Rapid start puts ‘A’ team in command

TABLE TENNIS:

SADDLEWORTH ‘A’ were quick out the blocks as they defeated title rivals Glodwick 6-4 in Division One of the Oldham and District Table Tennis League.

The former surged into a 5-0 lead, only for Michael Moir to stop the rot.

He was unbeaten for the six-time champions, and so preventing more damage by Saddleworth.

Paul Cicchelli, Darren Lindley and Ian McLean won two games each for the hosts.

Remarkably, it was the only time — in the history of the online archives — that Glodwick’s Mark Ramsbottom had lost all three of his games.

There was nothing to separate the two Werneth clubs, the ‘A’ drawing 5-5 with their ‘B’ side, who are still without a win this season.

The ‘B’ team built up an early 2-0 lead, only for their club rivals to draw level.

After eight sets, the ‘A’ had a delicate 5-3 advantage, but an undefeated David Cheetham secured an important five points.

Birley Moss have gone five points clear at the top of Division Two after an 8-2 victory at Deaf Club ‘A’.

Ian Cockroft and David Varney won two hard-fought points for Deaf Club, while Miles Benjamin and Bryan Webb replied with maximums for Birley Moss.

Werneth ‘C’ claimed their second victory of the campaign, 8-2 against Pennine.