Eastbourne Table Tennis League – Weekly Report 5 – By Mike Savill

There was a shock in the Eastbourne Table Tennis League this week when the unbeaten leaders Laughton lost to the league newcomers Bedes Academy.

The youngsters of Bedes Academy (Aitken 2, El-Hassan 2 and G. Church) were never behind in a very close match and won the doubles to clinch a fine win against the experienced Laughton (K. Burnham 3, Adams 1 and Barber) who still remain top of Division1 with Bedes lying in third place. However, Ministries A (Heselden 3, Norwood 3 and Jordan) maintained their 100% record and are in second place just one point behind Laughton following their 7-3 victory over club mates Ministries B (Suk 1, Gibbs 1 and Martin 1).  Eastbourne Borough A (Boreham 3, Rainton 3 and Gorridge 2) are in fourth place after winning 9-1 against their club mates Boro B (A. Chapman 1, Ellis and King). Still winless after five matches are Bishopstone B (Nugent 1, Bailey and Littley) who lost 9-1 to the visiting St. Michaels A (C. Lance 3, Rowell 3 and Ridley 2). Bishopstone A (Anderson 2, Suggate 2 and Primett 1) fought back from 0-2 and won the doubles to clinch a 6-4 win at Polegate A (Gorokhov 2 Macwana and Gaughan).       

The leaders of Division 2 Polegate C J. Wright 2, Riddett 1 and Tran 1) struggled to achieve a 5-5 draw against newly promoted Hailsham A (A. Smith 3, Widd 2 and Lloyd). Just two points below them are Polegate B Macreadie 3, Ratkiewicz 2 and Thompson 2 who won 8-2 at Bishopstone C (Cheshire 1, Collis 1 and Nugent). Another match between club mates saw Boro C (Goater 3, Fuller 2 and Targett 1) win 7-3 against Boro D (Winter 2, Bignell 1 and Laing.

Ministries D (Cassiano 3, Srok 3 and Knights 2) maintained their lead at the top of Division 3 with their hard fought 9-1 win against Polegate D (Hind 1, Ovenden and L. Wright). Ministries E (Card 2, Vvedensky 2 and Bates 1) won 6-4 against Ministries F (Allchorn 2, P. Jaffrey's and Paice.