As the Braintree Table Tennis League entered its Christmas/new year break, a definite shape had emerged in all three divisions.

Unless something dramatic occurs, Netts A will win division one and their C team will win division three.

Only division two has some questions to answer, but even there the prognosis looks reasonably predictable.

Netts A became favourites for the title they last won in 2015 as soon as it became clear that none of Brandon Crouchman, Simon Webber nor Scott Dowsett would be readily available to Liberal A, who had won the title for the previous five seasons.

Their odds then shortened considerably when they signed Colchester League player Michael Andrews, currently second in that league’s individual averages. He and six-time men’s singles champion Paul Davison make an impressive spearhead.

Apart from their curious blip against bottom team Black Notley B, they have rarely been troubled and carry a healthy lead into the new year.

At one time Notley C looked equally secure at the top of division two, but a slip-up against Rayne D and some strong results from Liberal C have left them looking more vulnerable.

But they had only two players, one a reserve, in facing Rayne D in December and assuming nothing similar happens again, they should be able to reassert themselves.

Division three looks as settled as division one with Netts C well ahead of their rivals. Their only defeat came in their third match, when they had to field two reserves against third-placed Notley G.

Click here to see the league tables.