The Isle of Wight Table Tennis Association Winter League has begun with strong participation across all 3 divisions, including several new clubs and teams joining the Isle of Wight’s expanding table tennis scene.
The new season has started with 26 teams taking part over 3 Divisions, showing renewed enthusiasm for table tennis on the Isle of Wight. Cowes are fielding a team for the first time in many years, while Wroxall – now the fastest growing club – have expanded to 4 teams after joining last year with just 1. The small village of Shorwell has 3 teams competing, matching Newport Vics, while Havenstreet are represented by 2. Ryde remain the largest club in the League, with 13 teams across all divisions, most of them in the first and second.
In Division 1…
7 teams are competing this season, and the standard is particularly high, with several players also taking part in mainland table tennis events.
There were only 2 matches played this week. Ryde Revellers faced a baptism of fire in their first match after promotion, taking on last year’s League Champions, Ryde C. With all 3 of Ryde C’s players also representing the Isle of Wight in the Senior British Club League, the Revellers were up against it and lost 10–0, managing to win only 1 set, in the doubles.
Ryde B had a more competitive match against Havenstreet A. Havenstreet’s Michael Bulpitt played impressively to win 2 games, and junior player Jye Lock added 1 victory against Bryce Wilson. However, Ryde’s Alex Rorke remained unbeaten, helping Ryde B to a 7–3 win.
Results
| Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| Ryde C | 10 | Ryde Revellers |
| Ryde B | 7 | Havenstreet A |
In Division 2…
9 teams are competing this season, and the opening week produced several closely fought matches.
The all-Newport clash between Vics A and Vics B proved particularly tight, with several games going the distance. The A team’s John Cornforth was the unluckiest player of the night, losing 2 games 11–9 in the fifth set to the B team’s Michael Jose and Paul Freeborn. The result came down to the doubles, which Cornforth and teammate Barry Joyce won in 4 sets, giving the A team a 6–4 victory.
Newly promoted Ryde Retailers made an impressive start to their season, beating Ryde Resisters 8–2. Player of the match was Robin Clegg, who remained unbeaten, while the Resisters’ Maggie Preston produced a fine five-set win against the Retailers’ Shane Cates.
Results
| Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| Havenstreet B | 7 | Shorwell Sinners |
| Newport Vics A | 6 | Newport Vics B |
| Ryde Retailers | 8 | Ryde Resisters |
| Ryde Rogues | 7 | Ryde Rovers |
In Division 3…
10 teams are taking part this season, including 4 from the rapidly expanding Wroxall club.
Wroxall Warriors A, who narrowly missed out on promotion last season, started strongly with a 9–1 win against clubmates Wroxall Legendary Lizards, an experienced side who have recently changed clubs.
Newcomers Cowes Baptists began their league campaign with a 6–4 victory over Ryde Oddballs, while Newport Vics C – relegated from Division 2 last season -defeated Wroxall Warriors C by the same 9–1 scoreline. Newport’s Richard Jackson was denied a clean sweep, however, as Wroxall Cadet Joshua Helyer produced a brilliant five-set performance to take their game.
Results
| Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| Shorwell Saints | 2 | Wroxall Warriors B |
| Shorwell Saviours | 4 | Ryde Raiders |
| Wroxall Legendary Lizards | 1 | Wroxall Warriors A |
| Ryde Oddballs | 4 | Cowes Baptists |
| Newport Vics C | 9 | Wroxall Warriors C |
