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

2nd Feb 2010
H20 ROWHEDGE A VICTORIOUS IN TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH

H20 Rowhedge A went a long way to retaining their Colchester & District Table Tennis League Division One title, easing to a 9-1 win over rivals St Mary’s A. Michael Andrews set the tone with a four set win over Gary Young despite losing the first end 11-3! Andrews remained unbeaten defeating Greg Green 11-8, 11-7, 12-14, 6-11, 11-9 and father Martyn 16-14, 11-9, 11-9. Anthony Greenwood joined him with three wins, Steve Joslin conceding Rowhedge’s only point, downed in five sets by Gary Young. This result takes H20 Rowhedge A thirty-one points clear of their ‘B’ team who move up to second following another 9-1 win, against their ‘C’ team. Dave Moss and Kevin Gowlett were both unbeaten whilst Alan Burgess won two, ‘playing up’. Mark Smith was the ‘C’ teams only winner, the youngster impressively accounting for Burgess in three straight sets! At the bottom Gt Horkesley B look doomed, their plight not helped by a resounding 7-3 defeat by rivals Walton A. Mark Gale joined Colin Stallwood winning three apiece. Walton A also picked up seven points against their ‘C’ team where Gale changed sides but failed to trouble the score! They remain second bottom, three points clear of Gt Horkesley. Walton B are the most successful of the trio of seaside teams and they beat Rayne 8-2 mainly due to the Braintree team fielding ban ineligible player, gifting Kevin James his maximum.

Lawford A march on in Division Two as Dan Farrow, deputising for Graham Mortimer starred, completing an excellent trio of wins. H20 Rowhedge I go second despite being held to a 5-5 draw by Clairmont. Once again Paul Tracey was on the mark beating Alan Burgess from two sets down. Gt Horkesley C are third and they welcomed back Lloyd Bennett-Smith to take them to a narrow 6-4 win over Pegasus A. Bennett-Smith won three, with Steve Holland a fine two and Clive Forster top scored for Pegasus also with two. The bottom of the table is as close as the top and St Peters did themselves the power of good winning just their second match of the season, 9-1 against Pegasus B. Roger Warren and Ian Carter were their two undefeated players.

Tollesbury hold the outright lead in Division Three as they whitewashed St Mary’s B 10-0. Walton A are one point behind and they hammered Gt Horkesley D 9-1. Tricia Salter and Chris Petrou won their singles and teamed up to take the doubles. Dedham are up two places to third as once again Gt Horkesley D lost. Andy Franklin continued his impressive form winning three. Colin Powell led H20 Rowhedge F to victory over H20 Rowhedge E 8-2. The ‘E’ teams Brett Angel had an incredible evening, beating firstly David Sacker 17-15 in the fifth end and then Nigel Claydon 14-12 also in the final set!

In the Fourth Division the University of Essex hold on to the top spot as they made short work of Pegasus E 9-1. James Parker and Yermur Yerdessov the most successful players on the night. H20 Rowhedge G have a game in hand and are three points behind following an 8-2 success over St Mary’s C with Mark Burrows the man-of-the-match, unbeaten. Tollesbury were more emphatic winners, 10-0 over St Mary’s C. The doubles win was Dale Young and Rob Mitchell’s only success as Gt Horkesley E remain bottom, not helped by only putting out two players. Lawford E took advantage with maximums from Steve Marr, Maggie Earle and Sandie Haffenden to open the gap at the bottom between the two teams to twenty points!