I’d like to start with a ‘thank you’ and an apology.  Firstly, a ‘thank you’ to Simon Lockley, the outgoing Division 2 Secretary, who did a great job during his time in office and also provided me with a lot of helpful advice and templates to get me started.

Secondly, an apology for the lack of Division 2 tables, averages and reports on the Net and Edge website for the first couple of weeks of the season. As some of you may know, I was away for the best part of three weeks doing a charity cycle ride from John O’Groats to Lands End, which unfortunately coincided with the start of the table-tennis season.  But I’m back now and, having sorted out all the cards and comments which came in while I was away, plus the modifications to the templates which Simon gave me, to cater for the new Division 2 teams, everything should now, I hope, go smoothly for the rest of the season.

Please keep the match cards coming in on time, and also the comments on the cards - I can only make up so much from the bare scores for the weekly report!!  Also please let me know of any postponed matches so that I don’t chase you for ‘missing’ result cards. Thank you.

That’s it for now.  Enjoy the season and I look forward to seeing you all when CCS “A” play your side.

Steve Murton
Division Two Secretary

Division Two
Winchcombe Record Legendary Win
There were not many match card comments from week one, apart from complimentary and contented munchings on Janie Kirby’s legendary sponge cakes.  But, apart from fielding their “ringer” Rob Deeley from Division 1 in Gloucester, it didn’t do Tirley Tigers a lot of good as they went down 7-3 to Lakeside C.   It looks as though newly promoted Old Saracens will struggle in Division 2 but it’s early days yet.  Both Winchcombe teams got off to strong starts at the expense of Tewkesbury A and shorthanded CCS A, and Cleeve Saracens A look set to do well too.  

Under-strength (again) CCS A were unlucky not to force a draw against Saracens A with Phil King in fine form, while Old Saracens crashed to a second 10-0 defeat, this time against Tewkesbury A – not helped by an injury to Martin Kirby after the first match.  Lakeside C were short of a player against Cheltenham C but still managed to salvage a 4-6 thanks to a fine max from Chris White, plus the doubles with Julie Taylor.  Tirley Tigers went down 9-1 to a strong Lakeside B side who are likely to be in contention for the top slot this season – along with Saracens A - but were denied a 10-0 by a fine performance from Pete Humble to beat Ken Smith. Cheltenham D played out the only drawn game so far in a see-saw match against Cleeve Saracens B, which finally ended up all-square thanks to a max from the steady Mark Nally. 

Cleeve Saracens A continued their strong start with a 7-3 victory over Winchcombe Warriors.  Both Mike Dodwell and Dennis Wadley achieved maximums but none of the opposition made the victories easy.  The margin might have been even greater had unlucky Ross Greening managed to convert more of his deuce games - two 5-setters, one 4-setter, 5 deuce games but only one won.   Old Saracens are still struggling to get off the mark and were no match for the strong Winchcombe Legends team, while Phil King continues his good run of opening form with a max against Saracens B.  Matt Mulcahy also achieved a good max to help Cheltenham D overcome Tirley Tigers 7-3, also teaming up with Chris James to win the doubles, while Elaine Evans for the Tigers put in a fine performance to win two, just squeezing Chris James out in a tight 5-setter. Trevor Oliver was in good form for his first outing for Lakeside C, scoring a max, and was well supported by Barrie Pope and Chris White winning two each against Tewkesbury A. Trevor and Chris combined to win the doubles and round off a solid victory