THERE was plenty of action in the Isle of Wight Table Tennis Association leagues last weekend, with good battles between younger talents and more experienced campaigners.

                                                        Division One

Newport Vics B took on their fellow club A team in what turned out to be an exciting and closely-fought match, with young cadet champion Sean Joyce impressive in beating Ricky Locke.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Island cadet champion Sean Joyce, of Newport Vics B, in action in Division 1 of the IW Table Tennis Association League.

The match between Sean and Danny Burns (Vics B) and Dave Hilliam and Paul Freeborn (Vics A) was an eye-catching and exhilarating five-setter, with long, tactical rallies.

League leaders Shanklin Piranhas had a scare against Ryde Royals — Island junior champion, Hugh Idle, and Conal Howells, epitomising the quality of emerging young Island talent.

Howells beat Don Hobbs in the match of the night.

Hobbs won the first game, a close tactical battle, while the second was more open, with fast, open rallies, won by Howells, who also took the third.

Hobbs dug deep in the fourth, outplaying Howells, to take the match into a deciding fifth, which produced superb rallies and the lead changing three times.

Howells won it 11-9.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Top Island player Don Hobbs had a tough five-game encounter against Conal Howells, an emerging young talent in the local table tennis scene.  FILE

Idle beat Temeesha Hobbs, in England’s top 40 for her age, in five sets, with both producing fast, open play.

The Piranhas won 8-2 to share top spot with Ryde A, whose player, Lee Orton, has won all 12 matches this season to top the players' averages.

                                                              Division Two

There were fewer matches after Rookley Bees dropped out, with injuries, but they were hotly-contested.

Newcomers Newport Vics C lost narrowly to Ryde Peers 6-4, with Trevor Percival winning his three games for Vics.

Havenstreet Hooters have a six-point gap at the top.

                                                            Division Three

It is proving to be a highly-competitive league this year, thanks to the emergence of young and more mature players.

Ryde Rockers head the table with unstoppable newcomer, Spike Hughes, keeping his unbeaten record as they beat the ladies of Ryde Rapscallions 8-2 , their first loss of the season.

Ryde Rookies, with three making competitive debuts this season, beat the Wootton Wolves 7-3.