With hostilities resuming after the holidays Loopers, Mejor and Charolais are all in a close race for the minor premiership.

Further back are Dynamos and Grippers, who both need to string some wins together to claim the fourth semi final place.

An improving Grippers outfit put it up to second-placed Mejor and with a bit of luck could have sprung an upset.

Grippers took the first rubber to go up 2-1 but an 8-2 run from Mejor had them in control at 9-4.

Grippers fought back to be 11-9 down with three rubbers to play but Mejor held firm to win 16-13.

A solid team effort from Mejor saw Roy Barlow record 6-2, Brody Forbes 4-3 and Carol Poole 3-5.

For Grippers, only Lou Kappos could finish in front at 5-2, while Grady Danaher (3-5) and Sabrina Langer (2-6) showed improved form after the break and lost several close games.

The teams each won a doubles rubber 2-1.

The other match saw Charolais kick away to a 6-2 advantage over the struggling Dynamos and they were never threatened.

Charolais increased their lead to 11-5 before coasting to a 15-7 win.

Eric Joyce (6-1) and Leon Rust (6-2) dominated for Charolais, with good support from Sean Jenkins, who went 3-4.

None of the Dynamos could break even, with Peter Jaccoud finishing at 3-4, Maurie Poole 3-5 and Melinda Auld an unlucky 1-6.

Loopers kept hold of the competition lead courtesy of the bye.

The association has introduced a round robin for reserve players and teams that have the bye.

This is played on the spare tables and allows current players valuable practice time as well as giving visitors or intending players a taste of competitive table tennis.

For more information contact Peter Jaccoud on 0404 467 852 or 6352 2113. 

Pointscore: Loopers 33, Mejor 30, Charolais 27, Dynamos 12, Grippers 9.

This week’s round 10 matches: Mejor v Dynamos, Loopers v Charolais and Grippers bye.