B&DTTL © 2008
Recent Reports
Just occasionally the Braintree Table Tennis League throws up one of those anomalies that defies logic.
How, for instance, can each member of a team lose only one singles, but each to a different opponent?
It may not be unique but it certainly does not happen often.
It happened in division three last week when Rayne H played Black Notley H.
Notley won the first two sets before Steve Baines brought off an excellent and unexpected win over Charles Wilkinson.
Baines has an average around 50 per cent whereas Wilkinson, the reigning division three singles champion, does not lose many at this level. He lost this one, though, in straight games 11-4, 11-9, 11-8.
Declan Baines, with a record of nine wins out of 23 this season, then took over from his father to score an equally unexpected win over Tim Gowers, who had lost only three of his previous 21 sets.
Rayne put their foot down after that and won the next five sets in straight games. But Alan Cook was not to be left out and in the final set registered his only win - and Barry Mouser’s only defeat.
The seven points were enough to take Rayne H to the top of the division, although Notley F, one point behind, have a match in hand.
Felsted RBL are one point further back after their 9-1 win over Netts C. Jean Thompson grabbed Netts’ only success with a win at 11-8 in the fifth game against Chris Butler.
Notley G had only two players to face Rayne J but three sets from Mike Pitt, two from Keir Hughes plus the doubles was enough to give them a win.
Vernon King and Mike Smith were unbeaten in Notley I’s 8-2 win over Rayne I.
Division two’s top team Notley C increased their lead over Netts B from two points to four following their 8-2 win over Rayne G and Netts’ 6-4 success at Rayne E.
Ben Page was unbeaten for Netts while Shirley Carroll picked up Rayne G’s only singles set against Notley C.
At the other end of the table, Notley E reversed the scoreline from earlier in the season to beat Rayne F 7-3.
Keith Flowers picked up his first maximum of the season, including a straight-games win over Malcolm Wehmeyer, beaten only four times in his previous 18 sets.
In division one, Notley A managed to turn out their recognised first team of Ian and Peter Hayden and Trevor Carter for the first time since the fourth match of the season, and duly disposed of Liberal 10-0.
Rayne A dropped only one set against Sible Hedingham while Notley B and Rayne C fought out a close encounter in which Steve Kerns’ three sets were instrumental in giving the home side a 6-4 victory.
Players are reminded that entries to the individual championships must be in by this Sunday. Entry forms are in the centre of the league handbook.