Title Race In Division Three Too Close To Call

The top three teams in Division Three are now only separated by 2 points as the battle at the top starts to hot up. Stanley Street 'C' recorded a win and a draw to lead the table temporarily before DTH Redlands Tarr Babies recorded a win of their own to leapfrog their rivals to go back to the top. Stanley Street C's win came over Ryton Park Falcons in a match which was played in a great atmosphere and excellent sporting behaviour from both sides and one that Street eventually won 8-2. For Stanley Street Valentinas Riauba remained unbeaten and was well supported by Alan McGinley and Louis Spray who both won two games each before Riauba and McGinley teamed up to win the doubles. For the Falcons Jordan Potter had a good win over McGinley and the ever improving Jak Eden beat Spray with Scott Lee not managing to trouble the scorers on this occasion.
In their next match they had a right old ding dong with On-Line Elks who yet again had the unbeaten Jayden Budworth to thank for another great result as she registered her 4th hat trick in a row with Glen Gillgrass managing to chip in with a single win it meant that the outcome of the match would come down to the doubles rubber. Alan McGinley and Orestas Riauba each won two for Stanley Street with Louis Spray adding a further win to ensure that they would at least take a point home with them. The all important doubles match saw Budworth and Gillgrass come up against Riauba and Glyn Williams in an enthralling encounter which the On-Line Elks duo managed to take 3-1 and ensure the match ended all square.
DTH Redlands Tarr Babies went back to the top with a comprehensive 10-0 win over Ryton Park Cougars which saw the Tarr Babies team of Daniel Cutts, Kieran Tutter and Joshua Nelson all return impressive hat tricks with Tutter teaming up with Jack Tarr to take the doubles as well. The win now leaves the Tarr Babies a point clear of Stanley Street 'C' and 2 points clear of their club colleagues the Rookies.
Although some of the sides in the lower half of Division Three may not have a bearing on who eventually wins the title they are still involved in some fabulous matches that have some quality table tennis in them and one such team are Stanley Street Cypriots who were involved in not one but two close games. In the first one they just managed to overcome Ryton Park Falcons who came so very close to gaining their first point of the season but just couldn't manage to grab a draw. Adam Hamilton was the saviour for the Cypriots as he put in a terrific performance to win all his three games and he was well backed up by Tom Parker who added two further wins before teaming up with Hamilton to take the doubles and all three points in a 6-4 win. The Falcon's Nathan Langley impressed with a double with his brother Regan and Jak Eden both adding a single win each.
In their next match against club colleagues The Rascals the score line was reversed with the Cypriots finally going down 6-4 in a match that saw few games being won in straight sets. Adam Hamilton was again the player in form for the Cypriots as he again won all his three games with only Graham Stent being able to add to the Cypriots tally with a single win over Ellis Spacey. For the Rascals Liam Stead and Thomas Gladwin won two each with Spacey adding a single with Stead and Gladwin winning the doubles set in what was a great overall team performance from the Rascals.
Division Two is gearing up to be a two horse race for the title but with most teams in the division capable of beating each other that could change in the coming weeks. Manton Tigers currently lead the way and they continued their good form with an 8-2 win over club rivals Manton Sports and with both Bill Bateman and Paul Allison remaining unbeaten on the night the result never looked in doubt. In their next match however, the result looked anything but certain as they battled their way to a 5-5 draw with DTH Redlands Joggers. Bill Bateman again won all his three with Dave Bownes adding a further two wins to ensure a share of the spoils. Lea Dickinson 2, Lewis Comley 1, Dennis Learad 1 and the doubles were the scorers for the Joggers.
Other Division Two Results: Stanley Street 'B' 6 Global Marble 'B' 4, Manton Sports 2 DTH Redlands X-Youth 8.
Division One Results: MBE 4 DTH Redlands Fluffy Toys 8, Global Marble 8 Ryton Park Adders 2, DTH Redlands Roosters 3 Stanley Street 'A' 7