RYDE ‘A’ SET THE PACE IN DIVISION 1: ISLE OF WIGHT TABLE TENNIS ROUND UP

With no close matches in Division 1 this week, top-of-the-table Ryde A were in superb form seeing off Ryde Royals 10-0. 

The Royal’s Hugh Idle, who had jointly topped the players’ averages table, had a difficult match, unexpectedly losing to the A team’s Lee Orton, Mark Turner and Scott Lawson.  Despite a spirited display along with teammate Conal Howells in the doubles, Idle ultimately suffered another defeat, with the final set going to the A team by 16-14.

The Royals had a better night in their second match of the week against Wroxall A, with an 8-2 victory, but Wroxall A had much better fortunes when they met Newport Vics B, with Para Champion Tom Johnson player of the match, backed up by fine performances from his teammates Paul White and Carl Rye, although White had a hard fight to beat Newport’s Barry Joyce in five sets.

With 3 weeks to go to the end of the season, Ryde A lead over Shanklin Warriors by 8 points, and with a game in hand, whilst Ryde Royals lie in 3rd and are still in the fight for 2nd place.

Ryde  Royals	8	Wroxall A	2
Wroxall A	8	Newport Vics B	2
Ryde Royals	0	Ryde A	10
Ryde  Rivals	1	Shanklin Warriors	9

Division 2      

Shock of the week was the result of the match between 2nd placed Shanklin Skuas and mid table Ryde Rascals.  The Rascal’s John Featherstone was in superb form winning all his games and beating Shanklin’s top ranked Spike Hughes in four sets. The Rascal’s Brian Voller was also in good form with two wins, and teamed up with Featherstone for a doubles victory, with the match ending 7-3 to the Rascals.

The closest match of the week was between Ryde Rangers and Ryde Red Kites, and with a number of 5 set games the match went on late into the evening.  The Red Kites Manfred Gelhard was player of the match, whilst the Ranger’s Junior Ross Holme had an excellent win against the Red Kites experienced Tim Wakeley, who also lost narrowly to the Rangers Nam-Viet Mai-Luong.  Ladies Marlene Irving and Maggie Preston battled out a long five setter with Irving coming out on top for the Rangers.   The match ended 6-4 to Ryde Red Kites.

With just three matches to play, Havenstreet Locos now look firm favourites for the title, leading by fourteen points over Shanklin Skuas.

Havenstreet Locos	10	St Lawrence Lizards	0
Undercliff  Belters	3	Ryde Relics	7
Ryde Rangers	4	Ryde Red Kites	6
Shanklin Skuas	3	Ryde Rascals	7

Division 3

With Newport Vics C now twenty points clear at the top of the table, second place is being fought out between Ryde Rustics and Shorwell A.  The Rustics beat bottom of the table Ryde Regals 7-3 this week, with the Regal’s Albert Lee playing out of his skin to win all his games and be named player of the match.

Shorwell, who are in third place, have a game in hand over the Rustics, and with three points between them, it looks an exciting end to the Division Three season with just three weeks to go.

Ryde Regals	3	Ryde Rustics	7
Newport  Vics C	8	Ryde Rockets	2
Ryde  Rookies	6	Ryde Rockets	4