6th April 2011

WEYMOUTH & DISTRICT TABLE TENNIS: Maganti downs YMCA bid

YMCA are one of five teams jostling for supremacy at the top of the Weymouth & District League’s first division but their title ambitions took a hammer blow as they suffered a narrow 19-18 against fast-improving Wyke Regis A at Rymeads Lane.

Sai Maganti gave the hosts, who were searching for only their second league win of the season, a huge lift with an impressive 3-1 defeat of YM number one John Cox (7) in the first rubber of the night before Neil Richards (7) added further belief to the Wyke cause by outwitting Brian Hansford (5) in four sets.

The vastly improved Magenti, buoyed by his early success, completed a magnificent treble as he proved too strong for both Hansford and Ken Brake (4) who both succumbed in four while Richards 3-0 upset of Brake kept Wyke ahead.

However, luckless Steve White failed to grab a set which allowed YM to level at 16 apiece going into the doubles and it then took a terrific effort from Magenti and Richards to fight back from 2-1 down to overcome the seasoned pairing of Cox and Hansford 5-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-7, 11-4 to complete a first class victory.

A week later and Wyke were involved in another closely fought scrap when they welcomed All Saints A, without talisman Paul Carter, to the Community Hall.

Again Magenti found top gear with a his 3-1 success over Steve Rook (7) the highlight after routine wins over both Chris Whitehead (6) and Keith Thompson (4) while White (5) enjoyed a far better night that included a fine five-sets triumph over Thompson.

When Richards (4) just sneaked past Thompson in another five-setter the home side were holding a slender 18-17 advantage going into the doubles but, as is so often the case, the trailing team pulled through 3-2 in a tense final rubber to square the match at 20-20.

In the third tier St. Osmunds’ Hawks are emerging as the favourites for promotion as they secured their ninth league victory with a 25-10 success over Preston B.

Both Joe Boardman and Josh Harman hit maximums with the former not dropping a set while Chris Webb (4) enjoyed the game of the night – a five-sets win over David Muldoon (2).

WEYMOUTH & DISTRICT TABLE TENNIS: Maganti downs YMCA bid

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