'Desmonds storm back into contention in Division 2’              

Week 18 of the Fun 88 sponsored IOMTTA table tennis league took place last week with another round of doubles play in Divisions 1 and 2. Travellers A looked set to finish top of Division 1, with Ramsey in the runners up spot, whilst in Division 2 Desmonds is making a late challenge for promotion. Highlights of the action is summarised below, with full match results and statistics to be found on our website at  www.tabletennis365.com/IOM

Division 1

Strathallan (0) Travellers A (9) 

Travellers A completely dominated this tie with all but 3 matches being settled in 2 ends. There was a strong challenge however from Andy Patterson & Neil Quane who pushed Scott Lewis & Malcolm Cummings to a 3rd set, before being settled 12-10 in favour of Travellers. Wayne Taylor & Andy also pushed the same pair to a third end, but the match was settled a little more comfortably at 11-5. Strongest pairing was Scott Lewis and Liam Chan, but even they had a game prised off them by Wayne & Andy before closing it out 11-8 in the third. With 3 fixtures remaining, Travellers have an almost unassailable lead of 23 points at the top, and are almost certain to be crowned champions again next week.  

Travellers B (5) Ramsey A (4) 

This was an impressive result for 4th placed Travellers B. Father & son combo, John  & Will Shooter was impregnable with 3 solid wins. Their victories over Adam Teare & Duncan Alexander and against Becky Taylor & Adam were particularly impressive. In contrast, their win over Duncan & Becky was close, but they squeezed through 12-10, 9-11, 11-9. Malc Lewis also played well with Will and they notched up a further 2 points for the home team. For Ramsey A, all pairings managed to beat Malc & John and Adam & Duncan notched up a further point by defeating Will & Malc in 3 ends. 

Arbory A (9) Tower B (0)  

Arbory A continued their strong surge with another drubbing for the unfortunate Tower B. The only game won by the away side was by Simon Radcliffe & Mark Webster-Smith, which gave them a glimmer of hope, before fading out against Jason Quirk & Sonja Shaw 6-11 in the third.

Tower A (5) Arbory B (4)  

6 out of 9 matches went to a third end in this fixture, with Tower managing to win 4 of them in what were extremely close matches. Dave Parsons & Ken Mitchell took 3 wins against Amit Lanin & John Magnall, Amit & Dan Levine, and Dan & John. Mike Bayley & Dave added a further 2 points with impressive wins, and whilst Tower will be delighted with the overall win, Arbory will perhaps feel a little hard done by. Tower remain in the second relegation spot, whilst Arbory B look to be safe in 6th place.

Division 2

Arbory C (4) Ramsey B (5)

Kevin Drewry & Dave Bufton combined well to take 2 wins in this tie, against Lisa Lord & Adrian Slater, and Geoff Ball & Lisa. For the away team Lisa & Adrian also achieved 2 wins, against Rob Wright & Dave, and Kevin & Rob. THis was an extremely competitive tie with 7 out of 9 matches going to a third end, albeit only one was close in the third. 

Desmonds Douglas A (8) Travellers C (1)

This was a notable victory, with Desmonds hauling themselves back into contention for promotion. Travellers are now without Paul Mathieson-Nelson & Dave Lovelady due to injury, but all credit to Desmonds who seized this opportunity and delivered what must be a highly pleasing result for them. Russ Kent & Brandon Montgomery were unbeaten against Keeran Chan & Dave Buck, Luke Begley & Keeran, and Luke & Dave. Russ, paired with Neil Ronan added a further 2 points, only falling to Keeran & Dave in 3 ends, before Neil & Brandon added another 3 points. Desmonds are now within 3 points of Travellers C in second spot - tantalisingly close! It will be a fascinating final 3 weeks for both teams!

Peel A (7) Arbory D (2)

Peel A strengthened their hold at the top of Division 2 with a solid win over 7th placed  Arbory D. Malcolm Lambert & Bob Borland thwarted their efforts somewhat by notching up a win over Maggie Mulhern & Ken Hegarty, as did Malcolm, paired with young Liav Lanin. Jon Taylor Burt & Ken Hegarty were unbeaten on the night, as were Jon & Maggie. 

Ramsey C (6) JRTE Marketing A (3)  

Unfortunately, JRTE were only able to field 2 players for this tie so they automatically forfeited 6 points. Darren Smethurt & Paul Mitchinson did well for the away side however, winning their 3 matches against Darren Shaw & Martyn Howard, Darren & Geoff Burchill, and Geoff & Martyn.

Division 3

Ramsey D (0) Travellers D (5)  

Ramsey’s Tony Sewell and Pat Halliwell struggled to contain league leaders Travellers D, with Maurice Campbell and Margaret Forsyth triumphant in each of their matches without losing an end. The result consolidates Traveller’s position at the top of Division 3 and they are guaranteed to be promoted to Division 2 next season.

Travellers E (5) JRTE Marketing B (0)

JRTE was only able to field one player, Gary Skillicorn, in this tie which meant that 2 of the singles matches had to be forfeited, However, Sydnie Weaver stood in to play alongside Gary for the doubles. However, they were unable to hold off Eban Moore & Henry Winter, who took the win in 3 ends. Henry and Eban followed that up with solid wins in their singles against Gary, to take all 5 points. 

Travellers G (2) Ramsey E (3)  

Thomas Taylor Burt and Max Doyle had a very tight and exciting contest playing for the G side, against Saul & Sanshia Tumblety. Tom notched up 2 excellent wins in 4 close ends, whilst Max played well but was unable to add any points, with Saul & Sanshia victorious. The doubles went the way of Saul & Sanshia in a 5 game epic, finally being settled 11-8, 2-11, 12-10, 7-11, 13-11. 

Practice sessions continue each Friday 7pm-9pm. League players and newcomers are all very welcome - £5 per adult or £3 per junior.

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Picture: Another winning Desmonds partnership, Brandon Montgomery & Russ Kent (photo courtesy of Malcolm Lambert).

Ken Mitchell