Newspaper Article W/c 21st April 2008

Failsworth completed a double in the Finals of the Divisional Handicap cup, which took place last week in the Oldham Table Tennis League.

Failsworth A made full use of their 111 point start against Division 2 champions First Transport, who clawed 80 points back, leaving Failsworth winners by 31 points. The gain of 9 points by Steve Collins, supported by the manageable losses of Nathan Buckley and Matty Evans, was enough for the victors. The First Transport team all gained points on the night with Steve Barber (38), Kenny Hayes (26) and Brian Hall (1).

The Failsworth E team consisting of three juniors, Paul King (4), Andrew Tarpey (6) and James Collins (-33) held on to win the Division 4 Cup by just 5 points from Owls B, having had a 47 points start. The Owls team of Dinesh Gorasia, Phil Tamworth and John Tanner, battled well to get so close.

Division 3 Cup was won by the Uppermill B team of Peter Watson (59), Keith Moores (25) & Howard Meadham (31) after overcoming a 116 point handicap deficit against Coldhurst D, they went on to win by 20 points. The Coldhurst D team of Dave Varney, Neil Chapman & Neil England were out – steadied by the experienced Uppermill who gained the lead in the last set of the match.

Newspaper Article W/c 14^th April 2008

INTER – LEAGUE SIDES RECLAIM TROPHIES.

The Oldham Ladies and Mens Vets teams achieved an unprecedented double in the cup finals. The ladies beat Manchester 5-3 to win the Mabel Neary Cup whilst the Vets brushed aside Preston 5-1 to reclaim the Dennis Smith Memorial Trophy. Karen Hill was outstanding for Oldham winning all 3 sets ably backed by a Doreen Schofield double. Mandy Winskill was unfortunate not to register.

Doubles from Dave Griffith and Dave Buckley backed by an Ian Quinn single gave the Vets a resounding scoreline, which was much closer than 5-1 first appears.

Report for Week 26 ending 11th April 08.

The final week of the league fixtures resolved the outstanding issues.

Glodwick TTC are Division 1 champions for the second year running, with Werneth A as runners up. Relegated are Werneth C & Wardle.

Division 2 Champions are First Transport with Rosehill B’s 9-1 win at Werneth D being enough to take them 2 points ahead of Unison A for runners up spot.

Unison B & Gilders A finished in the relegation places.

Coldhurst B are champions of Div 3 and Grotton B staved off a strong late challenge from Uppermill B holding on to runners up spot by just 3 points.

Honeywell D are relegated, with the other relegation spot to be decided by the committee, following a ‘dodgy’ 8-2 Coldhurst D victory over previously unbeaten Coldhurst B who did not field any of their regular players. This result puts Coldhurst D & Failsworth C on level points.

Saddleworth CC’s 6-4 win at Werneth F means they are promoted as champions from Div 4 with the Deaf Club 5 points behind as runners up.

Handicap Cup Finals.

These take place this week with spectators welcome.

Monday14^th April at Honeywell Lane = Div 2 Final between Failsworth A & First Transport.

Tuesday 15th April at Werneth CC = Div 4 Final between Failsworth E & Owls B.

Wednesday 16^th April at Honeywell Lane = Div 3 Final between Uppermill B & Coldhurst D.

Summer League entries are now due in. Please contact Joe Redikin (0161 626 1501) to enter.

Newspaper Article W/c 7^th April 2008

Report for Week 25 ending 4th April 08.

Division 1

Werneth “A” just need 3 points from their last game to secure runners-up spot behind Glodwick, following their 9-1 win against Werneth “B”. Gary Skinner was man of the match with 3 wins supported by Pete Morris (3) and Stuart Meredith (2).

BAE A lost ground with Hollinwood “A” holding them to draw.

Werneth C & Wardle, both promoted last season, will be returning to Division 2 after this weeks losses.

Grotton A, also promoted last year, inflicted the 8-2 defeat on Werneth C sealing their fate. Shaun Ellis & Phil Schofield were unbeaten for Grotton.

Division 2

First Transport are the new champions of division 2, beating Hollinwood “C” 10-0, although the score could have been 6-4 with some very close games.

The remaining matches of Unison “A” and Rosehill “B” will decide the Runners-up spot.

Rosehill “B” won 9-1 at Coldhurst “A” and Unison “A” won 7-3 at Honeywell Lane “A”, with trebles from Les Evans and Dave Cheetham.

Gilders A, promoted last season, are relegated following their 9-1 defeat at Hollinwood E, for whom Andy McNabb & Ron Mitchell were unbeaten.

Pennine’s 8-2 win against Werneth D should be good enough to secure Div 2 table tennis next year. Their last game is against fellow strugglers Unison B to determine the other relegation spot.

Division 3

Coldhurst “B”, champions of division 3, beat their closest rivals Grotton “B” 10-0. Five of the sets went the full distance, with Simon Walsh, Simon King and Gary Keylock all emerging unbeaten. Grotton B remain favourites for 2^nd spot.

Some close games did not reflect the overall score of 9-1 in favour of Coldhurst “D” against Honeywell “D”

Despite a maximum from Richard Tamworth, Owls A went down 6-4 to Coldhurst C in the mid-table clash.

Division 4

Saddleworth CC and Deaf Club, the top two teams, had a hard fought match ending in a draw, with Ian Cockcroft winning 3 for the Deaf Club. Saddleworth now need just two points from their last match to become champions. Deaf Club are assured of 2^nd spot.

An exciting match between Honeywell “E” and Owls “B” ended with Owls winning 6-4, Peter Ganley playing superbly to win 2. John Barley recorded his first win of the season for Failsworth “D” but Werneth “F” came out winners 7-3.

Lancashire & Cheshire League

Oldham Ladies play Manchester Ladies in the final of the Mabel Neary cup.

Oldham Veterans play Preston Veterans in the final of the Dennis Smith Trophy

Both matches to be played on Thursday 10^th April, at The Hilton Centre, Horwich 7.30pm

Members are reminded that the Presentation evening this year will be at Smokies Hotel on Friday 16^th May.