IN THE Isle of Wight Table Tennis League's final matches of 2024, Shanklin A played in a thriller against Ryde B in Division 1.

Ryde’s Alex Rorke was untroubled in any of his games, but team-mate and fellow British Senior League player, Tim Giles, had a much tougher time, losing to Jim Hall and Michael Bulpitt, and also beat Mike Turner, albeit narrowly in five sets. 

With Ryde’s junior, Ethan Millward, unlucky not to win a game, the match rested on the doubles match, in which Ryde’s Rorke and Giles were untroubled by Shanklin’s Turner and Bulpitt, which saw the match end in a draw.

Top of the table Ryde A met local rivals Ryde Ravens in another excellent match, with the Ravens' 18-year-old, Joe Chapman, gaining a fine win in five sets over the A team’s Rob Smith. 

However, the most eye-catching game was fought out between the A team’s unbeaten Scott Lawson and the Ravens' Steve Mills. 

Mills took the first two sets, but Lawson comfortably got back on level terms, to set up an intriguing deciding fifth set.

In a closely fought match, of the highest quality, Mills won 11-9 to end Lawson’s 100 per cent win record this season — but it Ryde A who won the match 7-3.

In Division 2, Havenstreet Hooters caused a shock when they met Ryde Rockets. 

Previously unbeaten Rockets player, Trevor Percival, lost two of his games, against Carl Rye and Paul White.

Havenstreet ultimately took the match 8-2 to put them into third place in the table.

Newport Vics C continued their dominance this season with a 9-1 win over Ryde Allsorts. 

However, Ryde’s young player, Jye Lock, celebrated an excellent win over Newport’s Charlie Stapeley, who had previously lost only three games. 

Newport’s Lawrence Fo is now the only unbeaten player in the division this season.

Division 3 leaders Newport Vics D met their match when they faced Shorwell Saints, in an excellent contest full of close games. 

Shorwell’s top player was Kevin Williams, who won two games, both of which went to five sets, while his team mates won one each. 

However, Newport’s Debbie Yates was player of the match and was unbeaten, and with a doubles win for Yates and team-mate Chris Gordine, the match ended 6-4 to Newport.

Bottom of the table Ryde Frogs' players had a nice Christmas present, with Charlotte Banks, Sandra Brooks and Rebecca Paice all winning a game in their match against Shorwell Spinners — but Shorwell took the match 7-3 to out them second in the table.

RESULTS
Division 1: Shanklin A 5, Ryde B 5; Ryde A 7, Ryde Ravens 3.
Division 2: Ryde Allsorts 1, Newport Vics C 9; Ryde Rascals 9, Ryde Lizards 1; Ryde Rockets 2, Havenstreet Hooters 8.
Division 3: Shorwell Spinners 7, Ryde Frogs 3; Newport Vics D 6, Shorwell Saints 4.