IN WHAT is turning out to be quite a rollercoaster of a season, Ryde A took back control of Division 1 in the Isle of Wight Table Tennis League, following their crushing 9-1 win over Ryde Goshawks.

Conal Howells, was the sole winner for the Goshawks. 

However, with Ryde C only four points behind with two games in hand, it will be a struggle for the A team to stay top of the pile.

Shanklin A and Ryde Reprobates contested a close match, with Ryde’s Hugh Idle player of the match — untroubled in any of his games — while his team-mate, junior player Lewis Johnstone (pictured) won two. 

Shanklin’s Don Hobbs was in fine form, also winning two. 

The match rested on the doubles, which Shanklin’s Michael Bulpitt and Jim Hall took in five sets against the father-and-son combination of Martin and Lewis Johnstone — the match ending all square.

Newport Vics A showed their clubmates Vics B who was boss, with an easy 9-1 win.

However, both teams still languish at the bottom of the table.

Meanwhile, in Division 2, there was a finely balanced contest between Wootton Wanderers and the Ryde Rockets, with all games going to four or five sets, which led to a late night for the players. 

Ryde Rockets' substitute player, Peter Clarke, was player of the match, holding on to win all his games in spirited style, while Wootton’s Trevor Jones, Alan Dennis and Guy Golbourn all won two each. 

Despite the closeness of every game, Wootton won 7-3.

Newport Vics C increased their lead at the top with a 9-1 win over Ryde Lizards.

Ryde Retailers played their match of the season, with a wholly unexpected thrashing of second placed Shorwell Saints in Division 3. 

Shorwell did not win a game, as brothers Shane and Paul Cates, along with junior team-mate, Joe Millward, all played their 'A' game to win 10-0.

The Shorwell Spinners had a much better evening than their clubmates, beating Ryde Rustics 7-3 to move into second place, behind Newport Vics D.

RESULTS
Division 1: Shanklin A 5, Ryde Reprobates 5; Ryde A 9, Ryde Goshawks 1; Ryde B 6, Ryde Ravens 4.
Division 2: Ryde Lizards 1, Newport Vics C 9; Wootton Wanderers 7, Ryde Rockets 3.
Division 3: Shorwell Spinners 7, Ryde Rustics 3; Newport Vics D 9, Ryde Frogs 1; Ryde Retailers 10, Shorwell Saints 0.