Bears beat the drop

Report by Michael Browne.


Warwickshire A , left to right , Kate Hughes , Matt Outhwaite , Kenny Lindsay , James Ward and Rachael Pilgrim. 

The Warwickshire Senior A team managed the great escape from what looked like certain relegation from the County Premier championships.

The event was staged at the Wood Green Table Tennis Academy and saw many highly-ranked players from all around the country competing.

The team seemed doomed to relegation as they were seventh out of the eight teams on Saturday morning on zero points from the first weekend.

However, two wins on Saturday against Berkshire, which they won 8-2, and fellow strugglers Kent, who they also beat 8-2, meant they had a chance of survival if they could get some more points on the board on Sunday. A fantastic 5-5 draw against the top team Sussex ensured their safety.

Local teacher , and Colebridge member ,  Kate Hughes, who finished the weekend with five out of six wins, won two crucial matches in this encounter, including a victory against Yolanda King, the England No.7, and a real battle against Yuki Watt at deuce in the fifth.

By the end of play Warwickshire finished the weekend in fifth position, which ensured another year in the top flight of the counties.

In the Birmingham League, Crown A gave themselves a real chance of retaining their title by defeating fellow contenders Colebridge A 8-2 at home after losing to them 7-3 away the previous week.

Jody Bevington and Michael Bree won three each with only Edward Lynn gaining a victory for the visitors over Jonathan Ludlow.