'Desmond’s grab promotion from Division 2 in final match’                 

The final week of the Fun 88 sponsored IOMTTA League took place last week at the NSC. Most promotion and relegation slots were already settled, apart from one. Desmonds Douglas A left it to the final point of the final game of the final match of the season to grab second place in Division 2! They finished runners up by a single point, behind Division 2 champions Peel A. In Divisions 1 it was a chance for champions Travellers A to attempt to extend their winning run - more on that below. Full match results and statistics can be found on our website at  www.tabletennis365.com/IOM

Division 1

Tower A (6) Travellers B (3) 

Already relegated Tower A finished with a flourish, and a hugely satisfying win in Doubles week over 4th placed Travellers B. Although the away team were without Will Shooter, it was a chance for young Henry Weaver to step up from Division 3. Dave Parsons & Ken Mitchell picked up 2 wins, as did Dave alongside Mike Bayley. Ken & Mike then chipped in with the other 2 points. The one combo of resistance for Travellers was the pairing of John Shooter & Malc Lewis who were triumphant in their 3 matches, despite being taken to a third game twice. 

Travellers A (3) Ramsey A (6)

Travellers were intent on finishing the season as champions unbeaten. But it wasn’t to be. A defiant Ramsey side who finished runners up to Travellers A again this season, put up a tremendous performance in the final doubles week of the season. Adam Teare & Duncan Alexander were in towering form, with 3 wins out of 3, despite being taken to a third game by Scott Lewis & Will Shooter, and by Scott & Malcolm Cummings. 

Arbory B (5) Arbory A (4) 

Arbory B continued their excellent run of form by defeating their A team, albeit it was a narrow victory. John Magnall & Amit Lanin took 2 wins, as did Amit & Dan Levine. Dan & John then added a fine victory over Sonja Shaw & Mike Tamarov.

Tower B (0) Strathallan (9) 

Tower B will, I'm sure, be pleased that the season is now over, after a final week drubbing by mid-table Strathy. Only 2 matches went to a third end, and Wayne Taylor, Neil Quane and Julian Briercliffe were in total command in this tie.

Division 2

Arbory D (5) Arbory C (4) 

Malcolm Lambert & JP Banaag were the most successful pairing on the night in this tie with 3 victories. They edged past Rob Wright & Dave Bufton 12-10 in the third, and disposed of Kevin Drewry & Dave, and Rob & Kevin in 2 ends. Malcolm then teamed up with young Liav Lanin to good effect, when they beat Rob & Kevin 11-8 in the third end. Kevin & Dave contributed 2 wins for the away team.

Ramsey C (1) Desmond’s Douglas A (8) 

This was a vital tie for Desmonds. Sitting a single point behind Travellers C in third place they needed a convincing win against bottom placed Ramsey C - and they got it. The only thorn in the side for them was Darren Shaw & Keith Herrington who pulled off a tremendous 14-12, 7-11, 11-8 victory over Russ Kent & Brandon Montgomery. Other than that, Desmonds were solid - as this win was by 2 more points than Travellers C’s victory over Ramsey B, they vaulted into second position and automatic promotion! Well done to them.  

JRTE Marketing A (6) Peel A (3) 

JRTE were without Brian Crellin in this tie but nevertheless did well to take 6 points courtesy of the ever reliable Darren Smethurst with 3 wins alongside Paul Mitchinson, and 2 wins teamed with Steven Carridge. Steven & Paul also did well to add a further point for the home side. Only 3 matches went to 3 ends, and clearly Peel, consisting of Jon Taylor Burt, Ken Hegarty & Maggie Mulhern were still in celebratory mood after lifting the Division 2 title. 

Ramsey B (3) Travellers C (6) 

With Desmonds playing at the same time, Travellers may have been aware of the mountain they needed to climb here. Dave Buck & Charlie Jack set the tone, showing tremendous grit in pulling off a final end win 15-13 against the tough pairing of Geoff Ball & Lisa Lord. But really, it all came down to the final match in which Ramsey’s Adrian Slater & Geoff Ball pipped Dave & Charlie 11-9 in the 3rd end. Had this gone the other way, Travellers C would have been promoted instead of Desmonds by virtue of the fact that they had 17 wins over the season compared to Desmond’s 14. Unfortunate for Travellers, having suffered injuries to 2 key players in the second half of the season, but congratulations nevertheless to Desmonds who saw their opportunity and took it with both hands.

Division 3

Travellers G (3) Travellers F (2)

Rhys Bufton was star player in this tie with 2 excellent wins over Tom Taylor Burt and Max Doyle. Unfortunately Rhys had to forfeit his team’s other 3 points as his partner was absent so the win went to Max & Tom.

JRTE Marketing B (4) Ramsey D (1) 

Pat Halliwell was the sole player for the away team in this tie, but did extremely well to defeat  Gary Skillicorn, coming from 0-2 down to take the next 3 ends 11-8, 11-7, 11-7. Cameron Millar had no such problems and saw Pat off in 3 ends, and take the overall win.

Ramsey E (2) Travellers E (3)

Young left hander Eban Moore had a very successful night, claiming 2 superb wins over Teddy Clayton in 3 ends, and Saul Tumblety in 4. Sydnie Weaver was a little off-colour, suffering defeats to Teddy and Saul, both in the third end. She made up for it however, with an excellent doubles win alongside Eban, which they won 15-13, 11-4, 11-9. 

So, the IOMTTA League season is now over for another year. Thanks to Fun88 for sponsoring it, as well as team sponsors such as Tower Insurance (Tower), BB Consulting Engineers (Strathallan), and JRTE Marketing (JRTE).

Next in the table tennis diary are the Island Championships events, running from 23rd April to 14th May, and reports for the various events will follow. Friday evening Practice sessions have now ended, but will recommence Wednesday 11th June. Watch out for reminders and updates on the IOMTTA Facebook page and via our website at www.tabletennis365.com/IOM.