League update 16th February
It continues to be tight at the top of the Northumbria League Premier Division after N.E.S.L.C. Eagles had both Andrew Wilkinson and Eddie Smith unbeaten as they defeated The Mount B team 8 - 2. This puts them in top spot but The Mount A side are only one point behind them.
The derby match between the two lowly Cramlington teams ended up all square with James Bradbury getting a hat trick and Gareth Pearson winning two for the Casuals and Steve Pearce getting a couple of singles as well as the doubles with Nigel Rodgers for the Stingers.
In Division One the leaders Matfen Senators went down 7 - 3 to Prudhoe and District United Services Club who had Andrew Firth in fine form with an unbeaten performance which keeps his side in fourth place but only five points behind the Senators and they have two games in hand.
Saint Columba's B are third after Lee Tinkler, Dean Eadington and Jon Mawson accounted for Cramlington Tigers to the tune of 8 - 2.
In the second division Tyneside TTC B took over at the top of the table after Jim Robertson, Don Catley and Chas Robertson played a draw with two man Ouston A whose Neil Rodgers was undefeated. However Ouston B had David Byers winning all of his sets and being well backed up by Kevin Richardson and Tom Fowle and their 8 - 2 success over Old England FATTS puts them second two points ahead of Mitford who did not have a fixture and both Ouston B and Mitford have played two matches less than Tyneside B.
The bottom team in the third division, Cramlington Jaguars, had a rare victory when they entertained Matfen Cohorts. Mick Sursham won all of his sets , Abdel Warayet got a couple, Gavin Wilson won one and with Warayet and Wilson taking the doubles they ran out 7 - 3 victors. Richard Rayfield got two for the losers.
John Henderson and Tom Manuel both achieved hat tricks for Newton B in an 8 - 2 win over Cramlington Cobras.
The only match of the week in Division Four saw a closely fought contest between Cramlington Dragons and Prudhoe and District United Services B team. The Dragons made a good start to lead 3 - 1. Paul Athey beat Dave Peel but Pauline Long then lost to Tom Firth before Aubrey Drapkin beat Chris Raffo and Athey got home in the fifth end against Peel. But after Firth and Peel won the doubles in five ends the Prudhoe side took control although they twice more needed a fifth end to do so and ran out 6 - 4 winners with young Tom Firth unbeaten.
Aubrey Drapkin
Author: Dale Aitkenhead via Northumbria Table Tennis League
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