EVERYONE connected with the Star Paving Services North Norfolk League was saddened to learn of the death of Maureen Chapman, who has lost her battle with cancer.

Maureen originally played for Cromer Crosscourts before moving to Hunworth when the club returned to the league where she ran the Poachers team for a few years before her illness forced her to stop.

League chairman Chris Pooley paid tribute, saying: 'Maureen played table tennis with enthusiasm and led her team by example. Even after her husband died and she had been diagnosed with cancer she still tried to lead a normal life. It was this grim determination which led to her being voted as sporting personality of the year at the 2010 AGM and for this she received a standing ovation.'

Numerous players across the League have paid tribute to Maureen, each echoing the fact that she was a lovely lady who always put other people and their own problems ahead of her own. She will be much missed and the league's condolences are sent to all her family and friends.

Her funeral will take place at 11.30am on Friday February 3 at St Peters Church, Melton Constable.

In the first division Specials John Paul, Martin Lawes and Ray Howe defeated NWSCA 8-2 at Gimingham. For the visitors John Batchford took a brace but lost out to Paul 12-10 in the fifth. Paul also beat Baldock-Yaxley 11-7, 18-20, 11-9, 13-11 while Howe hit some great forehands to win 11-9, 11-6, 11-6 before beating Beane in five.

NWSCB's Dennis Elliott, John Vaughan and Dave Johns hosted Backhanders Teucer Wilson, Whil De Neve and Paul Warner. Warner took a maximum – in straight against Vaughan, in four against Elliott and a five set defeat of Johns who in turn won a five-setter against De Neve.

With Wilson beating Elliott in straight and Johns in four, but John Vaughan taking a brace and his team-mates each picking up a single – the match came down to doubles where Elliott and Vaughan came back from two sets to one down to beat Wilson and De Neve in five and draw the match.

The final match in the top flight saw fast, aggressive but controlled play from Outlaws as they won 10-0 away to Sharks, with Colin Humphries beating Matt Hudson in five.

There were also some whitewashes in the second division, with Pirates not dropping a set against NWSCE and Goblins 10-0 winners away to Crosscourts – although John Miller only just edged out Eric Dolden 12-10 in the fifth. Things were tighter at Hunworth as Poachers (Alan Rutledge, Barry Evans and Andy Woods) hosted Barracudas (Mike Toye, Chris Gould and Sean Grimes). Five of the matches went to five sets, but four were won by the Barracuda's team – including a vital doubles – and that plus a maximum from Gould was the key to their 6-4 win. NWSCC's Chris Johnson, Joe Kirkup and Phil Mole won 8-2 at Gresham's School.