Lillington hold their own in Wellingborough
Last weekend Lillington Free Church table-tennis club sent a junior and a cadet team to Wellingborough to compete in the junior and cadet British Club's League.
The juniors competed in Division 3 of 4 and played in a 6 rubber format whereby each team member played two singles.
The opening match was against Ellenborough of Enfield. Lillington’s number 1, Sam Groom, was in fine form winning his two. His less experienced and younger team mates battled hard but could not get a win. Toby Roe lost to Joshua Bennett 9-11 in the 5th and Johan Pretorius went to 5 with Elias Anin but a 2-4 defeat resulted.
Next up were Ebatts B, based in London NW2. With the cobwebs out of the way Lillington roared to a 5-1 win, Groom and Roe both winning their two singles and Pretorius posting one.
This was followed by a 3-3 draw with Milton Keynes. Groom bagged two and Roe took one.
The strongest team in the Division were Chesham Grammar School who overcame Church 5-1, Groom taking the consolation.
However, in their final match a 4-2 win was recorded with Groom again a double winner and Shivam Gupta and Pretorius each winning good singles.
Lillington finished 4th and will retain their status when they compete again on Day 3.
The following day Lillington’s Cadet (under 15) team travelled to the same venue to compete in Division 4 of 6. A different format was used with each of the 3 players playing 3 singles.
Like their junior counterparts, Lillington made a slow start losing 3-6 to Nottingham B. Otis Green won two and Leon Hayward one.
However, Lillington bounced back with a 7-2 drubbing of Corby. Anay Aroon won three, Green two and Thomas Pinnington two.
Their last match was against Blitz from Worksop whom they beat 6-3. Aroon, Green and Hayward all won two.
Lillington finished second of 4 and will retain their status for Days 3 and 4.