Published by Neil Hepworth
East Lancs. Table Tennis League: Press Report Feb 12th 2016 From Neil (East Lancs. Table Tennis League Press Officer)Mob 07480 152268
Overall league Summary
The season is about ¾’s way through and it’s still all to play for in the Premier Division. Ramsbottom ‘A’ (Martin Wyatt 2nd in merit, Liam Bedford 4th) are still ahead but when taking into account the game in hand Old Masters have, the lead in relative terms could be less than 15 points (Master’s Howard Whewell still top of the merits). An eye needs to be kept on Hyndburn TTC ‘A’ as well, as with the players available to them if they play their strongest players for the remainder of the season they could get quite close. K.Ward Plumbing currently second are having a good season (Keith Ward , Keith Jackson :merit 3rd & 5th). Looking doomed for relegation and stuck at the bottom are Whalley Hawks and Young Ramsbottom.
In Division One ‘The Lions’ on top and the still unbeaten KSB ‘A’ in second spot, are dominating sufficiently that bar a catastrophe they will both be promoted (Lions Matt Harrison 1st merit, Ian Mitchell 4th , KSB’s Daven Argile merit 2nd, Matt Hoginson 5th). Ramsbottom ‘C’ when games are caught up with are likely to jump to 3rd place as long as Keith Haworth keeps playing (3rd in merit). Languishing a long way off at the foot of the table are Tackyfire, and it looks like Whalley Kestrels will struggle to also move out of the relegation zone, though the gap is close enough to Old Masters ‘A’ above them for Kestrels to still foster a little hope.
In Division Two, Ramsbottom ‘C’, inspired by the ever improving form of young Harry Bell (merit 3rd) and Stephen Siddall (merit 4th) are well ahead and destined to be division winners. Best Centre Raptors however are not quite as secure in second spot having lost their previously unbeaten run in the first half of the season with two losses of late, firstly in a closer contest with Old Masters, but then facing a 30:7 humiliation at the hands of a resurgent KSB ‘B’ inspired by merit topper Trevor Elkington. Hyndburners would fare better if only they could play the duo of Fred Wade (merit 2nd) and Danny Chamberlain (merit 5th) together more often. Stuck firmly at the foot of Division Two are KSB ‘C’ , with the battle to avoid the other relegation place being between Brierfield ‘B’ & KSB ‘D’.
In Division Three, Best Centre Phantoms (Scott Fleming merit 1st, Jack Cooney 5th) are one of only two teams in the league still unbeaten (the other is KSB ‘A’ in div 1), and a safe bet to win the division. Slayers currently are second (Peter Booth 3rd in merit), but not safe for the runners up and promotion place due to Whalley Kites being able to catch and pass them depending how they do in their 4 games in hand. A young team Hyndburn TTC ‘C’ presently 3rd are making good progress (Joe Holt merit 2nd) and another young team Whalley Falcons, new to the league this season are still bottom, but showing a lot of improvement with 3 recent wins now to their credit. Another young player doing well is Whalley Merlins Jack Haworth who is 4th in the merit table. For info in how to start playing TT or how to join a club contact league development office Harry on Tel 01254 663451
Burnley Focus
The Burnley representation in the Premier Division is found in Brierfield, who are just 3rd from bottom, but probably ahead enough of the two below to remain safe from relegation.
In Division Two having got through the first half of the season winning all their 9 games, Best Centre Raptors have now lost two in the last month, one of which was a bit of a thumping! If they don’t allow this to shatter their confidence too much, keeping hold of the promotion place is still well within their grasp. Best Centre Jets also in Division Two, are 7th and going strong enough to not fear a slide downwards towards the relegation battle. The same can’t be said however for Brierfield ‘B’ who are locked in a fight for survival.
In Division Three, Best Centre Phantoms are still unbeaten with 10 wins and a draw and have a clear lead at the top, looking set for winning the title and promotion. They also boast some of the best individual players in Scott Fleming topping the individual merit table and Jack Cooney in 4th place. Best Centre is open to new players and beginners to join their club on a Monday night (Contact Darren for more info on 07736473609)
Ramsbottom & Rossendale Focus
Ramsbottom ‘A’ with 10 out of 13 wins in the Premier Division, still look favourites to be league champions, but its close enough to need to stay focused all the way (Martin Wyatt merit 2nd, Liam Bedford 4th). Ramsbottom ‘B’ with 6/14 wins are steady and likely to finish mid table. Young Ramsbottom are struggling in the Premiership and look likely to be relegated.
In Division One, Rossendale boast one of only two league teams still unbeaten in Rawtenstall’s Kay Street Baptist’s (KSB ) ‘A’ with 13 out of 13 wins, though on set points total are second to The Lions, but almost certain of promotion now. Daven Argile is 2nd in the individual merits, and Matt Hoginson 4th (Best player and performer is Matt Hirst but hasn’t played quite enough games to qualify for merits). Bacup team Doals Marauders are holding their own and are likely to finish mid table (worthy of a mention is Neil Hepworth beating merit topper Matt Harrison in a fine individual display this week!). Ramsbottom ‘C’ are doing better than their position seems and with games in hand played will likely be 3rd, inspired by Keith Haworth who is 3rd in the merits.
In Division Two Ramsbottom ‘D’ sit very comfortably on top, and baring some major mishap should win the title. This is largely due to improving youngster Harry Bell 3rd in the individual performers and Stephen Siddall 4th. Rolling Doals of Bacup, are 4th, and just behind now with a game in hand are KSB ‘B’, who have lifted themselves out of trouble with fine wins of late including thrashing second placed Best Centre Raptors 30:7. Trevor Elkington sits top of the merits, and if they play like this the remaining games they may just have an outside chance still of clinching a promotion spot. The other two Division Two KSB teams (‘C’ & ‘D’) do however find themselves at the bottom of the table, though Bernie Milnes ‘D’ team may still be able to catch and surpass Brierfield above them who they beat last week.
One Ramsbottom team & two Rossendale teams feature in Division Three. Doals Vikings are 5th, Ramsbottom ‘E’ 6th and KSB ‘E’ 7th. For info of how to start playing TT in Ramsbottom / Rossendale please contact Ramsbottom Bryan on 01617975082, Rawtenstall contact Trevor on 07981387755. Bacup contact Neil on 07480 152268
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