The competitive nature of Division Two of the Bradford Table Tennis League this season was perfectly illustrated when leaders Hermits B were cut down to size by relegation-threatened Highdale C.

Hermits were without Sarfraz Khan through injury, and they were also unfortunate to face a Highdale team who were able to field their strongest line-up for the first time this season.

Ian Tweedale, Phil Mann and Gary Foster are part of a seven-man squad where rotation is necessary, and their league position reflects this, but if these three could turn out together more often, Highdale would be up at the top end of the table.

Tweedale collected three singles while Mann and Foster added two each as Highdale’s 8-2 success gave them some breathing space in the relegation dogfight.

In Division Three, four teams are locked in a survival battle at the bottom, and two of them were in opposition.

Hermits D moved out of the bottom two following a crucial victory at Baildon A, who are now in last place.

Zarnab Jamal and Joe Jonas both recorded trebles while Martin Jackson chipped in with a single for Hermits.

Baildon replied with one each from Chris Willey and Peter Warner and they also won the doubles.

Results – Division One: Dewsbury Tog 9, Fastbats A 1; Police 10, Dewsbury Tog 0. Division Two: Pudsey A 6, Hermits A 4; Yeadon A 5, Yeadon B 5; Highdale C 8, Hermits B 2. Division Three: Baildon A 3, Hermits D 7. Division Four: Rastrick 4, Hermits G 6; Hermits H 5, Hermits F 5; Fastbats D 6, Pudsey B 4; Hermits G 9, Baildon B 1. Division Five: Unity F 5, Baildon C 5; Hermits J 0, Hermits I 10; Fastbats E 2, Thornbury 8; Hermits K 5, Hermits L 5; Thornbury 6, Baildon D 4.