TABLE TENNIS: Hastings almost pip champions

11th August 2006

Winless Hastings almost caused the boilover of the season in Tuesday night's Hawke's Bay table tennis division one interclub semifinals.

With Jason Ho unbeaten in three singles and two doubles matches, Hastings drew 6-all with defending champions Napier but lost the fixture on a countback of sets.

Ho and Tim Coyle upset Helen Codlin and Elly Govers 13-11 in the fifth and final set in doubles. Richard Ye also picked up a singles win over Govers.

Codlin and Robin Gwynn were consistent performers for Napier, with two singles wins each.

Napier will play Evergreens in next week's final after Evergreens beat Taradale 7-3 in their semifinal.

Evergreens' Russ Winkley was unbeaten in his three singles and doubles match partnering his son Michael, who was having his second outing of the season.

Russ Winkley had a 14-12 win over Taradale No.1 Tim Keogh in the seventh set after both players had match points in a result that could have gone either way. Michael Winkley won two singles matches and Russell Clement picked one singles win.

In Division Two, a full strength Napier Gold team head into next week's final after a solid 9-3 win over clubmates Napier Tryhards.

Joining Napier Gold in the final are Taradale Two, who surprised Waipawa RATZ with a close-fought 7-5 win.

Starring for Taradale Two were Hayden Wong with two singles and two doubles wins and Willie Ferguson with two singles and one doubles win.

In division three, Napier Blue reached the final with an 8-4 win over Hastings Two, They will meet Hastings One who pipped Taradale One 31-28 on a sets countback after matches were drawn 6-all.

St John's Moana Pacific One and Two teams had a bye and will meet next week to playfor fifth and sixth places.