Star Paving Services North Norfolk Table Tennis LeagueTHE North Walsham club saw all five of its teams lose - two edged out in the first division by the Trunch-based Seaflames club.

Star Paving Services North Norfolk Table Tennis League

THE North Walsham club saw all five of its teams lose - two edged out in the first division by the Trunch-based Seaflames club.

Alpha's Dennis Elliott, Dave Johns and Mary Sawyer hosted Shark's Keith Register, Phil Baker and Peter Betts with Elliott fighting his way to a maximum with three five-set wins. Johns beat Register in straight, whose fast game beat Sawyer in four. But otherwise it was Sharks all the way - Baker and Betts straight sets win in the doubles against Elliott and Johns completing a 6-4 victory.

At Trunch, Seal's Ray Amo, John Barron and Mike Toye hosted Beta's Chris Johnson, Simon Halliday and Philip Stone in a clash which could influence relegation.

Halliday picked up just 49 points across the board. Johnson found himself playing singles at the last minute and took a brace, starting with a hard-fought five-set win against Toye before uncorking a vintage display against Barron. Amo beat the Beta captain in three, in a match that started with the ball lost out of an open window. Stone also took a brace with two four-set wins, but found himself playing the crucial last singles with the match at 4-4 against Amo with a partially-broken bat. The Beta was forced to revert to his old bat three sets in, but neither weapon made much difference as Amo hit every loose ball to win in four. Toye's backhand was working wonders and he teamed up with Barron for an 11-7, 11-6, 13-11 doubles win against Johnson and Stone that 'sealed' Seaflames' 6-4 win.

At Gimingham the Specials team of Ray Howe, Jonathan Care and Martin Lawes hosted Cobras. Lawes was making his comeback after a football injury and led James Baldock-Yaxley by two sets before tiring, then led the decider at the half-way stage. After a nasty net in Lawes' favour with him leading 9-7, a miraculous retrieve and then great attacking shots saw Baldock-Yaxley take the final four points he needed to complete his maximum. However, the Specials won 7-3.

The theme for Walsham continued in the second division as Delta suffered their first loss of the season, losing at home 3-7 to Goblins for whom both Peter Ward and John Short took maximums.

Pirates' David Thompson, John Hancock (Snr) and Stan Munn won 10-0 away against Echoes. Also showing great potential are the juniors in Gresham's team with Adam Smith and Sam Curtis supported by Ian Darricott during a 7-3 win against Crosscourts.

Smith and Darricott both took maximums against the team of Will De Neve, Mike Cheek and debutant Alf Green. Curtis was edged out in four by De Neve and five by Cheek but used his backhand to good effect for a win in straight against Green. The doubles saw De Neve and Anne Armitage defeat Curtis and Smith 14-12 in the fifth.

There was also a good win for Poachers' Andy Woods, Jon Cheyette and Maureen Chapman who defeated Ace's Clive Smith, Eric Dolden and Geoff Long 6-4. The battle between Dolden and Woods produced the longest and most impressive rallies, although the final score of 11-3 in the fifth to Woods did not do the game justice. The Poacher took a maximum and was supported by Cheyette who took a brace but lost in five to Smith. The duo teamed up for a four set doubles win over Smith and Long to close out the match win. Backhander's Rod Goffin and Chris Marshall had work to do against Barracuda's Derek Philpott, Rod Hill and the returning Ken Rendle but Goffin's maximum cancelled out the lack of a third player for the visiting team. Philpott edged Marshall in four, but Backhanders took yet another crucial doubles in four to complete their 6-4 win.

The League's fundraising efforts continue with another darts and quiz night to be held at North Walsham Sports Centre on November 28 at 7:30pm. The theme this time is DEG Night.

Players of the week: plenty of maximums this week - Dennis Elliott, Ray Amo, James Baldock-Yaxley and Rod Goffin, Naomi Myhill, Clive Smith and Sam Curtis.

Results. First Division: Alpha 4, Sharks 6; Seals 6, Beta 4; Specials 7, Cobras 3. Second Division: Echoes 0, Pirates 10; Crosscourts 3, Gresham School 7; Aces 4, Poachers 6; Barracudas 4, Backhanders 6; Delta 3, Goblins.