BUTCHERS inflicted a first loss of the Mid-Cheshire Table Tennis League Super League Division One season on table-topping Tigers.

George Abbott got second-placed Butchers off to a great start in week 13 with a 3-0 win over Miles Benjamin. Butchers were never headed after that.

Geoff Cummings was again in terrific form, winning all three of his matches to remain undefeated since his return to MCTTL action.

Abbott added another win over Gwilym Morgan but lost out to Winston Duff in the final match of the night.

The all-important doubles went the way of Butchers in four sets, to seal the victory 6-4.

With three matches left of the season, Tigers remain four points clear. But Butchers look to have a slightly easier run in, so it’s still all to play for.

Elsewhere, Raptors enjoyed a fantastic 7-3 win over Sparks.

Simon Lafferty, Alan Darlington and Chris Snape all won two, but couldn’t get the better of Ray Worthington who contributed all Sparks’ points.

Victoria Club, with only two players, battled to a 5-5 draw with Lemmings, thanks largely to an undefeated Martin Thomson.

Wreckers ran-out 9-1 winners over bottom side Winsford, with Russ Joynson’s loss to Garry Owen giving Winsford their only point.

In Division Two, Vikings fought hard against runaway leaders Cobras but just missed out, losing 4-6.

Vikings’ Neil McGrath was player-of-the match, winning all his sets against the seasoned Cobras outfit.

It’s going to be a close-run thing for second place.

Bears kept up the chase with a 7-3 win at Sticklebacks, with Andy Edwards and Paul Curley both unbeaten.

In Division Three, Victoria Club’s second string moved 11 points clear of Snakes at the top, with an 8-2 win over the Romans.

Alan Lenton and Keith O’Brien were the stars of the show with three wins each.

Snakes have a game in hand, so the fat lady hasn’t started singing just yet.

In other matches, the juniors of Lostock Smashers enjoyed only their second win of the season with a terrific 8-2 result over bottom side Rangers.

Kinetics overcame Wolves with a narrow 6-4 win to maintain their third place.