The battle for top spot in the fiercely-contested Division 1 of the Bath and District Table Tennis League finally came to the crunch this week.
Chippenham C came from underdog position to overtake the two Oldfield sides and lift the title. The decisive match was played in the final week as the Chippers hosted Oldfield D, knowing that they needed a draw or better to secure top spot.
By a cruel twist of illness the Fields were a player down on the night. Nevertheless, Julie Taylor and Brian Neathy fought valiantly, each defeating Philip Bevan and combining to take the doubles; but Brenda Baldwin and Alan Feltham were just too strong. All was not in vain though, as the three points secured by the Monkton Coombe based side were enough for them to secure second promotion spot.
As if the fixtures committee could have foreseen, the next two teams, Oldfield E and Key Centre A, also squared up to each-other in the final week. If the E's could have won 7-3 or better they would have had the opportunity to keep their club mates down. This time though Key Centre were the victors, thanks to three fine singles wins from Grahame Harbour, before he combined with Ken Milson to overturn a two sets deficit to take the final doubles by a whisker. As it turned out though the 6-4 margin meant that the two teams finished level on points with with Oldfield E retaining third spot by dint of one more drawn match over the course of the entire season.
Newbridge B are relegated, which again points to the strength of the division as they have come straight down from the Premiership, albeit being a slightly weakened side this year. The second relegation slot remains to be decided as extra games rearranged from the main season are played out during April.
Rearranged fixtures are going to prove crucial in the Premier Division, which remains undecided. A two-horse race seems to be emerging between Bathford A and Newbridge A, with Chippenham A retaining a mathematical chance.
Division 2 is almost complete, with Yatton Keynell C having already wrapped up the title.
Division 1 results: Mayfield 1 Chippenham C 9, Bathford B 6 The Lamb 4, Key Centre A 4 Ensleigh 6, Oldfield D 6 Yatton Keynell B 4, Newbridge B 3 Oldfield E 7, Oldfield E 4 Key Centre A 6, Chippenham C 7 Oldfield D 3, The Lamb 4 Mayfield 6, Yatton Keynell B 5 Newbridge B 5.
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