The fight for promotion at the top Division Two of the Keighley & District Table Tennis League Second Division shows no sign of abating.

Three points separating the top three who all have to play one another during the next month, it looks as though all the players involved will have to ride an emotional roller coaster before the season reaches it's nail-biting conclusion. Once again all three had good wins this week with pride of place going to Lothersdale 'B' who tucked into second spot courtesy of a resounding 10-0 away win at Cononley Sports. Martin Connolly led from the front with an exemplary treble that included a fine 21-17, 21-15 defeat of Eric Hudson who, in turn, almost did the trick against Peter Midgley before going down 21-17, 15-21, 21-18. However, the real star of the show was Edgar Klava who, having played in only half the fixtures so far this season, showed fantastic determination, firstly beating Phil Scarr 18-21, 21-15, 21-8 then Hudson 18-21, 21-14, 21-18 and finally Stuart Maude 17-21, 21-19, 21-19 to keep his team's championship challenge on track.

Embassy also had a fine 9-1 home victory against bottom team Terrier's 'B', although I wonder how much the point dropped by Derek Briggs 21-17, 17-21, 21-16 to Andy Salanyk will count in the final shake up? Paul Waddington, Stuart Myers and Salanyk found Dave Kitson and Mathew Mellor too strong as the hospital team peer nervously through the gaping trap door into the Third Division as Embassy eased into top spot.

Although winning 7-3 at Ilkley Road 'A', Terriers 'A' dropped out of the promotion places to third. His arrival delayed by his mother's cooking, Tim Boothman showed he has a real appetite for returning to the top flight by serving up a treble, although he found Steve Barton difficult to swallow, finally digesting the Riddlesden player 22-20, 21-19. Roy Towler was the top Roader, beating Paul Beck 21-10, 21-17 and Mark Emmott 21-12-21-18.

In Division Three all the action this week has been at St Wilf's. Firstly Terriers 'E' were the visitors, escaping with a notable 7-3 success. Steve Ives was again to the fore with a maximum, including a 21-12, 21-15 win against Chris Morton who was the best player for the Gilstead team with a couple that included a 21-16, 21-15 defeat of Matthew Birch.

In their other match, this time at home to Ilkley Road 'B', Morton fared less well, although he came close against Robert McLean before losing out 21-23, 21-12, 21-19. Karl McIntyre was good value for his superb treble, registering a 21-11, 21-14 win against Andrew Clarke along the way. Clarke played well for the home team, beating Robert McLean 25-23, 21-8 and only just failing against Chris Dunn who pulled the third back from 20-13 down to win 13-21, 21-17, 22-20 on the way to Ilkley Road's 8-2 success.

The Keighley team of Steve Rutherford, Peter Holbrook, Rod Robertson and John Lister remain unbeaten in the Yorkshire Veterans Division Three. Top of the table after four matches it looks like promotion is on the cards for our boys.

RESULTS -- Division One: Nelson 'A' 7, Lothersdale 'A' 3; Nemesis 1, Junction Mills 9; Oakworth 2, Junction Mills 8. Division Two-Cononley Sports 0, Lothersdale 'B' 10; Embassy 9, Terriers 'B' 1; Ilkley Road 'A' 3, Terriers 'A'7. Division Three-St Wilf's 3, Terriers 'E' 7; St Wilf's 2, Ilkley Road 'B' 8.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.