The leading teams in Division One of the Hastings & District Table Tennis League may be feeling the pressure as both could only draw their latest matches. Hollington A were expecting a struggle with third-placed Saints A, for whom Ritchie Venner was unbeaten and James Winchester won 2. Hastings champion Venner gained revenge for his only league defeat this season when he beat Hollington’s Paul Barry, who also won 2 games. Neutrals will be hoping for a fourth Venner/Barry meeting if the Watts Cup pans out as expected.
More of a surprise was Bexhill A’s 5-5 draw with Bexhill C, who had Graham Gillett unbeaten. Rob Warner and Lewis Mayhew both won 2 for Bexhill, with Mayhew, recovering from illness, forced to concede his last singles to Gillett.
Norman Beaney made a rare appearance for Bexhill B and his maximum clinched a 6-4 win over Tackleway B. Andy Summers chipped in with 2, as did Adrian Goodrum for the losers.
In Division 2, Tackleway F did their C team a favour by holding Bexhill E to a 5-5 draw. With no player dominant, Keith Lindsay and Kevin McEwan (Tackleway) and Trevor Towner and Jhon Bradbury (Bexhill) all won 2 games.
Hollington D won 7-3 at Tackleway E, with Sue Adamson marking her last match before returning to her native Scotland with a maximum, backed up by 2 wins for Shaun Godfrey. Peter Wilson won 2 for Tackleway.
Ryan Heselden led Hollington D to a 7-3 win at Tigers B with brother Bradley winning 2, as did Rama Patel for Tigers.
3rd Division Hollington F climbed above Bexhill G into third place with an 8-2 win in which Amelia Long and Ken Philcox were unbeaten and Pete Shoesmith won 2.
Willett & Phillips had a good 6-4 win against a strong Tigers C with 3 wins from Phil Bailey and 2 from Ken McEwan, while Bryan Tichband won 2 for Tigers.
