DNA produced one of the standout performances as the opening round of the Parker Shield served up some entertaining contests across all three divisions.

The team handicap competition provides a different challenge from regular league table tennis, with matches played over a single end to 42 points rather than the usual best of five.

With little opportunity to recover from a poor start, concentration and consistency proved crucial.

In the Premier Division, Pegg’s defeated Nets and Edges, thanks largely to commanding victories by Chad Bassett over Steve Mason and Steve Ely.

Wizards also enjoyed a comfortable victory over Eagles, with new signing Aaron Wakeling making his debut.

Wakeling, who has recently moved to Lincoln and is ranked around 170 nationally, helped Wizards overcome an Eagles side who had struggled to field a team and drafted in Division One player David Patrick.

Nets and Edges enjoyed better fortunes in another tie, with Fin Hewson, Steve Goodale and James Longstaff making the most of a slight handicap advantage to overcome Exiles.

Allan Nicholls produced an impressive unbeaten performance for Exiles, but his efforts were not enough to prevent defeat.

Perhaps the most impressive result came from DNA, who overcame a significant handicap disadvantage to defeat Gladiators comfortably.

Gladiators’ only success came through Clive Welsman and Guntars Briedis, who both recorded victories over James Hau.

In Division One, Vikings continued their impressive form with a convincing victory over Spartans, despite having to overcome a handicap disadvantage.

Captain Neil Parsley once again led by example as Vikings maintained their winning momentum.

Stingers were equally impressive against Wanderers, cruising to victory without dropping an end.

The scheduled encounter between Nets and Edges B and Odds and Ends was postponed.

In Division Two, Mark Pateman starred for Barbarians, winning all his games in a closely contested victory over Raiders.

There was also an intriguing all-Nets and Edges encounter as the club’s all-female team faced its all-male counterparts.

The men’s side emerged comfortable winners, completing the contest without losing a game.

Meanwhile, Mondays produced an excellent team performance to defeat Fenland Tigers.

Tigers’ only success came courtesy of Jean Cammack, who edged out David Garner 42–40 in one of the closest individual contests of the round.