Match report by Neil Wheatley
Marathon match at the Theatre of Dreams.
Colebridge’s 40 point lead over the 3rd placed team in Bromsgrove/Redditch Division 2 almost certainly guarantees them promotion and on Wednesday they were given a foretaste of what to expect next season, when they entertained Division 1’s only unbeaten team, Barnt Green Aces, in the quarter-final of the Open Cup competition.
The visitors’ team of Craig Allen, Pat McCabe and Russell Duncan were a little lucky to take a 4-0 lead, considering that all four sets went to 5 games with Awais losing 12-10 (to both Craig and Pat), Neil 11-9 (to Russell) and Farooq 11-5 (to Pat). Colebridge did make a little progress in the second half of the match and further closely fought sets saw Farooq recording two victories – over Russell (in 4) and Craig (in 5) – and Awais one – over Russell (in 5), but the visitors completed their 6-3 win when Neil lost to Craig in 4 and to Pat in 3. 41 games out of a possible 45, with a high standard of table tennis, produced an enjoyable evening for all concerned.