THE highlight of the first round of the Malvern Table Tennis League Handicap Competition was the tied match between third division rivals Manor Park Maulers and Poolbrook Lieutenants.

A win for Lieutenants looked on the cards but Don James gave Maulers a lifeline in the form of a reply when he won the last game of the evening 11-6, 11-4, 11-8, 11-2. For Lieutenants, Alasdair Maxwell-Stuart did well to pick up points off both Don 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7 and Bill Smith 11-7, 11-9, 13-11, 6-11 whilst Craig Preece acquitted himself well throughout the evening.

Pete Griffiths was the driving force behind the victory of Manor Park Express over Magpies. He had narrow successes over Steve Humphrys and Derek Reynolds but then in the clash of the number ones, with the result of the match in the balance, Pete excelled himself in beating Mark Jones 11-6, 15-13, 11-8, 11-7 to give Express a 24 point victory. Pete was well supported by Dave Woodyatt in both singles and doubles.

CSSC Ramblers proved too strong for their friends from CSSC Nomads despite having to concede 210 points. Chris Hewitt and Graham Thompson won all of their games whereas Dave Hayes met stubborn resistance from Tony Hughes in a scoreline of 4-11, 11-2, 10-12, 11-3.

Bromyard Merlins gave Hop Pickers 220 points but it was still insufficient to stop a 45 points victory for the Merlins. Mike Wheatley, Nigel Foreshew and Mike Morgan played consistently well but Geoff Fletcher will have been pleased to have taken a game off Mike Morgan whilst Andrew Hepwork took the second game off Mike Wheatley.

Travellers and Vulcans played out a hard-fought game before Travellers emerged with a 49-point victory. For Travellers, Bob Atyeo and Martin Snee were on top of their game and were well supported by Ken Hipwell. The victory was tinged with sadness for having to say farewell to Ray Holroyd who was playing probably his last game in the Malvern League. Ray's association with Malvern table tennis goes back many years and the league wishes him well in his new home in York.

The all-conquering Manor Park Pumas moved into the second round of the competition when beating Manor Park Crackpots with ease. Only in the doubles were the Pumas put under any pressure. At Broadheath, first division strugglers Wombats beat Bromyard Logics by 40 points.

RESULTS: Manor Park Maulers 397, Poolbrook Lieutenants (95) 397; Manor Park Crackpots (120) 333, Manor Park Vulcans 442; Manor Park Travellers 400, YMCA Vulcans (120) 351; Manor Park Express (30) 408, Magpies 384; CSSC Ramblers 430, CSSC Nomads (210) 368; Hop Pickers (220) 392, Bromyard Merlins 437.