Star Paving Services North Norfolk Table Tennis LeagueSidewinders have successfully defended their league title after a 6-4 victory against Outlaws.

Star Paving Services North Norfolk Table Tennis League

Sidewinders have successfully defended their league title after a 6-4 victory against Outlaws.

With both teams having two games left to play, including this one against each other, the Sidewinders team of John Paul, Paul Warner and John Batchford went into battle with a comfortable 11-point lead in the First Division and knew that while practically home and dry, a win would confirm their status as champions.

Outlaws were represented by Colin Humphries and the John Hancocks Junior and Senior - the latter playing up.

Sidewinders opened with two comfortable straight set wins as Paul and Warner defeated Humphries and Hancock Snr respectively. It then looked as though Hancock Jnr was about to suffer his first defeat as Batchford led by two sets and 3-0 - however the Outlaw controlled the second half of his 8-11, 10-12, 11-7, 11-8, 11-4 victory.

Warner put Sidewinders 3-1 up with a straight sets win against Humphries, before Hancock Jnr then defeated Paul 11-3, 13-11, 8-11, 11-2. Hancock Snr against Batchford ground out an 8-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-7 victory before Hancock Jnr completed his maximum with an 11-5, 11-5, 11-9 win over Warner.

Outlaws were 4-3 ahead, but Batchford levelled for Sidewinders with a 7-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-1, 11-9 win against Humphries. Paul defeated Hancock Snr in straight and a doubles win in four sealed the win and the title for Sidewinders.

Sidewinders offered their highest respects to a competitive, honourable and fair Outlaws.

The only other match this week settled the issue of relegation.

The Dolphin's team of Steve Nicholls, Steve Hudson and Phil Baker (playing up) knew they only needed to take four points from already relegated Backhanders to avoid the chop and send Cobras down in their place.

Representing the visitors were Teucer Wilson, Rod Goffin and Chris Marshall. The Dolphins nerves were settled after they won the first four battles - Baker winning five-setters against both Goffin and Wilson plus wins in straight for Nicholls and Hudson against Wilson and Marshall respectively.

Dolphins won all nine singles with Nicholls defeating Goffin in five. There was some consolation for Backhanders with a doubles win that went the distance, but unless new teams coming in change the structure of the league (as happened this season) - there will be no representation from Cromer in the top flight next season.

Backhanders and Cobras will be relegated, with their place taken by Beta and Seals.

Another darts/quiz night in aid of Comic Relief is taking place at North Walsham Sports Centre this Saturday, March 14, at 7.30pm.

The theme for this fourth edition is 'game-show night' with a special twist being that some of the questions in the quiz have been especially written for the night by some famous former game-show hosts. Everyone welcome - darts ability not important. Registration (so the darts heats can be drawn) 7-7.20pm ready for a 7.30pm start.

Entry is �2 of all which goes to Comic Relief.

Player of the Week : John Hancock Jnr.