On Monday, Highbury’s second table tennis team were fighting to stay in Division Two of the Central London Table Tennis League.
They faced Stepney Green’s seconds, who are promotion spot contenders in a round robin of singles before a final doubles match.
Andrew McEwan, Highbury’s best performing player, said: “We’re fighting to avoid relegation. It’s a shame because we topped Division Three last year.”
Match by Match
Highbury started strong as McEwan took the first set against David Corkett, but his teammates didn’t fare as well. Nick Zhu lost 3-0 to Petko Guimichev, while Andy Norman lost to Corkett and Reggie Groves.
With Stepney Green leading 4-3, McEwan took on Guimichev. He won the first two games comfortably, but the third was a nail-biter. McEwan held his nerve though and won 12-10, taking the set.
Spirits were further dampened as Zhu lost to Groves and Norman lost to and Guimichev. Zhu looked solid against Corkett in his final matchup, taking the first two games, but Highbury’s comeback was shot down as Corkett won the next three games and took the set.
With Stepney Green ahead 6-2, the match was theirs. Highbury were determined to win another set for desperately needed league points.
McEwan emerged to face Groves. This was the clash of the titans – each team’s top player, both wielding 70 per cent win rates. The first game was neck-and-neck, but McEwan scraped a 12-10 win, losing composure during the second game, handing Groves an 11-5 win.
With everything to play for, McEwan focused, taking the next game 11-8 and finally sealing the deal, winning the final game 11-7.
The Doubles
McEwan and Norman represented Highbury against Groves and Guimichev. Despite a morale boost from McEwan’s win, the Highbury duo were out-matched, losing 3-0.
Stepney Green won 7-3, giving them ten points and Highbury six, leaving Highbury in eighth place, just outside the relegation zone.
However, Finsbury’s third team are 14 points behind, with three games in hand. If they catch up to Highbury they may yet be back in Division Three in September.
After the match, McEwan said: “Some opponents missed matches so if they can’t rearrange next week we’ll get some more points.
“It’s going to be close though”.
Digital reporter