SIDEWAVES MAKE A TENTATIVE START

Since the merger of first division teams the Sides and the Waves in 2003 the Waveney Sidewaves find themselves for the first time in the second division but are arguably favourites for promotion back into the top flight. However in the first full week of league competition the Sidewaves found the lower division tougher than expected. Early wins for Alan Peek against both Paula Newrick and John Clarke kept the running tight as the Critters matched game for game with the more experienced Sidewaves. Two wins followed for Graham Lawson giving the Critters a 4-3 lead before Kevin McLaughlin took firm control and helped the former first division side back to a tentative lead into the doubles. But the steady pace Peek and Lawson had set in the individual matches wouldn’t hold for the doubles and Clarke and Newrick carefully picked their way through the pairing. Sidewaves emerge form their first league match with a win, but they’ll need to find better form than this if they are to guarantee promotion back into their previous playground.

The Terminators also had a shaky start on their visit to Mutford. Ian Ruddock gave his opponents food for thought as he stole the first set against David Boatman. But the former Monster rallied to take not only the first Terminator set but one of a straight three. Paul Wright similarly turned predator on the Merlins by easing his way to three wins from three. Only Roy Hurrell kept the Mutford team from a duck with a deciding set victory against chief Terminator Charles Goddard. Meanwhile Trimwise had to call upon the services of an old teammate for their appointment at Northgate Hospital. But John Clarke could make little impact in his return to the first division and a further three wins from Ray Lee sealed the victory for the Oddbods.

Back in the second division, the Kites welcomed the Beacons to Water Lane. John Smith formed the only resistance from the Mill Lane team but once Bob Quantrill had snuffed out this flame the Kites were free to soar. Josh Baxter played as a forth player to secure the doubles with Jackie Fortescue but the Kites had already done the damage and finished the evening with a 7-3 win. In a match bought forward two weeks, the Arrows found the competition much harder without the benefit of a handicap. Playing for a second time this week, the Kites mostly remained out of range for the young Arrows team. However Tom Petifier found his mark to break down Phil Petifier and then showed future promise by snatching a set from Brian Gooch. While the Misfits couldn’t make any impact at all on the Hits, as Martyn Gregory, Dave Logan and Mick Bayfield didn’t even drop a set in this one sided affair.

Charles Goddard started well for the Terminators in the preliminary round of the Presidents Cup against the Shakers but in this handicapped competition where every set counts the first crafty 21-20 set in this game for Dave Willis was the start of a rewarding evening for the LCC team. Shakers picked set after set from the visiting Terminators to wrap up a 15-8 win and earn themselves a match against the Arrows in the next round.

For further information on League Table Tennis in Lowestoft or Coaching sessions please contact Alan Peek on Low 589895

League Results:

Merlins 1 Terminators 9

Sidewaves 6 Critters 4

Hits 10 Misfits 0

Kites 7 Beacons 3

Presidents Cup Preliminary Round Results

Shakers 15 Terminators 8