THE opening Division One match of the new season in the Weymouth & District League was a fairly straightforward affair for Shipton Gorge A with a 28-9 win over Preston B.

A numerical disadvantage certainly did not help Preston in only being able to field two players but only Roger Lovell (5) managed a victory on the night, over Tom Baldry (7), and so they would have faced a tough task anyway.

Budmouth A opened the defence of their title with a completely new line-up but the same familiar outcome.

In a very close fought match that saw the young Budmouth team opening an early lead, Dorchester YMCA pulled things back to have a chance of winning the game in the doubles, but Budmouth held their nerve to win by the closest of margins 21-20.

Ben Howe (Budmouth) had to fight hard to earn his maximum, whilst the evergreen Brian Hansford (7) was the top scorer for YMCA.

Shipton Gorge B started their return to Division One with a dogged 25-16 defeat to a talented Budmouth A team who led from the first match.

Liam Critchard and Ben Howe were the players of the evening, both scoring maximums, Brian Cammell top scored for Shipton with six.

As ever, matches were often closer than scores suggest with some scintillating attacking shots and “how did he/she get that” defending.

The doubles was as close and exciting as the 3-2 score would suggest with Budmouth finally wilting under Shipton’s years of experience.

Newly-promoted Springfield B gave a spirited performance against the newly-formed Springfield A and some games were closer than the scores suggest.

Some great table tennis was played by both teams and a good evening was had by all with Springfield A running out 30-2 winners.

A hard-fought second match for YMCA saw them win the doubles to clinch a 21-19 success over Preston B.

Simon Joslin returned to the league with a maximum score, but the man of the match was Pete Anderson, who was a late replacement for YMCA.

His determination and hard-hitting forehand smashes earned him a very credible seven games for the home side.

He was well supported by Brian Hansford (6) who together with Ken Brake (5) managed to see off a spirited Preston team.

Division One title favourites Springfield A continued their fine start to the season with a 29-12 triumph against Colliton X, but they did not have it all their own way.

Springfield started strongly with John Ryan (8) taking the first match 3-0, but Raj Lehal (5) and Andy Crouch (5) battled to take their matches to the fifth sets against Moses Lewis (9) and Tim Scott (9).

Three more matches were also taken to a fifth set but Colliton won only one of them as Crouch came back from two legs down to defeat Ryan.

But further wins for Lewis and Ryan who then teamed up in the doubles ensured a comfortable victory for Springfield.

Of the 41 legs played, 13 were decided by only two points, and Springfield showed their domination here, taking 10 of these.

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