IN Division One of the Whatley Recordon sponsored Malvern Table Tennis League Grosvenor Eagles hold a five point lead at the top of the table.

They consolidated their position with a 7-3 win over CSSC Ramblers, but were held to a draw for the second time this season by Manor Park Express.

Against Ramblers Dave White lost his 100 per cent record for the season when he was beaten comprehensively in three straight games by Chris Hewitt in the first game of the evening.

However, Norman Merchant was in fine form winning his three singles in a game that four sets went to a fifth game and Eagles came from 3-1 down to win six games on the trot.

In the draw against Express Alan Salisbury was in the starring role when he won his three singles and in doing so became the first player this season to beat both Dave White and Norman Merchant on the same evening.

In second place are Manor Park Cavaliers, who defeated Ledbury Lions 6-4 despite only having two players, they then went on to beat Manor Park Amateurs 8-2.

Against Amateurs Joe Higgs and Trevor Simmons were undefeated including the doubles with Amateurs point coming from Dave de Souza and Steve Glazzard (playing up from the second division), who both beat Mike Keeley.

Talking of Manor Park Amateurs, they gained their first win of the season when they beat Manor Park Oak 6-4. Matt Doveton was the hero for Amateurs, winning his three singles and then teaming up with Dave de Souza (2) to win the all important double. Harry Jutle won twice for Oak.

Ledbury Lions are in fourth place after wins over Manor Park Oak and Manor Park Pumas. Against Oak Richard Smith and Gordon Stables both won twice but neither of them could beat Paul Coleman who won his three singles.

Gordon Stables and Neville Meredith were unbeaten against Pumas while their point came courtesy of Jon Dyke's win over Richard Smith, before he and Dave Hallam took the doubles.

John Dyke won twice against Ledbury Merlins but could not stop them winning 6-4 thanks mainly to Lincoln Franklin who was unbeaten and he won the doubles with Mike Wheatley (2).

Results: Ledbury Lions 6, Manor Park Oak 4; Grosvenor Eagles 7, CSSC Ramblers 3; Ledbury Merlins 6, Manor Park Pumas 4; Manor Park Cavaliers 6, Ledbury Lions 4; YMCA Magpies 7, CSSC Ramblers 3; Manor Park Express 5, Grosvenor Eagles 5; Manor Park Oak 4, Manor Park Amateurs 6; CSSC Ramblers 6, Manor Park Express 4; Ledbury Lions 8, Manor Park Pumas 2; Manor Park Amateurs 2, Manor Park Cavaliers 8.

IN Division Three Maulers' player, Ray Davies, played extremely well to win all his singles against Abbeydowne.

Bill Smith also picked up one, but Bill Lucas and Roy Holland with two singles each and the doubles, plus another set from Len Hitchman gained the three points for Abbeydowne.

The result of the top of the table clash between Malvern Juniors 'B' and Bromyard Logics all hung on the last game of the evening. Derek Craddock won by 4-11 in the fourth game against Matt Lang. Matt had taken John Hunt to four in the first set and had then beaten Chris Daniels as did Tom James. However, Anthony Wiseman won two and with Matt nearly won the doubles, which went to 10-12 in the fifth game. John Hunt won all his singles.

Coming up fast behind these two top teams are Manor Park Juniors. This week they took four points from CSSC Nomads, who were a place above them. Tony Birch was the one to save the whitewash but both Mark Griffiths and Jack Higgs won three and Ben Salisbury two for the Juniors. Nomads though have two matches outstanding.

RESULTS: Abbeydowne 6, Manor Park Maulers 4; Malvern Juniors B 4, Bromyard Logics 6; Malvern Juniors C 2, Malvern Police 8; Manor Park Juniors 9, CSSC Nomads 1.