In an amazing set of results, the leading teams in all three divisions of the Braintree Table Tennis League found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreline.

A week after being knocked out of the cup, Netts A polished up their league-winning potential by beating their closest rivals for the title.

Rayne A had conceded only three sets out of 30 but were up against it when they were only able to field two players against the champions.

But it was still a surprise that Paul Lucas and Adam Buxton could only manage three wins between them – and a further surprise that it was Buxton who won twice.

Buxton beat both James Hicks and Andy Holmes while Lucas lost to Holmes 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-5) and they both missed out against Paul Davison.

In division two it was the turn of a Netts team to be on the receiving end. The B team were looking comfortable at the head of the table but without two of their mainstays, Jon Hill and Szczepan Ziobro, they were not able to deal with Black Notley E.

With an unbeaten Stewart Ireland bringing about the only defeat of the season for Joe Meleschko, Notley triumphed 6-4.

Not to be outdone, division three served up a double surprise. The top two teams, Rayne G and Notley G, both lost, and lost heavily.

Like Netts B, Rayne G were without some of their stronger players and Notley H took full advantage to record an 8-2 win with unbeaten evenings for Mike Smith and Ben Southgate.

But Notley G had no such excuse. A 9-1 defeat to Netts D for a team of Graham Chinnery, Mel Cooch and Peter Game was one of the upsets of the season so far. Reputations meant little as Charles Calisin (3), Jimmy Calisin (3) and Keith Traynor (2) triumphed handsomely.

In division one, Liberal B returned to winning ways after their draw the previous week had halted their run of wins. They got the better of Notley A, with James Mullane and Ashley Skeggs taking all seven points between them.

Rayne C are tucked in behind Liberal B in fourth place after a 6-4 win over Liberal A while Kaung Htet Paing’s three singles helped Notley B to a 6-4 win over Sudbury Nomads.

In division two, second-placed Notley D suffered an unexpected 6-4 defeat at the hands of their own F team.

The set that tipped the balance was an outstanding win for Matt Brooks over Sean Clift, surely the win of his career. Clift went into the evening with 14 wins out of 15.

The D v F battle was resolved more logically at Rayne where the higher-ranked team won 7-3. Dave Moles was unbeaten.

Rev Matthews took away Ian Shrubsole’s unbeaten record – and won his other two singles – but could not prevent a 6-4 defeat for Notley C at the hands of Sudbury Wanderers.

Kierlan Richards turned in one of the performances of the week with an excellent win over Adi Kamma, runner-up in last season’s restricted singles. He won his other two as well in Netts C’s 7-3 defeat by Rayne E.

The defeats at the head of division three enabled Great Yeldham to move back to the top with a 9-1 win over Netts E. Richard Fewings rescued a point for Netts E with a win over Ray Carter.

Sudbury Strollers beat Finchingfield 6-4 with three wins from George Berry while Tim Townsend did likewise in Rayne H’s draw with Notley I.