Grippers and Loopers remain in equal first place of the Lithgow Table Tennis Association Winter Competition but they took very different routes getting there.
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Round 10 saw Grippers squeeze out a one-game victory while Loopers didn't have to lift a bat as they received points for the bye.
The Grippers - Spinners match was close the whole way with the score moving from 4-all to 7-all and then 9-all before Grippers found some breathing space at 13-10 going into the doubles. Spinners won the first doubles rubber 2-1 to cut the deficit to two, meaning they had to win the second doubles 2-0 to force a tie. Grippers soon put paid to that scenario by taking the first game comfortably before Spinners got the last two as a consolation prize to go down by the barest of margins, 15-14.
The Grippers players all made solid contributions to their third straight win, with Lou Kappos recording 5-3, Dave Mays 4-3 and Kelly Gurney 4-4.
Mal Jeffries (5-3) was the only Spinner to finish with a positive result, as Mark McAulay (3-4) and Linda Kappos (2-6) both lost several close games.
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Charolais were never under serious threat from a slumping KaPooLow. They won the first four rubbers by a combined eight games to three and maintained the rage to have the match parcelled up with a 14-8 lead at the completion of the singles. KaPooLow won the doubles 2-0 and 2-1 respectively to make the final score a bit more respectable at 15-12 in favour of Charolais.
For Charolais, Sean Jenkins (6-1) just touched first ahead of teammate Leon Rust (6-2) in the race for the round's best record, and Sharnie Roberts went 2-5.
Roy Barlow (4-4) ended square for KaPooLow, with Megan Kappos going 3-4 and Maurie Poole 1-6 as the former outright leaders extended their losing streak to three matches.
Loopers held on to a share of top spot courtesy of the bye.
The competition now has a two week break for the School Holidays. Play will recommence on May 1st.
Pointscore: Grippers 30, Loopers 30, KaPooLow 27, Charolais 26, Spinners 21.
Draw for Round 11 (May 1); Grippers v KaPooLow. Spinners v Loopers. Charolais bye.