The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Week 20 in the Spalding and District Table Tennis League had a full set of matches in Division One – but just three part matches in Division Two.
In the top tier, South Holland strengthened their position at the head of the table by taking a maximum while all their rivals dropped points.
John Gilbert and Jean White saw off Mine’s a Pint undefeated, though they did concede two ends, and they are now four clear.
Closest rivals Jokers took on Aches and Pains and won all the singles.
While three went in regulation, the first had been a battle over five ends. Then a change of pairing saw them lose out in the doubles, again in five.
Third-placed JDM are now six further back having come unstuck against Outsiders. For them, Piotr Olstowska despatched his opponents in three ends and then combined with Joe Beadle to take the doubles and the match.
JDM are now just one ahead of Bladerunners who also needed the doubles to win.
James Gibson was in pugnacious form to win two for Nets and Edges, coming from behind in several ends.
However, Dave Gibson and Colin Vertigan had too much in the other singles and the doubles.
With one match postponed it was a quieter night in the second division.
Both Win for a Curry and MatDuf only had one player available and the solitary game played went to the away team.
Skidlids, also down to one player, played two games of their scheduled match with Chunky and Monkey Jnr, and caught up on their earlier postponed match.
The honours were shared with Clive Shardlow picking up two for Skids, and Dave Coley doing the same for their opponents.
Those two points move Skidlids into second ahead of Hurricane Brothers, who did not play.
The first two quarter finals were played in the Roy Gibson, carried over from the previous week.
Tom Chesworth (on 19) played steadily against Garry Wilkinson (17) to go through 31-29 30-31 31-28 and now meets Knowles or Hay.
In the other half, Hannah Gilbert (24) made full use of her initial advantage to defeat Jeremy Hitcham (19) 31-26, 28-31, 31-27 and will face Coote or Duffill.
