Table Tennis: Southport League

Michael Stewart helped Princess A clinch the title

Written by Jim Booth

It took a little longer than first expected but Princes St A finally clinched the Premier Division Title.

They did it in some style as well, recording a maximum home win over their nearest rivals Crosby C. Although the visitors were up against it from the start being a player short, they made the Champions Elect work for every point throughout, with not one contest being settled in three games.

So, ‘Congratulations’ go to captain Michael Stewart and his formidable team for not only winning it, but retaining it from back in 2020.

Argyle was again the venue for a titanic battle between their A and B teams where the A team started much the better taking an early 2-0 lead, only to be pegged back as quickly as the lead was taken.

Only a contest in it from there in, with the B team pairing of Ben Aitken and Lawrence Phillips continuing the trend with a superb win in the fifth against Julian Quirk and Monica Coogan to make it 4-4. But when Mike McCormack and Angus Taylor combo restored that lead for the A team, then Ben would have to do it all over again? And do it he did, and with aplomb, a three straight success over Julian to make it 5-5, Honours even.

Crosby A and B seemed to have had the same idea in another exciting match with quite a bit of toing and froing until they too reached the same 5-5 result. Andrew Legge for the A team and Frantisek Dejl who stepped up from their D team for the B were the standout performers.

At the top of Division 1, and after Princes St B and Southport A had fought out an exciting but nerve-racking 5-5 stalemate, where at 3-5 down the home side turned it around by winning both doubles, meant it made it possible for leaders Princes St C to clinch the ‘Title’ when they travelled to Formby Village B a few days later.

With just the big ask of a maximum needed, the points did start to flow against to be fair an under-strength Formby side. After Ray Hibbs had made it 0-5 with a three straight win over Audrey McGing, the match started to put on a different face, a game dropped here, another lost there, and yes the points continued to be won by the would be champs, but would they make it?

At 0-8, Formby duo Audrey and Steve McGing so nearly spoilt the party, forcing the visitors Nick Foss and Andy Armstrong to a fifth game, 7-11,14-12, 5-11, 11-5. Calm restored, 4-11 to the Princes pair and it was on again. There was another bit of a wobble in the last encounter but captain and talisman Josh Taylor partnering Ray saw them through to that much deserved maximum, Title Winners of Division 1 they are. Congratulations Princes St C!

Formby Village A joined the battle for ‘Runners up’ spot after a convincing 2-8 victory at Argyle C, and with just three players to boot, so all to play for in the remaining weeks.

Leaders of Division 2 Princes St F remained the side most likely to lift the Trophy, after a close 4-6 victory away at Argyle D. Again, it was number one Genedijs Afanasjevs who with a full quota of wins made all the difference, mind you captain Dave Mullan’s full appearance didn't go unnoticed, a full quota of wins from him as well certainly helped ‘swing the pendulum’.

Rainford kept in touch with a 6-4 home win against Princes St E, where a captain's performance from Paul Melling and a great double from Rob Midgley were pivotal in the win, and with three matches to play, including a clash with the leaders then it is still all in the balance? It's not been confirmed yet but Waterloo B can surprisingly be included in that tussle for top places, this after a fortunate maximum win conceded by Crosby E, who just couldn't raise a team.

Division 3’s battle for the title took a decisive turn, when leaders Southport C gained the advantage in the ‘showdown’ match at the Amelan Hall with a narrow 6-4 victory over second placed rivals Argyle F. Alan Nolan again looked to be the key, but with all the Southport team chipping in with points, then the plaudits must go to a fine team performance.  

With just two matches to play, eight points to overturn looks to be just a tad too much for the Argyle outfit. Crosby F home match versus Carlton turned out to be a little easier than anticipated, with visitors arriving a player short. Always a difficult scenario, especially when the player missing is of a high rank, as the others then have to play up. Not surprisingly it finished 7-3 for the hosts.

Again, the young Crosby G side suffered another maximum loss at the hands of a pretty strong Argyle E. But again, playing with only three players did not help the quest for more points, but with only two matches to play then maybe the chance is still there for these determined youngsters.

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