The pressure may be starting to tell at the top of Division One of the Hastings & District Table Tennis League. Leaders Hollington Academy A were held 5-5 by a Saints A team missing James Winchester and grateful for a fine maximum from Dave Butler. Nathan Darby and Bashar Obeyed both won twice for the leaders but Saints won three key encounters, firstly with Butler beating Darby in the opening match at 13-11 in the fifth. Butler and Andy Syrett took the doubles before Syrett claimed a five-set win over Andy Furnival to give Saints a share of the spoils.

Two days later, Bexhillians A had the chance to close the gap, but they too were held 5-5 by Bexhillians C, for whom Graham Gillett was unbeaten. Martin Kellaway and David Rayment both won two for Bexhill.

At the foot of the table, Tigers A picked up a useful point from a 6-4 loss to Tackleway A when Dave Mitchell (Tigers), Roy Funnell and Mike Funnell (Tackleway) all won two games.

Tigers’ joy was short lived when nearest rivals Bexhillians D went one better with a 5-5 draw with Bexhillians B in another match with no maximums and no bagels. Brian Beaney and John Bradbury (D) and Yotza Krstic (B) won two apiece.

In Division Two, the juniors of Hollington B climbed off the foot of the table with a 6-4 defeat of Tackleway D in which Ryan Demeza was unbeaten. Alan Blackman and Danny Kildea both won twice for Tackleway.

Saints C are now bottom after losing 8-2 to Tigers B who had a maximum from Chris Woods and two wins from Bryan Tichband and Roger Smith.

Paul Hyland’s maximum led NALGO A to a 6-4 win over Bexhillians F. Mike Cortnage chipped in with two for NALGO, as did Harvey Webb for the losers.

The top two met in Division Three, where Monarchs gained a decisive 8-2 win at Bexhillians H. Alison Jordan was unbeaten and Andrew Edwards and Peter Harding won two each, while Alan Chumbley gained Bexhill’s two. Bexhill lead by three points but Monarchs have two games in hand.