Hollinwood B in cup thriller

TABLE TENNIS THE first round of the Handicap Cup competition took place in the Oldham Table Tennis League and Hollinwood “B” recovered from a 104-point deficit against Hyde Y.M.C.A. “A” to win a thrilling first division encounter by seven points.

George Jones and Tristran Swann were outstanding for the victors.

The holders, Werneth “A”, despite conceding a 25-point start against Honeywell Lane “A”, eventually came out winners by 68, Darryl Meredith picking up 50 points, father Stuart 29 and Peter Morris six.

BAE “A” conceded a 99-point start when hosting their match against Rosehill “B”, the visitors being unable to take advantage of their initial lead, allowing the hosts to win by 61 points. Tony Bates, Pete Bradford and Tom Lang were all in fine form.

The BAE “B” team also recorded an excellent win over Hollinwood “A”, taking advantage of a 32-point start.

They came through 12-point winners, the final doubles match, proving decisive. Kevin Hill (36) and Dave Buckley (23) played particularly well.

Grotton “A” with a 30-point start managed to hold on to beat Werneth “B” by 20, Shaun Ellis gaining 44 invaluable points for the victors.

In Division 2, championship contenders Werneth “C” found Grotton “B’s” 164 points advantage just too much for them, eventually losing 519–543 despite valiant efforts from Bernard Davies, Paul Wilkinson and Doreen Schofield.

The experienced Coldhurst “A” side, with a 61 points start managed to overcome Failsworth “A” by 48, Paul Howarth gaining 26 for the winners and Steve Collins 18 for the losers.

Hollinwood “C”, giving Unison “A” a six-point start, won by 47, thanks in the main to Dave Cheetham who gained 45.

Pennine, with a 36-points start over Hollinwood “E” won by 62 thanks particularly to the brilliant performance of Glen Chadwick who picked up 58.

The match at Uppermill between their “A” team and Hyde Y.M.C.A. “B” proved to be a thrilling encounter with everything depending on the last game. The visitors eventually managed to make use of their 44 points start, coming out victorious by five.

Division 3 leaders, Honeywell Lane D, suffered a setback when they were eliminated from the cup competition, beaten by Coldhurst “C” despite valiant efforts by league chairman Ken Dunkerley, who picked up 28 points for the losers.

The Coldhurst teams continued their excellent cup runs, the “B” team wiping out a 50-point deficit to overcome Saddleworth by 15 thanks to Malcolm Wills and Terry Holland.
The “D” team increased their 77 points start to 97 at Gilders, Philip Mellor playing well for Coldhurst and Mark Craven likewise for the host team.

The clash between the two bottom teams in Division 4 resulted in an emphatic first victory of the season for Coldhurst “E”.

Despite having to concede an initial 15 points to Werneth “F”, Coldhurst ran out winners by 90 thanks to sound performances by John Greenwood, Andy Pogson and Andy Lees.
At St. Saviour’s, Werneth “E” were indebted to Darren Mitzi, Phil Coombe and Matt Taylor for their 23 points victory, the latter player continuing to show improved form, especially in his match against Brian Huskinson.

O.T.T.C. “B” overcame a 41-point deficit to defeat Out Lady’s by 13, John Rutland leading the way with an individual 51 haul.

CUP RESULTS:

DIVISION 1: Werneth A bt Honeywell A 502-434; Grotton A bt Werneth B 550-530; Saddleworth CC A walkover v OTTC A; Hollinwood B bt Hyde YMCA A 500-493; BAE A bt Rosehill B 546-485; BAE B bt Hollinwood A 513–501.

DIVISION 2: Hyde YM B bt Uppermill 521-516; Honeywell B bt Hollinwood D 482-444; Coldhurst A bt Failsworth A 526-478; Grotton B bt Werneth C 543-519; Hollinwood C bt Unison A 530-483; Pennine bt Hollinwood E 583-521.

DIVISION 3: Coldhurst D bt Gilders Tackle 619-522; Coldhurst C bt Honeywell D 529-474; Deaf Club A walkover v Failsworth B; Droylsden walkover v Unison B; Coldhurst B bt Saddleworth B 523-508; Owls A walkover v Unison C.

DIVISION 4: Coldhurst E bt Werneth F 650-560; Owls B bt Honeywell E 474-425; Werneth E bt St Saviours 471-448; OTTC B bt Our Lady’s 567-554; OTTC D walkover v Werneth G.

THE Oldham Closed Championships will be held on Sunday, March 1, at the Radclyffe Athletics Centre.

Players are reminded that entries need to be with John Foster by February 9.