Swithenbank is hero as Hermits pinch cup tie (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Roger Swithenbank is hero as Hermits pinch cup tie

6:00pm Wednesday 9th January 2013 in Sport By Richard Priestley, Table tennis correspondent

There was a highly unlikely ending to the Theobould Trophy tie between Hermits F from Division Four and Division Three opponents Unity E.

Hermits began with a 78-point start but the Unity trio of Alan Moulden, Bill Sugden and Hughie Chambers made a blistering opening and were only 14 points behind after four sets.

Roger Swithenbank stemmed the tide briefly for Hermits in set five, gaining a five-point victory over Chambers, but Unity continued to dominate, and with one set left they had an 18-point lead.

Swithenbank faced Sugden needing a miracle but, as is so often the case in this competition, anything can happen.

Swithenbank somehow won the first three games 11-5, 11-1, 11-4, and calmly gathered nine points in the final game to give Hermits an amazing three-point victory and a place in the last eight.

In the Burton Cup, Division One strugglers Unity B made it through to the semi-finals for the second year running - but they were given a fright by Division Three leaders Fastbats B.

Dave Rawlins won his opening two singles for Unity but had to come from 2-0 down to beat both Helen Shields and Greg Hill. Dave Mitton also beat Hill as Unity led 3-1.

But Fastbats stunned Unity as Shields and Hill both beat Jonathan Greaves, while Sandra Rider had a great win over Mitton.

Rawlins completed his treble by defeating Rider and Mitton to put Unity into the last four with a 3-0 win over Shields.

RESULTS – Bradford League, Division One: Dewsbury Sedbergh 8, Unity A 2. Division Two: Pudsey A 5, Unity D 5; Embassy B 2, Pudsey A 8. Division Five: Baildon D 4, Thornbury 6. Burton Cup: Fastbats B 4, Unity B 5; Dewsbury Sedbergh 7, Fastbats A 2. Theobould Trophy: Hermits A 447, Hermits G 422; Hermits H 615, Hermits L 562; Salem 553, Pudsey B 562; Hermits F 496, Unity E 493; Hermits B 505, Baildon C 483; Baildon A 513, Fastbats D 495.