Defending champions Ryde C edged out last season’s runners-up Ryde A as 13 matches were played across the 4 divisions of the Isle of Wight Table Tennis League.
DIVISION ONE
Last season’s top 2 teams met in the week’s standout fixture, with Ryde C claiming a narrow 6-4 victory over Ryde A.
With Ryan Cates away training for several months, young Thane Taylor has joined Paul Rainford and Joe Chapman in the Ryde C line-up. Ryde A retained their established trio of Scott Lawson, Pat Thorley and Rob Smith as they look to go one better than last season.
Lawson was in commanding form, winning all 3 singles without dropping a set, while Rainford secured 2 victories for Ryde C. However, it was cadet player Taylor who produced one of the week’s most impressive performances, recovering from 2 sets down to defeat the experienced Thorley in a 5-set thriller.
Ryde C also took the doubles comfortably to secure an important early-season victory over their title rivals.
Elsewhere, Havenstreet A beat Ryde Goshawks 8-2, with junior Jye Lock unbeaten and named player of the match. Ryde D also enjoyed a 6-4 away victory over Newport Vics A.
Division One results
Ryde A 4-6 Ryde C
Newport Vics A 4-6 Ryde D
Ryde Goshawks 2-8 Havenstreet A
DIVISION TWO
Ryde Retailers and Shorwell Sinners fought out an entertaining 5-5 draw in the division’s closest encounter.
Shorwell’s Guy Golbourn remained unbeaten to claim player-of-the-match honours, while Ryde’s Paul Cates won 2 singles, including a hard-fought 5-set victory over Dave Newnham, who has transferred from Newport Vics to Shorwell for the season.
Ryde also edged a tight doubles contest to ensure the points were shared.
Havenstreet B defeated Wootton Wanderers 7-3, with Paul White and Jo Hurt both unbeaten. Teammate Dave Rendle was particularly unfortunate, losing all 3 of his singles in deciding sets by the narrowest of margins.
Newport Vics B completed the division’s results with a 7-3 away win against Ryde Rising Stars A.
Division Two results
Havenstreet B 7-3 Wootton Wanderers
Ryde Retailers 5-5 Shorwell Sinners
Ryde Rising Stars A 3-7 Newport Vics B
DIVISION THREE
Newport Vics C recorded the week’s biggest victory, overcoming Ryde Retrobates 9-1.
Chris Gordine and Richard Jackson both went unbeaten as the Newport side dominated the encounter, conceding just 1 of the 10 rubbers.
There was nothing to separate Cowes Baptists A and B in their inter-club meeting, which ended 5-5. The B team won the doubles comfortably, but neither side could gain the upper hand overall.
Wroxall A defeated Ryde Oddballs 7-3, while Wroxall Lizards recorded an identical away victory against Ryde Reprobates.
Division Three results
Cowes Baptists B 5-5 Cowes Baptists A
Wroxall A 7-3 Ryde Oddballs
Newport Vics C 9-1 Ryde Retrobates
Ryde Reprobates 3-7 Wroxall Lizards
DIVISION FOUR
Three promising youngsters made their league debuts as Ryde Rising Stars B defeated Wootton Wiff Waff 8-2.
Harry Morris, Logan Moody and Ted McLaughlin all impressed in their first league appearance, helping the Rising Stars secure an emphatic victory.
Shorwell Saviours also recorded an 8-2 win against Ryde Raiders, while Shorwell Saints beat Wroxall C 7-3 to complete a successful week for Shorwell’s teams.
Division Four results
Shorwell Saints 7-3 Wroxall C
Shorwell Saviours 8-2 Ryde Raiders
Ryde Rising Stars B 8-2 Wootton Wiff Waff
