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

16th Feb 2010
SUPER MARK SMITH TREBLE EASES H20 ROWHEDGE C RELEGATION FEARS

Promoted from Division Two last season, H20 Rowhedge C turned in two good performances to help ease any relegation fears in the Colchester & District Table Tennis League Division One. Mark Smith’s form has vastly improved since the turn of the season, initially failing to win in his first three matches, since then he has shown tremendous improvement, last week beating Alan Burgess and this week taking his first maximum, including a sensational five set win over reigning Clacton champion Colin Stallwood; 7-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 13-11. This paved the way for a 5-5 draw with Walton A, themselves only one place off the relegation zone and in Mark’s absence father Phil, joined by Fred Button both secured maximums in an 8-2 win over second from bottom Walton C. They, along with Gt Horkesley B look favourites for the drop, nineteen and twenty points from safety without games in hand! At the top H20 Rowhedge A regained their winning form, trouncing Walton C 10-0, whilst their ‘B’ team maintain the pressure with a 9-1 win that keeps them second. Dave Moss and Kevin Gowlett were both unbeaten with Walton’s Colin Dearman’s fine win over John Andrews, the seasider’s only success. Fourth placed St Mary’s slipped to only their third defeat of the season as Rayne’s Steve Kerns reaped revenge over his Chelmsford tournament defeat last week by Gary Young in four sets. Alistair Hill recorded an excellent victory over Greg Green who in turn beat Ian Whiteside in an extraordinary, fluctuating game; 11-0, 6-11, 11-3, 4-11, 11-1!

Lawford A top Division Two despite Pegasus B’s Toby Turner winning his three as they won 7-3. Highlight of Turner’s night was a straight sets win over Graham Mortimer; 11-8, 11-2, 11-6. Walton D’s indifferent form continues as they have won only one of their last five matches unable to field their strongest team and this week they lost 8-2 against H20 Rowhedge I. Alan Burgess beat Martin Edwards as his team go third, three points behind Walton having played a game more. H20 Rowhedge D are joint fourth following a 7-3 win over Pegasus A with Pete Simmonds recording a fine treble. At the bottom Clairmont A won 6-4 over bottom team St Peters , fielding just two players! Paul Tracey recorded his seventh consecutive maximum!

It’s tight at the top of Division Three with Walton E just two points ahead of Tollesbury A as both teams won again this week, looking set for promotion. Walton had a narrow win over third placed H20 Rowhedge F 6-4 with Nigel Claydon unbeaten for Rowhedge. It was a member of the opposition, George Berry who again stole the limelight, unbeaten but thanks to a good all round team performance Tollesbury A gained a point on their rivals in a 7-3 win. Phil Wolski continued the theme for Gt Horkesley D winning three but ending up on the losing team 6-4 also to Tollesbury A. No player stayed undefeated in a 7-3 defeat at H20 Rowhedge F’s defeat of Dedham , 7-3. Gt Horkesley also lost at Tollesbury B 7-3 with Rob King winning his three. Nigel Parmenter starred in Pegasus D’s 8-2 win over H20 Rowhedge E, 8-2, undefeated.

In Division Four, leaders University of Essex ended a run of nine consecutive wins, losing 9-1 against Lawford C with Andrew James and James Maidstone undefeated. Second placed H20 Rowhedge G took full advantage beating Pegasus E 8-2 to move within five points with two games in hand. Lawford E and Lawford D shared the points as did Rowhedge H and CRGS.