JAG upset the odds to reach the semi-finals of the Spalding and Disrict Table Tennis League’s (sponsored by Vital Recruitment) Guardian Cup last week.
The evening began with the final game of the Guardian Cup round one match between South Holland and One From The Past. With Sasha Martin taking that, One from the Past had taken three of the games and had a lead of 131-122, leaving Holland hoping for help from the handicapper. The predicted 12 points proved to be slightly low but they still fell short, losing by nine.
The winners then set out on their second round match against JAG.
This top versus bottom tie went much as expected with Phil Coote and Martin taking all four ends for 132, while JAG took 59. However the handicapper had given a further 79, taking JAG through to the semi-final by six.
Then came an all-Division Two clash as A Win for a Curry faced Casey’s Pingers. The odds, following their two league wins against the same opposition, seemed to favour Curry, but Pinger’s took two of the ends and outscored the losing ends for a lead of 106-103 – and the additional six just reinforced the win.
The other two ties both had one team a player light, so will have to be concluded another time.
Outsiders lead Saunter Together 66-24, while Defenders have a lead of 66-54 in the other.
Elsewhere, Practice makes Perfect caught up on a delayed match with Hope for the Best. Jonathan Matthews returned to the league for the latter and won one of his singles, while team-mate Stewart Duffill also took one. But Garry Wilkinson won the middle two singles, which with a five ends victory in the doubles, gave his team a 3-2 win.
Second-placed Castle Sports were also playing, but in a match of 21 ends with Insidious were unable to capitalise as much as they might have hoped.
Gary Simpson picked up another double, his second ensuring the win after Castle had levelled from two down. Castle are now four behind with three to play.
Finally, Outsiders and South Holland completed their Division One match with Richard Hammond and John Gilbert winning all their games for a 5-0 victory that carries them to within five of the leaders.
Earlier in the evening, Martin had progressed to the final of the Roy Gibson competition.
Starting on 0 against Dylan Taylor (25) he won through the quarter stage by the tightest margin 31-30 29-31 31-30.
The semi-final match was similar with Martin needing three to defeat Jeremy Hitcham (21).
