HAPPY Feet have emerged as serious challengers to Cheeky Monkeys in the race for the Division One title in the Chartwell Burton Uxbridge Winter Table Tennis League.
The two sides locked horns last week in what would prove to be the tightest of top-of-the-table clashes, and both were in top form.
Happy Feet took on the leaders after resounding 5-0 victories over both McLaren and Mr Bean while The Monkeys showed their prowess in a whitewash of Invincibles.
Torin Cooper began well for the Feet, going 2-0 up against Charlie Kendrick. However, crossing the finishing line proved harder than planned and Charlie fought back to take the next three ends to get Cheeky Monkeys up and running.
Dom Cooper then took the fight back to the Monkeys, frustrating both Charlie and teammate Mitchell Adams into submission. And with the doubles going to Cheeky Monkeys all rested on the final game between Torin and Mitchell.
The first four ends were all shared and each went to deuce in a nail-biting contest. And it was Torin who took the fifth end to give Happy Feet a 3-2 victory.
Happy Feet now trail The Monkeys by just three points and enjoy a game in hand on the table-toppers.
A League spokesman said: “The most telling sign from both these teams is the fact the combined ages of three players is less than that of the other one. With Torin, Charlie and Mitchell showing a maturity and level headedness beyond their years that could see big things in prospect for the future.”
Sketchmarks and Ted also have a game in hand on Cheeky Monkeys just behind the top two.
Charles Sketchley and Mark Pearson claimed all the singles for Sketchmarks against Beatles but were out battled in the doubles to lose the final point.
Ted beat Mr Bean and McLaren 3-2 and 4-1 respectively. Ed Freeman was unbeaten while the improving Tom Woolley beat McLaren’s Matthew Lear before losing out in the fifth game to Mr Bean’s Matthew Insley.
In the match between Ted and Sketchmarks the all-important doubles went Ted’s way for another 3-2 result. Another double from Ed was answered by singles from Mark and Charles.
In other results McLaren’s Luke Slater had an excellent win against Dynamo’s Howard Webster but with Brian Judd taking a maximum Dynamo came away 4-1 winners.
Beatles’ George Lydiate produced his own tremendous performance to beat Pat Byrne. And with Josh Arslan also taking one game plus a doubles victory Beatles came out on top 4-1 against Invincibles.
