Star Paving Services North Norfolk Table Tennis LeagueIN the only semi-final in the knock-out cups, Backhanders hosted Specials for a place in the singles final.

Star Paving Services North Norfolk Table Tennis League

IN the only semi-final in the knock-out cups, Backhanders hosted Specials for a place in the singles final.

Teucer Wilson, Rod Goffin and Chris Marshall represented Backhanders, with Ray Howe, Jonathan Care and John Short in the visiting Specials line-up. Wilson scraped a win in the opener by defeating Howe 13-15, 12-10, 5-11, 11-3, 14-12.

Goffin never got going as Care easily levelled proceedings and Marshall did not do himself justice either. He picked up only eight points across his three sets with Short. Goffin then won 10 points in a row from 1-6 down in the fourth to defeat Howe and level the semi-final at 2-2.

Short then defeated Wilson in four sets in an exciting attacking game before Care took control throughout against Marshall. Short then overpowered Goffin and his new rubber 5-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-3 to ensure the Specials of a place in the final - Howe winning a dead rubber over Marshall in straight to conclude Specials' 6-2 win.

The second division played catch-up with a match at the North Pole Cromer Tennis Club as the Crosscourters trio of the Peter's Tristan and Taylor and Anne Armitage hosted the visiting Beta quartet of Matt Robinson, Jay Gardner, Philip Stone and Chris Johnson.

Stone won in straight against Tristan and this soon became 2-0 to the visitors with a good performance after a nervous start from Gardner.

Armitage saved set-point before taking the opening set against Robinson on her third chance, before the Beta was lucky to hold onto his 7-3 lead in the second as he levelled. However, Robinson rediscovered his backhand during his win in four.

The battle between Taylor and Stone was fast and furious. Stone was fortunate to win in four. Robinson took a 4-0 lead on his way to the first set over Tristan and a 3-0 lead on his way to the second.

The Crosscourter took a 5-0 lead in the third, but Robinson levelled at 7-7 before closing out the win in straight. Armitage pulled one back against Gardner in three, before 6-0 leads in the opening two sets helped Robinson to an 11-6, 11-6, 15-13 win against Taylor.

Stone defeated Armitage in straight before Tristan took on Gardner. The Beta had to save a set-point in the fourth before winning on his third match-point thanks to some great attack and angles as he came through 9-11, 12-10, 11-5, 14-12.

Tristan and Armitage restored some pride for the hosts in the doubles with a 13-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-0 victory over Johnson and Robinson.

Beta's 8-2 win moves them to the top of the second division, three points clear of Seals and seven ahead of Pirates.

The first division is also close with Sidewinders three points ahead of Outlaws.