Whalley Birds of prey show no mercy!

Match reports East Lancs Table Tennis League February 23rd 2012

Division two:

Whalley teams Hawks & Kestrels both had big wins this week showing no mercy to the division’s bottom two clubs. Kestrels won away to Slayers 26:6 with both Martin Drury & Philip Grace achieving 100% stats in the match. Hawks aided their promotion bid with a 26:10 away win over the Misfits as Kieran Cunliffe & Adam Robinson were unbeaten. Doals Army won away 20:17 v Adpak Aces with Gerald Laxton for the Army winning 3/3. Adpak Aces managed a shock win though 24:16 v Hyndburn TTC ‘D’, who were weakened by playing two reserves from the lower division, though 3/3 from Charlie McGrath made the result not as bad as it could have been.

Division three:

Doals Jetstream are still well placed to win division 3 despite two losses to report on, losing away 17:20 to KSB F in part due to a superb 100% performance from KSB Carlton Cooper, and then Jetstream also losing 15:23 to club mates Doals Marauders with Ian Mills unbeaten, but also young Dominic Walsh playing the best table tennis of his life to also win all 3 on the night. KSB F again led by Carlton Cooper with 3/3 kept up their winning run of 7 games V Whalley Falcons who without star player Steve Nightingale lost 17:19. Whalley Falcons also had two other losses: 14:20 away to Rolling Doals (Neil Hepworth 3/3) & 16:18 at home to KSB E with KSB Ross Erwin the marginal difference between the two teams with excellent 100% stats on the night. With another unbeaten night by Ross & aided by a 100% display by Michael Mullarkey, KSB E won again at home 24:12 v Whalley Phoenix. Hyndburn TTC ‘E’ with a player down were still impressive in salvaging a draw 16:16 away to Doals Marauders (Richard Staines 3/3). Hyndburn TTC ‘F’ had a good away win 24:15 v Doals Vikings with man of the match being Zac Geldard winning all 3.

Division One:

Just two games to report on : KSB ‘A’ with Matt Hirst & Matt Hodgkinson with 3/3 won away 25:14 v Whalley Eagles, but then KSB ‘A’ lost for the first time this season 17:19 to Clitheroe LMC B, though KSB were a player down and still had man of the match in Daven Argile with 3/3.

Premier Division:

Burnley Boys Club with Martin Wyatt leading the charge unbeaten won 27:13 v Ward & Stobbart.

Ramsbottom ‘A’ won 24:19 v East Lancs with Noel Duffy for the Rams the player of the night with 3/3 though all of his wins went to 5 sets! East Lancs lost again this time to Clitheroe LMC ‘A’ at home 16:27, a match in which no-one won all 3. Clitheroe LMC ‘A’ won a second game 29:11 v Ramsbottom ‘B’ with Dave Kay & Keith Rudd with 3/3 each. Hyndburn TTC ‘A’ are really gaining momentum now, unbeaten and chalking up another 3 large wins this week: 30:11 v Ramsbottom B for masseurs Moir, Walmersley & Young, & the same Hyndburn ‘A’ trio also won 29:9 away to Ward & Stobbart with Dean Walmersley unbeaten again, & Mick Moir actually unbeaten all season. With a different line up Hyndburn TTC ‘A’ notched up a third win of the period 28:6 away to Hyndburners with Andrew Jackson & Mark Ramsbottom with 3/3 each. Rising youngster Charlie McGrath stood in as reserve in this fixture demonstrating his vast and speedy improvement winning two games overall and claiming 7 sets altogether. A great achievement for someone who first played last year in div 3 (now playing in div 2) and a testament to the brilliant job Mick Moir is doing in the coaching of juniors on a Friday night. The league offers opportunities to young people and indeed anyone of any age to learn and start playing the sport. Anyone of any age interested in how to start playing Table Tennis and getting coaching contact Neil for more information on 0787 3834942 or email: hepworth_neil@hotmail.com)

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

Email: Hepworth_neil@hotmail.com. Mob 07873834942