The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
With just two official playing weeks left in The Spalding and District Table Tennis League (sponsored by Vital Recruitment) the final standings are still some way from being decided.
In Division One, just one match was completed in its entirety while four others had just one or two games played.
Nets and Edges put out their strongest pair in the singles against Bladerunners and fought out three five-enders.
James Gibson took another double for the Netters, both in five, while Colin Vertigan and Dave Gibson took the other singles, and then won the doubles for a 3-2 result.
Earlier in the evening Vertigan had lost out to Richard Hammond to complete Blades’ match with South Holland – which the latter took 3-2.
Hammond then played Jokers’ Guntars Briedes twice for points in the postponed matches between their teams, taking both to add to Holland’s tally.
Table-topping South Holland are now 14 clear having completed two matches more, but there are so many points left in unfinished games that that could be misleading.
At the foot of the table, Outsiders and Defenders played just two games with Outsiders, restricted to one player, sharing the points that were available.
In Division Two, a tight race seemed clear enough because of the games in hand – but results muddied the waters and defaulted results could make a difference.
Leaders Skidlids did not play but, with one match left, are now just two ahead.
Second placed Can’t Move Won’t Move completed their programme with a loss to outsiders MatDuf and drop to third place on 50.
Garry Wilkinson completed another double – he has lost just three games all season – but MatDuf took the other singles and the doubles for the win.
The three points, along with five from a match defaulted by Casey’s Pingers, moves MatDuf up to fifth place on 44, nine down with three to play.
Probable current favourites are Mine’s a Pint, especially after completing their match with Young Guns with a 4-1 score.
However, Hurricane Brothers, who also have designs on taking the title, stepped in and took a 3-2 victory against the Pinters to slow their charge.
Earlier, they completed a match with Bourne Nightmayors – taking two of the three games for a 3-2 win.
Nightmayors and Guns also played and there was yet another 3-2 result, Guns taking the match on the doubles.
Mine’s a Pint have 51 with two games left while the Brothers are on 42, but have points to play for in unfinished matches.
Young Guns are fourth, also on 44, and have two matches against Guns where nine points are up for grabs.
Any of the above could take the title, but it seems Casey’s Pingers, Nightmayors and Castle Sports – who are out of the running – could hold the key.
The latter also played and won two games in an unfinished match with Team Equinox.
