After 17 matches unbeaten, Sudbury Nomads have at last tasted defeat in division two of the Braintree Table Tennis League.

An inspired performance from Black Notley C’s Neil Freeman was largely responsible for the 6-4 scoreline. He won his three singles, including only the fourth defeat of the season for Karl Baldwin.

Rev Matthews also contributed two singles and he and Freeman took the doubles.

Liberal C strengthened their hold on second place with a 9-1 win over Rayne D and Rayne’s C team moved up to third, above Notley D, whom they beat by the same scoreline.

Ben Page’s second match since his return to the league was as successful as his first as his three singles helped Netts C to a 6-4 win over Notley E.

In division one, Netts A had to field a reserve but Michael Andrews and James Hicks took seven sets between them in their 7-3 victory over Notley A.

Rayne A retained top spot, but from two more matches, after an 8-2 win over Notley B. John Andrews was unbeaten.

Liberal B, in seventh place, had an excellent 7-3 victory over Netts B, four places above them. It was not a negligible Netts B team either, Maria Boulton, Alistair Hill and James Mullane managing just one win each.

David Gatheral was unbeaten for Liberal B and Ashley Skeggs, who took two, will be pleased to get back to winning ways after a series of blanks.

There were wins for the top two in division three, Sudbury Wanderers and Rayne E beating Notley G and Rayne F 7-3 and 8-2 respectively.

Oliver Hicks was undisturbed as usual for Rayne E where Adam Pitt picked up the two for the F team.

Likewise, Ian Shrubsole for Wanderers, where Jamie Brooks scored twice for Notley G.

Peter Game was the man in form for Notley H, winning his three sets for the first time since September in their 6-4 win over Netts E.

Michael Goodchild was unbeaten in Netts D’s 7-3 win over Notley I.