IN division one of the Malvern Table Tennis League, sponsored by Brewin Dolphin Securities, newcomers Poolbrook Pioneers currently top the table with eight points from their first three games.

They have beaten Grosvenor and Broadheath Wombats and drawn with Manor Park Express. In all three matches, Jack Higgs has remained unbeaten but was taken to the wire in the match against Wombats before beating Tony Birch 11-8, 11-3, 13-15, 10-12, 11-9. He was ably supported in the match against Wombats by Graham Collier, who won twice, while for Wombats, Steve Glazzard played well to win two.

In the draw against Express, Mark Griffiths had a very creditable win against Dave Woodyatt by 11-7, 11-5, 11-7.

In second place are last year's runners-up Magpies, who started their campaign with a 7-3 win over Bromyard Merlins thanks to Mark Jones, who was unbeaten on the night, with two wins each coming from Alan Salisbury and Derek Reynolds. In their other match, Magpies gained a 6-4 win over last year's champions Manor Park Cavaliers thanks to Jones and Salisbury, who were unbeaten on the night.

Cavaliers' second game of the season saw them draw 5-5 with Grosvenor, Joe Higgs and Mike Keele won two each and the doubles while for Grosvenor, Anthony Wiseman was in fine form and won his three singles.

Manor Park Express gained a fine 8-2 win over CSSC Ramblers, with Pete Griffiths unbeaten.

A newcomer to the league, Wayne Chopping, was unbeaten for Grosvenor against Bromyard Merlins in their 7-3 win. Harry Jutle played well for Merlins winning twice including a 3-2 win over Dave White.

Merlins 3, Magpies 7; Pioneers 6, Grosvenor 4; CSSC Ramblers 7, Wombats 3; Express 8, CSSC Ramblers 2; Wombats 4, Pioneers 6; Grosvenor 7, Merlins 3; Magpies 6, Cavaliers 4; Cavaliers 5, Grosvenor 5; Pioneers 5, Express 5.

LEDBURY Lions have bounced back from last season's relegation by winning both their opening matches in division two.

Neville Meredith and Richard Smith have both won six games out of six. They were also unbeaten in the doubles, although their match with Chris Hughes and Ray Holroyd of Vulcans was a titanic struggle. The home pair came close to winning in straight sets before Lions fought back to level it. Vulcans then led 10-3 in the final set but were unable to clinch the one point needed for victory and lost 12-10. The two players not participating in the doubles had their own struggle. Beryl Shammon (Vulcans) emerged victorious against Brian McCormack 9-11, 12-10, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8.

Manor Park Crackpots have had a difficult start to life in division two, picking up just one point from their opening three games. Only Tim Snee tasted success in the derby match with Crackpots E, for whom Colin Dolding and Dave Steen were both unbeaten and James Palmer won twice. In their match with YMCA Vulcans, Richard Cullis narrowly beat Chris Hughes and Beryl Shammon but Ray Holroyd won all his games.

The other promoted team, Uckinghall, have also struggled. Peter Nash and Roger Davies gained a single win apiece in each of their opening matches. Peter Quy was unlucky to go home empty-handed against Broadheath. He lost 12-10 in the final set against Roger Bates. This was Roger's only win but team mates John Stalker and Brett Brining were both unbeaten.

Uckinghall's match with Manor Park Travellers was much tighter than the scoreline suggests. Ken Hipwell came from two sets down to beat Brian Gregory and Bob Atyeo and Martin Snee also had to recover from trailing in the doubles. Bob and Ken both won all their games and Martin one.

Vulcans 3, Lions 7; Crackpots E 9, Crackpots 1; Belters 10, Logics 0; Travellers 8, Uckinghall 2; Uckinghall 2, Belters 8; Lions 10, Crackpots 0; Crackpots 2, Vulcans 8; Vulcans 9, Logics 1.

ABBEYDOWNE have had two three point wins to start the season in division three.

Against Allsorts, Peter Denniss won all his singles and was supported by Bill Lucas and Roy Holland, who won two singles each and the doubles together. Lizzie Gorton and Alex Lindner each won a singles for Allsorts to give them a well-deserved point.

When they played Dynamos, it was Bill and Roy who won all their singles and Bill and Peter won the doubles. Collette James and Ian Sage each won one for Dynamos.

Nick Haggar won three sets for Hop Pickers when they played X-Police and Steve Mulka, Alan Holmes and Ralph Cook two each for X-Police and Ralph and Steve won the doubles.

Allsorts 2, Abbeydowne 8; X-Police 7, Hop Pickers TT Club 3; Maulers 9, Poolbrook Lieutenants 1; Abbeydowne 8, Dukes Way Dynamos 2.