Match Report
Crown & Sceptre C 3 - 7 Adeyfield B
Fifth placed Crown & Sceptre C hosted third placed Adeyfield B, with the home team wanting a few extra points to try to ensure they do not finish in the bottom two, whilst the visitors needed eight points, or more, to be mathematically certain (albeit still with a game in hand) of finishing in third spot.
League General Secretary, Dave Gomm, took on League Match Secretary, Martin Johnson, in the opener, and although Dave's game continues to improve after injury, he lost out in four close games. Alex Hamilton then took on Mariusz Puczynski, and another close match saw Mariusz's fierce hitting again winning over four competitive games. Brian Burton pulled one back for the home team, defeating Roger Dean over five fluctuating games, and it was another five gamer, as Alex and Martin again had their usual close battle, with Alex pulling back a two-nil defecit, only to lose out in the fifth! Dave then powered past Roger, as did Mariusz against Brian, followed by two more straight games wins, for Alex versus Roger and for Martin against Brian, to make the score 5-3 to the visitors, at this stage. A see-saw five gamer between Dave and Mariusz finishing off the singles, with Dave rueing a close loss in game two, as Mariusz again blasted his way to a win in the deciding game. Martin and Mariusz made it a 7-3 away win, overcoming Alex and Brian in four games, in the doubles.
This meant that Adeyfield B are certain to finish third, whilst Crown & Sceptre C's extra three points seems likely to be enough to seal fifth spot, with just the bottom team left to play, whilst their chief rivals have still to play both of the promoted teams.