Week 20 last night saw the end of the league session, and once again a great night of table tennis to finish the season. Although The Terriers had already clinched the title there was all to play for to take runners up spot.
With only 5 points separating four teams it was too close to call before last nights matches. However it was Coastal Crusaders who took the runner up place just 2 points ahead of Heacham Knights with Counter Hitters just a further 1 point adrift.
On table one the league champions had another rare loss when they went down 6-3 against Heacham Knights. Mick Forth was back in great form going unbeaten in both his singles and doubles games. He had good support from Kevin Saunders 2 points while Ollie Loades added the final point. For The Terriers Benji Richardson was top scorer with 2 points and Janice Howell chipped in with 1 point.
On table two it was a close 5-4 win for Coastal Crusaders over The Inlaws but it was just enough to take runners up spot. Bob Richardson scored 2.5 points, Leigh McDonald 2 points while Phil Ball added 0.5 point. For The Inlaws Jim Race and Aaron Jackson both had 1.5 points while Stephen Jackson added the final 1 point.
On table three a big 8-1 win for Counter Hitters over Adrian's Allstars which enabled them to finish in fourth place. It was maximums for Paul Waterman and Ian Rix as they won all their singles and doubles and Tim Atkinson added the final 2 points. Charley Hammond was the only player for the Allstars to get a point with a win over Tim.

Although that completes the league season there are still enjoyable nights to come thanks to Jim and Stephen again organising the end of season competitions. I would like to personally take this opportunity to thank both Jim and Stephen for all their hard work making this once again a great table tennis club.

LIST OF EVENTS

Monday 4th March     Group stages of Open Singles
Monday 11th March   Knock Out stages of Open Singles and Plate to determine finalists of both events.
Monday 18th March   Group Stages of Handicap Singles
Monday 25th March  Knock Out stages of Handiicap Singles and Handicap Plate to determine finalists of both events
Monday 1st   April     No Table Tennis (Easter)
Monday 8th  April      Hardbat Doubles Group and Knockout stages to determine finalists.
Monday 15th April     FINALS NIGHT AND PRESENTATION (INCLUDES BUFFET) INCLUDES OPEN SINGLES. OPEN SINGLES PLATE, HANDICAP SINGLES AND PLATE AND HARDBAT DOUBLES.

For those who did not see this on Whats app group copy of Jim's message below.

Good morning all. Well the 2023/24 season closes with The Terriers securing the title, congratulations to them for proving to be a good strong all round team. Runners up spot was still up for grabs last night but favourites to secure this spot Coastal Crusaders held their nerve to fend off a late surge by last seasons champions Heacham Knights. I would like on behalf of all of us to thank Stephen for presenting the weekly league positions and for Malcolm putting these on his Heacham website. A further big thank you to Stephen , Aaron and Mick Minns for their regular help setting up the hall. Stephen your divider nets worked a treat. I think congratulations are deserved to all members of HTTC for the spirit in which the league is played and I think I can speak on behalf of Stephen as well, when we say it has given us immense pride to have carried on from where founder Malcolm Diggins passed on the league at his retirement. Now to the first of our in house end of season competitions, the Open Singles. Along with Stephen we have done our best to seed all players, so each group will have a mix of ability. With 27 players taking part there are 3 groups of 4 players and 3 groups of 5 players. We have 3 groups playing from 6pm start with estimated 7.30 finish. The further 3 groups are scheduled to play from 7.30ish to 9pmish finish. Groups are as follows. Group 1 6pm start Alfie Yarrow, Rod Yarrow, Phil Ball, Eileen Needham and Stephen Jackson, Group 2 6pm start Mick Forth, Mike Cooper, Trevor Mason, Jenny Cooper. Group 3 6pm start Benji Richardson, Ian Rix, Chris Griggs, Barry Lemel. Group 4 7.30pm start Mick Minns, Charlie Hammond, Aaron Jackson, Janice Howell and Jim Race. Group 5 7.30pm start Paul Waterman, Bob Richardson, Ollie Loades, Tony Trayford and Kevin Saunders. Group 6 7.30pm start Leigh McDonald, Graham Keeley, Sam Pishorn and Mark Lee. The format is for those groups of 4 players, 3 ends to be played per match, first to eleven but must win by 2 clear points, point per end won.

Those with 5 players per group to play 2 ends per match, first to 11 with 2 clear points required , point awarded each end won. Progress to next phase will be as follows. This to be played Monday 11th March, top 2 from each group will form 3 groups of 4 players to play in the Open quarter finals with the top of each of these groups to play  in the semi finals with best one of the runners up. Draw will be made for the semi-finalists as to who plays who. The final will be played on Presentation Evening of 15th April. Those not making the above will all play in the plate group quarter finals, 5 per group on 11th March, with top of each group plus best of runners up to compete in semi finals, again drawn to see who plays who with final on 15th April. If I can kindly ask all of you to respond to this so I know everyone is aware of their group and start times. I will collect the £3 entry fee of those who have yet to pay on Monday 4th March. Hope this all makes sense and you have not all dozed off reading my diatribe ? Many thanks Jim and Stephen HTTC.