TOM NEEDHAM starred as a resilient Amotherby team defeated Helmsley ‘A’ 8-2 in division one of the Ryedale League.

Needham led the way winning all his three games, strongly supported by Gareth Bryning and Andy Seed with two wins each. Andrew Turner and Adam Ridley were the only winners for Helmsley.

Ryedale ‘C’ had a comfortable 8-2 win over bottom club Ryedale ‘D’. Dave Quinlan and Neil Raine won all their games. Titch Temple and Jan Bryan scored one each in reply.

Ryedale ‘A’ beat club-mates Ryedale ‘B’ 9-1 but Steve Oldfield lost his 100 per cent record to Richard Dent. Coneysthorpe ‘A’ made the trip to Whitby and drew 5-5.

Man-of-the-match Alan Kirkwood, supported by Charles Allenby and Jean Wardman, overcame a terrific fight-back from Coneysthorpe ‘B’ to win 6-4 in division two.

Four games went the full distance with Wendy Prest left exhausted after losing 21-19 to Allenby in a four-setter. Husband Ed and Dave Allen won one each plus the doubles.

Ryedale ‘F’ started the year on good form, beating Helmsley ‘B’ 7-3.

Andy Paton, John Gascoyne and Barry Rudd shone, while Andrew Cavanagh (2) and Phil Trevelyan replied for Helmsley.

Basement team Ryedale ‘G’ must feel hard done by after a well-contested match saw them lose 8-2 at Swinton ‘A’, for whom Russ Scott was the star man, supported by Pat Swindell and Ray Mitchell.

The shock result of the week, if not the season, came in division three with the 10-0 thrashing of leaders FERA by Amotherby ‘D’.

Andy Holmes, Dan Kilmartin and team stalwart Janet Bailey starred.

Promotion contenders Ryedale Laundry and Hutton-le-Hole ‘B’ shared the spoils. Andrew Grayson played up a division for Laundry and won all three. Hutton’s players all chipped in with Doug Annan and Andrew Chappell winning two each and Mary Chappell one.

Hutton-le-Hole ‘C’ had a good win at Amotherby ‘E’. Julie Cavanagh took three wins in a player-of-the-match performance, with Barbara Johnson and Jeff Andrews taking two each. Linda Clarke replied for Amotherby, who won the doubles.

With teams around them dropping points, Westow profited by taking nine from Coneysthorpe ‘C’. Ryan Hood and John Clayton won all their games and Sara Winn-Darley two, losing out to Coneysthorpes James Allan in a five-setter.

• THE Ryedale League’s annual closed tournament will be at Norton College on Sunday, February 8. The closing date for entries is January 24. Details and entry forms are available at www.tabletennis365.com/ryedale or by phoning Howard Mayne on 07711 979816.