Bathford seize chance with maximum haul

TABLE TENNIS Bathford A shot to the top of the Bath & District League Premier Division table as they made full use of their game in hand over previous leaders Frys A by trouncing Chippenham B 10-0.

Just three points separate the top two, with Newbridge A a further 12 points back in third.

Chippenham A's challenge appears to be faltering after they fielded a weakened team at Oldfield C and were beaten 6-4. Paul Redman registered a maximum for the home team.

Division 1 similarly seems to be becoming a two-horse race after second-placed Oldfield D succumbed 7-3 to fourth- placed Bathford B.

Rapidly improving junior Robin Francis comfortably won his three singles for the Fords and was assisted by two wins from Richard Gaisford, who had to overturn a two- set deficit against Mike Newton.

Russell Cole chipped in with a five-set victory over Greg Burridge to round off an impressive team performance.

Oldfield E, though, used one of their two games in hand on leaders Yatton Keynell A to move within three points of them, beating Newbridge C 8-2. Ray Valovec's awkward long pimples proved too much for the St John's-based side, despite being taken all the way to 11-8 in the fifth end by the luckless Paul Crocker.

In Division 2, leaders Key Centre A suffered a scare against third-placed Yatton Keynell C.

All seemed to be going well for the Keynsham outfit as they pulled into a 5-2 lead going into the final two singles games.

Victories for Richard Terrell over Ken Milsom and Dave Carter over Wilf Adams then threatened a draw before the home side took the doubles to edge the contest 6-4.

The C team's heroics played into the hands of second-placed Yatton Keynell B, who are now only four points behind Key Centre.

The league has announced an exciting opportunity for budding table tennis players aged between 14 and 18.

After half-term and thanks to Sportivate funding from Sport England, the league has have secured the services of a professional coach for beginners and improvers. Sessions will be held after school on Wednesdays at the St John's facility.

For more information or to register an interest contact Tom Browne at tbrowne @etta.co.uk or call 07729 710858.