WITH just two weeks to go to the end of the season, Rawreth A are champions, being too far ahead of their rivals to be overtaken in the Premier Division of the Southend District Table Tennis League.

A 9-0 win for Legra A over Warehouse A puts them into second place, five points clear of Rawreth B, lying third and with a game in hand.

Rawreth B won their match against Lentern A 6-3 thanks to a Keith Phillips hat-trick, a brace for Andrew Halling and one win for Dave Calleja. Terry Guymer was Lentern's best player with two wins, but he lost in a five-setter to Phillips.

Lentern B and Rayleigh Mill fought a close match with the latter emerging the 5-4 winners.

Marilyn Bawden and Ray Eldridge did most of the damage, winning two games each for the Mill, while Lentern's Les Tayler was denied his maximum by Bawden.

In Division One, divisional leaders Canvey A scraped home 5-4 in the last game of the match against Hadleigh Forum C, but have too big a lead to be denied the title.

Garry Hartgrove was unbeaten for Forum, but it was not enough to save his team from defeat. Talbot Wiseman and Tony Giddens won both their other games for Canvey with a below par Ray Wilson adding one to the tally.

Selbourne had a 5-4 win over Lentern C in a very close match that could have gone either way. Former Essex junior Michael Piper, who has resumed playing recently, is gradually getting his old form back - winning two of his games.

But he could not get the better of Lentern's Steve Appleby. Roger Nutbrown also won two for Selbourne with Dave Newton contributing one.

In Division Two, Legra B had a surprisingly comfortable 8-1 win over Warehouse B.

Neil and Owen Warren were both unbeaten, while Sam Chesher won two but lost in a very close game against Oliver Podd.

Hullbridge D are hanging onto their lead at the top of the table, but only managed a narrow 5-4 win for the second week running.

Dave Kirston was in good form to go unbeaten for their opponents Invicta A, but Barry Bronson and Denis Warren won both their other games for the victors while Jim McKechnie added one.

In Division 3A current leaders Warehouse C beat RESSC A 6-3.

Tony Wright led the way, winning all his games in three straight legs. He was supported by Mark Doxey with two wins, he was denied his hat-trick by Pam Swan, and Jonathan Allen added one to the total.

Wakering beat Hadleigh Forum B by the same score. Cliff Noakes was their hat-trick earner, while Dave Accleton added two but lost to John Packer while Jenny Butler contributed one.

In Division 3b, Leon Smart came up trumps for Canvey D in their match against Runnymede C. His hat-trick, together with a pair for Rob McDonald and one for Jimmy Readon, led Canvey to a 6-3 win.