Age no barrier for Loftus

TABLE TENNIS: 

WITH 672 appearances for Manchester United, Ryan Giggs is displayed as a Premier League legend — but what brings the same status in the Oldham and District Table Tennis League?

Step forward Tommy Loftus. At 89 next month, and with more than 50 years’ commitment to the competition, he opened his account for the season as Honeywell ‘G’ narrowly lost 6-4 to Unison ‘F’ in Division Five.

Loftus contributed a singles victory and combined with Ron Holt in the doubles.

Saddleworth ‘B’ and Hollinwood ‘A’ served up a marathon match in Division One containing six, five-set thrillers, with Hollinwood scraping home 6-4 despite a maximum from Paul King.

Matty Evans’ efforts must also be recognised as he lost all three of his games in five sets.

Two of last season’s promoted teams, Uppermill and Unison ‘A’, went head to head. Mike Brierley was the stand-out performer as his unbeaten display, combined with a brace from Andy Hay, clinched a 6-4 victory for ’Mill.

Coldhurst ‘A’ cemented their position at the top of Division Two, sweeping aside a strong Rosehill team 8-2. Simon King notched his second consecutive maximum. Bottom team Stanley Square remain out of luck as they were beaten 6-4 by Deaf ‘A’.

Three weeks into the campaign, the talented youngsters of Unison ‘E’ remain unbeaten in Division Four.

Pollards ‘B’ provided their latest opposition, but a maximum from Dragomir Statev helped steer them to a 7-3 success.