Honours even in key clashes

TABLE TENNIS:

THE battle is on to avoid the drop from division one of the Oldham and District Table Tennis League.

Relegation showdowns featuring Werneth ‘C’ v Grotton ‘A’ and Hyde YMCA ‘A’ v Honeywell ‘B’ ended in draws.

Werneth ‘C’ had in-form Karen Hill to thank against Grotton as she won all her games.

Tom Ryan, of Honeywell ‘B’, was undefeated against Hyde.

In contrast, Saddleworth ‘A’ whitewashed Hollinwood ‘B’ 10-0, Glodwick did the same against BAe ‘B’ and Hollinwood ‘A’ recorded a maximum against Werneth ‘B’. However, these matches were closer than the scorelines suggests.

In division two, basement boys Hollinwood ‘F’ pushed Coldhurst ‘A’ all the way before succumbing 6-4.

There was another treble for Coldhurst’s Paul Howarth and two victories for Paul Rourke, of Hollinwood.

Second-placed Honeywell Lane also prevailed 6-4 in a close match against Hollinwood ‘E’.

Peter Buckley’s maximum for Honeywell proved crucial, while Callum Jones had two excellent wins for Hollinwood.

There was another treble for Mike Pellowe (Werneth ‘D’) in their 7-3 defeat of Hyde YMCA ‘B’.

Deaf Club ‘C’, including a maximum from Ian Cockcroft, stepped up their bid for the division three title with an 8-2 win at third-placed Unison ‘B’, for whom Paul Whyatt registered a double.

Unison ‘C’, in second spot, maintained their challenge with a 7-3 defeat of St Saviour’s ‘A’. New signing Andrew Tarpey won three for Unison.

Two-man Uppermill — Keith Moores and Howard Meadham won all their games — defeated Coldhurst ‘B’ 7-3.

Gilders defeated Unison ‘D’ 9-1, with maximums from Gerry Lees and Colin Ogden. Dennis Heyes had a good win against Mark Craven for Unison’s consolation.

Two teams near the foot of the table, Saddleworth ‘B’ and Coldhurst ‘D’, fought out a 5-5 draw.

Tony Prescott won three and Chris Brazewell two for Saddleworth, while Phil Mellor replied with a brace for Coldhurst.

Grotton ‘B’ defeated Owls ‘A’ 6-4, thanks to two wins each for Alf Barker and Steve Smith. Richard Tamworth won three in defeat for Owls.

Oldham Deaf Club ‘B’ maintained their division four title push with a 9-1 defeat of Werneth ‘G’.

Prakash Bhojani and Matt Gartside both posted trebles.

Nearest challengers Werneth ‘E’ kept up the pressure in a 10-0 defeat of a young Counthill side — their second whitewash win in as many weeks.

St Saviour’s ‘B’ had a good 6-4 victory over the Deaf Club ‘C’, with Mark Dalton registering an excellent treble for the Saints. Ron Tench won two for Deaf Club.

In the Our Lady’s derby, the ‘C’ team overcame the ‘A’ team 7-3, thanks to a treble from Matt Kelly, two from Callum Allman — he beat his father Dean — and a single from Paige Allman. Pete Chappell won two in reply.

Our Lady’s ‘B’, of John Moran, Matt Kelly and James Chappell, recorded an emphatic 10-0 victory over Coldhurst ‘E’.

Owls ‘B’ and Werneth ‘F’ ended honours even at 5-5.

There was another three wins for Owls’ Dinesh Gorasia and two for Werneth’s Joe Taylor and Geoffrey Beard.


Closed Championships

THE Oldham and District Table Tennis League annual Closed Championships are to take place at Radclyffe School on Sunday, March 7.

Entry forms are in the handbook and the closing date for entries is Monday, February 15.

League members are asked to support the event, which are recognised as one of the strongest competitions in the north of England.