At mid-season in the Hastings & District Table Tennis League, Division Two has lived up to pre-season forecasts that the division is the strongest it has been in recent years.
The two teams widely forecast to do well have lived up to the hype and Saints B lead the table with an unbeaten record with a six point lead over Hollington A who are also unbeaten. Hollington have a game in hand over bottom side Bexhill F.
Both sides have two outstanding players with Saints’ Ron Davenport and Jamie Martin having lost once and twice respectively while Hollington’s Shaun Godfrey has one defeat and Kevin Barry three.
Hollington have had to cope without Steph Sergeant, through injury, until the last week in November and, with no Second Division reserves, have drawn extensively on their third Division players.
The two leaders fought out a predictable 5-5 draw with Davenport unbeaten and Saints also drew with Bexhill H, reinforced by a formidable reserve in Tina Beaney.
Saints, with a five man squad have proved less likely to drop consolation points from their victories.
Tackleway C and Bexhill G are separated by a point and have done well to keep in touch with the leaders, with both teams having plenty of experience in the top division. Adrian Goodrum (Tackleway) and Brian Beaney (Bexhill) have been their best performers.
Bob Lowe (Monarchs) and Paul Hyland (Nalgo) are enjoying excellent seasons and are mainly responsible for their teams’ respectable positions.
Bexhill F are bottom despite Harvey Webb’s good form and are still in touch with nearest rivals Tackleway E and Tackleway D.
In Division Three, Saints C have won all ten games and lead by eight points with Dave Watters having lost only once and Andy Murphy on 87%.
Hollington C are second with some solid teamwork from Keith Young, Mick Oakman and Pete Shoesmith.
Hollington also have an eight point lead over the chasing pack of Hollington E, Bexhill I, Monarchs B and Tackleway F, all level on 21 points.
Nalgo B and Tackleway G are disputing bottom spot in the division.
