WITH just five weeks remaining, promotion and relegation issues in the Huddersfield Table Tennis League are now sharply in focus in all three divisions.

In the latest round of matches in Division I, both title contenders had 9-1 victories, Brooks beating Marsh A, while Woodfield Park defeated relegation-doomed Kingsmith PW.

Ian Charlton, who has managed only one win all season, impressed his opponents with his outstanding hitting and can count himself unlucky to have lost all three on the night.

Kingsmith’s solitary point came from Mike Hodson, at the expense of Shaun Forbes.

At the foot of Division I no fewer than five teams could be relegated along with KPW.

Deighton A have a tough run-in, with both the top two to play.

They travelled to Scissett WMC A and, in a tight match which did not end until 11.10pm, they lost 6-4.

Andrew Rawnsley (3) and Brian Armitage (2), plus the doubles, were the scorers for the hosts while Barry Drain (2), John Cooke and Paul Simpson were Deighton’s scorers.

Deighton’s hopes of having two sides in the top flight next season look threatened at this stage.

Marsh C and Kingsmith B both seem vulnerable, although the inclusion of Geoff Dunne in Kingsmith’s side could just secure enough points for safety.

Marsh, who have lost David Taylor through illness, must rely on their trio of Townsend, Blackburn and Krishke to steer them to safety and their games against Deighton and David Brown A will be crucial.

Browns have two games in hand over Marsh and one in hand over Deighton and Kingsmith, but cannot feel safe because of their run-in.

In Division II, Deighton B hold a single point advantage over Shelley A who, in turn, lead Wilshaw A and Woodfield Park B by 12 points (but both have a game in hand).

Wilshaw A had a chance to pull some points back when they met Shelley A in a match brought forward at Shelley’s request.

It ended in a 5-5 draw with Harry Ness beating Francis Cioffi in the final match in five sets.

Ness was unbeaten with Wilson and Ellis each winning once. Cioffi and Huston both won twice and combined to win the doubles.

With a heavy 8-2 defeat at Woodfield Park followed by another 5-5 draw to Marsh E, perhaps Wilshaw have hit a little troubled water at the wrong time.

However, Woodfield can still play an important role in the title race as they have both Shelley and Deighton to play in the run-in.

If they are able to field their strongest team in these games then they are capable of beating the best – Steve Knott has lost only four times in 30 sets while Mike Belk has an 81% average.

In an excellent mid-table match, Marsh D beat Kingsmith C 6-4. Steve Martin re-discovered some form to win all three matches, including good wins over the in-form Alex Berisford and the evergreen Geoff Heywood, whose 80% average in Division II, coupled with his 95% in Division III, shows him still to be one of the best players outside of the top flight.

At the bottom, Shelley B are struggling to raise a team each week and look doomed to join also-depleted Brooks B in the third division next season.

Kingsmith sides continue to dominate Division III, but the main talking point currently is the marked improvement in the fortunes of New North Road Baptist Church A team.

Having overcome a reluctance to share their news by failing to submit result cards on time, recent results have included a 5-5 draw at Scissett and a 6-4 win over David Browns.

Daniel Wood has an excellent average of 76% and has been joined in recent weeks by Ross Lander, whose 66% average is also very respectable. Lander and Wood also helped their B team to their first victory of the season over Wilshaw D by 6-4.

The latest League Management meeting gave approval to seeking Clubmark status which, when achieved, should prove beneficial in many ways.

The re-scheduling of the Yorkshire League Veterans matches at Hull has caused a clash with the Closed Championships due to be held on Sunday April 22.

Since Huddersfield are keen to retain their Division I status, top players will be required to play and consequently devalue the Closed.

A compromise is under consideration and, once all top players have been consulted, a decision will be taken at the next scheduled meeting on March 19.

The Vets Fourth team suffered a heavy 9-1 defeat at the hands Bradford II, Keith Skarz’s victory over George Bak being the sole reward.