Table Tennis

Although the new season has just started there has been plenty of activity during the Summer Months. Players have been competing not only in England but also within Europe

A number of players went to the Veterans World Championships in Lucerne Switzerland all performed well, and a special mention should be made of David Godbold and Shirley Gelder. Kevin Wilson was part of a group of young players who travelled to Budapest with the Darlington TTC and had the honour to represent England 'B' against India in a junior event.

A large number of young players aged under 14-years took part in a very successful Training Camp for North East players that was held in the Castle View Complex in July. This training camp was under the direction of the international coach Nicky Jarvis and supported by coaches and officials from the area. Delegates attended the second ETTA Premier Club Conference in May 2002.

The new season started with the tragic news of the very sudden death of Colin Bryce. Colin was well known in our league not only as a player but also as a valued Member of our Executive Committee for many years. Although having epilepsy Colin did not allow this ailment to affect his very active life, not only in table tennis but he also played badminton and was an active model engineer of some reputation. He was well known at the St Gabriels Coaching Centre in the 1980's and early 1990's before playing for Grove and Coles Table Tennis Clubs and latterly was a very valued as well as being a founder member of the St John Table Tennis Club since its formation in 1999. He will be sadly missed not only by his family but his many friends in our sport.

The season has started with 23 teams in the leagues (an increase in one from last year) and the committee are still hopeful that the final place can be filled to make it three divisions with eight teams in each division. The committee

welcomes everybody to this first season when we are all playing to the new 11 up international rules. The first results of our current season are as follows:

Division One: - Seaburn Dene N C 7, Silksworth CC 'C' 3; Silksworth CC 'A' 7, West CA 'A' 3;

Newcomers to Division One Seaburn Dene NC have introduced Michael Marsden all Malcolm Lusk who with Allan Thompson each won two of the three sets plus the doubles over last season's runners up Silksworth CC 'C' to record a fine 7 - 3 victory.

Tony Gelder won all three sets for Silksworth with his usual fine performance.

Silksworth CC 'A' beat West CA 'A' 7 sets to 3 with David Robson and Neil Herrington each winning their three singles plus the doubles, and in reply Doug Lawrence, Jimmy Scope and Rod Roberts each winning one set from West CA who have a much changed side from last sea4on.

Division Two Boldon CA B 3 Silksworth Comrades 7; St John TTC A 6, St Gabriels B 4; Silksworth CC D 5, St John TTC B ; West CA B 9, Redby CA A 1.

West CA B made an excellent start to the season with a 9-1 victory over Redby CA A, with Frank Booth and Michael Bowden gaining maximum sets and Brian Blanckley also gaining two sets plus Frank and Philip Bowden taking the doubles.

Division Three- Redby CA C 1, St John TTC C 9; St John TTC E 2, Redby CA D 8.

A strong side of Ken Tweedy, Eric Thompson and David Gilmore beat St John TTC E by 8-2. with Ken Tweedy and Eric Thompson winning all their singles plus the doubles. Richard Waine and Jennifer Dixon each making their league debuts won one of their singles to record the first sets for their new team.

A copy of our handbook for the 2002/2003 season, is enclosed for your information.If you have any queries or require any further clarification please contact me, or if you wish to use any of this information in any articles etc please do so as we are always trying to promote our sport at both local and district level.