Greens sneak promotion

THE Guernsey men's table tennis team have secured a dramatic final match promotion to Division One of the Senior British League.

'The hope now is that we try and use this as a springboard for next season,' said captain Phil Ogier.

'Make no mistake about it, Division One will be a jump in class with the best players in the league likely to be in the top 20 men in England.

'Hopefully, the prospect of taking a few scalps will be the motivation for our team and those on the fringes to spend some serious time on the practice table.'

The Sportingbet-sponsored side of Ogier, Scott Romeril, Garry Dodd and Olly Langlois (pictured) were leading promotion rivals Mossford by two points going into the last weekend of matches at BATTS table tennis club in Harlow, but with matches against the second, third, fourth and relegation threatened sides, it was never going to be easy for the Greens.

Mossford certainly were not giving up on their chances and took the opportunity to pile on the pressure in the opening match of the weekend by taking an unexpected 3-0 lead.

Former Congo international Didier Ngoma and Keith Lesser were on fire for the London-based club, taking out Dodd and Ogier in straight games.