The relegation struggle took centre stage in Division 1 of the Hastings & District Table Tennis League as Tackleway B eased away from the foot of the table after trouncing Tigers A 9-1. Martin Richards and Adrian Goodrum both recorded maximums for Tackleway, with Kevin McEwan winning two. Mike Charter, on his Division 1 debut, won Tigers’ consolation.

Tackleway B are now only two points behind Tigers, while Tackleway C have returned to the bottom after losing 10-0 at Bexhill A, who had Lewis Mayhew, Martin Kellaway and Bob Lowe unbeaten.

Bexhill’s rivals at the top both dropped points, with Hollington Academy A beating Hollington Academy B 7-3 with three wins for Paul Barry and two for Basher Obeyed. Rose Rainton won two for the B side but lost her unbeaten record at the hands of Barry.

Dave Butler and James Winchester were unbeaten for Saints A in their 7-3 defeat of Hollington Academy C.

It was unlucky thirteen for Division 2 leaders Bexhill D as they were beaten 6-4 by Tackleway D after thirteen straight wins this season. Brian Beaney had a fine maximum for Bexhill, who led 4-3, before Owen Hatter and Alan Blackman led the fightback for Tackleway with two wins apiece. At 4-4, Kevin Bignell came from two games down to beat Trevor Towner 3-2 to set up victory.

At the other end of the table, Saints D may have ensured their survival with a 6-4 win over bottom side Bexhill G. Barrie Fletcher was unbeaten in a rare appearance for the winners while Barry Goodson won two for Bexhill.

Closest game of the week in Division 3 saw Willett & Phillips win 6-4 at Saints E despite Neil Pankhurst’s efforts for the losers when he won his three games and partnered Joanna Clarke to a doubles win. Two wins each for Phil Bailey, Ken McEwan and Sue Clarke proved too much for Saints.

Both leading teams had 10-0 wins, with leaders Bexhill F (Harvey Webb, Malcolm Glover and Ricky Knight) accounting for Hollington B and Monarchs (Peter Harding, Andrew Edwards and Dave Turnbull) beating Hollington C.