Mid-season in the Hastings & District Table Tennis League, and Division Two looks set to be as competitive as ever. Tackleway C have a narrow lead after finishing the first half strongly with five successive wins, having imported Mike Charter, as he and Adrian Goodrum both average 75%. In second place are Bexhill G who have John Bradbury, Chris Hack and Harry French, also all averaging around 75%.

Pre-season favourites, Hastings Academy E are four points off the top but have two games in hand.  Andy Furnival (83%) and Terry Dean (85%) lead the way for Academy, who, somewhat surprisingly, lost 6-4 to Nalgo A in week 2 and were held to a draw by Bexhill G in their last game of the half.

Still in touch with the leaders are Nalgo A, Bexhill E and Monarchs A, with Nalgo kept in the race by Paul Hyland’s excellent unbeaten record. Bob Lowe (94%) has performed a similar role for Monarchs A, while Bexhill E, who briefly led the table, have produced more of a team effort, spearheaded by Cameron Jones.

Third Division champions Academy G have been at the foot of the table since week 3 but gained ground before Christmas with a win against Bexhill F.

Jamie Martin (Academy H) separates Hyland and Lowe at the top of the averages with only one defeat to date.

Division Three is as tight as can be, with four points covering the top six, two of whom are yet to lose. One of these are Monarchs B led by Peter Harding and Andrew Edwards, who are top by a solitary point.

Yasar Akar has 91% for Hollington E who are second, while third-placed Bexhill I have the top two players in the Division in Adam Ward and George Reidy, who is unbeaten.

Dom Goodson’s Bexhill H are fourth and Hollington C and Tackleway F are equal fifth.

Nalgo B are on the bottom after ten straight losses but are only two points adrift of Hollington D and Tackleway G.

Phil Bailey has managed 86% in a fairly average season for his side, Willett & Phillips.