As there were no publications of the Gazette on 27^th December and 3^rd January I took a short break but the table tennis carried on – subject to weather so I’m sure you are all waiting with bated breath for the missing results.

Firstly there were several cancelled/postphoned matches due to weather conditions or players being unavailable.

10^th December – BHS vs Queens F handicap match

24^th December – Bhs vs Queens E – Christmas Eve match cancelled.

Week 13

Portals vs Queens F was won by Ports 6-4 with Robin Burns playing particularly well for Queens F taking the first match of the evening against Steve Redstall in 5 legs (11-6, 11-6, 7-11, 7-11, 6-11).  The teams are looking forward to a return match.

Queens E lost to Oakley A 2-8. With Nigel (Cooper) the time traveller for Queens E away topping up his tan - it was left to the gallant 3 of Bavi, Celia and team captain Lorraine to try to fill the gap he left.   Celia had a good start beating Steve Smith in 5 then came the team collapse with only Celia taking another game – leaving Bavi to make the tea (hopefully it was good and strong).

AWE lost to KGC 4-6.  Another good win for KGC in what was – at times – a close match.  John McLarty played very well for his treble, although he also enjoyed a fortunate night with the ‘home net’.

KGD took KGE to the cleaners winning 9-1 with Zoe Blagbrough saving KGE’s blushes winning her match against Mike Wood in 5 legs in what looked like a very long close match.

St. Peters C and Queens C drew 5-5 with Tom Speed having to work hard against both Roy Pike and Lou Palaczky only to lose both the matches in the fifth and final legs.

KGA lost to Winklebury 3-7 with two particularly long 5 set matches between Dave Kimberley and Colin Wilkes (11-8, 8-11, 7-11, 16-14, 8-11) and Tony Amies and Malcolm Cummins (6-11, 12-10, 16-14, 10-12, 3-11) wow some memorable games in the last one.

St. Peters A beat St. Peters B 10-0.  Unfortunately St. Peters B could only muster 2 players so were on the back foot from the start of the match.

RAF Odiham lost to Minitec B 3-7.  A good win for Minitec despite fielding only 2 players..  The game was played in great spirit with some excellent rallies.

KGB beat Queens B 9-1 Jorg Dolger was too good.  Except for a close one with Sav Thevendria he was the star of the night although the score line doesn’t do real justice as 50% of the matches went into 4 sets.  Queens B have been unfortunate not to have had a better bottomline score.

Week 14

Queens B vs Minitec A was won by Queens B 10-0 by default – with the opposition unable to raise a team.

St. Peters B lost to KGB 1-9 with another good team effort from KGB and a good doubles win for Jorg Dolger and Roger Bielby with Richard Mole taking a game from Ashley Pither 11-6, 4-11, 11-9, 13-11.

Queens F vs AWE 7-3.  This was a good win for Queens F and was a good and competitive game of table tennis.  Michael Jones did very well and is improving all the time.

Queens F vs St. Peters C – rearranged match.  Queens F won 2-8 it was a hard fought game with Mick Buley playing like a 2 year old – he was the best player for Queens and with the aid of his new glasses he has no excuses now as he can see the ball.   George Hellens makes a great cup of tea.

KGE lost to Queens D 0-10.  This was the best result of the season for Queens D.

The match between Queens D and Basingstoke Hindus has been rescheduled at the request of Basingstoke Hindus from 15^th December to 5^th January

KGA lost to Winklebury 3-7.  This was a good match.  KG almost pulled off a shock result.  Just a couple of points in the right places and 5^th game losses by Tony Amies and Dave Kimberley could have given them an excellent draw but that’s table tennis. 

Queens A couldn’t halt the St. Peters A express losing 2-8.  St. Peters A played well and seem to be on the way to being Division 1 Champions.  No one seems able to stop them.

Alpha Cars beat Hannington 7-3.  This was a really good match with Hannington braving the snow.  Alpha managed to win all the 5 set matches.  Paul Rattue and Terry White played well – both winning 3 games each.