as they head the table by seven points. Have Rowhedge shot themselves in the foot? St Mary’s rise up to third following their third successive win, Walton A their victims this week 7-3. With no player unbeaten Martyn Green’s performance caught the eye dispelling his critics as he defeated combination bat players Kevin James and John Rice to add to his previous win over Ken Lewis. Fifth placed Rayne had a comfortable 8-2 win over lowly Gt Horkesley B thanks mainly to Ian Whiteside and Jon Hill who were both treble winners. Walton C look doomed to relegation already and their ‘B’ team made light work in winning 10-0. Neil Crook, Dave Binns and Colin Dearman were their winners as they move up two places to sixth.

H20 Rowhedge D have virtually wrapped up promotion before Christmas and it was no surprise when they made it eight straight wins with a10-0 mauling of Lawford A. Eight games were won in three straight sets, Mark Smith once again impressing with three good wins a feat he failed to repeat at Tiptree at his team beat Jobserve 8-2. He won two and the doubles was lost but messrs. Smith senior and Button once again were peerless. Gt Horkesley C’s promotion push continues as they trounced Tollesbury A 10-0, Steve Holland winning three for the first time. Walton D are hot on their heals following two 7-3 wins, the first against hapless Lawford A the latter inflicting Pegasus A’s second straight defeat. Martin Edwards won all six of his games. H20 Rowhedge E have joined the proceedings following another big win, 10-0 over Clairmont A who were without Paul Tracey. Tony Price and Peter Kirkland both chalked up their first maximums.

St Peters are firm favourites to win Division Three and they had few problems beating bottom team CRGS A 7-3 Ian Carter winning three. He was once again on song as his team accounted for H20 Rowhedge F 9-1, joined by Hazel Hume, unbeaten. CRGS were pointless, losing 10-0 to a rampant second placed Lawford B. Ed Rudge was back to maximum ways leading his Rowhedge team to a 7-3 win over Dedham , collecting an excellent treble in the process. Despite Andrea Alleyne’s best efforts Lawford C were beaten 6-4 by Pegasus D. No player was unbeaten in Pegasus’s 5-5 draw with Tollesbury B. John Sorrell won his fifth maximum in St Mary’s B 7-3 win over Pegasus C.

(Division Four reports follow next week.)