LEDBURY Lions have moved eight points clear in second place in division two of the Brewin Dolphin Securities sponsored Malvern Table Tennis League.

Steve Meredith made his first appearance of the season in their match against YMCA Vulcans. He won twice, as did Richard Smith and this, combined with one win for Neville Meredith, earned a draw. For Vulcans, Jim Ahern was again in fine form, winning all three of his singles and combining well with Chris Hughes in the doubles. John Cawthra also won one.

A draw was a fair result with five games requiring a fifth set and over 800 points scored on the night.

Manor Park Crackpots suffered heavy defeats against Crackpots E and Vulcans. Colin Dolding returned from injury to lead Crackpots E to victory, winning all his singles. He was backed up well by Dave Steen and James Palmer with two wins apiece.

Richard Cullis won two for the home team and Stephen Lindner came close to beating James before going down 10-12, 8-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-3.

Despite struggling with an ankle injury, Jim Ahern preserved his unbeaten record for Vulcans as they entertained Manor Park Crackpots. Beryl Shammon and Chris Hughes each won twice for the home team.

Richard Cullis won two for Crackpots including coming from two sets down to Chris in the final game of the night. It proved to be an expensive game for Chris, who broke his bat at 8-9 in the final set.

John Hunt is well and truly back for Bromyard Logics after missing most of the first half of the season through injury. He won six out of six in their recent matches versus Travellers and Belters.

Unfortunately for him, both matches ended in 7-3 defeats for his team. He was pushed every step of the way in his game with Dave Elliott before scraping home 12-10 in the fifth set. The trio of Dave, John Stalker and Pete Roberts each won two for Belters as did Bob Atyeo, Ken Hipwell and Martin Snee for Travellers.

Chris Daniels was unlucky to go home empty handed after putting up a great fight against John Stalker before losing 11-7 in the final set.

RESULTS: Manor Park Travellers 7, Bromyard Logics 3; Manor Park Crackpots 2, Crackpots E 8; Uckinghall 1, Manor Park Travellers 9; Crackpots E 1, Ledbury Lions 9; Bromyard Logics 3, Broadheath Belters 7; Ledbury Lions 5, YMCA Vulcans 5; YMCA Vulcans 8, Manor Park Crackpots 2.