The week’s competition in the Hastings & District Table Tennis League Division One is in danger of sounding like a medical report, with several teams suffering through injuries. Third placed Bexhill A were held to a 5-5 draw by Bexhill B with Martin Kellaway, struggling with a back problem, losing his second set and forced to concede his third. Reserve Tina Beaney, herself carrying a long-term shoulder injury, saved the former champions with a fine maximum while Yotza Krstic won twice for the B side.

Champions Hollington Academy A have lost Nathan Darby for several weeks with a broken finger and are down to three players, with no reserves available. Typically, they put this behind them and notched a 9-1 win over Hollington Academy B with maximums from Paul Barry and Bashar Ubaid and two from Ryan Heselden.

At the other end of the table, unbeaten Kevin McEwan led Bexhill D to a 6-4 defeat of Bexhill E, for whom Pam Winter won twice.

Saints B’s 10-0 win at Tackleway D, with Ron Davenport, Andre Keen and Jamie Martin unbeaten, moves them into top spot in Division 2, on sets average.

Maximums from Shaun Godfrey and Kevin Barry helped Hollington A to a 7-3 win at Bexhill G, but the point dropped cost them the lead.

Monarchs A are third after a 6-4 win at Tackleway E where Bob Lowe won three and Alison Jordan two. Mike Charter won two for the losers.

Hollington B moved off the foot of the table with a 9-1 win over Bexhill F. Rob Clemence and Ryan Demeza both won three and Neil Pankhurst two, but unlucky Bexhill lost five five-setters.

Hollington C lead Division Three after beating Bexhill I 7-3. Mick Oakman was unbeaten and Keith Young won two for the winners and Jim Leppard picked up two for Bexhill.

A maximum from Dave Watters and two wins each for Danny Gurden and Andy Murphy saw Saints C beat Tackleway G 8-2 and go into second place on sets and leave the Saints club within a whisker of leading all three Divisions.