Bath Street Marine Table Tennis Club
A Table Tennis England PremierClub
News Release - BSMTTC News 91
Dateline: 2 March 2019
Cup Semi-Finals!
For the first time in a number of years the Club had four teams through to the semi-final stage of the respective Divisional Cup competitions (see News Story 17 November 2018). Playing respectively in the Division's 3, 4 and 5 trophies. Here is a brief account of how they fared.
Hyde Cup (Division 3)
There were contrasting fortunes for the Club's two teams still in the Hyde Cup. But both had the advantage of a home draw. Dave Noden's C Team faced QVC, a team currently sitting 1 place above them in the Division 3 table. And Ian McElwee's D team faced Arriva North West A, currently sitting two places below them in the table. On the face of it therefore both matches had the potential to be really close encounters.
First up was the C Team, and the match started well enough with Captain Dave taking the first set against the visiting No.1. But from there on it was downhill all the way, as the usually reliable Darren Taylor lost twice, followed by losses for Ted Cramsie and the captain. The score card shows it's own story. We can't repeat the team captains description of his teams performance, but suffice it to say the visitors hardly put a foot wrong in securing their place in the finals where surely they must start as strong favourites?
Hyde Cup (Division 3)
Thursday saw the visit of Arriva North West A to Marine. With the very dangerous John Rowan leading his team. Again there seemed on paper little between the two sides, but when Dave McMahon raced through the visiting No.2 in the first set of the night the pattern was set. The decisive blow was dealt by Dave Stoddern in the third set, recovering from 2 games down, he stole the next two ends and ran away with the decisive 5th end to put the home team 3 up. There was no way back for the visitors the BSM team taking a clear 5:0 win and a place in the final which will be held on Wednesday 1 May. Book the date now!
Above left, Arriva North West A - Eddie Williams, John Rowan and Gary Stanton; and BSM D - Dave Stoddern, Ian McElwee and Dave McMahon. A terrific performance by the BSM side to secure a place in the Hyde Cup Final.
Forrest Cup (Division 4)
Andrew Armstrong's BSM E Team faced a visit to Waterloo to take on their A Team, currently sitting immediately below them in the divisional table. Another very close match in prospect. Cleverly, the Waterloo side brought in two strong players from the top of their B Team to play at the bottom of the A Team, but in truth that should have made little difference. But when Pete Ashley lost the opening set of the night in what ordinarily might have been a 'banker' the picture did not look good. Strangely Captain Andy called on the doubles in set 3, giving no chance for out of sorts Euan to get his eye in and when Peter lost again in set 4 it was really all over. Andy did pull one back, but the right call by the home captain ensured that the match was won before Euan got a chance to play any singles. A disappointing night for the visitors.
Stamp Cup (Division 5)
The BSM F semi-final was a disaster waiting to happen! Unexpectedly the team found themselves without 3 regular members of the squad, and were prevented by the League from playing their only quality reserve; refusing to use their discretionary powers to allow an otherwise ineligible player to participate in the exceptional circumstances. Steve McCormick, the only regular team member left, was therefore forced to lead the team against the very useful line up from Sefton Park D. The outcome of this match would depend on how the BSM subs performed in the sets at the bottom end of the card. Stuart Reid put in a tremendous effort, winning one and only loosing in the 5th to the home No.2, but neither Richard Woodley nor Tony Rimmer could match that giving the home side the clear advantage, which their No.1 did maximised taking his two singles with ease to give the Sefton Park side a deserved place in the final. There was no hiding team captain, Mark Benson's - currently out of action following his severe hand injury - disappointment of the outcome.
