SHAKERS RATTLE THROUGH BY A SINGLE POINT

Last week the Shakers joined only a small selection teams to benefit from the rule the President’s Cup scoring system. With a single point awarded for each set won, rather than for each game, the President’s cup is unique amongst handicapped competition in Lowestoft Table Tennis. Stuart Faulkner and Lauren Jones rattled the Shakers from the start and gave the Arrows a 4-1 lead after the first two games. But it was this picking up of individual sets that would squeeze the Shakers to victory. This early set for Ashley Sonnex proved to be one of three and while he failed to win a game, these individual sets were to become valuable points. Wins for Simon Landles and David Willis drew the Shakers back level and then into an 11-9 lead entering the final game where Faulkner let the door open just wide enough for Sonnex to steal another set that decided the match without the need for a tie breaker. The final score was 12-11 to the Shakers earning them a draw in the quarter finals whilst in other competition rules the Arrows would have progressed 5-4 on games count. The Shakers will now face Sidewaves in the quarter finals after they nailed the Merlins 16-5. Terry Shetliffe was in brilliant form proving that dropping a division certainly hasn’t dulled his enthusiasm.

At Mill Lane the Beacons lit up the Tables to record a 12-9 victory. Josh Baxter won 6 sets without loss with good support from Derek Humphreys with 4 wins. John Smith struggled against Tables but just managed to edge past Wally Ladmore and gain another 2 points to secure Beacons win. They’ll now face the Oddbods who expertly picked apart the Hits in a match littered with close scoring sets.

Gorleston Conservatives visited Water Lane for their tie against the Kites. While Phil Petifier kept the Kites aloft, Malcolm Vasey and Reg Cadmore gave their opponents little other opportunity and the Conservatives won their way through to the next round. The Dominators meanwhile were sent an easy ticket when the Piranhas could only field two players. But they needed this assistance because Ryan Moore blasted 5 past the Dominators opening up what would have been a close tie if not for the six automatic points.

Trimwise kept most of the Spartans confirmed to barracks but the young Thomas Baxter was more difficult to contain. However a straight two sets for Debra Faulkner 21-20 and noteworthy performances from both Philip Tye and Paul Wright set the Trimwise team on a course to the quarter finals where they’ll face the Misfits. The Waveney Misfits made full use of their handicaps and short work of the Critters. Oliver Bailey smashed home all six points while Jeff Drayton proved a tricky opponent in handicap competition.

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

Presidents Cup Round 1 Results:

Trimwise 13 Spartans 8

Kites 9 Conservatives 13

Dominators 13 Piranhas 7

Arrows 11 Shakers 12

Critters 7 Misfits 15

Sidewaves 16 Merlins 5

Oddbods 14 Hits 6

Beacons 12 Tables 9

Presidents Cup QF Draw

Oddbods v Beacons

Conservatives v Dominators

Sidewaves v Shakers

Trimwise v Misfits

To be played by 8th Jan 2010