Saturday 12^th May 2012

By John Temple.

University A will play in Division One of the Northern Powergrid York and District Table Tennis League next season after defeating Shepherds A 5-1 in their play-off. Tramways retained their place in Division Two after a similar outcome in their play off with Shepherds C. RI J will be in Division Three next season after overcoming Aviva A 5-2.

Coneysthorpe A completed a cup and league double for the second successive year as they took the Shepherds Cup 5-2, defeating Crescent A. Father and son, Martin and Ethan Lowe were aided by Mike Fenby. Martin Lowe, unbeaten in the leagues season, was unbeaten in the final despite giving at least 16 shots to his opponents in a terrific performance.

Holgate E began well in their Machell Trophy Final, leading 2-0, but a marvellous comeback from RI I saw them take the next five games for a 5-2 victory. Chris Megone was unbeaten for the winners, but was well supported by Geoff Leafe, who recovered from a heavy defeat in his opening game to win his other games decisively, with Mike Dinsdale playing his part.

Saturday 14^th April 2012

By John Temple.

Veteran John Lloyd has retired from the game after playing his final match in Division Three of the Northern Powergrid York and District Table Tennis League. Widely admired in the league, the talented Lloyd has enjoyed over fifty years of competitive play, mainly at Poppleton where he was a coach of younger players for many years, and more recently Bootham, where he played for the ‘D’ team. His side rose to the occasion of Lloyd’s final match, edging out Holgate E in Division Three, winning the doubles to clinch the match 6-4. Matt Ayres was unbeaten. Pete Taylor drove Holgate E to a narrow win over BT B, turning in an excellent performance to win his three singles and he followed up by assisting in a doubles success, and he was also in fine form as his side slammed Shepherds D 8-2.

In Division Four, Aviva B whitewashed a depleted Bootham F but then crashed 8-2 to RI H, for whom Norman Smithson and Matt Roberts were undefeated, and Roberts followed up by guiding his side to a similar win over Bootham F, though they could only manage a draw against a Chris Megone inspired RI I. Tom Lines, Keith Hood and Pete Wareing were too good for Hartrigg Oaks in a 10-0 romp.

Saturday 7^th April 2012

By John Temple.

There was an exciting conclusion to see which side escaped the drop to Division Three in the Northern Powergrid York and District Table Tennis League. Crescent C were the main side under threat, and a narrow defeat at the hands of Shepherds B was followed by a decisive 8-2 win over Holgate D, John Flintoft unbeaten. However, although Tramways went down 6-4 to a Richard Ingleby inspired Bootham C, they still secured sixth place, and thus a play-off with Shepherds C, the Division Three champions. Crescent C are relegated. Bootham C’s win earned them second place. RI E finished a point behind in third after a 9-1 win over BT A, Mark Blackburn and Rich Church undefeated. Bootham B enjoyed an emphatic 9-1 win over Holgate D, Ady McClaren and Gareth Bryning unbeaten. Champions University A had Rudy Huang to thank as they edged out CE Electric 6-4, and they will play Shepherds A for the right to play in Division One next season.

In Division One Mick Wilcockson, Nathan Horsley and Rich Crowther were all successful as RI A whitewashed Crescent B, and they followed up with a 7-3 win over RI C, despite only having Horsley and Wilcockson available. John Wooldridge was too strong as they were held to a draw by Bootham A. They lost 8-2 to RI B, Crowther in fine form. RI C found Alfie Potter too good as they went down 8-2 to Crescent B but finished on a winning note as they pulled off a fine 6-4 win over Shepherds A, despite James Atkins completing a fine season by not dropping a game. Atkins helped his side to a draw with Crescent B, but found Tony Reed too strong as they lost 7-3 to Holgate A. Champions Coneysthorpe A defeated RI B 8-2, Martin Lowe finishing the season unbeaten, and Joel Wright undefeated on the night.

Saturday 31^st March 2012

By John Temple.

Two emphatic wins have won Shepherds C the Division Three title and earned them a play-off for the right to play in next season’s Division Two of the Northern Powergrid York and District Table Tennis League. They defeated Aviva A and Bootham E 9-1, Paul Kozyra unbeaten in the latter, Mike Surtees and Chris Hutchinson undefeated in both. Jim Stevenson guided BT B to a narrow win over RI G, but they went down to University B 8-2, with Adam Schober-Thomson too good. Bootham E edged out Bootham D 6-4, though Matt Ayres won his singles for the losers.

Trevor Percival came through the season undefeated in fine style as he won his three singles against Division Four champions RI J, though his Thornton-le-Clay side went down 7-3. The champions however whitewashed RI I, Andy Whitehead, David Dunn and Richard Morris unbeaten, though the losers bounced back with a Chris Megone inspired win over Holgate F, a narrow 6-4 success. Aviva B thumped RI K 8-2 with Terry Ruane in control, though the losers managed a draw with Hartrigg Oaks thanks to a good display from Paul Greenwood. RI H thrashed Holgate F 9-1, Colin Smith and Norman Smithson unbeaten.

Saturday 24^th March 2012

By John Temple.

Coneysthorpe A have retained their title as Division One Champions of the Northern Powergrid York and District Table Tennis League after two emphatic wins. Ashley Hodgson helped them whitewash Bootham A, and Charles Allenby made his seasonal debut to help clinch the championship in a 9-1 win over RI D, who are relegated. Martin Lowe and Joel Wright were unbeaten in both games. RI D also went down 9-1 to Coneysthorpe B, who had Ian Stansfield and Chris Londesbrough to thank. Paul Robertson and Mick Wilcockson guided RI A to an 8-2 win over Holgate A who edged out Crescent B as Tony Reed won his three singles. RI B thumped bottom side RI C 9-1 as Rich Crowther and Filip Wojtkowiak were unbeaten, but crashed 8-2 to a Jimmy Mills inspired Bootham A, with Jo Suchecki having fine wins over Wojtkowiak and Crowther.

University A whitewashed Holgate D to clinch the Division Two Championship, Senri O’Hara, and Rudy Huang undefeated, but lost narrowly to Shepherds B. Anders Hammarback was unbeaten in both games. Tramways are battling to avoid relegation and two wins helped their cause, first overcoming CE Electric/Bootham 7-3, and then slamming BT A 9-1, Dave Hough in fine form. Keith Elsegood was undefeated in both matches. Crescent C now look favourites to go down after a 7-3 defeat at the hands of RI E, whose Mark Blackburn was too good. Dave Rawlings, Rich Ingleby and Rich Harrison won their singles as Bootham C thrashed CE Electric Bootham 9-1, but they lost narrowly to Shepherds B, whose Nathan Taylor and Andy Fletcher were unbeaten, and the winners also beat CE Electric Bootham 8-2, Stu Stevens the man in form. Bootham B had Gareth Bryning to thank as they dismissed BT A 9-1.

Saturday 17^th March 2012

By John Temple.

Shepherds C have built up a significant lead at the top of Division Three of the Northern Powergrid York and District Table Tennis League, after successive wins. Three wins from Jay Wong were not enough to prevent them overcoming third placed University B 6-4, and they then thumped a depleted RI G 9-1. RI F has not given up the chase in second however, and they thrashed Holgate E 9-1, Ivan Guilliat and Rich Leafe unbeaten. University B overcame Bootham D 7-3 with Adam Schober-Thomson maintaining his position at the head of the averages. Bootham D have made ground into fourth after their two man team valiantly forced a draw with BT B, before Matt Ayres guided them to a 7-3 success over Shepherds D, who had earlier edged out Bootham E, despite three wins from Robert Plant. The losers recovered with a 6-4 win over Aviva A.

RI J are the Division Four Champions after dismissing Hartrigg Oaks 9-1 where Andy Whitehead was unbeaten, and Holgate F 8-2. David Dunn is second in the averages after winning his singles in both games, lying behind the undefeated veteran Trevor Percival, whose Thornton-le-Clay side are in second, after an 8-2 win over Hartrigg Oaks and a narrow victory at Bootham F. RI H could yet grab the runners-up spot after whitewashing University C and overcoming RI K 8-2, where Matt Roberts was too good. Tom Lines was the top player, but his Holgate F were beaten 6-4 by Aviva B, where the doubles was decisive.

Saturday 10^th March 2012

By John Temple.

Martin Lowe came within one point of losing his unbeaten record in Division One of the Northern Powergrid York and District Table Tennis League. The Coneysthorpe A player came back from match point down to beat Graham Hatfield of Holgate A, and led his side to a narrow 6-4 victory. The champions enjoyed an easier time overcoming bottom side RI C, winning 9-1, Lowe and Ashley Hodgson extending their lead at the top. Three wins from exciting Shepherds A youngster James Atkins wasn’t enough to ensure victory against a determined RI D, who claimed their first doubles success of the season to secure a draw. RI B edged out Holgate A in a keen tussle, while Crescent B were just too good for Coneysthorpe B, who also lost 7-3 to RI C, though Chris Londesbrough was unbeaten. Filip Wojtkowiak was in good form but his RI D side still lost 7-3 to Bootham A. Mick Wilcockson and Paul Robertson were undefeated in RI A’s 8-2 success over Coneysthorpe B.

Bootham C inflicted University A’s first defeat of the season in Division Two, winning 7-3, though the students were without the unbeaten Senri O’Hara. Rudy Huang won the points for the losers, but the winners maintained their form with an 8-2 success over Holgate D, Rich Ingleby in charge. Sides have to finish in the top five to guarantee playing in Division Two next season and John Eastwood and Ed Wardman guided Crescent C to an emphatic 9-1 win over BT A to get them to fifth. Tramways are also fighting for their future in the division and their survival hopes took a blow in a narrow defeat at Bootham B, but a decisive 8-2 win over Shepherds B now sees both sides locked together in a play off spot. Mike Robinson was in excellent form in both games.

Saturday 25^th February 2012

By John Temple.

Suzie Ferguson, normally a Division Four player, turned in a terrific display to win all her games for University B, as they whitewashed Aviva A in Division Three of the Northern Powergrid York and District Table Tennis League. Andy Coupe and Martin Brown were her successful team mates. Andy Bevan led the students to another victory, 7-3 over Shepherds D. Ivan Guilliatt was the key man as RI F edged out BT B, and Bootham D. Jim Stevenson guided BT B to a narrow win over Shepherds D. Anne Barnard was unbeaten but it wasn’t enough to prevent RI G going down narrowly to Bootham E.

Richard Morris and David Dunn ensured Division Four leaders RI J thumped University C 9-1. Three singles wins from Jan Suchecki was not enough to prevent Bootham F losing a tight match to RI I, while a switch of venue, at the request of opponents RI H, to which Thornton-le-Clay consented, rebounded on them when snowy road conditions meant they could only field two players in a 7-3 defeat, despite a valiant effort from Trevor Percival who did not drop a game.

Saturday 18^th February 2012

By John Temple.

Shepherds A picked up crucial points as they try to avoid the drop to Division Two of the National Powergrid York and District Table Tennis League. RI A, currently second in the Division One table, went into the game thirty points adrift of reigning champions Coneysthorpe A, but had beaten Shepherds A 9-1 in the first clash between the two sides earlier in the season. However, only two players were fielded by the York Railway Institute side, which resulted in three points being gifted to Shepherds A, whose Jake McCarthy picked up a notable win, defeating Paul Robertson, to thus collect four valuable points and considerably ease their relegation worries. They pulled further away from their pursuers RI D, who battled hard, but went down 7-3 to Crescent B. John Wooldridge picked up three notable wins as Bootham A overcame Holgate A by the same score, Joe Suchecki doing well to beat John Farmery and they then whitewashed bottom side RI C. Ian Stansfield was in top form as Coneysthorpe B edged out RI B.

Graham Hood turned in an excellent performance as Holgate D narrowly overcame CE Electric/Bootham, while three singles wins from Mark Blackburn was not enough to prevent Bootham C picking up a crucial 7-3 win as they fight to avoid relegation, needing to finish in the top six in the division as the league is re-organised at the end of this season. Gareth Bryning was the star for Bootham B, inflicting John Flintoft’s only third defeat of the season in straight games, as they beat Crescent C 6-4.

Saturday 11^th February 2012

By John Temple.

Shepherds C player Mick Surtees went down to only his third defeat of the season, to Pete Taylor of Holgate E, who also surprised Chris Hutchinson, though he could not prevent his side going down 7-3 in Division Three of the Northern Power Grid York and District Table Tennis League, as Gary Neads claimed a maximum haul for the leaders. Paul Kozyra and Surtees guided Shepherds C to an 8-2 win over Bootham D, and they whitewashed Shepherds D, with Neads and Hutchinson supporting Kozyra. Rich Leafe and Ivan Guilliatt were on good form as RI F disposed of Shepherds D, 9-1. BT B and Bootham E finally had to settle for a draw as seven sets went to a final game, while Adam Schober-Thomson and Martin Brown were unbeaten as RI G were derailed 9-1 by University B. Steve Wands turned in his best performance of the season as he led Holgate E to a narrow win over Aviva A.

Bottom side RI C picked up their first win of the season in Division One, defeating RI D 6-4, despite Filip Wojtkowiak winning his singles for the losers, who also went down 7-3 to Crescent C.

In Division Two, Rich Ingleby and Rich Harrison were unbeaten as Bootham C thumped BT A 9-1. Leaders, University A whitewashed Bootham B, with Senri O’Hara, Rudy Huang and Anders Hammarback undefeated and they also dismissed BT A 9-1. Stu Stevens was in top form as Shepherds B beat Holgate D 8-2. Crescent C had John Flintoft to thank for a narrow win over Tramways.

In Division Four, David Dunn and Richard Morris led the leaders RI J to a 9-1 win over Bootham F, while a two man Holgate F side edged out RI K, thanks to Keith Hood. Trevor Percival and Steve Pearson were unbeaten as Thornton-le-Clay won 7-3 at Aviva B. Nora Blum and Hoi Lam Yau both won three singles for the first time, as University C thumped Hartrigg Oaks 8-2.

Saturday 4^th February 2012

By John Temple.

Ashley Hodgson guided Coneysthorpe A to a narrow, 6-4 success over their nearest challengers RI A in Division One of the Northern Power York and District Table Tennis League. Chris Londesbrough chipped in with two fine wins on his seasonal debut for the winners. RI A bounced back with a 9-1 thrashing of RI D, Mick Wilcockson and Nathan Horsley unbeaten. Coneysthorpe A then only edged home against Shepherds A, for whom James Atkins was unbeaten. Rich Crowther and FilipWojtkowiak guided RI B to an 8-2 success over Crescent B. Graham Hatfield and Tony Reed saw Holgate A to an emphatic 9-1 win over bottom side RI C.

In Division Two, Mark Blackburn led RI E to a narrow win over CE Electric/Bootham, while Bootham C enjoyed a narrow win over Bootham B, Rich Harrison turning in an excellent performance. RI E overcame Shepherds B 6-4 despite Stu Stevens pulling off a fine win over Mark Blackburn. Graham Hood played extremely well but it wasn’t enough to prevent Holgate D going down to a narrow defeat at the hands of Tramways.

In Division Three, Colin Dickson led Holgate E to an 8-2 success over RI G.

In Division Four, leaders RI J thumped RI H 8-2 as David Dunn and Richard Morris were unbeaten. Keith Stott and Jan Suchecki helped Bootham F to a 9-1 win at Hartrigg Oaks, and Thornton-le Clay picked up a 9-1 win over a depleted RI K. Aviva B overcame a weakened RI I 7-3. University C edged home from a two man Bootham F, for whom Jan Suchecki was undefeated, but they crashed 9-1 to Holgate F, who had Len Watson and Pete Waring to thank.

Saturday 28^st January 2012

By John Temple.

Relegation threatened RI D pulled off a surprise draw at Holgate A, who have only lost one match this season, in Division One of the Northern Power York and District League. Filip Wojtkowiak was unbeaten, while Alan Balmforth put his injury problems behind him to win two singles, and was narrowly beaten 12-10 in the final game by Tony Reed, having held two match points. Ian Stansfield and Ashley Hodgson saw leaders Coneysthorpe A to a 7-3 success over Crescent B. Although Keith Webster played well to pick up a couple of singles wins, his Shepherds A side went down 7-3 to a Jon Wooldridge inspired Bootham A, who followed up with a narrow win over Coneysthorpe B.

University A extended their lead at the top of Division Two with a 9-1 thrashing of Crescent C with Senri Ohara and Rudy Huang in top form. Rich Harrison turned in a fine display as Bootham C proved too strong for Crescent C, winning 7-3. Ady McClaren was the key man as Bootham B edged out a stubborn CE Electric/Bootham, though the electricians bounced back with an 8-2 thumping of BT A, Dave Robinson excelling. Dave Simpson and Nathan Taylor guided Shepherds B to an 8-2 win over BT A.

In Division Three, Marian Broadbent produced a fine performance to beat Mick Surtees, only his second defeat of the season, but it wasn’t enough to stop a Paul Kozyra inspired Shepherds C taking the contest 8-2. Richard Leafe and Ivan Guilliatt were on form as RI F thumped Bootham E 9-1, while Andy Bevan and Adam Schober-Thompson were unbeaten in a 7-3 win for University B at Holgate E, though they were held to a draw at Bootham E. Nigel Baker was in charge as Shepherds D overcame Aviva A 7-3, with the losers narrow winners over BT B, despite three singles wins from Jim Stevenson. Matt Ayres was in top form as Bootham D edged home from RI G, but lost narrowly to Aviva A.

In Division Four, RI J extended their lead at the top with an 8-2 success at Aviva B, where Richard Morris and David Dunn were on top. A depleted Thornton-le-Clay went down to their first defeat of the season, 7-3 at the hands of Holgate F, despite Trevor Percival’s three singles wins. John Mothersill and Norman Smithson of RI H were undefeated in a 9-1 toppling of Hartrigg Oaks. Good displays from Sammy Wojciechowski and Chris Megone helped RI I to an 8-2 win over RI K.

Saturday 21^st January 2012

By John Temple.

Dave Quinlan produced a remarkable comeback to beat Crescent C’s John Freeman in Division Two of the National Power Grid York and District Table Tennis League. Quinlan trailed 10-3 in the final game, but won nine points in a row to win 12-10. He also had a marathon success as he beat John Eastwood 18-16 in another last game thriller, to help his CE Electric/Bootham side to a draw. Senri O’Hara and Rudy Huang guided leaders University A to an 8-2 success over Tramways, who bounced back with a good 6-4 win over RI E. Graham Hood and Bob Young led the way as Holgate D picked up their best result of the season thumping BT A 9-1. Bootham B edged a keen tussle with Shepherds B. RI E’s Trevor Wright has had an injury hit season but he helped Mark Blackburn and Pat Swindell whitewash Holgate D.

In Division One, Holgate A edged out Coneysthorpe B, despite three singles wins from Ian Stansfield. Bootham A went down 7-3 to Crescent B despite Jon Wooldridge winning his singles. RI B came out on top in their in-house clash with RI D, Paul Robertson too classy in an 8-2 win.

Shepherds C continue to lead Division Three after a 7-3 win over RI F, with Mike Surtees the top player. Nigel Baker was unbeaten but it wasn’t enough to prevent his Shepherds D side going down narrowly to RI G. Lee Poulter and Robert Plant were undefeated as Bootham E enjoyed a 7-3 win over Holgate E.

Division Four leaders RI J extended their advantage with a 9-1 win over RI K with Richard Morris and David Dunn in charge. Steve Pearson and Trevor Percival helped Thornton-le-Clay to a 7-3 win over RI I. Jan Suchecki played well but his depleted Bootham F went down 7-3 to Holgate F. Andrew Slezak and Brian Callington were unbeaten in a 9-1 win for Aviva B over Hartrigg Oaks.

Saturday 17^th December 2011

By John Temple.

John Hughes of RI B inflicted only Ashley Hodgson’s second defeat of the season, though Coneysthorpe A continue to dominate Division One of the National Power Grid York and District Table Tennis League. The leaders won 9-1, but Hughes’ win was emphatic, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5. A fine display from James Atkins ensured that Shepherds A forced a draw with Coneysthorpe B, though his side crashed 9-1 to Holgate A, for whom Graham Hatfield and Tony Reed excelled. Coneysthorpe B then enjoyed an 8-2 success over RI D, Ian Stansfield the top player. Alfie Potter helped Crescent B to an 8-2 win over RI C, while Bootham A edged out RI B thanks to John Wooldridge remaining unbeaten.

University A are the clear leaders in Division Two and they thumped CE/Electric Bootham 9-1, Senri O’Hara and Rudy Huang looking too good for this level. Crescent C took a close fight with Shepherds B, while Ady McClaren steered Bootham B to an 8-2 win over Holgate D.

Shepherds C have stormed to the top of Division Three, Mick Surtees the top man in a 9-1 thrashing of Bootham E, who went down 7-3 to Bootham D. University B whitewashed Shepherds D, while Aviva A suffered the same fate at the hands of RI F. Three singles wins from Rich Collyer failed to prevent Bootham D losing narrowly to Holgate E, while Dom Ainger was unbeaten for RI F in a 7-3 win over RI G.

The top of the table clash between RI J and Thornton-le-Clay ended all square, with Trevor Percival the top player, defeating David Dunn, ending his 26 game winning run. University C beat RI K 7-3, though the losers recovered to edge out Hartrigg Oaks thanks to Paul Greenwood. John Mothersill led RI H to a 7-3 win over Bootham F.

Saturday 10^th December 2011

By John Temple.

Coneysthorpe A thrashed their title rivals RI A 9-1, in Division One of the Northern Power Grid York and District Table Tennis League. Martin Lowe and Ashley Hodgson were undefeated in a fine display. John Farmery struck top form, not dropping a game, as Holgate A overcame Crescent B 7-3.

RI E have jumped to second in Division Two after an 8-2 win over BT A, with Rich Church and Mark Blackburn unbeaten. Bootham B are close up in third after a 7-3 win over Tramways, who bounced back with an 8-2 thumping of BT A, as Dave Hough led the way. The three Johns, Eastwood, Freeman and Flintoft, whitewashed Holgate WMC E, while a top performance from Rich Harrison led Bootham C to a narrow win over CE Electric.

Division Three leaders Shepherds C were disappointed to drop 3 points to a two man Aviva A, while third placed University B received a setback as they went down to BT B in a tight affair, Jim Stevenson doing well. Nigel Baker is a man in good form just now, but he was unable to prevent bottom club Shepherds D going down to Holgate E, 6-4.

Saturday 26^th November 2011

By John Temple.

The key game this week in the Northern Powergrid York and District Table Tennis League, came in Division Three, where leaders RI F went down to their first defeat of the season at the hands of University B, who had Adam Schober Thomson and Jay Wong to thank. Shepherds D have had a dismal start but the bottom club produced the shock of the week, as they registered their first win, Nigel Baker cooking up problems that Bootham E failed to cope with. Rich Collyer has won more games than anyone else in the division and he sustained his terrific form despite his Bootham D being edged out by BT B.

There is an exciting battle going on at the top of Division Four with leaders RI J merciless in a whitewash of Hartrigg Oaks, but they are being closely pursued by Thornton-le Clay who kept up the chase with a 7-3 victory over Bootham F, veteran Trevor Percival not dropping a game. RI I have had a busy spell and show in third, with a couple of wins and defeats, with Sammy Wojciechowski their top player with a couple of maximum hauls, though Jan Suchecki proved too strong when they lost to Bootham F narrowly. Tom Lines was in imperious form as he led Holgate F to a 7-3 win over Aviva B.

It was a key week in Division One with leaders Coneysthorpe A whitewashing RI C, but challengers RI A dropped three points in defeating bottom club Crescent B. There was a terrific success for Crescent’s division two player John Eastwood, who produced one of the shocks of the season as he overcame Nathan Horsley 11-9 in the final game. Horsley also went down by the same score to Martin Hood, with RI A failing to field their York champion Rich Moss as they lost the doubles, though Mick Wilcockson won his singles for the railwaymen. Alfie Potter came desperately close to overturning Moss, going down 18-16 in the fifth game. Paul Robertson is second only to Coneysthorpe A’s Martin Lowe in the averages, and he ensured RI B managed a draw with Holgate A.

In Division Two, a good effort from Mark Blackburn saw RI E overcome Crescent C 7-3, while single figure golfer at York Golf Club, Mike Robinson was the star for Tramways as they thumped CE Electric 8-2. Mike Cooper won all his singles and doubles for the first time this season in Bootham C’s 8-2 success over bottom side Holgate D. This leaves the Conservative Club as the favourites at this stage to secure the crucial sixth spot, which would see them avoid automatic relegation to Division Three.

Saturday 19^th November 2011

By John Temple.

There was another fine individual performance from RI D’s Filip Wojtkowiak, as he won all his three singles, including a dramatic 15-13 final game win over Jon Wooldridge, who had previously lost only one set this season, in Division One of the Northern Powergrid York and District Table Tennis League. It wasn’t enough however, to prevent his side going down 7-3 to Bootham A, who had also overcome the challenge of RI C, 8-2, with Wooldridge and Jim Mills unbeaten. Coneysthorpe A continue to lead, and they whitewashed Holgate A, Joel Wright, Martin Lowe, the only unbeaten player in the top division, and Ashley Hodgson proving too good. RI A are only a point behind in second after they whitewashed Coneysthorpe B, with Nathan Horsley, Mick Wilcockson and Rich Moss successful.

University A are top of Division Two by a wide margin and they enjoyed an 8-2 win over RI E, Senri O’Hara and Rudy Huang unbeaten. Shepherds B are in good form just now, Andy Fletcher helping them to an 8-2 win over Tramways, while Stu Stevens, Nathan Taylor and Fletcher won their singles in a 9-1 victory at CE Electric/Bootham, who had earlier beaten Holgate D 7-3, Nigel Reeson the top player.

RI F whitewashed Holgate E, which takes them to the top of Division Three, with Lewis McCarthy, Rich Leafe and Dom Ainger in control. Second placed Shepherds C also whitewashed HolgateD, Chris Hutchinson, Mike Surtees and Gary Neads all playing well, but were then held to a draw by University B, for whom Yuk Yin Wong starred. Ray Mitchell and Bob Plant steered Bootham E to a 7-3 win over RI G, while Jim Stevenson and Barry Thomas won their singles in a 7-3 success at Shepherds D. Ivan Guilliat was in top form as RI F thumped Bootham D 8-2, while Adrian Church and Mich Slezak had a good night as Aviva A thrashed RI G 9-1.

In Division Four, RI J were grateful to maximums from David Dunn and Richard Morris in the 9-1 win at University C, while Trevor Percival and Steve Pearson proved too strong for RI H, as they went down 7-3 to Thornton-le-Clay.

Saturday 12^th November 2011

By John Temple.

The best performance of the week in the CE Electric York and District Table Tennis League came from a Division Three player, as Richard Collyer won his singles without dropping a game, as his Bootham D picked up a draw at promotion chasing Shepherds C. University B edged out RI G thanks to Adam Schober-Thomson, and the students followed up with the 8-2 defeat of Aviva A, Jay Wong too tricky. Bootham E picked up their first win of the season as they overcame BT B 7-3, Ray Mitchell unbeaten.

In Division One, Paul Robertson guided RI B to a narrow win over Coneysthorpe B.

In Division Two a maximum haul from Mark Blackburn ensured a draw for RI E with Bootham C, though University A have already established a clear lead at the top of the table after a 9-1 thumping of BT A, Senri O’Hara and Rudy Huang on top, and the losers also came off second best in a 7-3 defeat at the hands of Bootham C, Dave Rawlings in fine form. Gareth Bryning proved a tough nut to crack as he led Bootham B to a 7-3 win over Crescent C, though the losers saw off Tramways 6-4, with six of the sets going to a final game. Shepherds B whitewashed Holgate D, Andy Fletcher, Nathan Taylor and Stu Stevens too good.

In Division Four, Mike Brookes guided Hartrigg Oaks to a draw with Holgate F, who had earlier been inspired by the returning Keith Hood to a 7-3 win over RI K, who crashed to Thornton-le Clay 8-2, Steve Pearson and Trevor Percival too good, and then went down 8-2 to Aviva B, for whom Terry Ruane was unbeaten. John Mitchell was in charge as Hartrigg Oaks overcame University C 7-3, with David Dunn still unbeaten after RI J had a 7-3 win over Bootham F. RI I edged out a two man RI H, Norman Smithson playing well for the losers.

Saturday 29^th October 2011

By John Temple.

14-year-old Jake McCarthy has announced his arrival amongst the elite table tennis players in the CE Electric York and District League, after an astonishing victory over Ashley Hodgson of champions Coneysthorpe A. An 11-8 win in the final game sealed the success over a player who is ranked No. 3 in the League, and lost only six games out of 72 last season. The champions though beat Shepherds A 8-2. Another remarkable performance came from Jeff Cohen of RI C, who was undefeated, and guided his side to a fine draw with Holgate A, although they went down to an Ian Stansfield inspired Coneysthorpe B. John Wooldridge led Bootham A to a draw at Shepherds A, while Paul Robertson was unbeaten as RI B had to fight for a 7-3 win over Crescent B.

University A look like being the side to beat in Division Two as their new look team thrashed previously unbeaten Crescent C 9-1, on their seasonal debut. The counter hitting Anders Hammarback and Senri O Hara were undefeated. The local derby at Bootham was won narrowly by the ‘B’ team thanks to a fine display from Ady McClaren, who also did well in an 8-2 win over CE Electric, who struggled to cope with George Morrison, who did not drop a game in a 7-3 win for BT A. Terry Nicholson and Mike Robinson were unbeaten in a 9-1 success for Tramways over Holgate D.

Shepherds C have begun the season in fine style in Division Three, Mike Surtees and Nathan Taylor leading them to a 9-1 win over BT B, before whitewashing their ‘D’ team. University B got their season off to a winning start as they beat Bootham E 7-3, with Yuk Win Wong too tricky. Matt Ayres and Richard Collyer were the stars in a 9-1 win for Bootham D over Aviva A.

David Dunn led RI J to a close win over RI H in Division Four, while Matthew Roberts was the key man in a decisive 8-2 win for RI H over Hartrigg Oaks. Peter Waring and Tom Lines were in good form as Holgate F dismissed Bootham F 9-1. Adrian Church was in control as Aviva B overcame RI I, 7-3.

Saturday 22^nd October 2011

By John Temple.

Coneysthorpe A are defending their title with enthusiasm, as they whitewashed Crescent B in Division One of the CE Electric York and District Table Tennis League. Martin Lowe, Ashley Hodgson and Joel Wright were on form. Last year’s runners-up RI A, also did not drop a point as they thumped RI D, Mick Wilcockson, Nathan Horsley and Rich Moss successful, though Singles Champion Moss had to go to a final game before beating Filip Wojtkowiak 11-7, though he was unbeaten in a 7-3 win over RI B for whom Paul Robertson beat Wilcockson in straight games.

In Division Two, Andy Fletcher was undefeated as he guided Shepherds B to a 7-3 win over BT A, with six of the sets going to a final game and three decided by the minimum margin, all in favour of the builders. There was a close contest between Bootham C and Crescent C, who just edged it. RI E were grateful to Pat Swindell who had a fine night as Holgate D forced a draw.

In Division Three, Railway F thrashed Bootham E 9-1 thanks to maximum hauls from Lewis McCarthy and Ivan Guilliat, but the pair proved no match for Mick Surtees in a draw with Shepherds C. Rich Collyer was in fine form as he led Bootham D to a narrow win over RI G.

Thornton-le-Clay may prove the side to beat in Division Four this season, as despite fielding a two man team they dismissed Holgate F 7-3. David Dunn was unbeaten as RI J took the doubles to beat Aviva B.

Saturday 15^th October 2011

By John Temple.

2011 Bagshaw Trophy winner Filip Wojtkoviak turned in a terrific display as he won all his singles against last season’s fourth placed Holgate A when the 2011-12 CE Electric York and District Table Tennis season got underway. Wojtkowiak, a member of last season’s Division Two championship winning side, could not prevent a 7-3 defeat for Division One new boys RI D, who had earlier found RI B’s Jane Cohen and Paul Robertson too classy as they went down 9-1. Holgate A defeated Coneysthorpe B 7-3, despite Ian Stansfield enjoying a good night for the losers. A fine display from James Atkins guided Shepherds A to a narrow win over RI C, with Jim Mills and John Wooldridge nudging Bootham A to a 6-4 win over Crescent A.

Crescent C are the pacesetters in Division Two after an 8-2 win over CE Electric/Bootham as John Flintoft began the season in fine form. There was a good contest between Bootham B and Shepherds B, with the Conservatives coming through to edge it. A great individual performance from George Morrison helped BT A to force a draw with Holgate D, a 12-10 doubles success in the final game ensuring parity.

In Division Three, Anne Barnard had a close tussle with Nigel Baker, winning 14-12 in a five game set, as her three wins helped RI G to an 8-2 success over Shepherds D, with Kenny Brown also undefeated. A maximum haul from BT B’s Jim Stevenson could only earn a draw with Aviva A, while the unbeaten Ray Mitchell won an epic contest with Colin Dickson 14-12 in the final game, as his Bootham E lost 6-4 to Holgate E.

David Dunn and Andy Whitehead were successful as RI J trounced RI K 9-1 in the opening game in Division Four. Thornton-le Clay enjoyed a 7-3 win over a two man RI I, with Terry Ruane not dropping a game as Aviva B thumped Hartrigg Oaks 8-2.