In a key relegation clash in Division 1 of the Hastings & District Table Tennis League, newly promoted Tackleway C gained their first win when they beat rivals Tigers A 7-3 with three wins from James Gorridge and two from Danny Rickaby. The match was as close as could be with five singles going to five sets; Tackleway kept their nerve to win four of these, including Gorridge’s 12-10 final set win over Sheila King.
With both teams missing key players, Bexhill C edged out Saints B 6-4, thanks mainly to Graham Gillett’s comfortable maximum. John Wond and Mick Hart won two apiece for Saints, while Brian and Norman Beaney, making a rare appearance together, both contributed to Bexhill’s win.
Bexhill A were at full strength for only the second time this season and Lewis Mayhew, Rob Warner and Martin Kellaway cruised to a 10-0 defeat of Tackleway A.
Hollington Academy B won 9-1 at Bexhill B where Robin Gibbs and Jamie Martin were unbeaten and Lisa Standen won two games.
In Division 2, Bexhill E beat Tackleway D 7-3 with Tina Beaney unbeaten and Konrad Pieterse and Paul Welford both winning two games. Alan Blackman won two for Tackleway and both he and Welford went the distance in all three of their matches.
Runaway leaders Bexhill D recorded their tenth successive win when beating Saints C 6-4, despite Andy Syrett’s maximum for the losers. Brian Beaney and John Bradbury won two each for Bexhill, who needed a doubles win at 11-9 in the 5th to maintain their record.
NALGO A stay second after a 6-4 defeat of Hollington A when three wins from Shaun Godfrey could not ensure Hollington a share of the points. Paul Hyland and Mick Lane both won two for NALGO.
Saints E won 6-4 at Tigers C in Division 3 with Neil Pankhurst unbeaten and Trevor Fountain winning two, as did Michael Foster for the losers.
Hollington B won 9-1 at NALGO B with maximums for Amelia Long and Ken Philcox and two wins for Pete Shoesmith.
