Bath Street Marine Table Tennis Club
A Table Tennis England PremierClub

C Team (Div 3)

 

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

 

Position in Div     P     W     L     GW     GL     Pts

9                         24    10    11    112    128    112

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Captain Brian Crolley reports that, "once again my team of Andy Cheng,

Mal Kent and myself played the season out, with the help of a number of

reserves, including Ray Hibbs, Les Dodd, Peter Ashley, Dave Noden, Miguel

Monteiro, Matt Wilson, Ted Cramsie and David Lovelady.  All these reserves

contributed in each match to our points tally - sometimes more than the regulars!

Pretty good, and I thank all these players for helping out over the season. 

Andy Cheung on 50%, Mal Kent 48% and Brian Crolley 33%, supplied the bulk

of the points but it highlights the need for excellent reserves and this is what

we got, thank you lads".

Brian says that, star wins were Mal’s victory over Steve Braddick of divisional champions Maghull, Brian Crolley's wins over Alek Charchenco of Linacre and Lee Farley (Wavertree Labour), and Andy Cheung's 3 wins against Linacre. This division has proved tougher than usual this season, or is it that we are just getting a little older? Brian ends his report saying, "we can see another tough season ahead in 2017-18, but the current “C” team are fighters so the rest are in for an equally tough time! See you next season." And anyone who knows Brian will know exactly how true that is!

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​D Team (Div 3)

 

Members: Dave Noden (Cap't), Ted Cramsie and Darren Taylor

 

Position in Div     P     W     L     GW     GL     Pts

7                         24    12     8     132     108   132

 

The disappointment of losing Josh Taylor, due to his decision to take a break

from table tennis, was tempered by the welcome addition of Ted to the team and

relief with Darren confirming that he would be playing after considering taking

a table tennis sabbatical! As a result there was a quiet confidence of performing

well in the season from the outset, hoping perhaps to finish in the top 4, or at

least improving on a the 6th place of last season. Alas, this proved a little

optimistic due to the new found strength within the third division.

Dave reports, "we opened the season with two draws which made the initial

assessment seem realistic and there followed one of the best runs this team

has ever had, 5 straight wins gaining 37 out of 50 points to haul us up to a heady 4th position in the division. Darren playing arguably his best table tennis winning all but 1 of his 15 singles matches during this period and Ted and Dave weighing in with a creditable points tally. Undoubtedly the best performances where against Wavertree Labour B and C teams beating them 8-2 and 9-1 respectively, the latter with 5 matches going to 5 games with four being won by a 2 point margin the other by 3 points! However this 'rub of the green' didn't last. Perhaps these scores were a tad favourable; luck and points from then on were hard to come by! The next 2 fixtures were against top 4 teams, top of the table Maghull A, undoubtedly the best team in the division. So, after one of the longest unbeaten runs in the division and a stretch of 13 unbeaten from the last season this did prove unlucky for us, losing 7-3. Although some consolation as it could have been worse but for the form of Ted and Darren with a singles win each over the evergreen John Langton, and winning a great doubles encounter against two of the best players in the division in Michael Stewart and Steve Braddick. We then faced another drubbing 2-8 against Arriva NW. This was followed by perhaps our most disappointing result in the campaign, a draw with Bootle YMCA B. This was compounded by the fact that by the end of the season this was the only game the Bootle side didn't lose! Next it was lowly Sefton Park, and again we had to settle for a draw. It seemed that the "wheels had certainly come off" our season, mainly due to a combined loss of form and no luck at all! Unfortunately Darren then developed a shoulder injury which got progressively worse especially playing twice a week and playing in three weekend tournaments running! His season ended in March, missing 4 of the last 5 matches. But we were able to call on some quality substitutes. David Lovelady played in 3 matches, 9 sets unbeaten before he too had a return of his injury woes and is now awaiting knee surgery. Another 'deputy' who won't be playing for us again or the club, but not through injury, was Miguel Monteiro who also made winning contributions. Miguel is returning to Portugal; "Boa sorte com tudo que você faz". Also a big thank you to Ray Hibbs, Peter Ashley and Les Dodd who helped out when needed. Finishing 7th in the division only a point behind 5th place, a realistic target to better next season, but a very competitive division which has got tougher! Roll on September!"

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E Team (Div 4)

 

Members: Keith Dudley (Cap't), Peter Ashley, Les Dodd, Miguel Monteiro and Graham Turner. 

 

Position in Div     P     W     L     GW     GL     Pts

1                         24    21    1     185      55    185

 

What a momentous season which commenced with an 8-2 victory away to Police,

who would ultimately finish second in the division, and whom we beat in the final of

the divisional cup. We established an early league lead and by December it was

clear that, bar hiccups, we could win the league. Eventually we won by 20 points

with only one loss and two draws; all mainly due to doubles slips.

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Every game was important and the resolve of the team didn't waver, if anything it

increased as the prospect of the title got closer. Any slip up would be punished by

the chasing pack. This was a team effort par excellence. The effort epitomized by

our No.1 Miguel diving into the seating area on one occasion to retrieve to win a

point against Bootle. I nearly spilt my tea! Oops, I admit I sat this hard game out

along with one or two others to ensure winning the league!

 
Miguel, Graham, Les and Peter were a joy to play with and all were outstanding.

Peter, Les and myself also formed a Vets team in the Frank Murphy Handicap Cup, and to our surprise we got through to the final with a little help from Brian Crolley in the semi-final defeat of Waterloo, which was a very hard fought match. On Finals night, Captain Dudley addressed his troops, once more into the breach etc. With three sets to play we were 3 points down to Bootle. Keith having been eviscerated by Shakil Malik, staggered to the table feet itching, flatulent and concussed, a husk of a man. First game versus John Taylor 7-1 down, but like Lazarus, he stirs and gains 14 plus points. Only true believers like the team think we can do it with Les to play Shakil and Peter to play Steve Daniels, both very capable players from a higher division. Les gave a magnificent performance to beat Shakil by 9! Bootle are stunned, both players and supporters. 20 ahead and the colossus Peter takes Steve Daniels down with a virtuoso display of controlled big hitting, winning by 27 points. The spectators, Barry, Colin, Ken, Dave, Brian, Billy, Ted and Graham go wild! Thanks for your support. So, perhaps a never to be repeated season ends, the triple crown, League, Cup and Vets Cup. The heroes of Marine, the Nijinsky's of the fourth, I salute you all! Just a shame we are loosing Miguel, what will we do without him!

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F Team (Div 5)

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Members: Mary Delamere (Cap't), Tony Bramham, Tom Bell, Julia Cornish, Ilona Kuznik, Jan Mort, Graham Oates

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Position in Div     P     W     L     GW     GL     Pts

11                       24    5     18     74      166     74

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On paper it looked as if Team Captain Mary Delamere had some quite good resources at her disposal. New boy Tony Bramham, in his first season with the Club, plus Julia Cornish who had been a member of last season's Division 5 winning team looked like a pretty solid starting point, backed up by Tommy and Mary, and with the ability to call in some useful reserves like Ned Hassan, graham Oates and new girl Ilona. But somehow it just didn't work out! Mary reports, "Our 5th Division team had a very enjoyable season. We only managed to come 3rd from bottom but it is the playing that is most important." For whatever reason, try as hard as they might there were times when the team just couldn't even buy a win. Then when Julia left the team at Christmas to move back south things looked even worse. But fortunately along came Jan Mort to play a few games but still no change of fortune. Even bringing in new players from the G Team squad like Ian Brownrigg and later Andrew Armstrong seemed to add no improvement in what proved to be a very strong bottom division. However Mary was able to say, "the atmosphere at the home matches is second to none. Our social members have provided encouragement and support and done their best to intimidate visitors. The visiting teams have all said how much they enjoy playing at Marine!" The main thing is that everyone who has played has enjoyed the experience and the team are now hoping that new members will be able to step up to provide reinforcements for next season.

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G Team (Div 5)

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Members: Des Logan (Cap't), Barbara Alcock, Billy Clayton, Liz Adams, Andrew Armstrong, Lesley Blanchard, Ian Brownrigg, Keith Hardman

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Position in Div     P     W     L     GW     GL     Pts

13                       24    2     21     53      187     53

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Captain Des Logan says that "despite the efforts of Barbara and himself, with no credible No.1 the team could achieve only poor results". It is never easy being team captain of a large squad, trying to give matches to all and at the same time trying to put out the best line-up possible. Leslie, Keith and Ian all came into the squad for their first full season and despite their best efforts and enthusiasm struggled to get a win. Even though no wins they have improved and remain enthusiastic. The team had the benefit of being able to play newcomer David Lovelady for a couple of matches and whilst he won easily his sets it did little for the overall performance of the team. Commendable Des was also able to give some experience to juniors Euan & Finn Mason, who at time achieved more points than their senior mentors! Excellent contributions. Des says; "Nine players were involved and I played a rota system except for Barbara (she provided the scones!); an injury to Liz & fatigue to Billy! Considering the results morale remained high." In general division 5 has been much stronger this year but it is hoped that the continuing coaching for juniors and training from Keith Williams for some of the 'seniors' will show up in results next season along with potential new players coming in from the social scene.

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Crosby High C Team (JDD U13)

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Members: Euan Mason (Cap't), Finn Mason and Hugh Frediani-Bellis

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Position in Div     P     W     L     GW     GL     Pts

1                        10    10     0     245      62     245

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In the L&DTTL Junior Development Division juniors from Bath Street combine with juniors from Crosby High to form teams for both the U13 and O13 age groups. Together enabling 4 teams to be formed. But this team featured 3 juniors from Marine. It is really difficult to know what to do for the best with young players for whom the structure of normal league play does not fit comfortably with schooling and the need to be finished and home by a reasonable hour of the night! So, when L&DTTL announced that they were going to run the JDD for the second time our club were delighted to once again join with Crosby High TTC to enter teams into this junior event. Designed primarily for youngsters not yet ready to take on the big stage of the normal league. Euan & Finn both played in the JDD last season, but this year they were joined by Hugh who only started playing table tennis in the autumn of 2016. With Finn and Hugh aged 11 coming up 12 and Euan starting at 12 and reaching 13 part way through the season the team were eligible for the U13 Division and were one of the 'senior' teams at that level along with Waterloo B. All 3 boys played in every single match, and put in some exceptional performances. In this division every single game counts and a point is scored for every game won. So all the juniors were really fighting for every single point. With all matches being played in the tremendous setting of the Anfield Sports & Social Centre there were some great evenings of junior table tennis. Each match comprised 3 sets of singles so every player played each of the opponents. It is of great credit to the three boys that in this division Euan & Finn finished No.1 & 2 respectively in the divisional averages with returns of 87 out of 101 and 85 out of 100 respectively. But special mention must be made of Hugh's contribution, finishing 5th in the averages with a return of 73 out of 106. Not bad at all for a first season in table tennis. The boys also played together in the JDD Handicap Cup which brought together teams from both age ranges. And here the better teams were very heavily handicapped! Despite that the Marine boys fought their way through to the final, and won despite giving away a massive 144 points in the final encounter. A truly excellent season for these three young hopefuls. 

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