It was a a mixed week in the Spalding and District Table Tennis League with just six matches played.
Four of those were scheduled while two were postponed, but two others were brought forward, though one of those was unfinished.
Exciting patterns are beginning to emerge in both divisions. Division One is split in two with four likely contenders ahead of the other four.
South Holland are clear leaders, though they have played more than their rivals who are within a point of each other.
This week they played Nets n Edges, who seem to be heading towards being the season’s whipping boys having suffered their fourth whitewash in five.
Holland’s Jean White and John Gilbert were only really troubled in two ends, both deuces though surprisingly only one went in their favour.
Earlier, Gilbert had played Moulton SE’s Appleby brothers, taking one in the fifth but losing the other. Moulton are six behind but have two matches in hand.
The Applebys also played Jokers in another match where the doubles decided the result.
Wesley Roper took two for Jokers, but Stephen and Andrew fought back in the other two singles and clinched the win with the doubles. Jokers are level with them, but have played two more.
Rusty Nails, in Division Two, also have a lead of six over their rivals, but at present only two other teams are really showing.
Last week they faced Deeping Lads with Richard Matthews and John Hayter taking the singles for the loss of just one end. Curiously, the doubles was more of a struggle, also going their way, but including a favourable deuce in the five ends.
TNC are showing early, picking up their second whitewash win, this against Assassins.
Adrian Louis and Matt Cole each took a singles in regulation, but the others were harder fought with one having three deuces in the five ends.
Finally Team TJ’s Tom Maguire and Jack Sawyer picked up their first win of the season. Up against last year’s contenders Hurricane
Brothers, Sawyer took the first, followed by Maguire’s win. The Brothers hit back with the doubles but Sawyer was not to be denied, taking his second singles before Hurricanes won the final game.
