Last week the Bolton & District Table Tennis League took a break from league matches to play the quarter-finals of all three cup competitions.
In the Warburton Cup, a competition for all teams in all divisions. It would appear that the Premier teams had it all their own way. Ladybridge B from Division Two had a 149.5 start but their Premier Division opponents Little Lever A were too strong running out winners 394-334.5. Cup stalwarts Hilton Hawks from Division Two started on 168.5 but Premier team Coburg A were just able to stem the tide winning 381-355.5. They will now be home to Little Lever A in the semi-finals. Hilton F also from Division Two were up against Premier team Burning Desire. Hilton started on 159.5 but went down 397-349.5. They will now play the winners of Polonia Club A or B.
In the Brian Gittins Cup for Premier and Division One teams, Coburg B made full use of their 39.5 start as they ousted their Division One compatriots, Hilton D, 358.5-319. They will now be at home to the winners of Ramsbottom A or C. Another Division One team Meadow Ben A, started on 107.5. However, once again a Premier team, Burning Desire, were too strong winning 381 – 351.5. That puts Burning Desire in two semi-finals. Polonia Club A and Flixton ppong A will play later due to a change of home night mix-up and the winners will then be away to Burning Desire in the semi-finals.
In the George Yates Trophy for Division Two and Three teams, Albany from Division Two had an 84.5 start against Meadow Ben B from the same division. Meadow Ben B were the victors 390-361.5. Hilton F were playing Ramsbottom Town D. The position of the players in the averages appeared to show they were roughly equally matched so the away team just had 0.5 to prevent a draw. However, there was a bizarre result as Ramsbottom went through 387.5-271. Ramsbottom D will now be at home to Meadow Ben B. Division Two’s Hilton Hawks played Meadow Ben C from Division Three. Ben C had 81.5 start and with one match to go the Hawks were leading 330-314.5. Unfortunately Ben C’s number one Debbie Wilson was taken ill and had to concede the last match leaving the final score as 374-314.5. Hilton Hawks will now be away to Hilton Top Spinners who had a walkover against Farnworth Social Circle B who were unable to raise a team.
