Bath Street Marine Table Tennis Club
A Table Tennis England PremierClub

TEAM REPORTS

 

The 1st Team (Div 1)

 

Members:  Ken Jackson (Cap't), Fred Bainbridge, Julian Quirk 

 

Position in Div   P    W    L    GW    GL    Pts

8                       26   8     14   114    146   114

 

The announcement, just before the start of the season, that Gary Watson - who had been a stalwart of the 1st team for sometime - had decided to leave the Club was a major blow. And at first it looked as if it might be necessary to take the team out of Div 1. However at the last, Julian, who had newly signed on, and was set to play in Div 3, agreed to take the giant step up to Div 1. But a return of just over a third proved this was the right decision and although Julian had to miss a number of matches the team was able to get through the season, with a little help from the subs bench! Hitting the big 70 in the season didn't deter Freddie, but the truth is he was struggling to make an impact at this level. Ken however proved that he is still a quality player at the highest level with a two thirds return, and No.17 in the Top 20 averages. Enough to ensure a mid-table finish once more.

 

A Team (Div 1)

 

Members:  Dave Roberts (Cap't), Clare Peers, Dermot Tierney  

 

Position in Div     P     W     L     GW     GL     Pts

10                       26    10    14    105     155    105

 

Had it not been for the unfortunate, punitive and unreasonable deduction of 10points the team would have finished 8th pushing the 1st team down a place! Captain Dave Roberts was the main stay of the team playing in all but 1 match and managing 4 substitutions for the 1st team, finishing with a division 1 average of 58.1%, just outside the Top 20 (21) for 1st division players qualifying for an entry in the averages. But Clare probably enjoyed one of her best seasons finishing with an average of 61.4% and placing her 19th in the Top 20 player's averages, the highest placed lady player in the League. For Dermot there were times when he just couldn't buy a win but he fought determinedly all season. Overall it was a good team performance, marred by most unfortunate events off the table. Team captain Dave says he now feels that he knows the Club Secretary's wife intimately! For although they have never met the number of occasions he has had to phone the Secretary this season for one reason or another means that they have now got to know each other quite well, and are definitely on first name terms!

 

B Team (Div 2)

 

Members: Colin Owens (Cap't), Rob Peat, Dave Stoddern  

 

Position in Div     P     W     L     GW     GL     Pts

8                         22     5     15     88      132    88

 

Being without team captain Colin for a period of time through injury made it an even harder than normal year in what is often referred to as the toughest of all divisions. However the availability of quality substitutes like Tony Kendall, and players from the D Team, played a major part in ensuring that the team was able to fulfil its fixtures and turn in some good performances. Both Rob and Dave played in all but one of the team's fixtures and Rob had one of his best seasons finishing with an average of 56.4% and at No.17 in the Top20 averages for this division. A tough year with some very enjoyable table tennis and good company.

 

 

C Team (Div 3)

 

Members:   Brian Crolley (Cap't), Andy Cheung, Mal Kent. 

 

Position in Div     P     W     L     GW     GL     Pts

5                         26    15    8     141    119     141

 

The "C" team had a very good season, the availability of high class substitutes to cover the time Andy spent in Hong Kong and Mal was unwell made all the difference. Captain Brian somehow managed to play in every league game, an incredible achievement. The team finished 5th in the 3rd Division with 141 points averaging 5.5 points per match, which is a credit to all who played for the team. The team played consistently in every match with only a few really outstanding performances. Mal Kent beating Barry Davis in the BSM "C" v BSM "D" derby match, with outstanding table tennis from both players. Mal beating Paul Jennings by an incredible score in the 5th game at Wavertree Labour. Andy beating Paul Jennings on the same night 15:17 in the 5th game. Brian beating young Jack Gittings of M/Side Police 11:13 in the 5th after being 10:4 down in the same game. Best Shot of the season, was Tony Kendall's fore hand across court hit when playing in the doubles against Bootle YMCA "A". Best Match of the season was an 8-2 defeat by Sefton Park when 8 games went to 5 and we lost 7 of them very close in the 5th game. Another truly enjoyable season and the team captain particularly expresses his appreciation of all the substitutes who supported the team so willingly. In what was a most competitive division this was an excellent team effort.      

 

D Team (Div 3)

 

Members: Barry Davis (Cap't), Ian McElwee, Ricky Brown, Colin Mitchell & Tony Kendall.

 

Position in Div     P     W     L     GW     GL     Pts

2                         26    22     2     201     59     201

 

In any other season 201 points would have been a division winning total! And it is not often that you will find a team the quality of Maghull, with a top first division player, playing in Division 3! But that's the way it goes. The D team had a very successful season finishing 2nd in the 3rd division. Ian, Ricky, Colin and captain Barry played the games on a fairly strict rotation determined at the start of the season. It has worked very well and the team only needed to call on a reserve on one occasion. Ian finished 4th in the Division 3 averages with 88%, Barry 8th on 76.5% and Ricky 9th on 75%, Colin wasn't far off with 53.2%. All the players also assisted the higher teams with each playing just about all their quota of 6 substitutions. The teams determination is shown by the fact that we were involved in 39 five setters and won 64% of them! Captain Barry says, "It has been a pleasure to play with all the lads. At the start of the season there was a bit of pressure on us all for different reasons. The first game of the season was a real eye opener for Ian and Ricky. We won the away match 7-3 but there were 5, five-setters. At one point we thought we were going to have to call an ambulance for Ian who was breathing very heavily. Welcome to Division 3! As the season went on Ian's fitness improved and I don't think he lost a game in the 2nd half of the season. A tremendous effort after serious surgery. I'd like to place on record my thanks to Ian and Ricky for the help and advice they have given to the younger members of the squad this season! Their help during a game and later during a relaxing pint has been invaluable. Well done lads. Thanks for the season and I look forward to playing with you all again next season. I know that it will be harder again but I am already looking forward to the challenge." Not only did Barry captain this successful team in Division 3 he also led a team to victory in the League Veterans Handicap KO Cup (see News Stories for details).

 

E Team (Div 4)

 

Members: Graham Oates (Cap't), Ted Cramsie, Sam Pierce, Graham Turner, Keith Wright

 

Position in Div     P     W     L     GW     GL     Pts

2                         26    22    3     188      72     188

 

Two disastrous results in the first half of the season, against Merseyside Police and Arriva - neither of whom were the top teams - made it look as if the team would finish in the top half of the table but not be quite good enough for promotion. But by the halfway stage the team had fought its way up to third, but still with quite a gap to the 2nd team Maghull B. The highlight matches of the first half were a 6:4 victory over Maghull B, and a draw against the top team East Wavertree. It looked as if things weren't going to improve in the second half when the team lost 7:3 in the return fixture with Maghull B in the difficult conditions at Maghull. But that was to prove to be the only defeat of the second half, and with 3 matches to go the team were for the first time tapping at the heels of Maghull B who were in 2nd place. This included a fantastic 6:4 win against the top side East Wavertree in which young Sam really excelled, inflicting a first defeat on their number 4, and dragging Graham through for a doubles win. In the penultimate match of the season it all fell apart for Maghull when they dramatically lost 10:0 to East Wavertree allowing the E team to sneak in to steal 2nd spot. A great finish. With captain Graham missing the end of the season due to 'nursing' duties, the team were able to make some excellent use of substitutes bringing in Darren Taylor (the No.1 of the F Team) at No.4, which was a major boost. Sixteen year old Sam had a fabulous season in his first year for the club, improving all the time, and finishing with an excellent 83.3% playing at No.3 & 4. This included some outstanding performances none more so than his contribution against East Wavertree and inflicting a rare defeat on Dean Appleton of QVC. Both Ted and Graham, playing at No.1 & 2 respectively, put in steady performances throughout finishing with 74.4% and 78.2% respectively. And captain Graham & Keith also made valuable contributions, especially in supporting the team's excellent doubles record. Overall a really enjoyable season, with a very exciting finale.

 

F Team (Div 4)

 

Members: Dave Noden Cap't), Darren Taylor, Ned Hassan, Billy Clayton, Jules Dutch, Tom Downing, Albert Parker, Michael White and James Sullivan

 

Position in Div     P     W     L     GW     GL     Pts

6                         26    10    10    129     131    129

 

A newly assembled squad captained by Dave, starting his third season with the Club, Darren his second and Tom making his debut. Add to that the experienced Billy and Albert and expectations were positive for a top five finish. Early fixtures couldn't have been much harder with East Wavertree, who turned out to be the runaway champions of the division, and our own 'E' team, who ultimately finished 2nd. So, gaining a paltry 2 points in these first two fixtures was somewhat disappointing! But worse was to come, No 1 Darren, whilst retrieving a shot in what was developing to be an interesting game v Dean Appleton (QVC) at 10-2 up in the second pulled up sharply, and had to retire injured. A muscle tear was diagnosed and we lost his much needed services until the new year. Not wanting to sound like the voice of doom, a la Michael Buerk in the 90's documentary series 999 lifesavers, 'but worse was to follow'. Our latest 'signing', talisman Tom Downing was then ruled out for the season after his 3rd match, when a long standing knee injury became too much and Tom who was awaiting dates for surgery, having a further setback when it emerged he needed to have a heart operation prior to any knee surgery. This involved an Aortic valve replacement. Tom is now doing well but is still awaiting his 'new' knee replacement! He still looks forward to playing again as soon as possible. The squad depleted to Dave, Albert and Billy was complemented by Keith for the first win of the season, a useful and much needed 7-3 defeat of CADWA 'D'. A concerted effort was needed to avoid a season which could result in a battle for relegation as we entered October 'propping' up the division. A couple of draws brought some respite but further heavy defeats brought just 6 points from the next 3 matches. The squad was then boosted by Ned, new signing Jules Dutch and addition of 15 year old James Sullivan, albeit that all only had limited availability. Despite these setbacks, the stalwarts of Billy, Albert and Dave were playing well, holding the fort and returning good performances even though playing up a place or two than their original ranking order. This kept the team above the relegation places going into the Xmas break (which couldn't come quick enough). But still the injury jinx continued, first Dave being laid off for a month and finally Albert being hit by the injury hoodoo. But the New Year did see Darren back in action, a very welcome sight. The captain was left with no option than to hijack new boy Mickey White from the G team (sorry Des we only had 3 players!!). Mickey, returning to the game after a break and working temporarily in Liverpool from his native Sheffield, proved a more than useful acquisition playing the remaining 9 matches and only losing two sets. This coincided with a fine run, in the last 11 matches of the season we won 7 drew 2 and lost 2 (Darren and Dave missing in each of the 2 losses). So, in the second half of the season we scored 77 points compared to 52 in the first half. A great improvement. Of the six teams to gain promotion from the fifth last season only one, East Wavertree (who became champions), finished above the F team 'battlers'. No report for this campaign would be complete without mentioning the ever-green Billy 'Crystal' Clayton, not only was he the only player to remain injury free, he also played 24 league matches consecutively (not counting other matches for other club teams and cup games), and only missed one game during the entire season! All in all a really great effort after the setbacks earlier in the season, coupled with an excellent team spirit well done and a big thanks to all, not forgetting Best Wishes for a speedy and full recovery to Tom and Albert. Oh, and here's a team photo, with Captain Dave in the centre, 'Crystal' Clayton and Micky White to his left, and Albert and Darren to his right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

G Team (Div 5)

 

Members: Des Logan (Cap't), Keith Dudley, Tom Bell, Cyril Penny, Barbara Alcock, Mary Delamere, Liz Adams, Don Gibson, Josh Taylor, Gareth Miller & Carol Robertshaw

 

Position in Div     P     W     L     GW     GL     Pts

14                       26    4     19     83     177      83

 

When the team acquired new Club member Micky White at the end of January, after a very tough first half of the season, it looked as if fortunes may start to change for the beleaguered team. Returning to the game after an absence, and having just moved to Liverpool for work at the docks, Micky proved immediately to be a very able player - and considerably reduced the average age of the squad. His contributions started to pick up a few extra points for the squad, and it looked as if they may finally be able to drag themselves off the bottom of the table. It was a little cruel when the F Team captain, inadvertently ended up transferring Micky out of the G Team by exceeding the substitution rule! Team Captain Des says, "This has been a very difficult playing year, and although we had numerous players available, few could be called upon, and the team 'backbone' is ancient!" A major blow was the loss of Cyril through injury, and family issues have also prevented other team members from regular appearances. Despite that all players, when available, seemed to enjoy playing and there was a good spirit in the team throughout. But without a genuine No.1 or 2 for much of the season it was always going to be a struggle. Both Keith and Tom showed genuine improvement, helped by the adult coaching from Ian, and good support was also provided by Liz and Mary as reserves. Despite holding up all of the rest of the teams in the League by finishing bottom it was an enjoyable season, but the captain says 'new blood' is desperately needed if the run of poor results is to be stopped.