This year's Annual Championships at Watton Sports Centre saw Nigel Houseago in great form as he took both the Open Singles Title and the Vets Title. It looked like it would be a hattrick too, when Nigel and doubles partner Dave Attridge went two sets up in the Open Doubles final against Robin Thaxter and Paul Barrett, but Robin and Paul weren't phased, coming back to take the next three 11-8, 11-6, 11-4. It was worthy consolation for Robin, who had been in good form himself throughout the day and had only narrowly lost in the semi final of the Open to Nigel.

In the Vets Nigel won in four sets against Robin, and the Division 2 Final was contested by two Billingford team mates, Peter Fuller and David Lake. Peter proved too strong for David, winning in three sets 11-7, 11-9, 11-6.

In the Handicap Fun Event Matthew Hubbard had great fun trying to overcome a 7 handicap whilst playing with a hard bat against Richard Norman, but despite a great effort in the second set Richard held him off to win 21-11, 21-17.

It was the Open Singles Final though that produced a fitting climax to the day. Alan Jones went 2-1 up against Nigel with a 12-10 third set win, Nigel coming back with 11-7 in the fourth, and the match was set up for a final leg decider. It went right to the wire with Alan getting to Championship point, only to be denied as Nigel held his nerve to finally come through 15-13.

Below are a few pics of the day - often blurry as everyone kept moving too quickly!

Doubles action                     Peter Fuller winning Division 2 event

Paul Barrett going out in the quarter final Open to Houseago

Nigel in awe at another Atto masterstroke      Robin Thaxter in full swing

Matthew Hubbard almost has fun with the hard bat      End of the Vets Final

Richard Norman on the way to winning the Handicap   Alan Jones in the Open Final

Nigel Houseago goes for the Open Singles title

26/03/2009, played at Ringland Reading Room.
66 Club B lost to Beetley 3-7.
66 Club B gained three games from the match, but unfortunately they were courtesy of walkovers as Beetley were a player short on the night. All games were played in good spirit, and with three games not played an early visit to Ringland Swan had to be made. Alls well that ends well...

16/03/2009, played at Swanton Morley Village Hall.
Swanton Morley D lost to RYBS 4-6.
Despite a David Appleby maximum for Swanton, RYBS managed enough in the remaining games to edge the match their way. Biggest battle of the night was Chris Wood's 14-12 win over Joe Barber in a tense fifth set.

23/03/2009, played at Swanton Morley Village Hall.
Swanton Morley H drew with Conservatives 5-5.
With just two players, Conservatives very nearly stole this match. Swanton "H" didn't labour in vain though, and gained a creditable draw with good wins from Steve against John and Richard against Pat with both enthralling games ending 11-9 in the fifth set. An enjoyable evening which had a liberal sprinkling of excellent table tennis, sportsmanship and good humor.

23/03/2009, played at Swanton Morley Village Hall.
Swanton Morley I drew with Bintree C 5-5.
Despite only being able to field two players, Swanton I managed a draw with Robert Richardson scoring a maximum. Jenny Hodges pushed Ben Sheldrake to five sets with thrilling top spin smash rallys before Ben came out on top 11-6 in the fifth.

Craske Cup

Angel Handicap Cup

Entry forms for this year's championships need to be with Nigel Houseago by Friday 20 March, so if you haven't got your entry in please make sure you do so now. Entry forms can be obtained by clicking on Downloads.

You can print it and send it in the post, complete it and email it to Nigel or just email him with your details, or phone him.

Bintree C secured a crushing victory 7-2 in their Angel Handicap Cup derby match with Bintree A. Sophie Hodges scored a maximum with Jenny Hodges and Jackie Bishop taking two apiece. Bintree C now play Billingford in Round 3.

In the Craske Cup Bintree A conceded their Round 2 match to The Mission.

Craske Cup semis:

Angel Handicap Cup Round 3:

11/03/2009, played at Wood Norton Village Hall.
Bintree B lost to Swanton Morley F 3-7.
Leaders Bintree B could only manage a win apiece against third placed Swanton D, for whom Derek Sidgwick was unbeaten to see them through to the win and gain points on Bintree B at the top of a tight Division 2.

12/03/2009, played at Ringland Reading Room.
66 Club B beat Swanton Morley D 7-3.
Swanton D were only able to field two players on the night, but Adrian Cox turned in a fine maximum for Swanton despite 66 B's determination to overcome him, all his matches going to the fifth set.

Craske Cup Semi Finals

Billingford/Bradenham v Bintree A/The Mission

Beetley v Swanton Morley A

Angel Handicap Cup Round 3/Quarter Finals

09/03/2009, played at Swanton Morley Village Hall.
Swanton Morley H lost to Toftwood 3-7.
SM "H" could only field two players but it didn't detract from a very enjoyable match played in good spirit and plenty of good table tennis to boot. For Toftwood, Digby was unassailable and like good wine, he seems to improve with age. Trevor was also unbeaten although he was ran close in a cracking game 6-11;11-6;11-5;9-11;5-11 with Swanton's Richard. Trevor's "never-say-die" approach saw him through. Although not decisive, Swanton gained some success in coming from two games down to take the doubles against Trevor and John.

04/03/2009, played at Swanton Morley Village Hall.
Swanton Morley F beat Conservatives 7-3.
Swanton F go back to third in a close match with second placed Conservatives. Out of the six games going to the deciding set Swanton took five of them to seal the 7-3 win.

02/03/2009, played at Swanton Morley Village Hall.
Swanton Morley I lost to Swanton Morley G 3-7.
The G team's Ron Duncan pushed Rob Richardson to five sets but eventually lost out 11-4, and Ben Sheldrake scored a good win for Swanton I over the G's no.1 Tony Brown, coming back after a first set defeat to take the next three. Russell Baylin had close games with Ron Duncan, but it was Swanton G who proved the stronger, winning 7-3.

Having inflicted defeat on second placed Conservatives, Billingford moved on to the Division's leaders Bintree B and continued in similar vein, securing a 6-4 win and moving up to third place in the table. Peter Fuller was Billingford's main inspiration, scoring a maximum and taking a fifth set doubles with David Lake.

Round 2 result: Swanton Morley D 3, Swanton Morley F 6

20/02/2009, played at Fakenham Conservative Club.
Conservatives lost to Billingford 3-7.
Billingford closed the gap on second placed Conservatives, inflicting the season's first defeat for the veteran Cons side in a hard fought and keenly contested match. David Lake and Peter Fuller were both unbeaten for Billingford.

Round 2: Toftwood 2, Swanton Morley C 7

Round 3/Quarter Final: Swanton Morley G 5, Swanton Morley E 4