The first major clash of the season in the Hastings & District Table Tennis League Division One saw champions Bexhill A beat Saints A 7-3. Ritchie Venner picked up another maximum for Saints, who were missing Dave Butler, but 2 wins each for Lewis Mayhew, Rob Warner and Martin Kellaway saw Bexhill home.

Tackleway A are also in the leading group after their third win came against Saints C. Tackleway won 8-2 with 3 wins for Roger Pingram and 2 each for John Wilson and Roy Funnell.

Division 2 is already looking as competitive as predicted, with 5 teams sharing the lead on 9 points. Two of these teams met in a local derby as Bexhill D edged out Bexhill E 6-4, with Ryan Warner’s maximum proving decisive. Cameron Jones and John Bradbury won 2 for the E side, for whom Trevor Towner was twice beaten at deuce in the fifth set.

Tackleway D are also in the leading group and they beat Tackleway E 8-2. New signing Sue Sullivan, more normally found in the Bromley or Sevenoaks Leagues, was unbeaten, as was Simon Newstead.

Bexhill F are early leaders of Division 3 after a comfortable 10-0 win over Hollington G, with maximums for Barry Goodson, Diddley Goodson and Roger Gillett.

Claire Bridges returned for Saints E and was unbeaten in the 7-3 win at Bexhill G. Saints’ Peter Lambert and Bexhill’s Malcolm Glover both won 2.