The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The Spalding and District Table Tennis League rounded off the 2016/17 season on Wednesday with their finals week.
In total, three finals were decided at the Castle Sports Complex – but the Division Two title is still unresolved.
In the Guardian Cup, Skidlids first had to complete their semi-final with Mine’s a Pint.
With a 33-22 lead from one game they won two of the remaining three for a total of 123-118, and were delighted to discover a further 13 points from the handicapper. They then went on to face
Aches and Pains. Garry Wilkinson got Aches off to a good start 33-20, but Richard Matthews and Clive Shardlow took the next two ends to lead 86-70.
The final end again went to Wilkinson, but Shardlow held him to the same score so that Skidlids had a narrow lead over the table. Considering Aches and the Pinters were completely tied at the foot of Division One it was no surprise that Skidlids received a further 12 points, taking the title 118-103.
Earlier, Aches and Pains had faced Win for a Curry in the Marylands Cup final. In what proved to be a very tight match – there was 13 out of a possible 15 ends – the result came down to the final end of the final game. Tom Chesworth had won the first game in three with his winning ends coming on the final point.
Dylan Taylor consolidated the lead in straight ends before Wilkinson and Hannah Gilbert pulled one back in the doubles Wilkinson won the fourth on the final point, before Chesworth sealedit for Win for a Curry.
The Roy Gibson was also completed. Gilbert (on 24) faced Stewart Duffill (20) in the semi, overwhelming him with her hitting 31-23 31-28. She then faced Chesworth (25) who took his second title of the night 31-29 31-29 to cap an excellent debut season.
The Veterans second semi-final was also played, with Richard Hammond defeating Dave Gibson 11-6 11-7 11-5 to go through to meet John Gilbert.
In the league, contenders Hurricane Brothers faced one opponent from Pingers and enhanced their chances with two points.
They were helped further when MatDuf, continuing their match with Win for a Curry, dropped a point to hold a 2-1 lead. Both teams, and Skidlids, now have a possible maximum of 43.
With this issue unresolved, the teams are being given a further week to pick up as many points as possible.
