Stanley too sharp for final rivals

TABLE TENNIS:  

STANLEY Square, armed with a 26-points start, faced Hyde YMCA ‘B’ in the Oldham Table Tennis League Division Two handicap final.

The advantage was cut to just seven points after set two, but that was as close as it got. Glen Chadwick gained 18 points for Stanley, while Steve Hilton picked up 41 for Hyde. Stanley held a 29-points lead with the doubles remaining and held on to win by 18.

The Division One final saw Werneth ‘A’ handed a 75-points start against Birley Moss.

That was immediately reduced to 59 points after the first game, but by the fourth, it stood at 79.

The gap was 20 with the doubles to go, but a loss of 13 points in the final set couldn’t deny Werneth the cup.

Werneth’s best player was Karen Hill (minus nine), while Miles Benjamin gained 58 points for Birley Moss.

Unison ‘D’ defeated Pollards ‘B’ to claim the Division Four crown as they fought back from 29 points down to seal a 10-points victory.

Barry Fordham (24), Brian Eaton (10) and Steve Slater (seven) gained the points for Unison, while Mark Dalton (34) kept Pollards in touch.

Dalton and partner Gary Kershaw were only able to gain two points in the final doubles.