PLENTY of action took place across the Stratford and District Table Tennis League with emphatic victories and tight encounters across several divisions.
Blazing Paddles won 12-7 against Shottery, led by an excellent display from Kevin Taylor who produced a superb six-win haul.
Taylor’s teammate Nello Mauri added four victories while Shottery’s best contribution came from Robert Poole who also finished with four wins.
Blazing Paddles then suffered a whitewash 15-0 defeat against Racketeers as Tom Burdett and Debs Barrow both claimed six wins.
A close contest saw Henley edge out Willersey 11-10 as Barry Quirke starred with five supported by Tim Fell.
Willersey remained competitive throughout thanks to solid performances from Robert Pitt and Mark Bridgeman who both recorded four wins.
And Ilmington and Team MND played out a hard-fought 9-9 draw as Leigh Ganderton delivered six wins.
Two Pings secured a 12-7 win against Littleton Panthers as Matias Watkins won six matches.
JLM Hussars claimed a ruthless 15-0 victory against Ashorne Spirits as Jim Clarke and Doug Payne both collected six wins apiece.
And Junior Boys Red won 15-1 against Generations United as Charlie Shuker and Max Tanqueray both recorded six wins.
Away from league action, Littleton Lynx player Craig Witherford continued his fine form on the county stage.
Witherford competed at the Gloucestershire Senior County Closed Championships in Cheltenham.
And the Stratford player retained the men’s singles title beating esteemed players Dave Harvey and Charlie Davidson en route to the trophy.
Witherford also won the senior players singles title and finished runner-up in the men’s doubles with partner Liu Wei.
Stratford will now turn their attention to Midland League action this weekend with the club to play Birmingham at Stratford-upon-Avon Table Tennis Club.
Play will start at 2pm on Sunday, February 15 with spectators also welcome.
Away from the table, Stratford TTC chair Taylor is one of 35 World Table Tennis Day promoters and will work directly with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF Foundation).
Stratford hope to create a town-wide table tennis festival, also utilising multiple locations across the town.
The club will offer free activities designed for all ages and abilities including drop-in sessions.
Organisers plan to work alongside Parkinson’s UK and the Alzheimer’s Society in line with the official theme of health and wellbeing.
