Division 2
The second division title race is down to a two horse race between the two Nailsworth Phoenix sides. The A-side hold a 3-point lead with a further game in hand and would appear to be favourites. Phoenix B are a massive 32 points clear of Whiteshill Vets A who currently edge the race for third place between Whiteshill, Randwick A, Woodchester C, Forest Green B and Frampton B who are separated by a hand full of points with positions constantly being swapped between the five teams by the week. Randwick B eighth and Nailsworth A ninth currently hold the bottom two places however neither are too far back for a possible third rotation improvement to avoid relegation.
Week 18: Div 2: Eighth placed Randwick B scored only their second victory of the season with shorthanded 2-on-2 match against Frampton B which finished 7-2. Randwick's Declan Fardon and Nick Walker were both unbeaten for an important win. Woodchester C managed a close 6-4 victory over Forest Green B. Don Sweeney with his fifth maximum of the season with two sets from John Bunn and a single point from Pat Pumphrey good enough for the win for Woodchester.
Week 17: Nailsworth Phoenix A hold top spot with a comfortable 8-2 victory over Frampton B. Phoenix's Andy Stratford was unbeaten on the night for his twelfth maximum of the season and now has the best average in the division. Framptons Simon Philp put in one of his best performances of the season by beating both Richard Cole and Greg Day for the Frampton points. Club mates Phoenix B keep pace with the leaders with a matching 8-2 victory over third placed Whiteshill Vets A. Phoenix B's top player Christophe Baron was also unbeaten and sits in second place in the divisional averages setting up a much anticipated match with Andy Stratford in their next derby match. Bottom placed Nailsworth A had a much needed confidence boost with an 8-2 victory over eighth placed Randwick B. Nailsworth's no.1 Dave Pugh was unbeaten and was well backed up by Alan Welsh and George Evans who won 2 each to complete the victory. Randwick A continue their recent form with a 6-4 win at Woodchester C despite a maximum from Woodchesters Don Sweeney. Randwick A now look strong challengers for a possible third place finish in the division.
Week 16: Nailsworth Phoenix A march on with another 8-2 win at bottom side Nailsworth A, Andy Stratford and Richard Cole were both unbeaten on the night, whilst Nailsworth's Micky Holbrow and Dave Pugh both managed to get the better of Phoenix's Greg Day. Randwick A continue their recent form and with a 7-3 victory over 2-man Randwick B despite Declan Fardon's best efforts in scoring the three points for Randwick B. Nailsworth Phoenix B keep up the chase on their A side with a 9-1 victory over fourth placed Forest Green B that FG's John Crowther described as more of an annihilation than a table tennis match. Whiteshill Vets A and Frampton B round off the weeks results with a 5-5 draw, where half the matches went to 5-sets and included a remarkable 22-20 set to Whiteshill's Rupert Harris againt Frampton 's Alan Perratt, which Alan finally won in the fifth set. Whiteshill's Alan Churchill was best on the night scoring hid first maximum of the season.
Week 15: Division leaders and favouites Nailsworth Phoenix A continue the new year where they finished off with another big victory with a 9-1 win against Randwick A. Nick Watts provided the single point for Randwick by beating Phoenix A's Greg Day, although Randwick's Wayne Hopkins will be counting himself unlucky to not manage a win as all three of his singles went the full 5-set distance including against Andy Stratford who had to came back from two sets down for his maximum. Nailsworth A had a commendable 5-5 draw against third placed Whiteshill Vets A, Dave Push with a maximum and Alan Welsh with 2-sets for Nailsworth providing much needed points for the bottom side and puts them now just 4-points back from Randwick B in eighth position.
Week 14: Forest Green B had their biggest win of the season with a 9-1 victory over bottom side Nailsworth A which moves them to fourth place in the table, FG's Craig Smart and John Crowther both enjoyed maximums, Dave Pugh avoided the whitewash by beating John Pobjoy. Nailsworth Phoenix A retain top spot with an 8-2 victory over Randwick B. Phoenix A's Andy Stratford was again unbeaten, whilst Richard Cole and substitute Laurence Manley both won 2-sets each, and both were beaten by Randwicks Declan Fardon. Nailswoth Phoenix B keep second place with a 7-3 victory against Woodchester C. Christophe Baron keeps his excellent season going but was forced to comeback from 2-sets down to Woodchester's Don Sweeney to finally win 12-10 in the fifth set, Don also took Matt Anderson to a 5-setter but this time the result went his way with an 11-9 final set victory.
Week 13: Top of the table Nailsworth Phoenix A suffered their first defeat of the season at Woodchester C, Don Sweeney was unbeaten for Woodchester and with a point each from teammates Pat Pumphry and John Bunn, plus the all-important doubles the victory was secured. Whiteshill Vets A also had a good week with a 7-3 victory over 2-man Randwick B, this despite a maximum from Randwicks Declan Fardon who moves into third spot in the divisional averages. Randwick’s Dan Ind also fought well with 2 of his 3 singles matches going to 5-sets and should count himself unlucky not to have been rewarded with a win. Nailsworth Phoenix B gained points on their A side with an 8-2 victory at Frampton B. Christophe Baron and Matt Anderson again showed their class with maximum’s apiece as both beat Frampton’s top player Dave Pearce.
Week 12: Nailsworth Phoenix A hold first place with a 9-1 victory over Whiteshill Vets  A, Phoenix A's Andy Stratford completed his 8th maximum of the season and has lost just once so far. Richard Cole was also unbeaten on the evening, for the second straight week. Steve Greening managed the single point for Whiteshill. Phoenix B keek pace with their A-side and second spot with a matching 9-1 victory over the bottom side Nailsworth A. Phoenix B's big hitters Christophe Baron and Matter Anderson were both unbeaten , which keeps Christophe top of the averages by a whisker over Andy Stratford. Frampton B and Woodchester C are separated by a single point in mid table but could not be separated on the table as they played out a 5-5 draw. Woodchester's John Bunn and sub Ken Bridle each won 2, whilst Frampton's Dave Pearce was unbeaten. Randwick B suffered a 6-4 defeat at Forest Green B which keeps them firmly in second but last place in the division 2 table, this despite the efforts of Randwick's Declan Fardon who managed his fourth maximum of the season. Jimmy Haycraft, Craig Smart and John Pobjoy with 2-sets each scored the points for Forest Green.
Week 11: Nailsworth Phoenix A continue to dominate the division with another strong 9-1 victory against mid-table Forest Green B, Andy Stratford and Ricard Cole led the way with maximums. Jimmy Haycraft provided the single set for FG. Phoenix B take temporary top spot over their A side courtesy of number of games played with a 7-3 win at Randwick A, Matt Anderson and Christophe Baron again are top performers for Phoenix B with maximums. Whiteshill Vets A move into 3rd spot with a 7-3 victory over fourth placed Woodchester C, Whiteshill's Rupert Harris put in his best performance of the season with a fine singles maximum, Don Sweeney provided the main Woodchester resistance with 2 singles sets plus the doubles.
Week 10: Second placed Nailsworth Phoenix B close the gap on their club mates with an 8-2 victory against 2-player Randwick B who remain in the bottom 2. Randwick A move up the table with an 8-2 win at Frampton B. Randwicks Tim Chancellor was best on the night with a singles and doubles maximum whilst Framptons Brian Cullis proved the main opposition by beating Randwicks Nick Watts and Wayne Hopkins. Woodchester C scored a close fought 6-4 win at home to Nailsworth A who remain bottom of the table. Nailsworths Dave Pugh was again unbeaten and keeps Nailsworths hopes alive of avoiding the drop. Forest Green B and Whiteshill Vets share the points with a 5-5 draw in the mid table scrap. Whiteshills Steve Greening was unbeaten on the night and sits third in the division averages.
With some outstanding results yet to be entered !! we do not have a clear comparison for the whole division. However what is clear is that the Division 2 new boys Nailsworth Phoenix A (58) and B (48) are proving to the the teams to beat and occupy the top two places. The next 4 teams are sepparated by a mear 2 points, Forest Green B (40), Whiteshill Vets A (40), Randwick A (39), Woodchester C (39). Frampton B (37) who have a game in hand on the teams ahead of them could easily jump from 7th to 3rd spot with a 4 point score. Nailsworth A are currently propping up the table but are by no means to be counted out at this early stage of the season.
Week 9: The top two teams met for the first matchup which saw club mates Nailsworth Phoenix A and B do battle, and Phoenix A managed a convincing 8-2 victory and open-up a 10 point lead for the Division 2 title. Andy Stratford takes the boasting rights for Phoenix A with a fine maximum. Randwick secure their third straight win with an 8-2 victory over Nailsworth A which moves them up into the mid table battle where 4 teams are separated by just a single point. Nick Watts and Tim Chancellor both on top form for Randwick with maximums. Forest Green B retain third place with a 7-3 win against Woodchester C, led by John Pobjoy who returned his best performance of the season with an excellent maximum.
Week 8: Nailsworth Phoenix A pushed into top spot with a solid 8-2 victory over mid-table Frampton B, Andy Stratford proved to be the man to beat again with a maximum, whilst team mates Rich Cole and Greg Day both won 2-singles sets and lost the third to Frampton’s top man Dave Pearce. Phoenix B lost pace in second slot as they were beaten 6-4 by Whiteshill Vets A. Whiteshill’s Steve Greening was unbeaten on the night which included inflicting the first defeat of the season on Phoenix B’s Christophe Baron. Whiteshill’s Rupert Harris added 2 sets and Alan Churchill 1 set which was good enough to take the victory. Randwick A score a fine 6-4 victory over Woodchester C, Randwicks Tim Chancellor was unbeaten in singles and with partner Nick Watts won the doubles in a 5-setter to take the win. Woodchester’s Don Sweeney and substitute Ken Bridle both won 2-sets each but this was not quite enough for an equal share of the points.
Week 7: Nailsworth Phoenix A keep their unbeaten record with an 8-2 victory over Nailsworth A now tie their clubmates Phoenix B at the top of the table on 42 points. Phoenix A’s Andy Stratford was best on the night with a fine singles and double maximum, Dave Pugh scored the 2-points for Nailsworth A. Nailsworth Phoenix B had a close 6-4 win against Forest Green B, Phoenix B’s Christophe Baron was again unbeaten and remains top of the divisional averages. Fine performances from Forest Green’s Jimmy Haycraft and John Pobjoy with 2-sets each ensured a close result. Randwick A and Randwick B had their first derby of the season which resulted in a 7-3 victory for the A side, however the Randwick bragging rights belong to the B-sides Declan Fardon who was unbeaten in singles scoring the 3-points for the B-side. Frampton B round off the weeks results with an 8-2 win against Whiteshill Vets A which keeps Frampton in 3rd place in the table behind the two Phoenix teams. Fine Frampton performances on the night from Brian Cullis and Simon Philp who were both unbeaten in the singles. Steve Greening scored the only singles point for Whiteshill and was then partnered by Alan Churchill in the doubles for the all important extra point.
Week 6: Nailsworth Phoenix A keep up the pressure on their B side with an 8-2 victory over Randwick A. Phoenix A’s Andy Stratford was unbeaten on the night, Alan Wheeler was also on top form taking the 2-points for Randwick . Whiteshill Vets A had the big win of the week with a 10-0 whiteshill-wash over 2-man Nailsworth A, Steve Greening, Toby Harris and Rupert Harris scoring the points for Whiteshill which moved Whiteshill to 3trd in the table and leaves Nailsworth A in bottom spot. Frampton B also had a big win with a 9-1 victory over Forest Green B. Dave Pearce and Simon Philp were both unbeaten for Frampton, John Crowther with the single point for Forest Green with a 4-set victory against Brian Cullis. Randwick B won a close 6-4 match against Woodchester C, Randwick’s Declan Fardon produced his best form of the season so far with an excellent maximum.
Week 5: Forest Green B picked up valuable points with a 7-3 victory over Nailsworth A who are still winless. Dave Pugh was best on the night for Forest Green with a maximum. Nailsworth Phoenix A also won 7-3 away to 2-man Randwick B. Randwick’s Declan Fardon and Phoenix’s Andy Stratford played out the match of the night which saw Declan battle back from 2-sets down to win in 5. Woodchester C had their best win so far with an 8-2 victory over top of the table Phoenix B. John Bunn and Donn Sweeney were both unbeaten making for an excellent night for Woodchester and putting them 3rd in the table.
Week 4: Nailsworth Phoenix A and Woodchester C remain 2nd and 3rd place in the division respectively thanks to an 5-5 draw. Andy Stratford was unbeaten in singles for Phoenix, including a 5-set victory over Woodchesters Don Sweeney who has been on recent top form. Whiteshill picked up their first win of the season with a 7-3 victory over Randwick B. Steve Greening with 3 plus Rupert Harris with 2 main scored for Whiteshill. Phoenix B strengthen their top spot position with a 9-1 victory at Frampton B. Phoenix B's Christophe Baron remains unbeaten and top of the averages. Dave Pearce scored the single point for Frampton to avoid the whitewash.
Week 3: Nailsworth Phoenix B top the table with an 8-2 victory over Nailsworth A, Christophe Baron and Matt Anderson both with maximums for Phoenix B who look early season favourites for the division title. Randwick B and Forest Green shared the points with a 5-5 draw, Craig Smart was top player on the night and unbeaten in the singles including a very close 5-setter against Randwicks Declan Fardon who played a total of 19 games over the evening. Phoenix A kept pace with their B side with an 8-2 victory over 2-man Whiteshill Vets A. Frampton B secured their first victory of the season at Woodchester C as Dave Pearce, Simon Philp and Alan Perratt all won 2-sets each in the singles plus the doubles, however all were beaten by Woodchester’s Don Sweeney on fine form.
Week 2: Nailsworth Pheonix A secured a hard fought 6-4 victory at Forest Green B. Nailsworth’s Andy Stratford was on top form and completed a singles and doubles maximum (with team made Richard Cole) and will no doubt be one of the favourites for the top individual average honours come the end of the season. Frampton B and Nailsworth A shared the points in a 5-5 draw. Nailsworth’s Dave Pugh maintained his unbeaten start to the season with a maximum. Nailsworth Pheonix B top the early division table with a convincing 9-1 victory over 2-man Randwick A. Tim Chancellor scored the single point for Randwick to avoid the white wash with a singles win over Nailsworth’s Mike Davis.
Week 1: In line with the top division the quality and strength of Division 2 has also been raised this season with the promotion of the Nailsworth Pheonix A and B sides who will be keen to earn a place in the top division next year and should prove strong competition for the regular division contenders in what is traditionally a very closely contested competition. Nailsworth Pheonix B kicked off with a strong 8-2 performance away to Randwick B. Christopher Baron top scored for Nailsworth with a maximum and was well supported by Pete Stuart and Matt Anderson with 2-sets each. Declan Fardon provided the main resistance with 2-sets for Randwick. Randwick A and Frampton B shared the honours with a 5-5 draw in a very even contest where no player managed to stay unbeaten. Woodchester C managed a 7-3 victory against Nailsworth A, John Bunn, Pat Pumphrey and Donn Sweeney all with 2-sets for Woodchester and all were beaten by Nailsworths Dave Pugh. Forest Green B completed the week 1 results with a 5-4 win at Whiteshill Vets A despite Steve Greening who was unbeaten on the night for Whiteshill
Prepared by Andy Cox
05/02/2012