W/C 22/04/24
Div One:
The long awaited match between the two unbeaten players Tony Sweet from Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) A and Mike Griffiths of Shopfitting By SWS A did not disappoint with an epic battle played out over five ends with the match swaying both ways. Sweet took the first end 11-8 only for Griffiths to level the match 11-5. Sweet lead again 12-10 and Griffith replied winning 11-6. On to the final deciding game and it was Sweet who kept his unbeaten run winning 11-7. The only downside for Chaddy was that they did however lose their first fixture of the season 4-6, but still lead the division by 3 points with two matches to go.
Astor A (6-4) produced a good overall team performance when they hosted Chaddlewood (Molyneux Associates) B, with all 3 Astor players (Steve Garlick, Steve Cookson and Tony Maestri) taking 2 points each. As might be expected from two teams who have spent the season battling out a mid-table position and lying only two points apart, the majority of the sets produced some very close and competitive table tennis, however the stand out player for Chaddy was Travis Foster, securing his maximum without dropping a game and then partnering Russ Keith in the doubles to secure the fourth and final point to end a very enjoyable evening.
Div Two:
Astor D were demolished by Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) C 0-10 who proved too strong all round and are now leading the division by 12 points leaving Astor languishing in last place. The highlight for Astor was Steve Harvey taking Chris Dyson to the fifth in a hard-fought set 10-12, 13-11, 7-11, 11-8, 9-11.
All of Shopfitting By SWS C’s players, Ian Roper, Steve Foster and Rob Barnes took braces in their 7-3 victory over Astor C with only the doubles being won in straight games.
Div Three:
Woodland Fort C proved too strong for Horrabridge running out 10-0 winners and although Fort’s Glenn Delaney and Graham Cooksley both lost ends to Dave Vanstone and Crispin Jordan and ends were decided on tie-breaks, no games went to a fifth and deciding end.
A good friendly and closely contested match resulted in a 6-4 win for Astor B. Abel Hernandez secured a maximum for Woodland Fort B with Chris Tucker and Les Cole winning 2 each for Astor with Cole and Tony Powlesland winning the doubles.
In a hard fought and enjoyable match Woodland Fort D’s Nigel Aston won all three of his singles matches. Astor E achieved a five all draw with braces from Ken Chambers and Rob Jenkins. They then combined to win the doubles after losing the first set 3-11 but went on to win the next three 11-4, 11-5, 11-4 against Nigel Aston and Pete Andrews.
Div Four:
With the top of Division 4 being very tight Lee Mill scored a very valuable nine points beating Ivybridge B. The score could have been closer with some games having lucky nets and edges but, to their credit, Ivybridge were very sporting and accepted their defeat very graciously.
Astor F are firmly rooted at the bottom of the division and where again whitewashed this time by Chaddlewood (Marjon) D but their individual games are gradually improving.
W/C 15/04/24
Div One:
Leaders of Div One Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) A came out on top 9-1 against Shopfitting By SWS A. Chaddy’s Sam Bruty came back from 2 games down to beat Gary West in a tense 5 ends winning 6-11, 7-11, 11-7, 14-12, 11-9.
Shirley Luckhurst (3) was the inform player for Crafthole A against Astor A, with a controlled and consistent performance. Crafthole started well, going 4-1 up by the half way stage and looking favourites to take the match. Mike Cookson played an incredibly fast game to beat Astor's Tony Maestri, hardly missing a loop in the entire set, however he fell short against Steve Garlick, who managed to contain Cookson's looping with a counter hitting game. In the second half of the evening, Luckhurst took the only singles point for Crafthole, and with Astor taking the doubles, the match ended at 5-5; a fair reflection of the evening.
Shopfitting By SWS A showed their strength as a tam defeating Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) B 8-2 thanks to maximums from Dan Kayes and Jan Walaszkowski, backed up with a braces from Colin Mitchell. But Chaddy’ s John Steuart and Steve Hill (1) did overcome Kayes and Walaszkowski in the doubles.
Div Two:
Anthony Shapland of Crafthole B continued his stunning run of form with another maximum, but it was Holly Davis who outshone him by not losing a game. Both players then combined to win the doubles to seal a 9-1 win over Astor D. A very convivial and social match played in good humour by both teams.
Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) C lead Div 2 after an 8-2 victory over Astor C with Chris Dunn and Steve Hugh securing maximum and the doubles.
Woodland Fort A happened to be lacking some luck as they lost 4-6 to Shopfitting By SWS C after winning only two tie-break out of the six tie-breaks in all the matches. Fort’s Jon Goldfield (2) managed to defeat Rob Barnes in a close match winning 12-10, 11-5, 10-12, 19-17. No player happened to secure a maximum.
Div Three:
Woodland Fort D hosted club mates from Woodland Fort C with Fort C winning the match 7-3 with Nigel Aston (Fort D) claiming a maximum. The closest and most exciting set was between Aston and Ralph Stone. Aston claimed a rare victory over his old adversary in a very long and tight match over 5 ends winning 11-4, 8-11, 15-13, 2-11, 16-14 taking advantage of having more than his fair share of good fortune with nets and edges; even match point was won with a net!
Div Four:
Newcomer Mitchel Nash made a big impression in his first every match in the Plymouth & District League by winning a maximum for Chaddlewood (Marjon) D over Lee Mill helping his teammates to a 7-3 victory. Surprisingly, and for unknown reasons he did not play in the doubles for which his team mates lost. The closest match saw Chaddy’s John Dodd win a five game match over Ann Warren with no less than 4 games going to a tie-break 14-12, 13-15, 11-7, 10-12, 12-10.
The battle of the Bridge saw Ivybridge B beat their A team 8-2 thanks to a maximum from Toby Spencer, backed up by braces from Alan Spencer and Mike Chapple.
W/C 08/04/24
Div One:
Dan Kayes secured a maximum and only losing one end to help Shopfitting By SWS A beat Astor A 6-4. The doubles match was the longest match going all the way to the fifth end with Kayes and Colin Mitchell just missing out on the point to Tony Maestri and Steve Cookson.
Shopfitting By SWS B hosted Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) B and with Chaddy’s Travis Foster taking a maximum lost 4-6 in an evening of some fantastic table tennis all round. One of the best matches saw SWS’s Martin Parnell come from 1-2 down to beat John Steuart 9-11, 12-10, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7.
Crafthole A were whitewashed by Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) A previously, but this time managed to gain two points after both Iain Oxenham and Mike Cookson beat Garry Reed. Reed was also 2 games down against Shirley Luckhurst but eventually won 6-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-2. Tony Sweet and Glyn Price took 3 sets each.
Div Two:
Chaddlewood C beat SWS C 8-2 thank to a fine maximum from Steve Hugh and he also helped with their win in the doubles partnering Chris Dyson. On this form it looks more than likely they will be heading back to Div 1 next season.
Astor C now lead Div Two with a narrow 6-4 win over Crafthole B but the player of the match was Crafthole’s Anthony Shapland who took a perfect maximum by not losing a game.
Div Three:
There was a good friendly match resulting in a 9-1 win for Astor B over Horrabridge. Crispin Jordan won the point for Horrabridge beating Tony Powlesland in the 4th having been 2-8 down. Jordan also pushed Les Cole losing 15-13 in the 4th end. Chris Tucker took a maximum for Astor with Cole and Powlesland winning the doubles.
Woodland Fort C beat Astor E 9-1 but they saved the best to last with the game between Fort’s Ralph Stone and Astor’s Ken Chambers. With Stone taking the first end 11-7 Chambers then came back taking the second 11-4 and third 11-8 before firing himself to the brink of victory by leading 10-8 in the fourth. Stone, off key for long periods, somehow took the next four points to get out of jail and nothing seemed to go right for Chambers in the fifth and a classic game finished on a somewhat low key note with an 11-2 win for Stone.
Woodland Fort B hosted their D team Club mates and the spoils were shared at the end of the evening with Nigel Aston (D team) taking an almost perfect maximum except for Mike Willis taking him to a tie-break in one of the games.
Div Four
Despite Lee Mill beating Astor F 10 nil, the rather one sided looking score, this was a competitive match with some great rallies and points. Lee Mill definitely had the rub of the net and some of the games would have been somewhat closer.
W/C 01/04/24
Div One:
Leaders Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) A didn’t have it all their own way whilst playing their B team mates with Travis Foster (2) and John Steuart (1) taking the 3 points for the B team. Tony Sweet took yet another maximum. The best match saw Steuart just defeat defender Sam Bruty in a very close match 11-13, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 14-12.
There were no maximums in the match with Shopfitting By SWS B and Astor A with Astor winning 6-4. The surprise of the evening saw Astor’s defensive player John Sherlock defeated Martin Parnell in a close match ending in a fifth end tie-break 8-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-8, 12-10.
A terrific evening with great matches started with Shopfitting By SWS A’s Colin Mitchell taking a two nil lead over Crafthole A’s Shirley Luckhurst only for Luckhurst to win the next three games 11-8, 14-12, 12-10. This proved to be Crafthole’s only point as they lost all the remaining matches with Mike Griffiths and Dan Kayes securing hard fought maximums.
Div Two:
Astor D could only field two players against Shopfitting By SWS C and lost 2-8 with Rob Barnes and Ian Roper securing maximums. Astor’s Andy Watmore managed to defeat Steve Foster and then partnered Steve Harvey to win the double to secure their two points.
Astor C overcame Woodland Fort A 9-1 but the score line did nothing to reflect the close matches. Astor’s Martin Fowler had an epic game against Norman Hall but won 10-12, 11-6, 11-7, 17-19, 11-6. Fowler was also involved in another five games against Jon Goodfield but this time lost 12-14, 11-2, 10-12, 12-10, 9-11.
Crafthole B (Rui Baretto 3) drew level on points with Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) C after defeating them 7-3.
Div Three:
It was a bad day at the office for Woodland Fort C against Astor B. With Les Cole (2), Tony Powlesland (2) and Chris Tucker (3) all on top form. Ralph Stone (Fort 2) had no support with Glenn Delaney and Graham Cooksley both having an (rare) off night. Cooksley and Stone could not even get close in the doubles with Cole and Powlesland dominating proceedings and taking the point for an 8-2 win.
Woodland Fort B and Astor E played out a draw but no-one managed a maximum in this entertaining match. Astor E took a 2-1 lead and then a 4-2 lead but eventually found themselves needing to win the doubles to prevent a defeat.
Div Four:
One of the seasons closest fought matches ended in a worthy draw for both sides. With no less than 6 sets going to a decider, and 7 games going to two clear points the evening between Ivybridge B and Chaddlewood (Marjon) D was tense and entertaining throughout. Nice open attacking play meant some games were lost 11-0 and 11-1 but resetting for the next game ensured no set was a walk-over. Newcomer Charlie Hazlehurst just lost out on a win losing his first match to Chaddy’s John Chadwick 15-13, 4-11, 13-11, 16-18, 7-11.
W/C 25/03/24
Div One:
Crafthole A and Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) B played out a draw with some outstanding table tennis played by both sides. Chaddy’s Travis Foster secured a maximum and the doubles with Steve Hill over Iain Oxenham and Shirley Luckhurst in an extremely close match with some outstanding return shots from Hill winning 11-9, 12-14, 15-13, 12-10.
Shopfitting By SWS A against B ended 4-6. The match between Mike Griffiths (3) and Mark Weymouth was outstanding. Griffiths, form the A team, took the first two ends, but Weymouth responded with good tactics to stop Griffiths coming in with his loop, managing to take the next two. Griffiths then managed to win the final end 11-8. Both teams are now four points off the leaders of the division.
A great match between Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) A and Astor A. Astor’s Tony Maestri was the man of the match with an impressive maximum against Sam Bruty, Glyn Price and Garry Reed. A close battle commenced between Sam Bruty and Steve Cookson with Cookson just edging it at 11-8 in the fifth. Doubles won by Astor in the 4th set deciding a well fought match for a draw.
Div Two:
In spite of some close games Astor C proved too strong for Astor D winning 9-1. Some tremendous play was enjoyed by all with spontaneous rounds of applause throughout the evening with no less than 7 games going to tie-breaks. The strangest match saw Harvey lose 1-11 to Jake Neilson only for Harvey to eventually win 1-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-7, 11-9.
Shopfitting By SWS C started well with a 2-0 lead against Crafthole B but then found themselves 4-3 down. The next 3 games went to SWS finally winning 6-4. Crafthole’s Anthony Shapland was in great form taking a maximum but was pushed all the way by Steve Foster as Shapland took the 5th game 13-11.
Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) C came away winning 6-4 against Woodland Fort A. Chaddy’s Chris Dunn being the only player to come away with a maximum despite Brian Luscombe taking him to the fifth end.
Div Three:
Following a long match Astor E came out on top 7-3 over Horrabridge. Astor’s Rob Jenkins was fortunate to gain a maximum with two of his games going to 5 sets. Bob Steele (Astor) played well for his first win with his other 2 games going to 5 sets, losing the first game of the evening to Crispin Jordon 12 -10 in the fifth.
Astor B defeated their club mates from the D team 9-1 in a friendly contested match with only 2 games going to 5 sets. Chris Tucker and Les Cole for the B team secured maximum while Peter Andrews for the D team won the only game easily defeating Tony Powlesland.
Div Four:
Lee Mill’s Mark Chapman achieved a maximum for Lee Mill in a 6-4 win over Ivybridge A. Ann Warren (2) had a great game against Ivy’s Alan Davis winning in three straight to comfortably avenge two recent defeats by the same player.
W/C 18/03/24
Div One:
The eagerly anticipated clash between Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) A and Shopfitting By SWS A, had the shine taken off by the late injury withdrawal of Mike Griffiths which left SWS A with only 2 players. Colin Mitchell and Jan Walaszkowski battled well taking a point each against Sam Bruty and then winning the doubles against Glyn Price and Garry Reed 13-11, 8-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8.
Shopfitting By SWS B whitewashed Crafthole A but the 10-0 score does not relate to the individual games with no less than four matches going to the fifth end and with two of them, Mark Weymouth against Iain Oxenham and Martin Parnell against Shirley Luckhurst, both finishing 11-9. Weymouth took a two game to nil lead over Luckhurst 13-11, 11-9, but Luckhurst levelled the match winning 11-8, 12-10 before finally losing the last end 11-6 in what was a great match.
Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) B and Astor A played out a draw with Astor’s Steve Cookson securing a fine maximum changing his game and style against each of Chaddy’s players. Unfortunately Astor’s John Sherlock suffered all evening long with net points virtually all going against him. With the score favouring Astor at 5-4, Chaddy played Travis Foster in the doubles, partnering John Steuart and with Chaddy winning 11-6, 11-9, 11-2 the overall match was drawn.
Div Two:
No matches played.
Div Three:
Woodland Fort D played host to Astor E in a very enjoyable and entertaining match which Fort winning 7-3. It turned out to be a long evening as many sets went to 5 ends and so many of those were tight games. Robbie Jenkins (Astor) played 19 ends in his 4 sets of which he won 3 including the doubles with Ken Chambers. The closest and most hard fought match was between Pete Andrews (Fort) and Chambers with Chambers winning an epic battle 9-11, 21-23, 11-9, 11-4, 11-9.
Woodland Fort C look favourites to win this division, although Astor B might have something to say about it, but Fort came away with a 8-2 victory this week over Horrabridge with Ralph Stone and Graham Cooksley both securing maximums. Cooksley did have a scare from David Wilson (1) after taking the first two games only for Wilson to win the third game on a 12-10 tie-break. Wilson took the fourth 11-9 only for Cooksley to win the final end 11-7.
Div Four:
Chaddlewood (Marjon) D had a straight forward 10 nil victory of lowly Astor F who still keep battling for success in their matches. Astor’s Dave Nash however did manage to win one end against Ben Kelsey. Despite another whitewash the Astor players keep playing every week and are steadily improving.
There was a comfortable win for the visitors Lee Mill (Mark Chapman 3) over Ivybridge B, taking the match 7-3). However this score line does not reflect the valiant effort but up by Ivybridge, taking 5 sets to a fifth end but without the aggression, passion and perhaps luck to win any of those deciding games. The closest match of the evening saw Ivy’s Toby Spencer (1) just lose out to Wendy Roberts (2) with three tie-breaks throughout the match 7-11, 12-10, 12-14, 11-8, 12-14.
W/C 11/03/24
Div One:
Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) A had Tony Sweet to thank for another perfect maximum, thus helping them secure a 6-4 win over Shopfitting By SWS B in a close fought match. The closest match saw John palmer lead Chaddy’s Glyn Price 2-1 only to lose the next two ends 4-11, 5-11.
A brilliant match once again played in great spirits saw Shopfitting By SWS A (Mike Griffiths 3, Jan Walaszkowski 3) defeat Chaddy B 8-2, with the final score not reflecting the competitive nature of the match. Chaddy’s John Steuart took Walaszkowski all the way to a fifth end, with both players retrieving some fantastic shots but Stuart just came up short 11-5, 9-11, 11-7, 3-11, 9-11.
Crafthole A and Astor A (Steve Cookson 3) played out a draw with the best and match being between Iain Oxenham (2) and Astor John Sherlock with Oxenham just winning 11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9. Also Astor’s Steve Garlick came from 1-2 down to defeat Shirley Luckhurst 3-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6.
Div Two:
Steve Tyler of Shopfitting By SWS C was man of the match taking a maximum against a strong Woodland Fort A side. He had to fight all the way being 2-0 down against Brian Luscombe. The ever improving Rob Barnes took a brace for SWS who won 6-4. There were some very good rallies throughout the evening.
The remaining two matches in this were division were postponed.
Div Three:
A 10-0 defeat does not do justice to Woodland Fort D's endeavours against their C team. Barry Oliver and Pete Andrews from the C team took Glenn Delaney to the fifth set before losing out while Andrews v Ralph Stone and Oliver v Graham Cooksley dished out some food for thought in taking the first games before going down in four ends.
A good friendly match between Astor B and Astor D teams saw the B team win 8-2, with Chris Tucker and Les Cole taking maximums and Richard Avent and Ken Chambers winning both points for the D team.
Div Four:
If Lee Mill thought that they would have an easy ride in Div 4 then they really need to think again! The match against Chaddlewood (Marjon) D ended in a draw and as the score suggests this was a very close match with eight games going to tie-breaks. There were some great attacking games that were played at a fast and furious pace which the Millers don't expect.
An outstanding performance by up and coming Toby Spencer saw underdogs Ivybridge B beat their Stable mates Ivybridge A. Both sides needed to call on reserves from across the Division to fulfil a surprisingly tight match all-round. The favourites started well until they faced young Toby as he crushed veteran Jeremy Willcox in straight sets, then he narrowly defeated south-paw Alan Davies also in straight sets, finally having to face super-sub from Chaddlewood Mike Chapple. Their game was face paced and dynamic with both players hitting hard, taking the set to 5 games, with Spencer just edging clear in the final leg.
W/C 04/03/24
Div One:
Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) A started Phase 3 with a bang, whitewashing visitors Crafthole A 10 nil with only Iain Oxenham taking Chaddy’s Glyn Price to a fifth end. The final score didn’t reflect the competitive nature of the match which was played in a very sporting manner.
Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) B returned to Div One and managed to beat Shopfitting By SWS B 6-4 thanks to a maximum from Travis Foster winning all his matches in straight games. There were in fact no less than 10 games going to Tie-breaks showing the closeness of the matches throughout the evening. The doubles match rounded off a great match between the two teams with Foster and John Steuart beating Gary West and Martin Parnell 4-11, 12-10, 8-11, 14-12, 11-7.
Astor A returned to Div One this week with a difficult first match against Shopfitting by SWS A. The evening started with a couple of close games, with Dan Kayes (SWS) beating John Sherlock and then Astor's Steve Garlick enjoyed the slightly faster pace of the games in this division, taking Jan Walaszkowski in a close 5 game set to win Astor's only point of the night. Mike Griffiths (3) proved untouchable all evening with his incredibly fast looping topspin. Tony Maestri was unlucky to miss out on any points, losing both his 5 game sets against Walaszkowski and then Kayes, who just took the 5th game 15-13. Kayes responded well to Maestri's looping and follow up hitting, moving back off the table and playing some deep backhand chop mixed with some hard hitting, and the game hinged on the accuracy and positioning of the shots being played. The evening concluded with another 5 game set and neither pairing being able to get a significant lead in any of the games, with SWS taking the set 11-9 in the 5th game to end the night 9-1.
Div Two:
After a last minute change of venue, due to a double booking, the two teams promoted from Div Three, Woodland Fort A and Astor D met for the first match of the phase. Despite almost every game being hard fought, including an epic 5 game match with (Forts) Jon Goodfield turning the tide at deuce in the third against Steve Harvey to eventually win. Andy Watmore took the solitary point for Astor who lost 1-9.
It was the irresistible force versus the immovable object when Crafthole B’s Anthony Shapland played Astor D’s Jake Nielson (2) for the maximum, but it was Shapland who prevailed with possibly the best attacking display he's ever produced. Shapland then went on to win the doubles with Holly Davis (2) and take the win 6-4.
Other result: Chaddlewood (Molyneux Assoc) C 8 v 2 Shopfitting By SWS C
Div Three:
Woodland Fort D played newly promoted team mates Woodland Fort B and came out on top after some very close battles winning 6-4. Three games went to five ends with two of those being decided by tie-breaks. The closest and most exciting game was between Barry Oliver (Fort D) and Abel Hernandez whom he defeated 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 14-12. Nigel Aston (Fort D) was the sole player to get his maximum. Mike Willis and Hernandez (Fort B) took the doubles against Aston and Peter Andrews 11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 11-4.
Ken Chambers of Astor E took both of his team’s points in their 2-8 defeat to Woodland Fort C. The match between Astor’s Rob Jenkins and Fort’s Glenn Delaney was one of the outstanding matches, with Delaney taking the first end 11-6 but then just losing the next two ends 9-11 and 9-11. However, Delaney won the fourth end 11-5 and then a fifth end with an epic tie-break 12-10.
Div Four:
It looks like Lee Mill will return to Div Three after just being relegated and whitewashed Astor F. The closest match saw the improving new player Dave Nash (Astor) take Wendy Roberts all the way to a fifth end 11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 9-11, 4-11.
There was a close match as usual between Chaddlewood (Marjon) D and Ivybridge A (6-4), but was not entirely reflected by the final score. John Chadwick scored a maximum for the home side, but had to fight all the way in his match against Jeremy Willcox, as did Ben Kelsey against the same player, but did end up with a brace, as did Alan Davis for Ivy A.