DIVISION three’s two leading players came face to face in the Braintree Table Tennis League – and it was 15-year-old Jamie Brooks who came out on top.

Brooks and Liam Ebbs were the only two players to remain unbeaten in their opening three matches but it was Ebbs’ record that perished when the two came together in the match between Black Notley’s E and I teams.

Fittingly, it was a tight battle as Ebbs fought back from two games down to level, but Brooks got away in the final game to win 11-6, 11-5, 5-11, 11-13, 11-6.

Ebbs and Paul Martin both got the better of Matt Brooks and Jim Davy but Jamie Brooks’ three singles, and the doubles with his father, helped Notley E preserve their hundred per cent win record and become the first team this season to beat Notley I.

Rayne H are also unbeaten but they drew for the second time this season. Netts C were the ones to hold them this time, despite three wins from Brian How.

Notley H and Rayne J also drew (three wins for Declan Baines) while Notley F thumped their own G team 10-0 and Rayne I scraped home 6-4 against Netts D where Derek Kennard was unbeaten for Netts.

In division two, Rayne F were sharing the lead with Liberal C after three matches, but a 9-1 reverse at the hands of Notley C brought them down to earth while Liberal C had a win by the same score against Rayne D.

Mick Richardson was unbeaten on his debut for Notley C.

Sean Clift took his three singles for Notley D against Rayne E, but the visitors took the rest, while Richard Upson’s unbeaten evening helped Felsted RBL A to draw with Rayne G.

It is rare that Nomads’ three original members, Barrie Applegate, Lorraine Burgess and Arthur Wilson, turn out together but they did so against Felsted B. Burgess won her

three singles but could not prevent a 6-4 defeat.

After their win over their own A team in division one the previous week, Netts B were put firmly in their place by champions Liberal A, who beat them 10-0.

In the reverse fixture, Netts A were almost as dominant against Liberal B but Robin Armstrong’s win over James Mullane spoiled the clean sheet.

Rayne B gave highly ranked Colchester veteran Alan Burgess his debut and he responded by winning his three singles in their 9-1 win over Notley A.

Roy Hooper and Richard Jennings were both unbeaten as Sible Hedingham beat Notley B 7-3 while Rayne A beat Rayne C 10-0.