In another early-season crunch game, champions Bexhill A met main rivals Hollington A in the Hastings & District Table Tennis League Division One with both teams unbeaten. Despite a comfortable maximum from Hollington’s Paul Barry, Bexhill came out on top 6-4 with 2 wins each for Lewis Mayhew and Rob Warner.
All the singles were clear cut wins but Bexhill secured the win with a doubles victory for Mayhew and Warner 11-9 in the 5th over Barry and Stacey Furnival.
Bexhill have to concede first place in the table to Tackleway A who notched up their fifth win when beating Tigers A 9-1. Roger Pingram and John Wilson were unbeaten for Tackleway and Michael Funnell won 2.
In Division 2 Tackleway C had a tight 7-3 win over Bexhill E with 3 wins from James Gorridge and 2 from Danny Rickaby. John Bradbury kept Bexhill in the hunt with 2 wins, preventing a Rickaby maximum by the narrowest of margins.
Hollington D could only field 2 players against Bexhill D, who were themselves below strength, but gained a creditable draw thanks to a fine maximum from Sue Adamson backed by 2 wins from Steph Sargeant.
Early leaders in Division 3 are Saints E, who beat Willett & Phillips 7-3, with Derek Brown and Claire Bridges unbeaten in a match where 5 games went the distance.
Saints share the lead with Bexhill F who won 8-2 at Tigers D. Barry Goodson won 3 and Roger Gillett and Diddley Goodson won 2 each for Bexhill.