Battling win sends South Holland clear in table tennis league’s top tier

Another busy night in the Spalding and District Table Tennis League (sponsored by Vital Recruitment) saw ten matches played in two competitions.

In Division One, South Holland stretched their lead to six points with a 3-2 win over JDM. In a match with only one game completed in regulation John Gilbert and Richard Hammond won a singles each plus the doubles. Phil Chandler continued his good form with wins in both his singles, book-ending his opponent’s victories.

Jokers remain second despite being whitewashed by Bladerunners. Pete Budd and Dave Gibson won the singles in straight ends, but Jokers put up more of a fight in the doubles, going down in five.

As a result Blades moved one place up the table – ahead of Defenders.

They, in turn, tried to catch up on their match with Outsiders, but unfortunately only Keith Davey was available.

He played his two singles, losing out to Jean White over five but winning his other game.

In Division Two, leaders Skidlids suffered their second defeat of the season. The winners were Young Guns by 3-2, with James Hau taking two and Danny Dorey one.

Skidlids’ Richard Matthews won one singles and he and Clive Shardlow won the doubles. Young Guns remain sixth, but have games in hand on all the teams above them.

Meanwhile, second-placed Mine’s a Pint closed the gap to the top to four with a 4-1 win over Casey’s Pingers. Jeremy Hitcham won both his singles and Andrew Hay one and they took the doubles.

However Mick Nurse pushed them both to five ends, winning one.

While battling in the lower half of the table Bourne Nightmayors look to be having an effect on those fighting at the top.

This week they defeated MatDuf 4-1, dropping them down a place. Phil Knowles took another double, coming from behind to win one in five. Grandson Dylan Taylor won one and they combined to take the doubles, while Stuart Duffill won for the losers.

Castle Sports and Can’t Move Won’t Move are now level on points after a tough match with two five enders and three with four ends. Garry Wilkinson scored a double for the Movers and the middle doubles gave the win. However Jonathan Black and Rod Bain won their other singles.

Finally Hurricane Brothers found themselves facing a one-man Team Equinox – from which they took both points available.

In the Marylands Cup, Mine’s a Pint proved too hot for Hurricane Brothers – taking all the three games played to go through and meet Outsiders.

Late on MatDuf and Young Guns battled out their tie. MatDuf took a 2-0 lead but Young Guns took the doubles to reduce the arrears but Duffill took his second win for the right to play Defenders, with Guns winning the dead rubber.

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