Neil Foley almost single-handedly averted disaster for title chasers Wanderers at home to bottom team Nemesis in the Keighley & District Table Tennis League First Division.

With team mate Paul Farley suffering from a dramatic loss of form as he lost in turn to John Rawnsley (17-21, 21-18, 21-13), Peter Worger (21-19, 17-21, 21-18) and Peter Eastaugh (17-21, 21-15, 21-19) it was up to the cool headed Irishman Foley to display nerves of steel as he steered his team away from the brink with three superb wins that included the 21-13, 21-9 demolition of Rawnsley.

A couple from Geoff Bartlett against Eastaugh (15-21, 21-9, 22-20) and Rawnsley plus the doubles saw the Wanderers sneak a 6-4 victory.

Ukrainians made life difficult for Johnson & Johnson with an 8-2 away win that plunges the Gargrave team further into the relegation mire. Steve Rutherford, in for Peter Holbrook, played superbly for his three with his best victory coming against John Pullen 21-8, 21-13. Pullen managed a couple for the home team, defeating Jerry Harkawy 21-13, 21-13 and Stef Szczur in a thriller 17-21, 21-15, 25-23, but that was as good as it got for J & J although Vince Ferran was desperately unlucky to lose 21-18, 17-21, 25-23 to Harkawy.

With the top three separated by only three points the promotion race in the Second Division is the most exciting for years. Embassy posted two 6-4 away victories this week, the first at Cononley Sports where Derek Briggs' racy head gear spurred the visitors on. Taking the first 21-15, 21-17 against Phil Scarr the Gilstead player showed great determination by following this up with wins against Stuart Maude (25-23, 23-21) and Eric Hudson (21-17, 22-20).

Steve Crossland also ended with a full house, although it was tight against Scarr 9-21, 21-16, 21-12. Away at Nelson 'B' it was dynamic Derek again who led the way, starting with an exceptional performance against Tom Lacey whom he bettered 15-21, 21-16, 21-14 followed by two easy wins against Andy Allott and Bill Mitchell.

Lacey fought back well for his team, beating Steve Crossland and Clive Sherratt. Allott also beat Sherratt (21-17, 11-21, 21-14) and Mitchell got the better of Crossland 16-21, 21-11, 21-13 to leave it delicately poised going into the doubles. However a super performance by Embassy saw them romp home 21-17, 21-10 to sneak the win at the death and propel themselves into top spot.

Lothersdale slipped to third following their match at home to Haggas where perhaps they should have done better. No blame could be apportioned to Pete Midgley, though, as he plundered a maximum against the woolmen, including a 22-20, 21-19 defeat of Michael Mitchell.

Mitchell played well for the visitors, getting the better of Martin Connolly 10-21, 21-16, 21-19 whilst himself, Steve Fuller and Ian Ogden all beat Jack Webber to leave Lothersdale with a narrow 6-4 win.

In Division Three both Terriers 'C' and Oakbank Juniors registered thumping 10-0 victories against South Craven and Ilkley Road 'C' to leave them still level pegging at the top.

RESULTS -- Division One: Johnson & Johnson 2, Ukrainians 8; Junction Mills 0, Nelson 'A' 10; Wanderers 6, Nemesis 4. Division Two-Terriers 'A' 7, Nelson 'B' 3; Cononley Sports 4, Embassy 6, The Bhoys 0, Ilkley Road 'A' 10; Lothersdale 'B' 6, John Haggas 4; Nelson 'B' 4, Embassy 6. Division Three-Central 10, St Wilf's 0; Ilkley Road 'B' 9, Terriers 'D' 1; Oakbank Juniors 10, Ilkley Road 'C' 0; South Craven 0, Terriers 'C' 10.

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