British League Round 3
Post date: Feb 19, 2020 11:38:57 PM
Ravenscroft Senior British National League Report 2019/20 Season
The Ravenscroft-backed Guernsey table tennis sides were in the UK this weekend contesting the third and penultimate round of fixtures in the Senior British National Leagues.
With both sides in action at the Halton Table Tennis club in Widnes, it was the Island’s leading side that remains in a strong position in their respective Division.
Competing in the National A-1 Division, the team of Lawrence Stacey, Joshua Stacey, Ben Foss and Alex Robinson have consolidated their 3rd position in the table following a victory and a defeat during the traditionally shorter weekend of action.
The win in question came during the final match of the day over 7th placed side Barrow 1 and ended as a hard fought 5-4 triumph. Joshua Stacey’s impressive local form converted to his performances in the fixture as he played a large part in the triumph due to his matching 4 set wins over Richard Lightowler and Paul Cicchelli. Twin Lawrence added a straight sets win over Lightowler, whilst Ben Foss was strong during his 4 set win over Peter Morgan Jnr. In the end it was the doubles rubber which proved decisive for the Sarnians and this saw Foss combine well with Alex Robinson to see off Jonathan Crawford and Paul Cicchelli in straight sets. Crawford had disposed of Lawrence in straight sets and Foss in 5 previously, whilst Cicchelli had beaten Robinson in 4 sets, so the victory in the doubles was a strong result.
The opening match was against league leaders Fusion 2 who have won all 10 of their matches so far this season. Despite the defeat, the Guernsey side performed admirably and only went down 6-3. Lawrence earned a 4 set win over Jamal Dennison, whilst Joshua defeated Robert Pelc in straight sets. Another doubles rubber was won by the Ravenscroft side as Foss and Lawrence battled back impressively from 2-0 down to overcome Pelc and Joshua Bruce in 5 sets.
Ravenscroft II had a much tougher weekend of action in National C1 and failed to record victories in either of their matches.
Despite the defeats, Matthew Casey managed to win half of his singles matches, whilst Jamie Ferbrache and Ryan Bichard also picked up individual wins during their clash with Colin Deaton 2.
Meanwhile the leading CI player Garry Dodd continued his strong run of form for his Nottingham Sycamore side this weekend in the strong Championship Division. Playing at the number 1 spot, he added a further 3 individual singles wins out of 4 and is top of the averages on 17 wins out of 20 so far this season.
Matthew Casey
His best win came via a 4 sets win over England number 27 Louis Price, whilst he also defeated 2 other top 50 players in the form of Amirul Hussain and Fredrik Nordahl.
Dodd’s sole defeat came at the hands of England number 24 Gabriel Achampong in a tough 5 set clash.