Third-placed Hollington Academy B opened up the title race in Division One of the Hastings & District Table Tennis League with a fine 6-4 win over leaders Hollington Academy A. Nathan Darby had another maximum for the A side but two wins each for Rose Rainton and Sam Collins set up the win for the B team. Academy A were again without Paul Barry who is suffering from a leg injury.

Bexhillians A took advantage with a 10-0 win over Tackleway B with three wins each for Rob Warner, David Rayment and Bob Lowe, leaving them six points adrift with a game in hand.

In contrast, Saints A had another setback when they followed last week’s defeat at Tackleway A with a 7-3 loss to Bexhillians C. Dave Butler was unbeaten for Saints while Bexhill had two apiece from Graham Gillett, Pete Robinson and Alan McCleave. Butler edged out Gillett 11-9 in the fifth in a classic opener.

Saints B moved above Bexhillians B, winning their encounter 8-2 with hard bat maestros Ron Davenport and John Wond unbeaten.

James Gorridge’s maximum and two from Roger Pingram led Tackleway A to a 7-3 win at Bexhillians D although Gorridge was pushed all the way by Brian Beaney, winning 16-14 in the fifth.

Division Two leaders Bexhillians G took the last three sets to beat Tackleway C 7-3 with maximums for Kevin McEwan and Ryan Heselden. Despite the dropped point, Bexhill improved their position and now lead by ten points with a game in hand.

At the foot of the table, Hollington B picked up a point from a 6-4 defeat to Hollington A. The winners had Shaun Godfrey unbeaten and two wins for Mick Oakman, while Ryan Demeza won two for the B team.

Rivals Saints C went one better with a 5-5 draw with Bexhillians F where there were two wins each for Chris Reardon and Paulette Clarke (Saints) and Harvey Webb and Frank Brown (Bexhill).

In Division Three, Monarchs beat Saints D 7-3 when Alison Jordan won three and Andrew Edwards two, while recent signing Rob Clemence won two for Saints.