As the Hastings & District Table Tennis League takes it’s Christmas break, the Division 1 table shows few surprises, with last year’s top three separated by a mere three points. Bexhill A, champions for the last two years, lead the table having drawn with both of their major rivals. Watts Cup holders Saints A are two points adrift with a game in hand and they have a point lead over Hollington Academy A who have two games in hand on the leaders. Significantly, the clash between Saints and Academy was one of only two postponed games in this division.

Lewis Mayhew is unbeaten for Bexhill, with good support coming from Rob Warner and Martin Kellaway while Saints have three players in the top seven of the averages in Ritchie Venner (100%), Dave Butler (one loss) and James Winchester (3 losses).

Conversely, Hollington Academy have only Paul Barry (one loss) in the top ten, but the strength in depth of their squad probably makes them favourites to regain the title they last won in 2012-13.

Bexhill C and Hollington Academy B are still in touch with the leaders while there is a large gap between these two and the bottom half of the table.

Graham Gillett, another player with one loss on his record, is mainly responsible for Bexhill’s position while Hollington Academy B have put in more of a team effort.

Academy’s Rose Rainton, ranked No. 5 Veteran in the country, has yet to lose in the league this season.

Tackleway A, Saints B, Hollington Academy C and Bexhill B are covered by 2 points in mid-table.

The relegation struggle came to life just before the break with Tackleway C gaining their first win over Tigers A, which leaves them two points adrift of Tackleway B.

Tigers are three points further ahead, due mainly to their ability to pick up consolation points in defeat. Both Tigers and Tackleway B have yet to win a game and Tigers may yet rue the unavailability of Tony Catt for the matches with their rivals.