Funny ol' game, ping pong. The outcome of some games you are certain you could predict get turned on their heads and tonight was no exception.

Eagles needing 6 or more to top the table visited struggling Trawlers who needed 7 to lift them off bottom spot. All to play for...

You may have backed Alan Maynard to beat Ed Crawford and Curtis Sage true to form, but Maynard on a losing streak of 6 out of 6 was struggling for form again letting Sage and the ever-determined Crawford to take the points comfortably.

Ian Saxby who missed the first meeting between the two teams looked comfortable by the third against Andy Tyrrell's blocking game, but Tyrrell dug in to take the last two.

Nick Williamson who has spent the season struggling to make his efforts count at the end game, fell again 10-12 to Crawford in a stunning and tense game and 13-11 in the fourth against the brick wall defence of Tyrrell.

Playing the doubles early to play catch up later, Crawford and Tyrrell cruised through to a 7-1 lead with only Saxby easing past Sage earlier on.

Down on confidence and at times, ability, Trawlers' players Williamson and Maynard took to the table against Sage and Tyrrell respectively on adjacent tables to see the match out. And these games were thrillers! Sage, almost down and out at 2-0 pulled back to 2-2. A case of here we go again for Williamson? Not this time. He came through to win in the fifth and take a bit point for the team and his confidence. And it was the same for Maynard. Staring defeat in the face at 2-0 down and with Tyrrell in complete control, Maynard dug as deep as you like to bring the game square, and then bring it home with many, many, 50-shot+ rallies to boot. Not a game for the onlookers!!

A turning point for Trawlers perhaps as they finished 2018 breaking some unwanted individual losing streaks, but also one for Eagles as they end the year top of Division 2.

Thanks to the boys from Newton for a great evening's TT and well done to Ed for taking 'player of the match'! 

Alan