BROOKS A have extended their lead at the top of the Huddersfield Table Tennis League Division I to 13 points.

They travelled to Lockwood to meet David Brown A and won 8-2.

Russell Senior and Phil Schofield were both undefeated while Neil Crosland had an off night, losing to Jonathan Taylor and Richard Bailey.

Woodfield Park A, Brooks’ closest rivals, entertained Marsh C and despite being without both Mark Pugh and Darren Lindley, won 9-1.

Keith Skarz and Dave Wood both won three, the only defeat coming when Marsh’s David Blackburn beat Shaun Forbes.

The League rule which compels players who are also registered in other leagues to play a minimum of five games in Huddersfield, will mean Woodfield Park have to play the Halifax-based Forbes in at least three of the remaining eight fixtures.

Another player affected by this ruling is Kingsmith B’s Geoff Dunne, who made his first appearance of the season against Marsh B. The Halifax League secretary was undefeated as his side recorded a surprise 9-1 win.

Dunne was supported by three from Brian Ruttle and two from Gareth Stott, who was beaten by Glyn Normanton.

In Division II, Shelley A had an excellent 8-2 win over Marsh D.

Both youngsters, Harry Ness and Matthew Ellis, were undefeated, claiming the scalp of Steve Martin who is a top player at that level – testimony to the continued progress of the Shelley duo.

Wilshaw A’s match was called off by Shelley B as they were unable to raise a team.

This was just one of several matches similarly affected which is disappointing, coming less than a month after the league meeting had discussed this very issue.

Of course exceptional circumstances do arise necessitating postponement, but the suspicion remains that some teams do not try hard enough to fulfil fixtures and it is up to the league management committee to police this .

One of the League’s newest members, U3A, have a 100% record in fulfilling their fixtures since joining Division III at the start of last season.

U3A, or University of the 3rd Age to give them their full identity, is a national organisation for those aged 50-plus, giving opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities

Based at Longwood Mechanics Institute, table tennis was introduced in 2008.

It has proved popular with players who had either never played before or were revisiting a sport first experienced in youth clubs 35 years or more ago.

A handful of players had some previous league experience and it was therefore decided to enter a team in the Huddersfield League.

Andy Parker, secretary, had played many years ago at University and in the Bradford League, while Doug Holt had previous experience across the Pennines in the Manchester Banking and Insurance League. Jim Baxter had enjoyed some more recent experience with Kingsmith locally.

Last season they won five and drew three of their 22 matches, a highly creditable start.

This season they have found it tougher, winning only twice and drawing twice – the latest draw came against Wilshaw D.

Wilshaw’s team included Gary Jepson who, coincidentally, is a member of U3A. Jepson, returning to the Huddersfield League after 30 years, played well in only his third match back to beat both Parker and David Thorp but found Doug Holt too hot to handle, losing in three sets.

Holt’s forehand smashes rarely missed as he remained unbeaten, clinching the draw for his side in a close five-set match with John Vaughan 11-6, 8-11,11-13,12-10,11-9.

Parker, for once, played a supporting role, his only victory being at the expense of Martin Town.

U3A have, in a short space of time, become well-respected members of the Huddersfield League. They are more than capable of testing the better teams on their day, play in the right spirit, and wholeheartedly support the league’s activities throughout the year.