Colchester Hornets have extended their lead at the head of the Eastern Region National Junior Table Tennis League.

The third round of matches was played at Hitchin School with matches scheduled against De Vere Sudbury, their closest rivals for the title, Kings Lynn, St Ives B and Lowestoft.

The first match of the day also turned out to be one of the most keenly fought with Sudbury's Jonathon Medcraft just getting the better of Antony Greenwood 20-22, 23-21, 23-21. Medcraft went on to take the scalp of Michael Andrews in a close three-setter.

However, these were the only success for Sudbury, Andrews and Greenwood taking their other singles and Keiran Lally taking both his to record a solid 4-2 win.

Kings Lynn Superblades were next. Their number one player James Ruffles caused problems for both Greenwood and Lally, but the final 6-0 result was never in any real doubt. St Ives B were despatched in a similar fashion.

The final match was against Lowestoft, the only side to pose a threat to Colchester's unbeaten record.

However, they were crucially without their number one player and the first round of matches all went to Colchester.

Lowestoft's Joseph Houghton, caused some problems for Greenwood and the Lowestoft player ran out the winner at 21-19 in the third.

The final match of the day pitted Adam Birthwhistle against Andrews who took the first 21-13.

The Lowestoft player took the second and the lead in the third changed hands several times before Andrews forced an error to take the match 20-22 and earn an extra point for his team.

Colchester Hornets are now just four matches away from winning the Eastern Regional title.

The final round of matches is scheduled to take place at Sudbury Table Tennis Club on April 1. Matches are due to start at 9.30am and a similar performance to this should secure the title.

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