Springwell TTC are making a late challenge to become champions of the Northumbria Summer League, being able to put out a strong team of Graeme Barella, Jim Stamas and Tony Gelder. The three of them accounted for the Cramlington Casuals team of Duncan Wraight, Gareth Pearson and Paul Jamieson to the tune of 10 – 0 and then two days later took on the 100% Cramlington Stingers side. Barella got them the start they wanted by defeating David Graham before Andrew Wilkinson hit back by beating Gelder. Stamas accounted for Iain Wood but it was all square again as Graham beat Gelder. The doubles combination of Barella and Stamas then got the better of Wilkinson and Wood and Barella opened up a gap by beating Wood. But the Stingers hit back with singles victories by Wilkinson and Wood over Stamas and Gelder respectively before Stamas edged the home side in front again by defeating Graham. The final match between two of the area’s top players Barella and Wilkinson proved to be decisive with the home player coming out on top to give give his side a 6 – 4 victory and take over at the top of the table by one point. 

All will be decided by the final matches of the season when Springwell go to Saint Chads and the Stingers visit Riding Mill.

Springwell B team are also in the hunt for honours, being assured of  promotion from Division three after Brinkburn’s side of Dave Cutler, Ray Purves and Dave Bannon defeated Lanchester 9 – 1 with only Purves losing out to young Thaaquib Saleem. This means both Brinkburn and Springwell go up but Springwell will finish top if they can get at least a draw in their final match away to Byker B.

 

Aubrey Drapkin