Table tennis news

Meanwhile in the league, leaders One Hit Wonders could turn out only two players but opponents Lindfield Thunderbolts were similarly handicapped.

Once again it was young Bertrand Siu who was the star of the show as he beat Eric Smith in four sets and then came from 3-11, 5-11 down to win the next three 13-11, 11-8, 14-12 against one of the Premier Division’s top players, Andrew Sharland.

Team-mate Marc Burman won both his matches to make the final score 6-3 to Wonders.

Bullets went second as they completed an 8-2 victory over Hang ‘Em High, whose third player was delayed at work.

David Champneys was unbeaten and there were two each for Tomas Pomej and Fred Bodeau before Champneys and Bodeau teamed up for the doubles win 11-9 in the fifth against Toby Champneys and Michael Bridger, the latter earlier beating Bodeau and Pomej but losing in the fifth to the unbeaten Champneys.

Bats had a solid 9-1 victory over Burgess Tigers thanks to trebles by Terry Dean and Les Hopkins. Angus Ogg averted the whitewash when he beat Samantha Monk.

Cuckfield and Dynamos agreed to rearrange their fixture for another date.

It was in Division 1 where all the major excitement was centred as leaders Magiks were held to a draw by Paddlers, The X Men took maximum points off New Lads and Bashers pulled off a shock as they beat equal second-placed Wanderers.

It needed two-times singles winners Mel Sims and Kevin Deacon to beat Alex Jeffery and Rupert Browning in the doubles to earn a share of the spoils for Magiks after Nooch Staple Staplehurst’s treble gave Paddlers the edge.

There were more raised eyebrows as Bashers edged out Wanderers 6-4 thanks to Lyle Cyster’s treble, two from Annabel Bridger and one from her sister Kate. Wanderers were at full strength as Ray Parker won two, Phil Harvey one and Marcin Andrzejewski none.

X Men moved to within two points of the leaders after beating New Lads 9-1. The whitewash was averted when 12-year-old Charlie Hough beat John Bridger.

Spin Masters recorded their first win as they beat Parents Unite 6-4 courtesy of Chris Slade’s treble and one apiece from Sam Oosterbaan and Tom Smith, who also combined for the doubles win. The replies came from Carol Hough (2) and Dean Naude (1).

It was also 6-4 as Nilo Danuge’s treble gave Gangsters the edge against The Wild Bunch.

Brian Taite