Star Paving Services North Norfolk Table Tennis LeagueA TERRIFIC match in the first division saw Outlaws Jamie Craig, John Hancock Jnr and Colin Humphries host Sharks, for whom Keith Register was joined by two Dolphins playing up - Terry Copland and debutant Colin Smith.

Star Paving Services North Norfolk Table Tennis League

A TERRIFIC match in the first division saw Outlaws Jamie Craig, John Hancock Jnr and Colin Humphries host Sharks, for whom Keith Register was joined by two Dolphins playing up - Terry Copland and debutant Colin Smith.

It all went Outlaws' way first half as they took a 4-0 lead. That became 5-0 as Craig defeated Register in straight. In both of the last two sets the Shark was 10-8 up but Craig took the final four points he needed. Copland dictated play and moved Humphries well to win in three. Register took a set off Hancock - as Copland had done so earlier - but the Outlaw took his 90th consecutive singles win as Outlaws went 6-1 ahead.

Then Smith defeated Humphries 14-12 in the fifth, Copland got the better of Craig in four and Smith and Copland won the doubles against Hancock and Humphries 9-11, 12-10, 3-11, 11-8, 11-8 to make the final score a much closer 6-4 in Outlaws' favour.

Register was joined by his regular team-mates Peter Betts and Phil Baker as Sharks crushed Seals 10-0 in the Seaflames derby. Amo had Betts in serious trouble, leading by two sets to one and 9-6 but Betts won the final two sets 11-9, 11-3.

Dolphins team of Copland, Andrew Tuddenham, Steve Nichols and Steve Hudson enjoyed 9-1 wins against Cobras and Seals.

The Specials trio of John Paul, Martin Lawes and Ray Howe beat Dolphins 7-3. Paul took a maximum, although was taken to four by both Hudson and Copland, who took a brace for Dolphins while Tuddenham gained from Howe tiring at the end of their close five-setter.

In the second division Pirates hosted Backhanders' Teucer Wilson, Rod Goffin and Chris Marshall. The club's most senior player at 76, John Hancock Snr, joined their youngest at 17, David Lake (playing up) and league debutant Andy Marsh.

Lake made a great comeback from two down to defeat Goffin in five. Marsh took his first win in straight against Marshall, Lake also completing his maximum against the Backhander.

Although falling to Wilson, Hancock was also at the top of his game and won a five-setter against Goffin. Marsh and Lake won the doubles in four against Wilson and Goffin to complete a Pirates 7-3 win.

Meanwhile Delta's Jack Morton, John Vaughan and Tom Baldock-Yaxley won 10-0 against Gresham's School.

There was local pride at stake in the Cromer derby with Crosscourters' Whil De Neve, John Walker and Mike Cheek hosting Ace's Clive Smith, Eric Dolden and Geoff Long.

At 4-4 the vital last singles was between two players unbeaten on the night, but Dolden saved four match-points in the fourth set as he edged De Neve 7-11, 7-11, 11-5, 17-15, 11-5.

Aces won the doubles 13-11 in the fifth to take their first win of the season, 6-4

At North Walsham Echoes, Ryan Bullock and Andy and David Beane hosted Barracudas Matthew Hudson, Rod Hill and Rex Parfitt. It ended in a 6-4 win for Echoes.

Poachers hosted Goblins in a match that featured the debut of Goblin Derek Sidaway. Peter Ward took a maximum, but braces for each Poacher - Alan Rutledge, Andy Woods and Barry Evans gave the team a 6-4 victory.

Players of the Week: Terry Copland, John Paul, David Lake, Tom Baldock-Yaxley, John Walker, David Beane and Ryan Bullock.