Table Tennis: Maximum highs for Amotherby ‘A’ and Helmsley ‘A’ (From Gazette & Herald)

Table Tennis: Maximum highs for Amotherby ‘A’ and Helmsley ‘A’

12:37pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in Sport

Amotherby ‘A’ and Helmsley ‘A’ remain a point apart at the top of Ryedale League division one after both took maximum points last week.

Amotherby ‘B’, fighting to stay in the top tier, had no answer to the class of their club rivals, especially as number one Peter Fambely succumbed to injury.

Tom Needham and Paul Young were unbeaten for the league leaders, although both were made to battle by the redoubtable Gareth Bryning, who pulled a muscle during one of his defensive reaches. Needham blocked and hit consistently while Young used his whipped forehand attack to land a succession of fast winners.

Byrning and Andy Seed overcame Pat Swindell to record the only wins for the ‘B’ team, the latter in a tight five-game set, but Kenny Brown struggled to get his backhand going and Amotherby ‘A’ wrapped up maximum points with a doubles win.

Helmsley ‘A’ had a 9-1 win over bottom club Whitby to stay within a point of the top but they have played a game more than the leaders.

Coneysthorpe ‘A’ may yet have a say in the title race with two games in hand over Amotherby ‘A’and three in hand over Helmsley ‘A’.

Second-placed Malton took full advantage of one of their games in hand over division two leaders Amotherby ‘C’ with a 9-1 demolition of Coneysthorpe ‘B’.

James Mayne was again untroubled, easily protecting his 100 per cent record this season.

Dave Chugg also finished the evening undefeated, but was pushed hard by Wendy Prest. The game contained the best table tennis of the evening, with Prest fighting back after losing the first two ends to force the encounter to a deciding fifth. Chugg saved two match points before prevailing 14-12.

Howard Mayne avenged a previous loss with a straight sets win against Eddie Prest. Eddie’s wife, Wendy, salvaged family pride by beating Howard by the same scoreline.

In division three, Ryedale ‘G’ made a push for second place, gaining nine out of 12 points in their two games in the week. They beat FERA 9-1 and drew with Hutton-le-Hole ‘C’ to climb to within one point of Helmsley ‘B’, who beat the Drifters 7-3. Helmsley are still favourites to take second place having two games in hand over Ryedale ‘G’.