THINGS are hotting up at the business end of the Isle of Wight Table Tennis season, with Ryde A winning the Division 1 title and still much to play for in the other two leagues.
With only two fixtures played in Division 1 last week — and with most teams only having one match left to play — Ryde A made short work of second-placed Shanklin Sharks with a surprising 10-0 thrashing to take tyhe title with a fixture to spare.
Although Shanklin comprise three top quality players, in Don Hobbs, Tom Johnson and Mike Bulpitt, they had no answers against a rampant Ryde team, with Alex Rorke and Scott Lawson in a league of their own this season.
Ryde’s Glenn Morley had to fight harder for his victories, but overcame his opponents in some tight matches.
In Division 2, meanwhile, it is looking tighter at the top, with Newport Vics C’s lead cut by challengers Freshwater A and Havenstreet Locos, tied in second spot.
Freshwater gained an unexpected 10-0 whitewash over experienced Ryde Red Kites, while Newport and Havenstreet went toe-to-toe and, despite Havenstreet being a player short, the score ended with in a narrow 6-4 success for Newport.
Division 3 favourites St Lawrence Lizards snatched back top spot from Ryde Revellers following their 8-2 victory over Ryde Regals.
The Revellers, however, could only manage a draw against fellow Ryde team, the Rockets, with Anna Garrioch in fine form for them, winning all her games and taking the doubles with team-mate, Paul Tucker.
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