BAE chasing second spot

TABLE TENNIS:

ISSUES are still to be resolved in the Oldham Table Tennis League, with outstanding fixtures still to be played following the end of the regular season.

BAE A’s chances of the runners-up spot in the first division were considerably improved as they whitewashed Honeywell B 10-0. The team of Tony Bates, Tony Smith and Tom Lang trail Werneth A by 15 points but have two games in which to catch their rivals.

At the other end of the table, BAE B’s performance of the season gave them a 9-1 win at Werneth B, with maximums from Kevin and Mick Hill and a double from Eddie Kalinowski. Rob Carter was Werneth’s only winner.

This now condemns Hyde YMCA to the drop following their 8-2 defeat at home to Rosehill, who had Richard Sarre in superb form in winning his three. Hyde also lost 9-1 away to Honeywell A for whom Dave Buckley and Simon Hardwick both won three.

Champions Glodwick ended their perfect season with 26 wins from 26 matches by beating Hollinwood B 9–1. Zill Rahman and Jeff Craighill both trebled for Glodwick.

Hollinwood A defeated Werneth C by the same 9-1 scoreline. There were maximums for Hollinwood’s Ian Quinn and Colin Boardman and a good win for Karen Hill over George Jones for Werneth’s point.

Hollinwood C clinched the runners-up spot in the second division by beating Unison A 6-4. Hollinwood’s Matty Evans was superb in winning three to seal the victory, while Liaquat Ali won two for Unison.

Third-placed Honeywell C triumphed 8-2 over fourth-placed Uppermill, Barrie Royle and Howard Travis both winning three for Honeywell.

Pennine continue to blow hot and cold and this week went down 8-2 to Hollinwood D. Andy McNabb and Steve Hathaway both won three for Hollinwood.

In another 8-2 scoreline, Hyde YMCA B beat Hollinwood F. Steve Hilton and Neil Coppard were both undefeated for Hyde.

Droylsden could be the team to beat in this division next year and they signed off with a 9-1 win over Werneth D. There were trebles for Droylsden’s Miles Benjamin and Mike Truter.

Werneth D also drew 5-5 with Uppermill, Mike Pellowe winning three for Werneth and Keith Moores replying with two.

Unison C clinched the third division championship by a single point after winning 10-0 against Gilder’s Tackle. James Bollard, Alan Meltzer and Mike O’Gara were all undefeated for Unison.

Runners-up Deaf Club A could only manage a 7-3 win against St Saviour’s A for whom Brian Huskinson was undefeated. Pete Dawson, Dave Varney and Ian Cockcroft all won two for the Deaf Club.

Owls A were able to field their strongest team against bottom club Coldhurst D and were rewarded with a 9-1 victory, Paul Woodward and Dave Harthan were both undefeated for the Owls.

Third-placed Coldhurst B signed off with a 7-3 win over relegated Unison D. Simon King trebled for Coldhurst while Frank Sheldon won two for Unison.

Unison B continued their inconsistency with a 9-1 defeat to Grotton B for whom Steve Smith and Neil Tomlinson were unbeaten.

Honeywell E finished the season in style with a 9-1 defeat of Uppermill B. Terry Cooper and Pete Ganley both trebled for Honeywell.

Gilders ended their season with an 8-2 defeat to Coldhurst B for whom Gary Keylock and Dave England both scored maximums.

The fourth division title race was even closer with Deaf Club B and Werneth E both finishing on the same number of points but the Deaf Club having actually won more games.

Deaf Club won their final match 9–1 against Owls B, with Dave Varney and Prakash Bhojani both scoring trebles.

Werneth E beat Glodwick Academy 10-0 to leave them 47 points clear of the third-placed team. Joe Taylor, Phil Coombe and Darren Mitzi were all unbeaten.

St Saviour’s B beat Werneth F 8-2 thanks to trebles from Alex Leach and Mark Dalton.

Werneth G and Coldhurst E had a tight 5-5 draw. Rob Ainsworth and Dave Winterbottom both won two for Werneth while Paul Cahill and Frank Corlett did the same for Coldhurst.