Butler swaps bats and climates to shine

Butler, who had been playing cricket with the island squad in India, flew back early for the weekend's action at Kingfisher Table Tennis Club in Reading, meeting up with his table tennis colleagues who had his bat and kit with them.

The impressively versatile Butler soon had his eye in for table tennis and in the island's team opening match they beat 23 Technology 7-3, with Garry Dodd, Butler and Joshua Stacey all emerging with unblemished singles records.

The afternoon was a much tighter affair, however a 6-4 win was obtained over the side lying in fifth position, York Gardens II.

Dodd and Butler were key to the outcome of the match and each went undefeated to secure five of the six required rubbers.

The Ravenscroft second team travelled north to the Halton Stadium in Widnes where they faced a huge top of the table clash with North Ayrshire II first up in National C-4.

Despite their best efforts, they went down 6-4 having obtained a draw against the Scottish-based side last time around.

However, the inclusion of the Premier Division player Chris Main, the Scottish No. 7, proved absolutely pivotal in the outcome of the match.

Ravenscroft II then went on to thrash Isle of Man 10-0, each of the Sarnian players overcoming their Manx opposition with relative ease.

The developmental Ravenscroft III Junior side have yet to register a win this season, but they continue to go close.

• More in Tuesday’s Guernsey Press.