THE Division 1 head-to-head between Newport Vics A and Ryde Raiders proved to be the match of the week in the Isle of Wight Table Tennis League, with the spoils shared.
The Raiders’ three Premier League players — Martin Johnstone, Tim Giles and Rob Smith — met their match against Newport’s top team.
Newport’s David Hilliam was player of the match, playing superbly to win all three of his matches.
But when pitted against Ryde’s Martin Johnstone, it went to five sets — a game which proved to be a nail-biting thriller, full of long rallies and superb attacking and defensive play throughout.
Johnstone was the unluckiest player of the night after also losing another five-setter, this time against Newport’s Paul Freeborn by the narrowest of margins.
In Division 2, second-placed Havenstreet Locos drew 5-5 with Rookley A in the division’s most entertaining match.
Rookley’s Carl Rye was on top form, defeating Havenstreet’s Ian Loosemore in five sets — pushing Loosemore down to second place in the players’ averages.
In the battle at the top of Division 3, Ryde Revellers met favourites for the title, St Lawrence Lizards.
In what was a thrilling, tight match, which ended 5-5, the result put the Revellers top of the table with one more match to play, as the league reaches the half-way stage.
RESULTS
Division 1 — Ryde Royals 8, Havenstreet Hooters 2; Newport Vics A 5, Ryde Raiders 5; Division 2 — Rookley A 5, Havenstreet Locos 5; Ryde Red Kites 4, Ryde Rascals 6; Newport Vics C 10, Newport Vics D 0; Ryde Raptors 1, Shanklin B 9; Division 3 — Ryde Revellers 5, St Lawrence Lizards 5; Ryde Rustics 9, Wootton Wombles 1; Ryde Rockets 3, Ryde Rebels 7; Ryde Rackets 10, Ryde Ramblers 0.
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