AS the season nears its closing stages, the tension is mounting at both ends of the table in division two of the Brewin Dolphin Securities-sponsored Malvern Table Tennis League.

Wombats remain well clear at the top. They only had two players against Bromyard Logics but thanks to two wins apiece in the singles and a victory in the doubles from Dave Williams and Steve Glazzard, they managed to scrape a draw and, in fact, came close to taking victory. Steve led John Hunt by two sets to nil in the final game of the night before John hit back to win 11-8 in the fifth set. John had earlier beaten Dave in straight sets to gain Logics' other win.

A solid team effort from Wombats accounted for Broadheath but they had to come from 4-3 down to do it. Steve Baker, Tony Birch and Steve Glazzard each won twice. For Belters, Dave Elliott was in top form with two wins, including a tight encounter with Tony which he won 8-11, 5-11, 12-10, 11-8, 13-11. He also partnered Pete Roberts to doubles success, with Brett Brining also picking up a win.

The same three players were more successful for Belters in their relegation battle with Travellers. Each player won two as they recovered from losing a 4-0 lead to win the last two games of the night and snatch a narrow victory. Martin Snee won two for the visitors plus the doubles with Bob Atyeo (1).

Travellers fared marginally better against Vulcans by picking up a draw. Chris Hughes was in unstoppable form winning all three singles plus the doubles with Ray Holroyd, although he was pushed all the way by Ken Hipwell before taking the fifth set 11-9. Beryl Shammon also won once for Vulcans whilst Travellers were indebted to two wins apiece for Ken and Martin and one from Bob.

Crackpots eased their relegation worries slightly with victory over Bromyard Logics. Colin Dolding was again in great form dropping just one set in his three singles wins. He was well supported by Dave Steen and James Palmer with two wins apiece. John Hunt earned a point for Logics with two wins.

Graham Collier avenged an early season defeat by Dave Steen as he led Poolbrook to a narrow victory over Crackpots E with three wins out of three. He was backed up by Matt Lang (2) and Mark Griffith (1). For Crackpots Colin Dolding won two and Dave Steen one and together they clinched the doubles. It was a busy night for Dave with three of his games going to a deciding set, including the last game of the night, in which he lost to Matt Lang 11-9 in the fifth set which clinched the victory.

Vulcans' hopes of promotion were dealt a severe blow by their draw with Ledbury. The match swung first one way and then the other with five games requiring a fifth set and two being decided in the fourth. Two wins for Ray Cooke and one each for Stewart Moss and John Meredith put Ledbury 4-0 up but Vulcans bounced back in style with two wins for Chris Hughes and one each for Ray Holroyd and Beryl Shammon.

Doubles success for Ray and Chris put them 5-4 ahead. In the final game of the night John came from behind to beat Ray and earn a share of the points.

RESULTS: Broadheath Belters 6, Manor Park Travellers 4; Bromyard Logics 5, Wombats 5; Poolbrook Juniors 6, Crackpots E 4; YMCA Vulcans 5, Ledbury Exhaust 5; Crackpots E 9, Bromyard Logics 2; Wombats 6, Broadheath Belters 4; Manor Park Travellers 5, YMCA Vulcans 5.