Stratford Herald Week Beginning January 19th

The progenitor of this weeks solid slab of ping is Peter Florence : 

Shottery A are top the league table after a 7-3 win at close rivals Colebridge Pasties. Shottery handed a debut to their new signing Tristan Gretton who marked the occasion with a treble which was emulated by captain Gary Stewart, with the pair also adding the doubles. Stephen Foster was unlucky not to increase their tally after losing out over the full distance to both Bob Brown and Dean Hicks, whilst Mahroof Hussain added the hosts' third point.

 

 

Snitterfield boosted their chances of honours with a 9-1 win at Stratford B who were only able to field two players. Steve Cull and Alison Stewart delivered unbeaten performances, although the latter was involved in the closest encounter of the match before claiming victory in the fifth set against Harry Azima. Clive Irwin added their other singles, but was unable to overcome Alex Boyd who thereby gained the hosts' only reward. In the only other game to go the full distance Cull and Irwin let slip a two set advantage before securing doubles success in the decider.  

 

On the adjacent table Stratford's C and D teams met for the first time and played out a thrilling draw. The teams included three juniors, with all six players enjoying their debut season of competitive table tennis. C team captain Rob Bartkowski maintained his recent fine run of form with a treble to demonstrate the huge strides he has made since the campaign began. Alistair Francis added their fourth point before successfully partnering Bartkowski in the decisive doubles. Regular D team players Ian Nash and Ollie Rowlands secured their first ever league braces, with newcomer Ollie Peake adding their all important fifth point.

 

Stratford club chairman Kevin Taylor said ' this was a very proud night for the club and, despite everything else we have achieved in such a short time, it was the highlight of the season for me. The match featured two teams who just love to play, win or lose, and who are always enthusiastic and upbeat and typified everything we are trying to achieve at this club'.

 

Colebridge Bulldogs came away from Ashorne with a 7-3 win after a hard-fought contest. Andy Rowland was their matchwinner posting a treble and then adding the doubles in partnership with John Swinburne. John Taylor produced a brace and Swinburne their seventh point. Len Coonan earned two wins for the hosts with Roger Pye also getting on the card after overcoming Swinburne in the only contest to go the full distance.

 

JLM Kingfishers defeated Veterans without reply with Piotr Penczkowski, Stef Mytton and Henry Clarke all untroubled.

 

The semi-final line-up of the knockout cup is now complete after Stratford A gained a close victory over Stratford C. The latter were represented by a trio of promising young players Harry Nash, Daniel Shevket and Ollie Rowlands who provided stern resistance before losing out by just 57 points after application of the handicap adjustment. The senior team of Richard Grover, Alex Boyd and Debbie Barrow thereby advanced to the last four where they will entertain Ashorne, with the winners taking on either Henley or Colebridge Bulldogs.
Author: via Stratford-upon-Avon Table Tennis League
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