WITH their captain still stuck aboard because of volcanic ash over the UK, the Dominators were forced to defend their Blue Riband title without him. But their depth of their squad shone through as they took the final of the Blue Riband Cup competition down to the last decisive game and retained their title 5-4 against the Terminators.

WITH their captain still stuck aboard because of volcanic ash over the UK, the Dominators were forced to defend their Blue Riband title without him. But their depth of their squad shone through as they took the final of the Blue Riband Cup competition down to the last decisive game and retained their title 5-4 against the Terminators. The match stated with an exhibition style game of fast looping play from David Boatman and dramatic defending from Stuart Baxter. However, five good serves from Baxter sealed the third set and the Dominators had stuck first blood. Andy Green strengthened their position after coming back from a set down to beat Charles Goddard in the third. Luke Caswell then fought back from 14-20 down in the decisive set against Men's Champion Paul Wright Jnr, only to have the net chord foil his recovery. With the forth game also going to three this was going to be a long and tight fought evening, but Boatman used this third set to even the score and pull the Terminators level after some rapid fire shots and looping the ball almost from the floor on one occasion. Wright put the Terminators back ahead with skill and determination against Baxter even managing to recover a dropped bat and still win the point. Some well controlled rallies from Caswell drew the Dominators back level only to find Wright take the advantage again for Terminators at a scorching pace against Green. A tight service game from Boatman took the first set against Caswell but Luke fought back to even the match against 4-4. But as the tension built so the Terminators' game crumbled, Goddard struggled to find his normally consistent form and went down easily to Baxter in the decisive final game.

In other matches to complete the season fixtures, the Oddbods claimed the second position after beating the Spartans 7-3, with only Thomas Baxter providing real opposition. Ian Ruddock scored the opening and only point for the Merlins against Trimwise. Darren Swam made a late season return to the league but the Tables could only manage a draw against Terminators. The Beacons were shaken but not stirred as they secured a 6-4 win against the LCC team. The Hits rounded off their excellent season in the second division with a 6-4 win against the Critters. And the Arrows found great form against David Etheridge but failed to pin down Jonathan Block or Oliver Bailey who concluded a 6-4 win for the Misfits.

The AGM will be held on Monday, May 17 at 7.30pm in the Table Tennis Room of the Waterlane Leisure Centre, all members are welcome but all teams must ensure they are represented.

For further information on League Table Tennis in Lowestoft or Coaching sessions please contact Alan Peek on 01502 589895

League Results

Oddbods 7 Spartans 3

Tables 5 Terminators 5

Merlins 1 Trimwise 9

Arrows 4 Misfits 6

Hits 6 Critters 4

Beacons 6 Shakers 4

Blue Riband Final Result

Dominators 5 Terminators 4