YMCA North Tyneside pulled off a surprise victory in the first division of the Northumbria Summer League when they visited Saint Chads. Andy Dryden was unbeaten  getting the better of Keith Weatherby, Chris Blake and Dave Bissett with Paul Baines defeating Weatherby and Bissett   and Rob Reed beating Bissett. Riding Mill’s team of Rob Scott, Mark O’Connor and Shirley Gelder gained their first win of the season, coming away from Seaburn Dene with a 6 – 4 success although none of them could beat Chris Dixon.

Dan Dodds and Neil Rodgers were both in fine form for second division Ouston winning all of their sets in a 7 – 3 win over Springwell B. The clash of the top two teams in that division saw Sacriston Aces  edge home 6 – 4 over North Fire with Waldemar Dzwonkowski getting a hat – trick. Another player with a hat-trick was Cramlington Cobras’ Duncan Wraight as his team defeated N.E.C.A.7 – 3.

Third division Lanchester did the double over Whitley Chapel  winning 6 –4 in both matches with Dave McCallister unbeaten both times. Sacriston Bombers and Cramlington Corinthians are now joint top after the Bombers defeated Cramlington Knights 7 – 3 and the Corinthians won 10 – 0 away to Sacriston Comets. Matfen B are only one point behind but they were held to a draw by their A team.

In the fourth division unbeaten performances by Mark Rodgers and Norman Badger took Ouston B to a 6 –4 success away to N.E.S.L.C. to move into second spot behind Brandon and Byshottles.

Northumberland’s chairman, Aubrey Drapkin has been honoured by the English Table Tennis Association, being made a Life Member for his services over many years which include  being a previous treasurer of the Governing body, administrator and Chairman of County Championships and British League administrator for twenty years as well as the work he has done at local level.

 

Aubrey Drapkin