East Lancs. Table Tennis League: Press Report  March 12th 2015:

 From Neil Hepworth (East Lancs. Table Tennis League Press Officer)

Email: Hepworth_neil@hotmail.com. Mob 07480 152268

Premier division league

Premier Individual Merit Top 5 (players who haven’t played in at least half the matches are excluded)

First division

First Division Individual Merit Top 5 (players who haven’t played in at least half the matches are excluded)

Second division league

Third division league

 Division Three Individual Merit Top 5

(players who haven’t played in at least half the matches are excluded)

Overall league Summary

With just 7 weeks left of the season B.L.C Clarets sit nicely top of the premier division, and realistically only Ramsbottom ‘A’ currently 4th but with two games in hand can still take it from them. It will come down to the head on head clashes between the two home and away still to come to decide the title. The Lions at the foot of the table appear doomed to be relegated, but who will join them is still being fought out to be avoided between Rovers, Hyndburn A & Ramsbottom B.

Division One is still a 3 way battle for the title and two promotion places between Hyndburners, Old Masters ‘A’ & Ramsbottom ‘C’. However the relegation teams looking a good bet for the drop now are Tackyfire & KSB ‘B’, though there are enough games left for it to change if a run of good performances arises!

Unless something catastrophic were to occur the Division Two title will certainly go to Ramsbottom ‘D’ & looking as equally assured though now for the other promotion place are Doals Marauders. The fight for survival though is going to go all the way to the wire as still any 2 from 3 in all likelihood between Best Centre Jets and the two KSB teams could go down. The head on head clashes between the three will be decisive.

Unbeaten Best Centre Raptors are looking good for the Division 3 title but won’t feel assured about this just yet as they still face their closest rivals in the remaining games. Still even if they hit a bump in the road, I think they will still emerge champions by the end. The other two contenders are still Ramsbottom ‘E’ & Slayers.  At the bottom of the division it is pleasing to report on Best Centre Phantoms well deserved first win last week. This is their rookie season and they can expect more next year.

For info in how to start playing TT or how to join a club contact league development office Harry Rawcliffe on Tel 01254 663451

Burnley Focus

With just  7 weeks left of the season B.L.C Clarets with just one loss are top of the Premier Division and if they can overcome their main rivals Ramsbottom ‘A’ when they face them soon, then they can emerge as champions. Clarets Dave Kay who is 3rd in the individual merits will lead the charge. Burnley’s other Premier team are Brierfield ‘A’ who will be pleased to be secure and steady about mid-table.

In Division two Brierfield ‘B’ , despite a good squad of players including 4th place merit placed Peter Howard are unlikely to be able to get the promotion place now, but will still hope for a top 4 or top 3 finish. Best Centre Jets have put in improved performances of late and are just in the safety zone at present but will have to finish well to stay there and avoid the drop.

Best centre Raptors in Division Three continue to have an outstanding season and are still unbeaten. The title should be theirs if they can hold their nerve in a couple of hard games coming up. 3 out of four of the Raptors team is in the top 5 merit positions: Dylan Storey (2nd) , Richard Tokeley (4th) & Liam Walsh (5th) . Best Centre Phantoms enjoyed their first win last week spurred on by team and club captain Darren Wright. Best Centre is open to new players and beginners to join their club on a Monday night (Contact Darren Wright for more info on 07736473609)

Rossendale Focus

Rossendale has clubs in Ramsbottom, Rawtenstall & Bacup.

Ramsbottom teams are having a good season and the club is hopeful for an array of titles and honours this season. The ‘A’ team, boasting 3 top 5 merit performers in Martin Wyatt (1st), Mandy Winskill (2nd) & Graham Hoy (5th), have it in their own hands to win the league title if they defeat Clarets in two home and away matches still to be played. The other Ramsbottom premier team, ‘B’ need to finish well to avoid being caught up in the relegation zone. In Division One Ramsbottom ‘C’ are in a tight 3 way fight for the title and promotion but will hope for at least a promotion place if leading player Mohamed Butta maintains his good form (4th in merits). Ramsbottom ‘D’ are almost certain now of the Division Two title, and all 3 regular players are playing well  (merits: Adam Kensit 2nd: David Cain 3rd, Paul Wood 6th). Ramsbottom ‘E’ are also having a good season in Division Three and potentially if they can defeat their two main rivals in games to come and have a very strong finish could still win the title, or at least secure a promotion place.  For info of how to start playing TT in Ramsbottom contact Bryan Edwards on 01617975082,

Rawtenstall’s KSB ‘A’ team have good enough players to do better than their mid-table position in Division One but have problems of regular availability from key players. Trevor Elkington remains consistent and is only one place of a top 5 merit finish. KSB ‘B’ are sadly looking sure to finish bottom of Division One and be relegated, despite having a great individual player in Daven Argile (2nd  in merits). I can’t report much better news from the two KSB teams in Division two either, with both teams at the foot of the table and in a battle for survival. At least one if not both of them are looking likely to go down. KSB ‘E’ in Division Three are steady but also not doing as well as expected at the start of the season. For info of how to start playing TT in Rawtenstall contact Trevor Elkington on 07981387755.

Bacup based (Weir), Doals Marauders in Division Two have had a great 2015 so far and are pretty assured of the runners up place and promotion in Division Two (Neil Hepworth 1st in merit, Ian Smith 5th ). Marauders Cliff Dale has been unbeaten since Christmas and will feature in the top 5 merit places by end of season I would think as long as he gets enough quota of games in. Rolling Doals are having to use a reserve each week now but still fighting to hold on to a credible 3rd place. Doals Vikings in Division Three are having a very under par season but have struggled too often to turn out a full team.

For info of how to start playing TT in Bacup contact Neil Hepworth on 07480 152268.