THE handicap competition of the Malvern Table Tennis League has now reached the quarter-final stage and there have been some close contests.

CSSC Nomads eased home by five points in their encounter with Manor Park Crackpots. They were indebted to useful singles contributions from Rob Redden and Geoff Davies and to the crucial doubles success of Tony Hughes and Rob 11-8, 4-11, 12-10, 11-7. Richard Cullis, in particular, fought hard to keep Crackpots in the tie.

In a third round match the 70 point handicap given to Dukes Way Dynamos was not quite enough to beat X Police, who won by just seven points. For the Police Malcolm Dalley's performance caught the eye winning all of his games. For Dynamos Ian Sage took points off both Alan Holmes and Ralph Cook whilst Collette James did well in her game with Alan which finished 11-9, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8.

Manor Park Maulers from division three were delighted to beat the experienced division one outfit Manor Park Express by 13 points.

Once again the doubles match was critical with Don James and Ray Davies taking the first game off Dave Woodyatt and Pete Griffiths 11-8. In the singles matches Don played particularly well.

In other games two teams paid the penalty for not turning out their strongest sides. Bromyard Logics found Vulcans too hot to handle despite a valiant rearguard action form Tony Williams, Chris Daniels and Derek Craddock.

Similarly a weakened Crackpots B were up against it when meeting division two promotion favourites Ledbury Lions, Gordon Stables, Neville Meredith and Richard Smith were far too sharp.

Bromyard Merlins beat Travell-ers in the main competition.

SCORES: CSSC Nomads (35) 392, Manor Park Crackpots 337; X Police 393, Dukes Way Dynamos (70) 386; Manor Park Express 443, Manor Park Vulcans (240) 456; Bromyard Logics (55) 314, YMCA Vulcans 393; Ledbury Lions 441, Crackpots B (150) 329.