THE WIDE-open nature of Division 1B in the Bradford Table Tennis League was in evidence as leaders Unity B succumbed to a Gary Foster-inspired Highdale B, who recorded their first victory of the season at the 15th attempt.

Foster cannot play every week due to work commitments but he showed his worth against Unity with an unbeaten performance.

Phil Mann gave good support with two wins and this pair clinched a deserved 6-4 victory with the doubles.

Hermits A and Fastbats A are also in the running and they were involved in a see-saw 5-5 draw which proved a tale of two halves.

Fastbats got off to a flying start as they raced into a 4-1 lead, with Tony McGowan winning his first two singles and Tony Hutton and Craig Knowles adding one each.

But Hermits responded strongly as Matthew Shaw won two, Marcus Reynolds and Alex Shaw both won one and Hermits took the doubles for a share of the points.

Hermits B are in third place but showed their strength following a marathon 8-2 encounter against Pudsey A.

Zoe Cheeseman and Doug Bartle gave Pudsey a 2-0 lead but, on a night when seven of the ten matches went the distance, Hermits took the next eight, with Shamir Bose finishing unbeaten.

Ian Warner and Andy Braithwaite took two wins each in the impressive victory.

RESULTS – Division 1A: Yeadon A 6, Unity A 4. Division 1B: Unity B 4, Highdale B 6; Hermits A 5, Fastbats A 5; Hermits B 8, Pudsey A 2. Division 2A: Unity D 3, Laisterdyke A 7; Embassy Police C 3, Unity C 7; Hermits D 0, Yeadon B 10. Division 2B: Baildon A 5, Laisterdyke B 5; Hermits F 7, Fastbats C 3. Division 3A: Hermits H 5, Baildon B 5; Hermits I 9, Unity E 1. Division 3B: Baildon C 6, Bradford College 4; Hermits K 3, Hermits J 7; Hermits L 7, Fastbats E 3.