The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Three titles were up for grabs as the Spalding and District Table Tennis League held the first of its individual competition nights last Wednesday.
The Division One, Division Two and Veterans titles were up for grabs, with a total of 24 league members vying for honours.
The Division Two competition, despite only having ten entries, proved to be the most keenly fought.
Tom Chesworth, new to the league and competitive table tennis this season, showed how much he has learned by putting out the third seed.
In the semis, he met George Wallis (2) who ended his run 11-9, 6-11, 11-5, 11-7. A loss, but a very promising start.
In the top-half match, Stewart Duffill (1) went two up (11-7, 11-6) against Dylan Taylor (4). However, Taylor has also been improving all season and came back to win the next three 11-6, 11-9, 11-9.
The final was nip and tuck all the way. Taylor took the first 12-10 only for Wallis to level 11-4.
The third went to Taylor 11-9 before being pegged back 8-11, but he then took the final end and title 11-8.
The Veterans event had the biggest field (15) and all four seeds made it to their allotted place in the semi-final.
John Gilbert (1) met Phil Coote (4) and made it through to the final with a win in four ends (11-2, 8-11, 11-6, 11-4).
In the other half, Dave Gibson (3) is to meet Richard Hammond (2) but the match was held over until another time.
The four seeded players in the Division One entry of 13 also reached their semis.
Sasha Martin (1) defeated Gibson (4) 11-8, 11-6, 11-2 to go through in the top half. In the bottom half of the draw Gilbert (2) beat Hammond (3) to reach his second final 11-6, 11-9, 11-2.
This, too, went the way of the seedings with Martin taking the title 11-5, 11-2, 11-3.
Last night (Wednesday) saw round two of the Guardian Cup. All results in next week’s paper.
Meanwhile, The semi-finals of the Marland Cup are on April 12 and see Aches and Pains take on Jokers and Win for a Curry up against Hurricane Brothers.
