Clitheroe A are 'Ruddy' Good!
Premier Division:
Clitheroe LMC A’s quartet of Keith Rudd, Dave Kay, Phil Riley & Mark Hanson have made a great start to 2012 with 3 good away wins that puts them top of the Premier Division: 22:18 in a close game v Ramsbottom A where Ramsbottom’s Steve McNicholas caused them problems and was unbeaten; easier wins though v Lions 30:3 & Rovers 27:10.
Hyndburn TTC A beat East Lancs convincingly 27:9 as Mark Ramsbottom & Andrew Jackson got 3/3 each, to poise themselves nicely in second spot just 4 points behind Clitheroe but with a game in hand. Burnley Boys Club sit worthily in 3rd spot after a closely fought away win 22:19 over Rovers, with no-one winning all 3 on the night climaxing with a great singles win 3:2 for Rovers Damon Blezard over Martin Wyatt. Ramsbottom A got over their disappointment at the hands of Clitheroe by a good comeback away win 27:7 v Hyndburners with the trio of Steve McNicholas, Mandy Winskill & Matthew Fields all unbeaten on the night. Another close game saw Ward Stobbart victors by two points away to Ramsbottom B, winning 22:20 with no-one winning all 3 personal games on night
Division One:
Matt Hirst, Matt Hodkinson, Dougie & Daven Argile for KSB A are romping away with the first division unbeaten after 9 games with two more good home wins to start the new year 30:6 v club mates KSB C & v Old Masters 28:11.
Barry Hall with 3/3 was too good to handle as Old Masters won a tight game away to HSC 19:17. Clitheroe B were unlucky to be on the losing side in two close games this period, going down 17:20 to Brierfield (Dave Eastwood for Brierfield 3/3), and again 18:21 to Whalley Eagles (Alan Calow for Eagles 3/3). Whalley Eagles who had no wins to report the first half of the season, have had a happy new year because as well as the win above v Clitheroe they also won 22:15 away to KSB B led by an unbeaten performance from David Borland. Hyndburn TTC B with a good 100% display by David Allen triumphed 21:13 v KSB B & Brierfield had a second win this time at home 26:12 v Nets N Edges as David Eastwood & Peter Marshland both won all their games.
Division two:
A top of the table clash in Division two saw KSB D win at home v Whalley Hawks 24:18, led by Steve Horner winning 3/3 to keep them on top spot. Whalley Hawks though are presently second after other games this period winning their derby game v Whalley Kestrels 24:16 (3/3 Adam Robinson) & in another promotion battle game narrowly won away 23:21 v Hyndburn TTC where no-one was unbeaten on the night and 5 games went to 5 sets. Hyndburn TTC though are in 3rd place just 4 points behind Hawks and kept the pressure on by a good away win 26:13 v Slayers with Bryan Edwards man of the match with 3/3. Hyndburn TTC D though currently in 5th spot have only lost 1 game and with a game in hand are not far of the pace of a promotion place following a decisive victory over Misfits away 28:9 (Ben Farrar, Charlie McGrath 3/3 each). Adpak Aces trio of Matthew Birch, Paul McGovern & John Farrow were indeed ‘Ace’ in a good win over Whalley Kestrels 19:16 despite an inform Martin Drury for Kestrels gaining 100% on the night, who also got 3/3 along with Alan Ross in a fine 27:9 away win v Doals Army.
Division three:
The second half of the season began with a top of the table clash and club derby in Division three between Rolling Doals & Doals Marauders, with a more decisive win than expected by the Rolling trio of Ryan Fallon, Peter & Neil Hepworth by 27:13. This leaves Rolling Doals clear at the top & Marauders in second place. Doals Jetstream in 3rd spot are just a point behind Marauders with a game in hand after the other Doals derby where Jetstream overcame Vikings 27:6 with Bob Walker winning 3 without loss and Bernie Milnes also 3/3.
Two teams capable of still challenging the all Doals affair at the top are Hyndburn TTC E & Whalley Falcons who have played each other twice in the festive New year period winning one game each. Falcons won 23:12 at home, but Hyndburn E won the return fixture 24:16 (in the absence of Steve Nightingale this time for Falcons). The junior Richard Staines for Hyndburn TTC E distinguished himself again by being unbeaten across both matches, with a pleasing win over the also in form Steve Nightingale in the first match. But I fancy it is Falcons who when Kim Croydon & Steve Nightingale both play are a very good team in this division that have the greatest current chance of challenging the Doals grip at the top. Hyndburn TTC F & Whalley Phoenix also played both their home and away games v each other. Phoenix won both games: at home 23:15 (Eric Ronnan 100%, John Price 3/3), away 25:7 (Eric Ronnan 3/3).
From Neil Hepworth (East Lancs. Table Tennis League match reporter & Press Officer)
Email: Hepworth_neil@hotmail.com. Mob 07873834942