Sidewinders win cup

Star Paving Services North Norfolk Table Tennis LeagueThe first of four cup finals saw Sidewinders take on Outlaws in the Knockout Doubles Cup.Sidewinders were John Paul, Martin Lawes and John Batchford, with John Hancock (Junior), Colin Humphries and Steve Dams lining up for Outlaws.

Star Paving Services North Norfolk Table Tennis League

The first of four cup finals saw Sidewinders take on Outlaws in the Knockout Doubles Cup.

Sidewinders were John Paul, Martin Lawes and John Batchford, with John Hancock (Junior), Colin Humphries and Steve Dams lining up for Outlaws. At Trunch Village Hall the final swung either way, the opener going to Outlaws 12-10 in the decider.

After a lot of good defence and hitting, three straight-sets affairs later and the two teams were locked in at 2-2. Paul and Batchford then upped the pace to defeat Hancock and Humphries in five to edge Sidewinders ahead.

Paul and Lawes then took the first from Humphries and Dams. An excellent second set brought thirty-two points with no-one in control, but Outlaws just did enough to take the set. The team from Hunworth then ran out of steam as Sidewinders moved one win from the cup with an 11-6, 15-17, 11-9, 11-6 victory. However Lawes and Batchford never really got going and were outplayed by Hancock and Humphries, who deserved their win in four sets.

With Sidewinders' lead cut to 4-3 and Hancock and Dams taking the first set from Paul and Lawes - the two unbeaten pairs - 11-4, a deciding match looked on the cards.

However, a change of tactics that earned Lawes the man of the match award changed the momentum. Lawes pushed and drifted many shots very short and neither of the Outlaws could handle this. Sidewinders took the next three sets for a 5-3 victory.

In the league, Goblins' Chris Pooley, Jonathan and Simeon Care hosted Poachers' Jon Cheyette, Alan Rutledge and Andy Woods. Poachers were tied on points with Crosscourts and needed just one win from the 10 to overtake the Cromer team in their bid to avoid the wooden spoon.

The Poachers won 6-4 to overtake both Crosscourts and Aces in the league table. For Goblins, Jonathan Care took a maximum, combined well with Simeon for a doubles win.'

Results

Knockout Doubles Cup final: Hancock/Dams bt Paul/Batchford 7-11, 11-8, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10; Lawes/Batchford bt Humphries/Dams 11-6, 12-10, 11-5; Paul/Lawes bt Hancock/Humphries 11-8, 11-5, 11-7; Hancock/Dams bt Lawes/Batchford 11-8, 12-10, 11-9; Paul/Batchford bt Hancock/Humphries 8-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-4, 11-4; Paul/Lawes bt Humphries/Dams 11-6, 15-17, 11-9, 11-6; Hancock/Humphries bt Lawes/Batchford 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7; Paul/Lawes bt Hancock/Dams 4-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6.

Second Division: Goblins 4, Poachers 6.