The IWTTA Winter Table Tennis League started last week with 3 divisions and 26 teams taking part.
Division 1
Both the winners and runners-up from the 2021-2022 season were in action this week in Division 1, with League winners Ryde A making short work of Ryde D in a 10-0 thrashing. In a contrasting match, last season’s runners-up Shanklin Warriors met Havenstreet A in a thrilling closely fought contest. Player-of-the-match was Shanklin’s Don Hobbs, who won all his singles and also won with Spike Hughes in the doubles to earn a draw for Shanklin. Havenstreet’s Paul White was also in form, only losing to Hobbs.
| Havenstreet A | 5 | Shanklin Warriors | 5 |
| Ryde A | 10 | Ryde D | 0 |
Division 2
All 3 matches in Division 2 finished with the same scoreline this week, 7-3.
Maggie Preston was in great form for Ryde Wight Knights against Ryde Rangers, winning all her games with her best victory being over Alan Burch in 5 sets.
New Island player Gourav Shah looks like one to beat this season after winning all 3 of his games against Newport Vics C, dropping only 2 sets, and partnering Nicky Dando to take the doubles in 5 sets.
| Ryde Rascals | 7 | Ryde Rockets | 3 |
| Ryde Wight Knights | 7 | Ryde Rangers | 3 |
| Ryde Revellers | 7 | Newport Vics C | 3 |
Division 3
The story of the week came in the match between Ryde Rustics and Ryde Retailers. The Rustic’s 91-year-old Bert Paice met the Retailer’s 11-year-old Jai Lock in a long 5-set battle, with Lock taking the match on deuce. With an incredible 80 years separating the 2 players, the match itself couldn’t have been any closer! The match ended as a win for the Retailers 6-4.
The village of Shorwell has 2 good teams competing this season and both won easily, lying 1st and 2nd in the table at this early stage.
| Shorwell Saints | 7 | Ryde Apprentices | 3 |
| Ryde Rustics | 4 | Ryde Retailers | 6 |
| Ryde Rhinos | 2 | Shorwell Spinners | 8 |
