Table Tennis: Bulldogs capitualte and title hopes left in tatters

The Bulldogs were blitzed and their league title aspirations left in tatters as defending champions Raptors comprehensively put them to the sword 29-7.

The Bulldogs duo of Phil Goymer and Ray Carr managed to win one game each with Tom Mellors on loan from City in excellent form and securing two games.

Bulldogs’ only consolation from the evening was a 3-2 win in the doubles after Raptors duo Paul Stebbing and Martin Shaw resorted to exhibition play after being two games ahead.

With matches in hand Raptors move to second place and are now in favourites to retain their title.

Garstang Anihilators are finishing the season strongly following a win against St Lukes’ A 22-15 and despite one of their top players, Tommy Kennedy, in a shock loss to St Lukes’ A player Mathew Price.

The result heaps more pressure on Bulldogs who must now be wary of finishing third and being overtaken by Anihilators at the finish line.

Mid-table St Lukes’ B showed the gulf in class that exists between fifth and eighth place winning against Morecambe A 30-8 with Paul Hines, Martin Wakelin and Graeme Wheelhouse all taking nine points each.

Morecambe B boosted their Premier Division survival prospects despite losing to in-form University A 14-23.

Matthew Westworth was good value for the Morecambe side, taking seven points but was no match for singles champion Nicole Finn who took all nine points for University A, closely followed by Wilson Lai with eight.

The result moves the Morecambe B side out of the relegation zone for the first time this season, leaving Trimpell City in trouble with one game remaining.

Meanwhile, in the Championship, University Vipers lead the wayon 379 points, with St Lukes’ C in second spot with 342. At the other end of the table Morecame C are bottom on 79 points, 111 points behind Garstang Crusaders.