228 CONTENTS 9 9 5

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ENGLISH TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION

Published by English Table Tennis Association Queensbury Hoyse CAPTAIN'S Hpvelock Road Hastings TN34 1HF LOG Te : 032~i'22525 Fax: 01424 22103 February's issue publishes a n Editor eight page special report on the John FA WoOd 60th English Open in Cleveland Editorial Office on pages 17·24, where Andrea 5ihe Brackens Holt, who won the silver medal Hemel Hempstead in the women's singles, was Hertford.shire HP2 SJA England's only medal success in TeVFax: 01442 244547 this premier event that promised Mobile: 0311"5 3~458 so much for English players. Advertisement Offices Sadly, England's men's team MARCH Jim Beckley was decimated by various Sports PR PO Box 8 lsI March 1995 injuries, with Alan Cooke being Cheadle ulme our only official representative (copy date I st February) APRIl Cheadle. Cheshire left to Ay the flag for England. SK87RG I st April 1995 Cooke didn't let us down Tel: 0161 4396001 (copy dote 1st March) though, playing superbly he Fax: 0161 4390223 reached the third round where Table Tennis News he lost to the dynamic is published eight times a year Frenchman Damien Eloi, the CHAmRBOX from September to May/June. evenlual men's singles Subscriptions & Distribution MBE for Geoffrey Aspinall 4 Detira Symes. ETIA champion. Cooke then ueensbulY House partnered Holland's Gerrard Havelock 11l0ad Bakker and reach the quarter FROM tHE CHAIR astings TN34 1HF linals, where once again he lost 1977 World Championships in Manchester Tel: 014 4722525 to Eloi who was partnered by 5 Fax: 01424 422103 fellow Frenchman Christophe SubSCription Rates Legout, a formidable duo who mAJUNIORNA1IONALS 8 UK: £12.00 went on to win the trophy. New Junior Champions Young & Ashison Sea MaiVlreland: £17.15 The great news is thaI from Air Mail Zone 1: 22.20 next season we will be staging Air Mail Zone-2~£23.85 the English Open every year, Photographers inslead of every 2 years. CHINA TOUR 12 John WOOd and Northern Pages 12 to 13 features a Cooke wins the respect of the mighty Chinese Photographic Service report on the fabulous Chino Printed by Tour that was played in front of Rainbow Press Limited pocked houses 01 all six venues, FRIENDLY H01ELS BRIIISH LEAGUE 14 24 - 26 Oakwood Hill Industrial Estate plus we hod the extra bonus at Cooke and Douglas unbeaten Loughton, Essex Stourbridge where on exciting IG10 3TZ match sow England's men fight Tel: 0181 5024202 bock from 0 . 3 down to draw 3 RUSSIAN TOUR 6 Fax: 01815022919 ·3, in fronl of BBC TV's Youngsters gain experience against Russia 1 Grandstand cameros. nsolici1ec1 articles are welcome for ppssibl pqblication, but the publishers True to form Terry Young and will accept no responsibility for return of Glendo Ashison are the new manuscripts and/or ~hotographs. 6O'IH ENGUSH OPEN IN CLEVELAND Whilst .every effort Is taken to ensure ·Junlor Notional Champions, 17 reportsBod facts aril'correct at the time SPECIAL 8 PAGE REVIEW of going to press, no resp?nslbillty will whilstthe Cadettilles went to be accepted by the Publishers should Scoll Friday and Lindsey errors be published. either for errors or mailers arising as a resull. Thornton, see Ken Muhr's report NII:XTISSUE The views expressed in Tabte Tennis on pages 8 and 9. News are those of the contliblJlors and .Cotswold Junior 2 Star are, 'lot necessarily""olficial EDA policy. ETTA National Council have Similal1y TIN acc~ts adve~ments in ~ann decided to allow 3rd generation ;o¥:f3Ilh. bllt I accept .Thake Transport Kent reBP9.nSibility for the goods 01: services liquid glue to be used at all dellclibed In lIPV8\1isemenl$. )f you haVE any qu9ries. these Should &::addressed levels from 23rdJanuary 1995 Junior 2 Star Select direclty to the advertiser. (see page 6). No part 01 this ffilIllllZine may be produced without written permission John F. A. Wood .Personality Profile· Jai Yi Liu from the publishers.

The ETIA would like to thank the lollowing companies for the support they give to English Table Tennis. '"ButterFly Fri@ndly IaIDUNLOpl HOTELSPLC ACIDDoDtJ WOOLWICH lIIaQUe5 -BUILOIIVG SOCIETY­

February 1995 TABLE TENNS NEWS 3 CHATTERBOX Table Tennis Snippets •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• MBEfOr GEOFFREY ASPINALL OLDHAM'S MR TABLE be apportioned between our whether VAT incurred on costs excess of £1000, making it the exempt and standard rated relating to competitions and richest tournament in Ireland. TENNIS RETIRED income. This would result in a coaching is below £7200 and if Events include men's, ladies, HEADMASTER GEOFFREY large under-recovery of VAT, Le. this is the case, then the rebate veterans, boys, girls, intermediate ASPINALL RECEIVES AN MBE an extra cost burden of the from the 1995/96 fees could be singles and open doubles. Association estimated at £25000 higher. If you are free on Easter IN THE NEW YEARS per annum. It was therefore In future, we will have to look Weekend in March and would HONOURS. at the results for each year to 31st like to enjoy a great weekend of March in April and only then can table tennis and fun together he award marks both his we determine the possibility of with Ulster hospitality, why not services to tables tennis making a rebate the following contact either Vincent O'Regan and the local season. on 0247-459089 or Morris community. If you have any questions on all McCullagh on 0247-467326 for Grandfather Mr this, please direct them to me. further information and entry T PETER HILLIER· ETIA TREASURER Aspinall, 64, took up the sport at forms. the age of six. He still plays regularly and was secretary of the of the Oldham HUGE District League for 17 years. 1995 He said "I tried to give up the OVERSEAS job but then they made me BANGOR league president instead. ENTRY for He plays every week as captain OPEN of the Werneth Cricket Club eight KENT 2 STAR table tennis team though he Twenty years ago the Bangor Tournament referee Phil gower joked: "These days its more a Open was firmly established as reports that a remarkable 64 matter of just standing there agreed, almost unanimously, at a the premier table tennis event in entries from overseas countries while other people hit the balls at Special General Meeting held at Ireland, with top stars from have been received for the me." the time of the June AGM to England and Scotland regularly forthcoming Thake Transport Formerly head of St Martin's increase the affiliation fee unit by crossing the Irish Sea to compete Kent Junior 2 Star Select. Primary School in Filton Hill, 17.5% as a contribution to this with Ireland's best. The big A total of 285 have entered, Oldham, Mr Aspinall was extra cost. names included Chester Barnes, making it one of the most heavily involved in all kinds of However, in recent months, we Denis Neale, Connie Warren, Ian popular tournaments of the sporting activities during his have had a considerable amount Harrison, Stuart Gibbs, Malcolm season. It will be held at years there. of correspondence and meetings Sugden, Jill Hammersley, Tommy Gillingham on 18th - 19th He was born in Huddersfield with inspectors at the Hastings Caffrey and Jimmy Langan. The February. and spent 35 years working in VAT office in which we have put advent of Troubles unfortunately Merseyside before moving to forward a case, in favour of us led to its demise until last year Oldham with his wife Jean 25 remaining fully taxable, i.e. able when a group of local enthusiasts years ago. to recover 100% of our VAT costs. decided to re-establish the event DICKENS He is a lay preacher at Holy The result of all this is a very at to retain as much as possible of Trinity Church, Bardsley, and he satisfactory outcome in that the its original and unique character, WAS THERE helps edit a weekly local talking VAT inspectors have accepted including most of the original The great writer Charles Dickens newspaper for the blind. that we were fully taxable up to perpetual trophies, separately was a long term guest at the 31st March 1994. staged tournament finals for the Great White Horse Hotel in We put in a claim for VAT paid spectators, local hospitality and Ipswich, players and officials on affiliation fees for the four post-event entertainment for involved in the England v. GOOD years to 31st March 1994 and which the event was famous. Belgium European League match have received a cheque for more This year the organisers have in January were surprised to find than £74000. At the November decided to celebrate the return of out during their stay at the same NEWS management committee meeting peace to the province with an hotel. it was decided to recommend to invitation to players in England, In fact it was, during his stay from the TREASURER National Council that two Scotland, Wales and Eire to take there that he wrote 'Pickwick Legislation on VAT was changed motions should be placed before part in this unique event, with Papers', and the hotel is from 1st April 1994, making theAGM: former participants particularly mentioned in the classic book. league affiliation fees exempt 1. The £74000 be returned to welcome. Overseas visitors will Other famous guests over the from VAT, whereas they had members in full as a rebate from be provided with years include Lord Nelson, and it previously been standard rated. their 1995/96 fees. 2. Half of the accommodation by local players has been open for business for At first, all the facts available £74000 be returned to members or if preferred, reduced price B & over 400 years! A more modern indicated the probability that this and the remainderbe placed in a B. There will be a Supper Dance writer to stay at the Great White would cause the Association to special Junior Development Fund after the finals in Crawfordburn Horse was the Daily Telegraph's become partially exempt and to be invested to give our leading Country Club and on Sunday John Woodford, who wrote the therefore unable to reclaim all juniors extra opportunities at morning, an Invitational paper's England match report VAT incurred on supplies. The attain the standards now reached International Golf Challenge on during his stay at the reasoning was that with more by those in other leading the new Blackwood 18 hole par 3 establishment. than £100,00 of income now countries. course. The tournament is to be being exempt from VAT, Customs As far as the current season is held at North Down College of and Excise would say that nearly concerned, we have to wait until Technology, using brand new all our VAT costs would have to after the end of March 1995 to see tables. Prize money will be in

4 TABLE TENNIS NEWS February 1995 FROM THE CHAIR By Alan Ransome •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

practice tables and other facilities as appropriate. GREAT WORK bY our TREASURER The ETTA Treasurer, Peter Hillier, has negotiated a rebate of approximately £75,000 from the VAT man. This money, paid by our member leagues to the ETTA was passed on to Customs and Excise during the period between 1990 and 1994. With a decision from the European Community to support him, Peter has negotiated a full rebate and table tennis is one of the first THE ENGLISH TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION BID STRONGElY SUPPORTED BY THE sports to stake its claim to MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL AND THE SPORTS COUNCil TO STAGE THE WORLD TABLE recover the funds. As the TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 1997, WAS SELECTED BY THE ITTF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IN money has originated from TAIWAN AT THEIR MEETING IN MID-DECEMBER WRITES ALAN RANSOME. our Members, the Management Committee has he Championships will many of our Umpires to own Country. r ommended that Members be staged at the officiate at the Championships. Altogether, the staging of tl e through their representatives beginning of May '97 Our National Referees and World Championships sho 1CI a e Annual General Meeting using two arenas, the Umpires Committee are busy give a massive boost to s~o Id decide w hat should be new anchester Arena which planning the organisation of sport of table tennis o e with this rebate. Iwill have 14 tables and 16,000 recruitment & training courses throughout the whole of Great embers may opt to pay all of seats, and the G-Mex Centre and seminars to give our Britain. e rebate back to the leagues which will house 35 tables and County and National Umpires 'n the form of a reduction of 30 additional tables for the opportunity of upgrading TABLETE NIS the 1995/96 fees. However, practice. The full details of the to international standard so in the our Selection Department are Championships are still to be that they can officiate in preparing their case to argue finalised, but the ITTF's Manchester. COMMONWEALtH th'!t some of the funding decision gives us a great 4) our coaches throughout the GAMES should be used to help our opportunity to promote table Country will have another Our discussions with leading English Junior Players tennis throughout the whole opportunity to see the wortd's Manchester have also included to improve their standards and country. best players without having to an application for t ble tennis assist the long-term prospects There are many positive in their bid to stage the of our Senior National Team. affects of bringing the World Alan Commonwealth Garnes for the Championships to England Ransome first time in the ear 2002. ANDREA STAR and these include:­ Manchester have included 1) increasing interest in the table tennis within their OF THE OPEN proposal, and at a meeting on From an England point of sport which will give the view, the star of the English many new facility projects 10th January, the English Commonwealth Games Open in Cleveland held from which we are currently 4th-8th of January, was Andrea supporting an excellent chance Council approved the nomination of table tennis. Holt. Andrea played brilliantly to attract new members; to beat the Russian No.1 Elena 2) gives our leading players Manchester are the front runners to be awarded the TImina and the Swedish the opportunity to become current European Champion public figures and sports travel abroad. Watching th Games. Currently there is no major competitor and a final Marie Svensson. In the final, superstars. One point which· top players is one of the eest Andrea found the twice­ has been lacking in recent ways for our coaches to cision will be taken before the end of this year. European Champion, Bettine times, is a table tennis player improve their knowledge 0 Vriesekoop of the Netherlands who is very well known to the Manchester are proposing the sport. a little too steady. Other general public. Desmond 5) the Association's Marketing that the Commonwealth Games table tennis event be excellent performances were Douglas was the last player Department will have the recorded by Alan Cooke, who fulfilled this role. The opportunity to create a media held over 9 days, 4 days for the team events, 1 free day Nicola Deaton and Helen time is now ripe for a new build-up to the Lower, which thoroughly personality to come forward Championships which will and 4 days for the individual events. It is likely that the delighted the home and the staging of the World bring both extra promotion supporters. One Championships will give our and television for table tennis. venue will be the Matchpoint Tennis Centre (which is disappointment was the players a platform. 6) More of our players will number of withdrawals in the 3) we need 49 tables for the have the opportunity to located within the vicinity of the airport) using 12 tables, Men's Singles. Prior to the World Championships, and benefit by playing in the commencement of the event, this gives the opportunity for World Championships in their including 4 show courts, plus

February 1995 TABLE TENNIS NEWS 5 FROM THE CHAIR By Alan Ransome ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Kong Linghui of China and meet the seeded players. The Division of the European Carl Prean had withdrawn. first stage of the tournament, NEW CENTRE AT League when they defeated After the start of the the Qualification Event, was GUILDFORD Belgium by 4 sets to 3 in tournament Chen Xinhua and played on 8 tables at Thornaby On the development front, I Belgium and by 4-1 in IpSWich Matthew Syed scratched. Lisa Pavillion, whilst the second am pleased to be able to report on the 17th of January. Lomas withdrew at the quarter stage from the second round the building a a ew table Belgium will play Poland in final stage with an injury after onwards was played on 4 tennis cen,~ at tH Bishop the final two-leg fixture to pleasing the crowds with good showcourts with tiered seating Reindm School in uildford. decide which team is wins over Lily Yip of the USA on both sides. The scnoollinked 'th the relegated. England Men were and Jana Dobesova of Challo er Hall I to defeated for the second year Czechoslovakia. ENGLANDV. pro ate a project t at has running in the semi-finals, this Despite this, the television CHINA TOUR attracted in eess of £220,000 time by Germany. Germany coverage for the 60th Open at.. unding. le entre won by 4-1 at Doncaster in was good. The Women's to packed houses iJ?cludes t b ilding of a new December and by 4-0 in Singles final was broadcast on The England/China test series GymnaSium hich is suitable SaarbruckeninJanuary. BBC Sport on Friday. The new played between Christmas and for 4 t hIes and the upgrading England's place in both the sports cable company, Wire the start of the English Open, of an existing gymnasium Men's and Women's Super Sport, took several hours of proved to be a big success. The which will also hold 4 tables. Division for next season is coverage. Special slots were television match at The Centre will use existing secure and organisers ordered by the Swedish and Stourbridge produced changing rooms and other interested in staging European Dutch television companies, excellent play for BBC facilities at the school. The matches should contact Clive but the biggest coverage of all Grandstand, and was shown funding for this centre has Oakman at the ETTA office as was received in Asia with Star for 35 minutes on New Year's been approved by the Sports soon as possible. Satellite covering 37 countries Eve. The matches at Woking, Council who have contributed from Hong Kong, giving St Austell, Mansfield and £60,000, the Foundation for NATIONAL COUNCIL extensive coverage to the Chester all attracted large, Sports and the Arts via the Championship. The star of this enthusiastic crowds and gav,e ETTA - £70,000, the Surrey APPROVE coverage was China's Xiong table tennis a massive boos in County Education Authority ­ 310 GENERAnON Ke who lost to the inspired these areas. Despite the injury £40,000 and the school itself Damien Eloi of France in the to Kong Linghui, the play on have contributed in excess of LIQUID GLUES Final. These victories over the the tour was first-class. For £50,000 plus the land. FolloWing receipt of a report Swedish players, provided England, Matthew Syed and One of the main promoters updating the international situation excellent television for the Alan Cooke in particular, of this scheme has been the regarding adhesivea prepared by Asian audience, as particularly played well, whilst China as ETTA Vice-Chairman for Deputy Chainnan Tony Chatwin the matches between always had a goo strong all­ Coaching, Gail McCulloch, and myself, National Council Appelgren and Lindh round team tha as both who is both the head of P.E. at approved that With effect from produced brilliant table tennis good enough to win the series the Bishop Reindorp School Monday 23rd January 1995 the and went to the fifth set. by 4 m hes to 1 and proved and one of the prominent current IITF list of Approved Uquid The English Open very e ertaining for the members of the Challoner Hall Adhesivea becomea elfec:tive for all Championships were crowds. Club. The Headmaster John oaI8goriea of oompelillve play in supported by Cleveland In addition to the fine Maton and Club Secretary Ken England. County Council who provided performance given by Lemon, have also been of great This will have the effect af many of the services required Matthew Syed and Alan assistance. From an ETTA allowing all players in England to to run a championships of this Cooke, this tour gave Denis viewpoint, Claire Moore the practice and play with liquid size in the form of Neale the opportunity to Regional Development Officer, adhesives being used by players in sponsorship. A new feature of include some of the leading and Paul Baker, the Facilities the rest of the world. the English Open was the red young players. In particular Officer, have been heavily Council believes that the latest floor which was well received Bradley Billington and Alex involved. From the Sports adhesives approved by the ITIF by both players and spectators. Perry excelled to give their Council, Jeff Neslen, has been (January 1995 list) are now This was sponsored by the international career a boost. a great supporter. acceptable for general use in Tarket Company who have Immediately after the Open, It is anticipated that building England. This follows considerable entered into an agreement a two match test series at the new Centre, will start in concern about the possible adverse with the ETTA to provide the between England and Russia March with the Centre being effects of early types of liquid flooring for our major events. took place in Hull and Crewe. open for the start of the new adhesives which were banned by The Russians the current season. It is planned that the the ETIA on ITIF advice in 1992, NEW FORMAT A European champions, were Centre will be open from forcing manufacturers to produce SUCCESS AT very strong, and the matches 6.00pm to 1O.30pm Monday to less harmful adhesives to be were one-sided, but Friday, plus Saturday, Sundays approved for use. ENGLISH OPEN nethertheless these two and school holidays. Already Test procedures will be The new system proposed by fixtures gave several of our programmed is League Play, introduced as soon as possible and the mF gave players in the girls an excellent opportunity the Woolwich Junior League disciplinary action may follow for qualification round the to face the best. Alison Gordon Coaching, practice and the any player using banned opportunity of 3 best of 5's did very well at Crewe to win Centre of Excellence for the substances. with the group winners going both her Singles whilst Nicola South East. Afull report will appear in the next into the first round to meet the Deaton excelled in Hull to win iasue of TTN. 16 direct entry players. The one. The Russians ran out 9-1 SAFE IN EUROPE winners of the first round and 8-2 winners across the two England women maintained progressed to the 2nd round to matches their place in the Super I!::D Alan Ransome, Chairman

6 TABLE TENNIS NEWS February 1995 ENGLISH JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

lapses in concentration and application, which Scott, demonstrating greater 'fight', was able to exploit. The boys combined to beat 11 year old Andrew Baggaley (Buckinghamshire) - surely a star of the future - and Robert Pountney (Berkshire), 21-14, 21­ 17 for the cadet doubles. Lindsay Thornton was the most consummate victor of them all. No-one got near the fast, hard hitting lefthander. Seventeen points, achieved by surprise finalist Emma Smith (Yorkshire) ­ who had overcome second seed Karen Lockwood 18-21, 21-12, 21­ 14 in the semi-finals - was the best anyone did against her in the singles. Lindsay, paired up with Alice Howard (Cheshire), was also outstanding in the cadet TERRY YOUNG (BERKSHIRE) round, and Tracy Davies (Essex) 13,21-16 in the mixed doubles girls doubles, in which they beat AND GLENDA ASHISON in the semis, but held her nerve for her second title. But Smith and Charlotte Spink to come through at 21-19 in the Meddings, playing with Terry (Yorkshire) 21-19, 21-12 in the (SURREY) ARE THE NEW third game in both cases. Young, surprisingly also lost in finals. NATIONAL JUNIOR Ultimately she faced the straight games in the boys There were promising signs SINGLES CHAMPIONS! favourite Shelley Ruocco (Essex), doubles final to outsiders (Leeroy that England might now start but, playing with cool resolve Pye (Norfolk) and Adrian bridging the standard gap that THEY LIFTED THE TITLES AT and firing relentlessly both Cadman (Shropshire). He had exists between out youngsters BUSH FIELD LEISURE CENTRE, forehand and backhand loops, earlier survived what would and out main rivals in Europe, PETERBOROUGH, OVER THE she imposed her game. Shelley, have been the greatest upset of though there is still a long way to untroubled in her earlier the tournament when in the go. Out two junior champions WEEKEND OF 3RD AND matches, replied with flashes of second round of the junior boys play positive 'European' games, 4TH OF DECEMBER attacking brilliance but lacked singles, he very nearly went which could set the tone and WRITES KEN MUNR. the consistency to break the down two straight to Gerry example for others, and there are Ashison grip on the match, with Ashison (Surrey) before coming several talented youngsters on the popular Croydon High through 21-19, the way 'up'. Moreover, there erry's success was no seems to be a new interest and great surprise for he has New National enthusiasm in coaching and the been the outstanding Cadet Singles junior game - I was heartened by junior boy this season. Champions the number of coaches, helpers Even though he had Gareth and parents present. In Tshown brief fallibility at the Herbert and particular, it was good to see so Woolwich Junior British League Lindsay many former top players - Denis the previous weekend when his Thornton. Neale, Jai Yi Liu, Donald and Jill run of 96 consecutive singles Parker, Skylet Andrew, Carole victories was finally broken, at Moore, Nick Jarvis, Alison Peterborough on the Saturday he Gordon, Jackie Bellinger, Colin was in total control in reaching Wilson and Malcolm Francis the final without dropping a among others - advising or game. The England No.2 watching the players. You don't Stephen Meddings (Warwicks) have to have experienced top then provided sterner opposition play at the sharp end to be a in going into a first game lead. good coach - but it certainly Terry immediately levelled but helps! the decider was neck and neck to Tim Holder, the ETTA's Sports 11 all. At that point Terry turned Psychologist also gave four well on the power to surge ahead 17­ School girl winning 21-18, 21-15. 15-21, 21-16. received presentations to parents 12. Although Stephen fought Indeed Glenda looks like having Gareth Herbert (Berkshire) and and coaches on how they can back tenaciously to within one the necessary technique, Lindsay Thornton (Lancashire) help their charges achieve point at 17-18, it was Terry who temperament, athleticism and cleaned up the cadet events on success in competition through dominated the play and reaped dedication - 'stickability' - to the Sunday, winning two titles practices such as positive goal the reward with a 16-21, 21-16, achieve greater things. apiece. Although he had a setting, communication and 21-18 win. Two days later he Glenda combined with her smooth ride to the cadet boys performance evaluation. celebrated his 16th birthday. friend and rival Shelley Ruocco final, he was given an The competition was well run Terry's 'edge' is that little extra in to record a comfortable girls unexpectedly tough time by the and the playing conditions good. speed and power plus a self­ doubles win over Clare Newns lefthanded Scott Friday (Kent). However, complaints were made belief to do what is necessary (Cheshire) and Sarah Stedman Gareth dropped the first game about the catering facilities being when the going is tough. (Sussex), and Shelley achieved 25-27, won the second 21-17 and separate from the main complex, Glenda Ashison's path to the further compensation for her saw Friday claw back 4 match and over the lousy map which girls final was not easy. She was singles defeat when partnered by points before he clinched the confused many - including the severely tested by both Joanna Terry Young she beat Ashison· final game 21-19. Although he is writer! Overall though, an Bush-Harris (Sussex) in the first and Stephen Meddings 19-21,21­ very talented, Gareth showed excellent Championships.

8 TABLE TENNIS NEWS February 1995 Report from The Bushfield Sports Centre ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

.....__~__~____Bushfield Sports Centre, Peterborough 3rd - 4th December_ 1994 --1 JUNIOR BOYS SINGLES (Essex) 21-17,21-11 Steven Meddings/Glenda Ashison CADET BOYS DOUBLES Semi-linals: Terry Young Leeroy Pya (Norwich}/Adrian bt Michael James/Kathryn Semi.finals: Gareth Herbert (Maidenhead) bt Vince Avery Cadman (Reading) bt Christian Woodward 21.16, 24-22 (Sloughl/Scoll Friday (Kent) bt (Essex) 21-14, 21-17 Thompson (Kent}/Gareth Herbert Final: Terry Young/Shelley Ruocco Howard Quartey (Surrey)/Adom Steven Meddings (Sullon Coldfield) (Slough) 16-21,21-15,21-15 bt Steven Meddings/Glenda Quartey 17-21,9-27, 21-14 bt Michael James (Bridlington) 22­ Final: Leeroy Pye/Adrian Cadman Ashison 19-21,21-13,21-16 Robert Pountney 20,21·10 bt Terry Young/Steven Meddings (Camberleyl/Andrew Baggaley Final: Terry Young (Maidenhead) bt 21-14,21-17 CADET BOYS SINGLES (Milton Keynes) bt Timothy Simpson Steven Meddings (Sutton Coldfield} Semi.final: Gareth Herbert (Slough) (Dancaster)/Owen Collingbourne 16-21,21-16,21.18 JUNIOR GIRLS DOUBLES bt Howard Quartey (Camberley) (Yorkshire) 21.14, 21·12 Semi.finals: Shelley Ruocco 24-22,21·8 Final: Gareth Herbert/Scott Friday JUNIOR GIRLS SINGLES (Homchurchl/Glenda Ashison Scolt Friday (Kent) bt Robert bt Robert Pountney/ Andrew Semi.finals: Shelley Ruocco (Southward) bt Zoe Fisher Pounlney (Camberley] 21-13, 21·9 Baggaley 21-14, 21·17 (Harnchurch) bt Kathryn (Welwick)/ Nicolo Silburn (Leeds) Final: Gareth Herbert bt Scott Woodward (Stockport) Clore Newns IBirkenhead}/Saroh Friday 25-27, 21·17, 21-19 CADET GIRLS DOUBLES 21-12,21.14 Stedman (Arundel) bt Kathryn Semi-finals: lindsey Thornton Glendo Ashison (Southwark) bt Woodward (Stockportl/Michelle CADET GIRLS SINGLES (Lancs)/Alice Howard (Cheshire) bt Tracy Davies (Essex) Haynes (Nottingham) 17-21,21·18, Semi.final: lindsey Thomtan (Lones) Koren Lockwood (Cheshire)fTrudie 21·15, 19·21,21-19 23-21 bt Alice Howard (Cheshire) Bloor (Shropshire) 21-11, 21-16 Final: Glendo Ashison (Southwark) Final: Shelley Ruocco/Glendo 21-13,21-6 Emma Smith (Selby)/Charlolle bt Shelley Ruocco (Hornchurch] Ashison bt Clore Newns/Sarah Emma Smith (Selby) bt Koren Spink (Leeds) bt Terrklnne Nolan 18,15 Stedman 21-13, 21-13 Lockwood (Cheshire) (Cheshire)/Gemma Uoyd 18-21,21-12,21-14 (Cheshire) 14.21,21-17, 21·17 JUNIOR BOYS DOUBLES JUNIOR MIXED DOUBLES Final: Lindsey Thornton bt Final: Lindsey Thornton/Alice Semi-linals: Terry Young/Steven Semi.finals: Terry Young/Shelley Emma Smith 21-10, 21·17 Howard bt Emma Smith/Charlotte ­ Meddings bt Reagan Ruocco bt Stephen Joslin/Joanna Spink 21.19, 21-12 Nett/eingham/Stephen Joslin Bush-Harris (Arundel) 21-18, 22·20

Announcing a new Visa card for table tennis players. For more details and an application form, call FREE on A reasonable interest rate. 0800 776262. No annual fee for your first two years. QUOTING REF: BT06 Plus the chance to raise fundsfor the English . The lines are open 24 hours aday, seven dar aweek. Table Tennis Association at no extra cost to you. Allemali\~ly, return the coupon helo\V 10: ETTA Visa Card Applil:atians, MBNA IntemlJtianal Now you can show your support for table tennis Bank lJd, PO Box 1048, FREEPOST, Chelter CH4 9ZZ, wherever you go - with the ETTA's exclusive low­ interest Visa credit card, issued by MBNA Ir------, Please send me full details about the new I International Bank Ltd. : low-interest ETTA Visa Card <0 : I a I I Name: (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms) ~ The card brings you significant financial I I advantages. But it also helps us raise money to I I promote the sport - at no extra cost to you! We I I receive a royalty from MBNA for every new I cardholder, plus ongoing income every time you I Address: _ make purchases on your ETTA Visa card.

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February 1995 TABLE TENNIS NEWS 9 STOP PRESS... Late News Items ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

ENGLAND'S MISSION in GERMANY

England men's team had a dual having played together before, England team were raised to Women's League stage 2 match, mission into Germany· to play Cooke and Billington tried in heaven as the prospect dawned 2nd leg, and means England the second leg of the European vain to stem the Russian advance on them that they were through avoid relegation from the Super League semi-final against in the doubles but no joy, going against all the odds - even the Division. The match was Germany and onto Karlsruhe down -16,-13. normally placid Don Parker back sponsored by Ipswich Borough for the European Nations Cup. home was surprised - and most Council and Manulife Financial. It followed on from the 4 -3 This is the story of the defeat in important to the professionals, FRANCE MEET THEIR victory away in the 1st leg in Saarbrucken and an astonishing WATERLOO! they were destined to share December, giving them a 8 - 4 success in Karlsruhe where Alan Cooke, now brimming with £5,300 of the prize kitty. win on aggregate. England England qualified by beating confidence (who said that all The follOWing morning, therefore continue to be amongst France 3-1 and winning £5,300! sport is 80 per cent confidence?) England were beaten 3-0 by the the top 8 countries in Europe by The Germans do most things in stunned the 2,000 mainly world champions - Sweden ­ competing in the Super Division style - they employed a live band German fans wit:I't a revenge win Karlsson, Persson and Waldner. next seass>n. Belgium must now play another of 24 musicians, just to play the over Eloi for Thornaby 20,-14,18. No disgrace, reasonable scores, playoff legs, probably against two national anthems in With England scenting victory the end of a great run, it is not Poland during February to Saarbrucken. Billington and at 2-0 ahead, came the doubles. often that we have Waterlooed Perry guided into the limelight the French! decide who wiII be relegated to This time the captain's selection ­ Division 1. both on the China tour and in Billington and Perry - nearly Germany, quite unexpectedly, came off. They won the first ENGLAND performed to the best of the best against Legout and Eloi 20 and WOMEN of the ability, although making led 16-12 in the second before the INFO LINE progress against Jorg Rosskopf, French re-gained their Peter Franz and Richard Prause, STAY UP CANCELLED confidence, pulling away from Unbeaten performances by Lisa Sadly, the ETTA Information whilst not looking impossible, the deficit and winning the third Lomas and Andrea Holt helped Line is to be discontinued on seemed extremely unlikely. The 10. England to a 4 - 1 victory against March 31st as we have 4-0 result was predictable. a young Belgium side at The been informed that it is no Billington never looked Corn Exchange, Ipswich. longer viable. outclassed as he scraped together THRILLING CUMAX The Germans love defenders like The success was in a European 14,12 against the mighty Syed and Chen. The situation Rosskopf. Peter Franz then was that England must win to go ENGLISH TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION and ENGLISH SCHOOLS' suffered some uncertain through with the tall, lean Balliol TABLE TENNIS ASSOCiATION moments as Alan Cooke failed to College defenderin one corner clinch a game point at 20-19 in and the chunky, short-legged Eloi the first game, after which Franz NATIONAL'YOUTH in the other, knowing that this sailed on to win 20,9. was the crunch match of the With Germany 2-0, ahead, DEVELOPMENT OmCER tournament for him and the Perry conjured up some very A FULL TIME POST French - £5,000 for reaching the useful points against Prause, 18 semis or much less for failure. To formulate and manage the implementation of a in the first, 16 in the second. The The crowd saw Syed at his NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR Germans then finished England best, but saving the Very Best off in the doubles 15,10 by Franz YOUNG PEOPLE IN TABLE TENNIS until last. He lost the first -13, and Torben Wasik against Cooke hitting back in the second with Salary: £1~,500-£16,OOO and Perry. some well-timed attacks. Office Base: Hastings Retrieving from the barriers, WILY MAZUNOVS with the crowd on the edges of The successful candidate is likely to possess the following: The Russian brothers Andrei and their seats, Matthew found • Proven organisational and administrative abiHty Dimitri some will say, are not the himself 14-18 down in the last (preferably in sport). players they were two or three game, having won the second 14. • Effective written and oral communication skills. years ago. They defeated Incredibly, Eloi lost his way. He • High level of self-motivation and initiative. England 3-0 in the opening group seemed to have two choices as he • Experience of sports development. I~M'li:i::i:1 match in Karlsruhe, making it led 18-14 - thrash on with his ~ blatantly clear that they still attack hoping to burst through • Understanding of Table Tennis. command a touch of class, the Syed back-spin or play it • Full driving licence.. maintained no doubt, from steady and hope the England Closing Date: February 27th 1995 playing in the Bundesliga. player would crack and make the Job description, person specification and background Alan Cooke, improving as the mistakes. Eloi made the wrong tour progressed did not secure choice. He continued to attack information available from: the three game points offered to finding the floor or the net as Doreen Nightingale, English Table Tennis Association, him by Dimitri and went down Syed went on to lift himself to a Queensbury House, Havelock Road,Hastings 21,16. Syed was not so famous victory 22-20! East Sussex TN34 1HF impressive in the starting match England were through! The Tel: 01424 722525 - Fax: 01424 422103 against the Russians losing -16,­ Stadium erupted, a standing Striving for equal opportunities, this post is funded by the Sports Council 12 to Andrei. ovation - it was the last match of and the English Table Tennis Association, in conjunction with the English Two Chesterfield men, never the night. The hands of the . Schools' Table Tennis Association

10 TABLE TENNIS NEWS February 1995 CHINA TOUR

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Ian Cooke was my canvas tunnel, accompanied by Man of the series swirling mist (dry ice) and the for England. When music of Status Quo: "Rocking injuries forced his All Over The World". A regular team mates This was described by Alan to withdraw. Cooke did not Cooke as being the "best budge. He played in all six presentation of a match I have matches, which were played ever seen". during a period of just seven On the table, Matthew Syed days. Cooke always scored two great wins and entertained, earning the looked in peak form to earn him applause of the crowds and the the Man of the Match award. respect of the mighty Chinese. Carl Prean and Alan Cooke Alan collected valuable wins added one each to round off a also, with 5 out of 11 games wins the great team performance. played. Matthew Syed was the Both of China's points were top performer in terms of results, scored by Xiong Ke, who later with 6 wins from 9 and posed the was to scale the heights at the Chinese many challenges. English Open. In defence of China, they RESULT: England 4 China 2 started the matches just 24 hours 0 Alan Cooke lost to Xiong Ke 21­ after arriving from a 20 hour respect the 19/19-21/20-22. Corl Prean beat flight. Not much time to recover Jiang Shan 22-24/21-17/23-21. from the massive journey and the Matthew Syed beat Li Jing 21-9/24­ ensuing jet lag. 22. Alan Cooke beat Li Jing 21­ 15/21-17. Carl Prean lost to Xiong Ke WOKING LEISURE 18-21/19-21. Matthew Syed beat CENTRE Jiang Shan 21-10/21-19. 28th DEC 1994 MI POLKYTH LEISURE WaKING WONDERS CENTRE Cornwail The China Tour made a 29th DEC 1994 triumphant start when almost 1000 spectators packed into Woking Leisure Centre to witness liKING II KONG England defeat China 4-2. AT ST. AUSTELL It had been some years since an CHINESE Kong Linghul, the 19 year old who is ranked No.13 in the World, made his first appearance in what became an ill-fated tour for the Asian Champion. Kong scored two for China to set up a series levelling 4-2 victory, and gave an insight into why he is being thought of as a future World Champion. With a very relaxed manner, and a preference for his forehand, Kong hit with striking force. Nevertheless, Alan Cooke took him to deuce in the third. However it was "local boy" Alex Perry, from Crediton, Devon, who stole the attention of the full-house Cornish crowd. Perry, 19, called in as a late replacement for Andrew Eden, was evenly matched with "King" Kong and at 18-18 in the third had the St. Austell audience on the edge of their seats. Alex could not quite pull of the shock international had been staged in CHINA'S SIX MATCH TOUR OF ENGLAND WAS AN of the year, but came close the South East. The table tennis OUTSTANDING SUCCESS. AUDIENCES AROUND THE enough to earn rapturous enthusiasts of Surrey, Sussex, applause and a further Middlesex and Berkshire voted COUNTRY WERE TREATED TO SOME GREAT TABLE TENNIS, international appearance later in with their feet in appreciation of NOT JUST FROM THE MAGICAL CHINESE, BUT FROM the tour. the efforts of Woking Borough ENGLAND TOO. AROUND 4,000 PEOPLE PACKED INTO To conclude, it was obvious that Council in bringing the event to Perry has developed his game by Woking. SPORTS CENTRES ACROSS ENGLAND TO SEE A HEROIC several points since mOVing to A new way of introducing the PERFORMANCE FROM BOTH SIDES, FIGHTING AGAINST Sweden, where he gains practice players was used by the Tour INJURY AND EXHAUSTION. CHINA WON THE SERIES 4-1 with Waldner and Appelgren. Manager and Master of RESULT: England 2 China 4 ceremonies Clive Oakman. They WITH ONE DRAWN, AND GREW IN STATURE AS THE TOUR Matthew Syed beat Xiong Ke 21­ emerged under spotlight from a PROGRESSED WRITES GRAHAM CARTER. 12/21-11. Alan Cooke lost to Kong

12 TABLE TENNIS NEWS February 1995 Report on the Six Match Tour of England ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

linghui 21-14/17-21/21-23. Alex managing to overcome the world Nottinghamshire table tennis Perry lost to li Jing 17-21/17-21. class defence of Matthew Syed. enthusiasts were given an insight Alan Cooke beat Xiong Ke 21-19/21­ Chen Xinhua created the TV into just how strong Chinese 18. Alex Perry lost to Kong linghui audience and local crowd alike to table tennis is. In an interview 20-22/23-21/18-21. Matthew Syed an entertaining display to start with the Mail on Sunday lost to li Jing 11-21/9-21. an England corne back, although reporter, Kong said that table his opponent was switched to tennis is by far the largest sport CRYSTAL LEISURE Jian Shan when Kong Linghui in China - the National Sport, CENTRE West Mids bowed out from the whole tour and that other sports have gained 30th DEC 1994 with severely strained tendons in little or no ground against table his shoulder. tennis. Matthew Syed continued the At Mansfield China clinched ENGLAND EARN fightback against Li Jing and then the series. DRAW AT Alan Cooke withstood the RESULT: England 1 China 5 STOURBRIDGE pressure to overcome Xiong Ke Alex Perry lost to B.B.C TV Grandstand cameras in a hugely entertaining three set Xiong Ke 15-21,21-13,11-21 witnessed match which marathon to earn England a 3-3 Alan Cooke beat li Jing 21-14,21-16 produced rows, high drama on draw. Matthew Syed lost to the table, and an RESULT: England 3 China 3 Jiang Shan 15-21,15-21 uncharacteristically late Alan Cooke lost to Alan Cooke lost to appearance at the Crystal Leisure Jiang Shan 21-19,15-21,13-21 Xiong Ke 24-26,21-14,15-21 Centre by Carl Prean. Matthew Syed lost to Bradley Billington lost to Carl's journey to the Midlands Kong linghui 21-19,19-21,19-21 liJing 19-21,16-21 from the Isle of Wight had taken Carl Prean lost to quick succession Chen Xinhua Alex Perry lost to nine hours, thanks to cancelled Xiong Ke 12-21,14-21 and Xiong Ke reported troubles. Jiang Shan 13-21,19-21 ferries and Sunday service trains. Chen Xinhua beat Chen was unable to appear again Arriving to be told that he was Jiang Shan 21-18,21-19 on the tour after losing to Xiong NORTHGATE third in the line-up was Matthew Syed beat Ke. ARENA LEISURE maddening, as he had not had li Jing 21-15,21-11 More drama was to occur after CENTRE time to glue-up his bat, or even Alan Cooke beat the Grantham match, with --­ 3rdJAN1995 get a warm-up knock. Xiong Ke 21-17,19-21,21-18 requests from the Chinese team An argument which lasted for for urgent physiotherapy an hour before the match rested KESTEVEN TABLE resulting in a midnight trip for SYED SHINES AT on the team captains and the TENNIS CENTRE two players, Kong Linghui and CHESTER players not agreeing to a 1st JAN 1995 Xiong Ke, to the Grantham Another double by Matthew preferred playing order put hospital to receive treatment Syed lifted the massive 900 plus from local physio expert Andy forward by BBC TV. CHESTERFIELD DOUBLE Chester crowd to a crescendo as Then, there was argument over Thomas. the Reading defender out­ shirts - the Chinese team colour AT GRANTHAM RESULT England 2 China 3 chopped first Jiang Shan, then is white. - unsuitable for T.v. Bradley Billington was named Bradley Billington lost to Xiong Ke. coverage in England, but Man of the Match at Grantham Jiang Shan 15-21,17-21 Syed's performances were acceptable in Asia where orange when he scored one of England's Alan Cooke lost to li Jing 25-27,19-21 much appreciated and his tactics balls are the norm. In the end, two points. Looking powerful Chen Xinhua lost to will no doubt be monitored by the Chinese Team refused offers and well composed Billington, Xiong Ke 15-21,13-21 the Chinese coach Yu Yuansheng, of red shirts from England, due from Chesterfield rose to the Bradley Billington beat in preparation for the World to sponsors' rules, so the settled challenge against Li Jing, li Jing 21-17,21-19 Championships in China next on using their individual practice emerging the winner by a margin Alan Cooke beat May, after being videoed by the shirts - which were not of of 21-17,21-19. Alan Cooke made Xiong Ke 21-19,21-19 touring team. uniform colour. On the table, in it a Chesterfield double by Alan Cooke put in another front of another superb crowd, securing a good win against MANSFIELD scintillating performance. In a England went 3 - 0 down with Xiong Ke. However, injuries were LEISURE CENTRE ___- 2nd JAN 1995 tense marathon, he reached Kong Linghui only just now starting to take hold and in deuce in the third, but fell to Xiong Ke. Every point was Old friends COOKE ONLY WINNER watched with baited breath by meet again at the numerous Chester crowd. the China Taur AT MANSFIELD The England team included at Staurbridge. A great Mansfield crowd of over Billington, looking good again All ex· 700 enjoyed another feast of and Jonathon Taylor. No-one members af international table tennis. The played badly, it's just that, in the Birmingham trusty Alan Cooke produced the words of England coach Denis League sole England win, against Li Jing Neale: "No-one bad comes out of Committee, and thrilled his local horne fans China"! until the with an open attacking display RESULT: England 2 China 4 against the left handed Xiong Ke. Sykes' left for Matthew Syed beat Alex Perry, in his second match Germany in Jiang Shan 21-16,17-21,21-17 of the tour, took a game off 1974. Jonathon Taylor lost to Xiong, who is ranked No. 43 in Leh to right: li Jing 16-21,18-21 the World. By this stage in the Jim & Helen Alan Cooke lost to tour China were gaining the Sykes, Richard Xiong Ke 22-24,23-21,20-22 upper hand, despite being Habgood, Bradley Billington lost to without their No. 1 Kong Barry, Sheila liJing 21-23,18-21 Linghui, who by now was sitting and Gareth Matthew Syed beat out, counting time before v Hayward. Xiong Ke 21-13,22-20 returning to China. Jonathon Taylor lost to China leapt to a 5-1 victory, but Jiang Shan 14-21,18-21

February 1995 TABLE TENNIS NEWS 13 FRIENDLY HOTELS BRITISH LEAGUE

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eniel did well to stay in touch with the leaders as they were forced to field a much weakened Pside in their match with COOKE DOUGLAS Policy Plus St. Neots. This was & due to the continued absence of the injured Sean Gibson and the absence through illness of Andrew Eden. Clive Carthy and Vince Avery were drafted into the team and Avery won a crucial set against Mick Harper 21-12,21-14. John Holland and Steve Dorking won all of their singles and combined to beat Harper and Stuart Palmer in the doubles to give Peniel a ALAN COOKE AND DESMOND DOUGLAS BOTH RETAINED THEIR UNBEATEN RECORDS IN narrow 8-6 victory. Drumchapel Glasgow and THE FRIENDLY HOTELS BRITISH lEAGUE AS BFl GROVE CRUSHED DMl WHITE HART Horsham Angels shared the lAUNCESTON 14-0 TO REACH THE HALF-WAY STAGE OF THE SEASON HAVING WON points in a 7-7 draw, the Angels EVERY ONE OF THEIR MATCHES, AND TWO POINTS AHEAD OF TEAM PENIEl OF pulling back after Glasgow had BRENTWOOD built up a 4-1 lead. WRITES AUBREY DRAPKIN.

Napur Santra who beat both the North with victories over Jimmy Stokes and Terry Young in Leicester Lions and Bribar the Market Drayton club's 6-2 Humberside respectively whilst victory over the previously Linda Farrow retained third spot unbeaten OLOP club of Reading. in division one South by winning Carl Morgan, however, lost his 7-1 at Byng Hall. 100% record when he went down City of Leeds and BFL Grove to both Stokes and Ben Johnson. Colts are level on points at the Olton and West Warwickshire top of division two North, Leeds and Ruston Marconi maintained winning 6-2 at home to Derwent their challenge for promotion in and Grove haVing a 5-3 home

Vymura International's Subramanian picked up the problems continue and they are player of the match award, stranded at the foot of the table leading the second team to a 7-1 . without a solitary point to their victory over Uxbridge. The name after losing 4-10 to Burton side's only success was, Sedgefield. in fact, a shock result with Junior BFL Grove second and third Stoddart beating Michael teams are on top of both first O'Driscoll21-15,21-16. divisions at the halfway stage. In The star of Grove's third team the Northern Section Raman in the Southern section was DES DOUGLAS

14 TABLE TENNIS NEWS February 1995 British League Report

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• ~ : ~ I ~ ~ I .] " .• : (• J I ~ ~"'t : j : ~ I I ~1 : I ~ ~~ ~ c1 1J=- PlACINGS AT 18 DECEMBER 1994

PREMIER P w D L F A PTS BFl Grove 7 7 90 8 14 Team Peniel 7 6 1 59 39 12 D. Glasgow 6 3 1 2 49 35 7 Horsham Angels 7 3 1 3 52 46 7 Sedgef;eld 7 3 4 42 56 6 PoliCY Plus St. Neels 6 2 I 3 39 45 5 DMllounceston 7 1 1 5 31 67 3 Vymuro International 7 7 16 82 DMSION ONE NORTH BFL Grove II 7 6 I 40 16 12 Olton & West Worwicks 7 4 2 I 36 20 10 RM Lincoln 7 4 2 1 33 23 10 Vymura International II 7 3 3 1 29 27 9 Sedgefield II 7 2 2 3 30 26 6 Uxbridge (Burton) 7 1 3 3 21 35 5 Humberside 7 1 6 18 38 2 leicester 7 2 5 17 39 2 DMSION ONE SOUTH BFL Grove III 7 7 44 12 14 OLOP 7 6 I 40 16 12 Linda Farrow 7 4 I 2 29 27 9 Everyone knows that when it comes to business modern leisure centre complete with pool and Edison 7 4 3 38 18 8 it helps to have friends in all the right places. sauna too. Milton Keynes 7 2 1 4 22 34 5 Horsham II 7 2 1 4 21 35 5 So it may interest you to know that there are And of course there's the kind of welcome that BSG Brentwood 7 1 1 5 19 37 3 27 Friendly Hotels and Stop Inns situated in, or lets you know you're staying with friends, not Byng Holl 7 7 11 45 just minutes away from major business centres. JUSt acquaintances. DMSION TWO NORTH Each offers a range of relaXing and spacious So order your free Friendly Hotels directory and City of Leeds 6 4 2 34 14 10 BFL Grove Colts 6 4 2 29 19 10 rooms, a comfortable restaurant and friendly bar, tariff straight away, or book direct right now, by Sedgelield III 6 2 3 I 27 21 7 a fully eqUipped mini-gym, and the odds are, a calling Jane Parker on Freecall: Moorland Seosiders 6 2 1 3 24 24 5 • Friendly Wales: MancheSler Derwent 6 I 3 2 21 27 5 _. Cardiff Newcasllc­ Peterborough 050091 9293 6 2 4 21 27 4 England: Scotland: Under-Lyme Uxbridge (Burton) 6 1 5 12 36 1 Birmingham A'f' Scotland: Eastboume Edmburgh Falkirk DMSION TWO SOUTH EAST Hull Glasgow Bordeys Bank 6 5 I 30 18 11 london Penh P A Croydon 6 4 2 31 17 10 loughborough France: MilLon Keynes Caen, Normandy Fri~dly BSG Brentwood II 6 3 1 2 31 17 7 Northwich Denmark: PT Fellows Cronleigh 6 2 1 3 23 25 5 Copenhagen Norwich Team Penielll 6 2 1 3 Nottingham ... Friendly 20 28 5 Scotch Comer Stop Inn. It pays to stay Friendly Ashford (Kenl) 6 I 5 18 30 2 Sunderland England: linda Farrow II 6 I 5 15 33 2 w.t.lsall Boslon welwyn Burnley DMSION TWO SOUTH WEST Cheltenham 8 7 I 48 16 14 Be Hyundai 7 6 I 44 12 13 DMllounceston II 7 4 I 2 35 21 9 Kingshurst 7 3 4 30 26 6 victory over Uxbridge seconds. Amity Generation Fareham Jolliffe Poole 8 2 1 5 27 37 5 In the South Eastern section of surprised Gridfine St. Neots to Gridfine Sf. Neots 7 2 1 4 20 36 5 the second division Barclays record their first victory of the Howbush 7 1 I 5 15 41 3 Amity Generation 7 1 I 5 13 43 3 Bank beat Ashford 5-3 to stay one season. DMSION THREE EAST point ahead of Pillinger Air The third division East leaders Progress 7 6 I 44 12 12 Croydon who won by a similar are Progress who have Crusaders Crusaders Lincoln 7 5 I I 40 16 11 Brent Juniors 7 5 I I 36 20 11 score against Fellows Cranleigh. Lincoln and Brent Juniors P T Fellows Cranleigh II 7 3 3 1 34 22 9 Linda Farrow seconds gained breathing down their necks. Byng Hoilil 7 3 1 3 29 27 7 their first points of the ~ Leckie top the Midland Britannia Ipswich 7 2 5 23 33 4 season by defeating section on set Peterborough II 7 1 6 12 44 2 0 Rejects II 7 7 6 50 Peniel seconds 7-1. I~ difference from DMSION THREE MIDlAND leckie 7 5 1 I 36 20 11 DML Launceslon III 7 5 1 I 33 23 II ;:;~~~;~o~o fr·,~nd.\I ~~d:!~ OLOP II 7 5 2 34 22 10 .. Nottingham League 7 4 3 32 24 8 division two \::::::; I J only one point P D Newport 7 3 2 2 31 25 8 South West after adrift. Vymura III 7 2 1 4 25 31 5 victories over Abbeydale Bromsgrove 7 1 6 17 39 2 BFL Grove Colts II 7 I 6 16 40 I Jolliffe Poole in a have a two DMSION THREE NORTH rearranged match and e point cushion Abbeydole 7 5 2 38 18 12 Hawbush • • "" at the to of three BFL Grove IV 7 5 2 37 19 10 l@Ogu D Glosgow II 7 4 2 I 36 20 10 Dragons. Bribar 6f\t\5" North and Horsham AALCO Leeds 7 4 3 34 22 8 CoUey Hyundai Angels thirds are in a similar Sedgefield IV 7 2 2 3 23 33 6 dropped their first point of the position in three South. Oty 01 Leeds II 7 1 2 4 24 32 4 season when they were held by Moorland Sea siders II 7 2 5 19 37 4 CWS Manchester 7 2 5 13 43 2 Launceston seconds and are now DMSION THREE SOUTH one point behind Cheltenham Horsham III 7 5 2 39 17 12 but have a game in hand. G S Lorkholl 7 4 2 I 35 21 10 Norwich T F 7 4 2 I 35 21 10 At the other end of the table Barnets League 7 4 1 2 31 25 9 Rejects 7 4 3 28 28 8 Ellenborough 7 2 1 4 26 30 5 Adeyfield N A 7 1 6 19 37 1 ISupported by.SchildkrotI Undo Farrow III 7 1 6 II 45 1

February 1995 TABLE 'TENNIS NEWS 15 RUSSIAN TOUR Tour Report ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

GORDON HULL ENGLAND 1 RUSSIA 9 Gordon los' 10 Timina 10-21/11-21 YOUNGSTERS Rravides Marling losl to Melnik 12-21/16-21 Goodaliloslto Polino 22·20/9-21/12-21 CREWE Deaton beal Shahova 21·19/21-16 Gordon/Goodoillosl to limina/Polina 12-21/13-2 I SUNSHINE Marling/Deaton losl to Melnik/Shahovo 17-21/16-21 Alison Gordon showed the up Gordon losllo Polino 20-22/12·21 and coming players just how it is done when she gave a classy CREWE attacking display to win twice for ENGLAND 2 RUSSIA 8 England, as the home side went Goodall lost 10 Polino 17·21/14-21 Gordon beat Shahovo 21-16/21-11 one better, losing 8-2 to Russia on Deaton losl to limino 15-21/6-21 10th January at the Victoria Thomley los' to Melnik 15-21/15·21 Centre, Crewe. Goodall lost 10 Timina 15·21/14·21 EXPERIENCE Gordon beat Melnik Gordon, fighting off tiredness 21·8/15-21/21.17 following the previous night's Dealon Iosl to Polino 14-21/10-21 match and the Open, picked up Thornley lost 10 Shahova 11-21/11-21 England's two points and Goodall & Deaton losl 10 against Polino & Timina 14-21 \ 12·21 showed just why, at 32, she is still Gordon & Thornley lost to an automatic choice for England, Melnik & Shahova 12-21/16-21 along with Lomas and Holt. She has the game to beat the Nicola Deaton and Kate big guns in Europe, gained Goodall could not take a game through 15 years of playing for but gained valuable experience in the England Women's team. both singles and doubles against At Crewe she tore through the the 1992 English Open Women's RUSSIA inexperienced but highly doubles champions Timina and promising attack of Tatiana Palina. Shahova 21-16/21-11. In a closer Maria Thornley from Blackpool match she made nonsense of the achieved an important step by EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS to her supporters' hopes of ranking list by out-attacking making her England senior RUSSIA STAYED ON AFTER selection in the near future world No.46 Galina Melnik - 43 debut. She faced Melnik and places ahead on the World List ­ Shahova and to have this sort of COMPETING IN THE 60TH for the third time in the last three world class match practice can ENGLISH OPEN TO PLAY encounters between the two only help her future prospects. ENGLAND IN A TWO DEATON stars. MATCH WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL TEST DARES at SERIES. PREDICTABLY, THE HULL As expected in a system which protects players from FULL-STRENGTH RUSSIAN Nicola Deaton showed a TEAM STUFFED A tremendous determination and the full effect of losses, the rating points of the English players have continued to rise. In order to maintain the WEAKENED ENGLAND SIDE was rewarded by gaining England's sole point during their fairness of the system, the InF Rating Bands used to COMFORTABLY WRITES 9-1 defeat by Russia at the allocate Dummy Ranking Points to opponents have GRAHAM CARTER Woodford Leisure Centre, Hull been revised in consultation with Don Parker. on 9th January. The next review will be during May 1995. England fielded a below strength Deaton, 18, fought hard as if to team in both matches, which say 'pick me' to the England WOMEN came the very next day after the selectors. She attacked well to Open. Both Lisa Lomas, beat the 19 year old Tatiana World Old New World Old New (arm/nerve) and Andrea Holt Shahova 21-19/21-16. This was Position Points Points Position Points Points (calf muscle) were absentees due not all: in her second match she to an injury, giving the chance to came closest out of the England 1-10 3850 3895 1-10 3300 3330 the younger stars of the future to team to grabbing a second 11-21 3750 3795 11·30 3210 3240 stake their claims for England success, against World Team Cup 21-30 3650 3695 31-50 3140 3170 selection. champion GaUna Melnik. 3620 Out of the quartet of Deaton played with real 31-40 3575 51-70 3020 3050 youngsters used, Nicola Deaton 'bottle', to quote a neighbouring 41-50 3500 3545 71-100 2900 2930 and Kate Goodall looked the spectator and only narrowly lost 51-100 3450 3495 101-150 2800 2830 favourite candidates to one day to the world No.46 21-11/19­ break into the England side. 21/21-18, after being 18-all in the 101-150 3300 3345 151-200 2675 2705 Sally Marling, thought by third. 151-200 3200 3245 201+ 2550 2580 many to be a bigger talent, Left handed attacker Kate 201-300 3100 3145 looked tense and nervous at Goodall also gave her England 301+ Hull, and turned down an career a boost, taking games off 3000 3045 England call-up at Crewe. Such a both the two world class Stuart Sherlock rebuff is probably not the best defenders Elena TIrnina and way of impressing the England Trina Patina. Chairman Ranking Panel Manager, and could spell the end

16 TABLE lBftSNEWS February 1995

60TH ENGLISH OPEN IN CLEVELAND

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• HOLT'S MELODY & CRESCEND

THE ENIGMA'S VARIATIONS English Open for several years. against. REACHED A SUDDEN AND It was also the best English Bettine Vriesekoop, however, achievement in the women's was still too good, even at the SHOCK UNEXPECTED MELODY AND singles since Jill Hammersley­ age of 33 and after one CRESCENDO. ANDREA Parker also reached the final in retirement, and she deserved her MEN'S HOLT, WHOSE VERSATILE 1980. 21-6,23-21,21-13 triumph over In that year Jill went onto win Holt. So often has the Dutch WINNER TALENTS HAVE OFTEN the title at a time of great player been a barrier to the Meanwhile Daimen Eloi was PROMISED SO MUCH BUT personal problems. Now she English, that it was almost a becoming a shock men's winner. HAVE SOMETIMES BEEN was coaching Andrea, and it surprise to find it was the first The quick-footed, slick-handed would have made the perfect last time that top-seeded former Frenchman achieved that by MADDENINGLY harmony had the two of them European champion had won the beating the Chinese left-hander UNPREDICTABLE, FOLLOWED been able to compose a victory in English Open. Xiong Ke, in four games in the HER REGAINING OF THE the final over an adversary when final. But for a change it was the each in different decades have women - and in particular Holt ­ ENGLAND NUMBER ONE found extremely difficult to play who got more of the attention. RANKING WITH MOST There has been an indication NOTABLE PERFORMANCES this might happen. Holt had beaten Timina during the Euro's OF HER CAREER WRITES and not only knew she could RICHARD EATON AND beat her former team mate from JOHN WOODFORD. BFL Grove again but knew clea,rly how it should be done. he 24 year old Her attack, she was certain, was Lancastrian became the better than her opponent's, and first woman for 16 years her defence was good enough to to reach the final of the prolong the rallies against the TEnglish open, achieving tenacious Muscovite and to that at the Thornaby Pavilion in extend the first game to more Cleveland with displays which than 15 minutes. showed just how difficult and confusing she can be to play against when she uses her EXPEDITE unusual mixtures of attack, Then would come the expedite defence and counter attack in rule; then attack would become well-timed combinations. more important than defence. Holt scored a 23-21, 21-14, 21-17 And sure enough at 16-17 in the victory in the third round over opening game, it did. the seed Elena Timina, who had Nevertheless that game went on led Russia to the European Team for fully another eleven points, title last April in Birmingham. all of which were vital. Timina She followed that by beating gave hints that since moving to another European champion ­ The Netherlands last year she Marie Svensson, who had been may have improved her attack, woman's singles winner at particularly on the backhand. . Brum's big event, and whose Had she been able to pinch that heavy forehand loop usually first game she might have carried makes her a dangerous enough weapons to have made a proposition for defensive players. long match of it. But though Holt often defends Instead Holt, with a patience she does other things well too. and a discipline that suggested She found ways to contain or an encouraging new maturity prevent the second-seed Swede's may be emerging, took the first attacks, producing an 8-21, 21-15, 23-21 and then dominated the 24-22,21-18 victory that was not second game. She served well, only the sensation of the and occasionally finished rallies tournament but made the most quickly. Usually she pushed, media-worthy story at the chopped or floated when Timina

18 TABLE TENNIS NEWS February 1995 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

served and waited for attacking forehand loop and a liking for errors induced by the 13-stroke playing against backspin defence. per rally rule. Most notably of all "I thought Andrea might go to the trainee teacher nearly always pieces after that first game," stuck to her plan. admitted Jill Hammersley-Parker, A smash into the net from who was in Holt's corner. "But Timina, which put her 12-17 she didn't and she was brave. down, was symptomatic of her She had to try to pin Svensson frustration. Another smash, down on the backhand, wide, which took a net cord, and went because she is good from the off the table, gaveHolt the middle of the table; she had to second game 21-14. \ get good length, when The third was different. There defending; and she had to risk were moments when Holt lapsed attacking occasionally on into indiscreet offensives and she Svensson's serve, because she's trailed 7-9, 11-13 and 13-15. Then got a good serve and can be the pattern reasserted itself, with dangerous with the follow-up". a smash off from Timina taking Holt also mixed her defence Holt to 15-15, and a forehand better. She used chop, float a loop off getting the home crowd loop from half distance, twiddle excited and carrying the English cunningly, counter-attacked player to two points ahead. cleverly, and served deceptively. There was a brief recovery by It was an intelligent performance Timina from 15-19 to 117-19, but as well as one of heartening then Holt played a daring smash character. and drop shot combination, and At 10-9 in the second game Holt was rewarded by a push from kept her nose in front with a Timina into the net under backspin and side spin serve pressure. Match point: another followed by some sharp attacks, forehand loop from Timina into and at 15-14 kept ahead with the net, and Holt had a famous some tricky topspin defence, victory. causing Svensson to put a drop The next opponent, like Holt, shot into the net. Suddenly was a surprise quarter-finalist doubts seemed to spring into the extracting frequent forehand second seed's mind and she won looping errors from Muller, and only one point on her next then elicited some more mistakes sequence of five service points, from 15-15 onwards in the once looping into the net, twice second game to help her take it looping off, and once smashing 21-16, it was only in the third off. By reaching one game all that Holt encountered difficulty. Holt visibly acquired extra In this she had to save three confidence. games points, again mostly with In the third and fourth games defensive play, using her twiddle through she had considerable and the reverse and long­ assistance from an edgy pimpled rubber combination to Svensson. The Swede led 17-13, drag a Muller smash into the net 19-16 and 20-19 in the third to reach 19-20, and driving a game, but when faced with the forehand loop from Muller off backhand push return of serve on the table to reach 20-20. game point Svensson delivered Each time it was the forehand an air shot with an attempted chop which tempted Muller to forehand loop. Holt then earned have a go and which brought herself two game points, the mistakes. It was this same stoke second with brilliant defence that lured her into a faster loop at from wide of the table. She 22-21, which she put it off the clinched the third game with end of the table again. On her several more superb backhand first match point Holt felt free to chops combined with a push, risk a forehand loop return of which caused Svensson's loop to serve and saw it whistle away for take a net cord and go off. a winner. Holt knew she could win then, A night's rest, a new and and she did because Svensson's stronger opponent and mind began to react to the doubt dramatically increased created by the English player's expectations with the crowd and variety and deception. Fine media brought a different aggressive attacker though she is, tougher set of problems for Holt Svensson revealed some startling the next morning. Almost before mistakes when it really mattered. some people had settled into At 16-16 she smashed a high their seats Holt was 1-9 down ball into the net and at 16-17 she against Marie Svensson, the did another air shot whit a European Champion from forehand loop (from a good Sweden. The first game backhand chop). The Svensson evaporated 21-8 against an slipped to 16-19 as Holt suddenly opponent with a fierce fierce took the initiative with a rousing

60TH ENGLISH OPEN IN CLEVELAND

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combination of a forehand loop steady slow-looping and Holt return of serve and a backhand did a backhand chop into the net. 60TH ENGLISH OPEN IN CLEVELAND kill. The England number one It was her only opportunity of won the match with tight spin getting into the match and serve which the European applying real pressure to THE GREAT champion pushed into the net. Vriesekoop. After the top seed had won the second game - with INJURY MYSTERY ten successive slow loops which VRlESEKOOP caused Holt to chop the ball long BY JOHN WOODFORD OF THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WONDERFULLY - the contest tilted her war. Vriesekoop is professional, THIS LIST OF PLAYERS One natioml'I newspaper FIT astute, hard working, and plays said "The biggest It was a thrilling win, but to to her strengths, and is a worthy WHO FAILED TO APPEAR disappointment and the follow it the final was something English Open champion. ON COURT FOR greatest mystery was how of an anti-climax and a little THEMSELVES AND FOR England players should have predictable. Even at the age of 33 come to be so badly injured Bettine Vriesekoop is probably as LOMAS INJURED ENGLAND, BETWEEN that the felt they had to good as when she was European She also accounted for another DECEMBER 28 AND withdraw from Britain's champion - wonderfully fit, English hope, Alison Gordon, by JANUARY 11 WAS AS premier event." relentlessly patient with her slow 21-19,14-21,21-11,21-19 in a fine Another aspect of the looping, extremely experienced, fighting third round match. FOLLOWS: mystery is why ETTA and particularly good against Meanwhile the English national physiotherapist Luke Smith backspin defence. It was champion Lisa Lomas progressed 1. Chen Xinhua, thigh muscle was dispatched to Holland Vriesekoop who had beaten Jill one round further only to be injury. 2.Carl Prean, leg with the woman's team for a Hammersley-Parker in the 1982 halted by an arm injury which injury sustained in practice. one-evening match but was European final and Lisa Lomas in has been bothering her for much 3. Matthew Syed, shoulder not engaged for a totally the 1992 European final. Now of the season. muscle injury. 4. Lisa Lomas, punishing six-match tour in she beat Holt in the English That gave Svensson a walk-over shoulder and neck muscle seven days, on which players Open final 21-6, 23-21, 21-13. to go through to meet Holt. problems. 5. Andrea Holt, of both sides were required Vriesekoop has the control and Another BFL Grove player, Tong calf muscle strain. 6. Sally to play at world level, tactical ability to move her Feiming, showed how good she Marling, no reason for literally, night after night defensive opponents in an out is against backspin defence by pulling out at Crewe after with some long-distance and to choose the right ball from outplaying the fourth seed actually arriving at the travelling, between the which to deliver the faster attack. Russian Irina Palina to reach the venue. venues. Holt tried to attack more herself quarter-finals. in the second game, and had one Three other leading English great chance, a game ball at 19-20 players, Chen Xinhua, Carl Prean on Vriesekoop's serve. But the and Matthew Syed were all ruled actions to The New System, is at a time when there is a Dutch player continued the same out through injury, and Alan apparently designed in the shortage of tournaments - the Cooke's hopes of reaching the corridors of powers to create elite English National at Kings Lynn quarter-finals for the first time tournaments for the being the only major event up to were ruined by the deft little professionals. the Commonwealth and World Damien Eloi. The sixteen elite seeds in the Championships. Cooke's third round score was two singles events did not enter Credit is due however, to the 21-14,22-24,21-19,21-12 and no­ the fray until a late stage. They ETTA Management for making one did better than that against then paired with sixteen such a bold format experiment. the in-form Frenchman, not even survivors from the qualifiers and The number of teams - 27 - made the top-seed Swede Peter group winners. Some players it the biggest event in Europe this MEN'S SINGLES FINAL: Karlsson, beaten in four games in had to play only once a day ­ season, but many teams used the Damien Eloi (France) b. the quarter-finals, nor the Nicola Deaton was one of them, English Open to gain experience Xiong Ke (Chino) -15, 14, 154" Chinese left-hander Xiong Ke, on game at 8pm. to their young players. The list SEMI·FINALS: also beaten in four, in the final. A consensus of opinion from the of absent stars was longer than Eloi b. Thierry Cabrera (Belg' Xiong, like so many of the England squad is that players the England casualty list ­ 15, 14, 11; English, was injured. He had to need not one, not three but two Waldner, Persson, Saive, Gatien. Xiong b. Erik Lindh go to hospital with a painful matches a day. And, in a five These top men are now playing 13,12, -10, ·14,17. shoulder during the England v day tournament there should be only in odd events preparing for WOMEN'S SINGLES FI China series and received room for a team event - a China in May and of course, Bettine Vriesekoap (Holland) courtside treatment throughout unanimous viewpoint. protecting their high world Andrea Holt (England) the English Open. Another talking-point from the rankings. All current ranking 6,21,13. Yet he beat two former players was that the reduction systems seem to have the major SEMI FINALS: members of the Swedish world from eight tables to four was flaw that by playing only one Vriesekoop b. Aso Svensson title-winning teams, Mikael done a day too early, in fact with game in six months, a high rank . [Sweden) 18, 17, 10; Appelgren and Erik Lindh, and careful planning a day could be can be held - Jean-Michel Saive Holt b. Marie Svensson (S battled through all the way to the saved on the whole tournament wants to go to the Tianjin as the -8, 15,22, 18. final hurdle. Did some of our and top professionals would No.1. MEN'S DOUBLES FIN~ players lack adequate treatment have had plenty of time between Christophe Legout/Damien or did they lack the same games. [France) b. Xiong Ke/Li Jing commitment to trying to win this The basic entry fee of £25 for GALLANT [Chino) 12, 16. country's premier event. the ordinary players, possibly WOMEN'S DOUBLES FI brought in to keep down the CHINESE Marie and Aso Svensson numbers was unpopular and [Sweden} b. Wang Wei THE NEW SYSTEM caused a number of players to VISITORS [USA}/Petra Fichtinger (Au Those fans who were unable to stay at home, especially those The gallant touring side, with 14,14,15. travel to Thornaby might be who live a long way from four players instead of five interested to know the players re­ Thornaby - most people do. This originally expected, carried three

22 TABLE TENNIS NEWS February 1995 8 PAGE REVIEW •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

players with shoulder muscle who has written a weekly reach the second round of the Matthew Syed who played injuries through both the tour column in that regional paper for singles. Her increasing number brilliantly against China in and the Open. Two Chinese over 30 years, had little good of fans are asking why such a Chester and would have players received hospital news on the first day; the only supreme fighter has not yet been expected to do well in Thornaby, treatment at Grantham from a English winner was the English given a chance for England ? sustained a should injury. Carl local physio after midnight. junior title holder, Glenda She is a full-time professional Prean had an accident playing A travelling physio would have Ashison from Surrey. player at the same club in France table tennis at home while Chen given daily massage and of Alex Perry, who after the Open as Denis Neale - Bethune, near Xinhua hobbled in, thought he course dealt swiftly when played in the three matches for Calais in the French national was fit but then had second problems arose. England, could hardly believe League. The begt match I saw at thoughts. Engaging a tour physio for the strength of his second stage Thornaby was Lower's stunning When Lisa Lomas pulled out seven days (and missing his New group - he lost 3-1 to David five-games victory against the of the singles after playing Years celebrations) might have Johnston (France) Keinarth Siovenian Petra Dermastija after through the pain barrier to beat cost the ETTA £800, money that (Germany) and the qualifier scoring only seven points in the Jana Dobesova to reach the last might have been well spent, if Masahimoto of Japan who later opening game. eight, it completed a dismal only out of courtesy to our became an Alan Cooke victim 10, Alison Gordon hunted out the weekend for the players and Chinese guests who travelled ,10, 16 in round 2 of the main German player Nina Wolf 12, 15, organisers alike. with no leader or a physio , just a competition. 11 but just failed to take the final This is just not and English team captain who proved to be a Two other qualifiers were Chris winner Bettine Vriesekoop to a problem with leading players tough character during any Oldfield who later lost to Kei fifth game, losing at 19 in the throughout Europe also negotiations. Sato in round 1 at 12 in the fifth fourth. struggling to keep an increasing Another alternative would have game and Derbyshire's Bradley How strong is Grove's Tong number of injuries at bay. been to engage local physio's to Billington. The Derbyshire and Feiming? There were some Fetzner, Rosskopf, Saive, be on stand-by at the tour towns England player was in the answers at Thornaby. Ian Appelgren and Persson have all - to leave two teams bound for second stage qualifying after Marshall will be pleased with had their problems this season. the Open without physio cover taking out Michael James and three Feiming victories that took Consider this lengthy list of appears to me to be a Drago Surbek. In Round 1 her to the quarters - Dubravka events World Team Cup, World monumental blander that should however, Billington was Sisak (Croatia) Tatiana Cup, Euro Nations Cup, never happen again on future dismissed 17,11, -11, 14 by Peter Kostramina (Bulgaria) and the European Masters, World tours. Nilsson of Sweden. Russian Irena Palina , before Doubles Championships, All Jonathan Taylor, who like Perry losing 16, 15, 15 to the Swedish Star Circuit, European League, EARLY STAGES is playing professionally in pocket-dynamo Asa Svensson a Euro Top 12, Olympic Games The Middlesborough Evening Sweden, fell by the wayside new Grove ranking list might plus all the various leagues in Gazette table tennis losing to a Siovenian player. read - 1 Feiming, 2 Holt, 3 Lomas Europe which attract our players correspondent Alan Ransome ­ Helen Lower gave her all to - some No.3 when clear of the length and breadth of the injuries. continent. Add to this list the tours that our players undertake in this country and you have a problem THE INNER INJURIES of enormous proportions. England manager Don Parker DECIMATE feels our top players are taking on too much. GAME ENGLAND "Many of our top players are No so long ago injuries were overplayed and overtired. They There are many books and coaches which unheard of and most players are constantly being asked to show you how to playa better forehand or would survive a season without play tournaments all over the worry. If they were unlucky world and sooner or later it backhand. enough to be caught out it was catches up with them," he said. The Inner Game training course is rarely serious enough to warrant "For a whole host of reasons different. It will show you how to withdrawing from a match or the top players are the main tournament. You played through target for organisers and that has improve mentally. the pain barrier. Not so now the knock-on effect on our B Have you ever wondered why you get writes Jim Beckley. squad who rarely get the sort of nervous at douce in the third? Why some The programme our leading competition they need." players are being asked to "Some of these players are players win more close games than undertake is growing and that in travelling everyday of their lives others? turn is providing a difficult and and the pressure to play can be If you want to improve in this area then almost impossible situation, considerable." especially when sponsors are Nowadays most teams have this training course is for you. involved and ranking points are their own teams of doctors and The course is for players and coaches who at stake. physio's standing by to ease wish to progress In the game and want an Typical of the problems that aching muscles and to help with surfaced at the English Open in more serious injuries. advantage over their opponent. Thornaby last month, when "We believe that prevention is The course will be run by Steve Mills wave after wave of players better than cure and all the former Yorkshire No.1 and England No.8. reported injuries that decimated England players are advised the original draw which had to about how to look after be re-made, were shoulder themselves." For more information on injuries, groin strains, sprained "Whilst I am 100% behind The Inner Game ankles and more sinister, fatigue. what the ITTF is doing in It's a growing menace promoting the game, there is the Phone Steve on 01635 254292 throughout table tennis and, to other side of the coin which or 554572 be honest, the world of sport in points to a fast rising problems general. that is not going to go away."

February 1995 TABLE TENNIS NEWS 23 60TH ENGLISH OPEN IN CLEVELAND NATIONAL LOTTERY How to apply for some money!

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SO THE FIRST THREE submissions including outline NATIONAL LOTIERY DRAWS planning permission and building regulations approval ARE OVER. AND IN THE where relevant. It will also be VERY FIRST WEEK FIVE necessary to show sources of "MILLIONAIRES" WERE finance. The application form itself, CREATED FOLLOWED BY once returned to the Sports FOUR IN THE SECOND Council, will be examined at the WRITES CAROLINE initial stage by a team of independent assessors. Their SEARLE report and the application form will then go forward, together efore you reach for with any comments from the your 'phone to set me consultees, to the Lottery Grants straight, we are talking Panel. where the first week is You could be forgiven for not Bconcerned, about five envying this group of 12-15 "good causes" - who each onwards. There is no need for centre or a swimming pool". people their task. They could received £2,531,876 as their share panic attempts to return forms by But there will also be a need for well face over 15,000 detailed of the first week's unexpectedly 4 January. It is not a once-and­ would-be projects to show applications in the first year and bumper lottery share-out - rather for-all deadline. Schemes can be financial, construction and design will need to show a sound than individual prize winners. submitted at any time of the year viability as well as the correct analytical mind together with £2.5 million. That's a gift-horse (except those seeking more than level of safety standards. A solid great integrity and independence which any sport cannot afford to £5 million for which a set of system for on-going management in deciding which schemes to look in the mouth by pining for deadlines will be issued later this will also be a factor. (See fund. training and competition grants year). In fact, it might be an selection criteria table). The Lottery Grants Panel rather than capital projects. The advantage for an organisation to The Lottery Sports Fund does chaired by Trevor Brooking and government has set the miss the early crush. not intend to provide 100% of the Gerald Dennis, which is a guidelines for the £1.6 billion Sports facilities - from grass­ cost of projects. Applicant separate legislative body to the likely to come to sport up to the roots community schemes to organisers will need to provide at Sports Council and is . Millennium and, whilst the large stadia - will be eligible for least 35% of the cost from other accountable to government via Sports Council is fighting hard to grants. So, too, will substantial sources. This may mean the Department of National Your best bet getting same extra flexibility over revenue equipment purchases provided organisations working to find Heritage, will be a representative funding, sport needs, for the they have a long life-expectancy partnership funding. Projects mix of individuals. Some will be present, to play the "Capital ball" and are related to a permanent under the level of £5,000 will not Sports Council Members, others to ensure its share of the cash site. In some cases the Sports normally be considered for will be drawn from amongst top bonanza. Council may also consider grants funding, although the Sports sportsmen and women as well as How can sports governing for refurbishment if this will Council can give advice on experts in the field of bodies, associations, clubs, genuinely upgrade the alternative sources of construction, engineering, design centres, trusts, local authorities or facility and lead to funding. and finance. They will be schools access the money which increased . Each application appointed in mid-December will be distributed via the community use. pack includes a 1994. relevant Sports Councils for Public access number of If a scheme is rejected, the England, Scotland, Wales and is one of the consultation Lottery Grants Panel can Northern Ireland? For the keys to forms. The recommend that it be re­ purposes of this article we will success in guidance submitted a year later or that the stick with England. seeking notes will applicant should reconsider the Application forms are already funding. explain that scheme and possible make a new available from the Sports Council (See 'Table these need to application. The Sports Council by ringing their lottery help-line of be sent to the will make sure that every on 0345 649649. The forms come Examples"). relevant local unsuccessful applicant is given in a package with guidance As Rodney authority and an explanation as to why their notes, a comprehensive guide Walker, Sports sports governing project failed to meet the criteria. explaining how to develop and Council body Equally, it will have an on-going manage a project and other Chairman, who help-line and monitoring system information leaflets. The help­ explained: 'This have for successful projects. line staff can also answer many is a tremendous boost for already agreed to Decisions will be made as initial queries to help applicants sport. I want every community in help the Sports Council in speedily as possible. Qver to you complete the forms. the country to be able to point to assessing projects. For governing and good luck. Completed submissions will be a project which the lottery has bodies this may prove time­ accepted, from organisations not funded by the year 2000. Every consuming in the first instance individuals, by the Sports million pounds, for instance, but carries the reward of extra Council from 4 January 1995 and could buy 30 natural turf pitches, funding for their sport. • Caroline Searle, works for the the first grants are likely to be four athletics tracks, 200 cricket Applicants will need to take Sports Council Press Office on made from MarchiApril 1995 pitches, a community sports care to send complete Lottery matters.

February 1995 TABLE TENNIS NEWS 25 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

maximum win over Berks 2nds. Sussex 3rd team are nearest rivals having continued unbeaten with an 8-2 win over Middx 2nds. Mark Forder, William Reardon, Toyin Bakare and Kelly Farrier STARGUNN or won all their events. The Kent 3/Hants 2 fixture was a hard fought match with 6 events going to a decider. Visitors Hants 2nds did well to get a 6-4 win with Stuart White and Donna WARWICKSHIRE Granville winning their 4 events. Bucks 2nds got a draw on their WARWICKSHIRE WAS THE Worcs were the visitors and it visit to Graham Spicer Institute ONLY TEAM NOT TO DROP was a match in which teams JUNIOR DIV 2B: to meet the Surrey 3rd team. were without their No. l's­ SK2 5 HU 5. Mark Cole (Bu) beat Michael A POINT. THEY HEAD THE Eddie Smith (Nd) and Malcolm HE2 4 HEI 6. Chan 19 and 28 and also had a TABLE AFTER WINS OVER Green. The result was a draw win over Dhiran Patel 20, -18, 20! CAMBS. AND LANCS 2NDS. with the Worcs. ladies - Sandra The Suffolk/Hunts clash was a Roden and Janet Hunt - winning hard fought match. The match VETERANS DIV 1A: PHIL GUNN WAS their 4 events. Steve Horton (W», proceeded 1-1,2-2,3-3,4-4. At ND 3 HE 6. WARWICKSHIRE'S STAR after a break from County this stage Vicky Gray, Suffolk's WA 7 OX 2. PLAYER - HE DID NOT DROP Championship matches, got the most successful player, beat WO 4 LE 5. other event with a very good 13 Kirsty Pryke 8 and 7 to earn a CH2 2 LI 7. A SINGLE GAME IN HIS 4 and 16 win over Steve Coverdale. point for the home team. Adam OX 3 ND 6. MATCHES WRITES DOUG Steve Coverdale beat Adrian Champion struck back with a 2 LI 5 WO 4. MOSS. Tottey (Wo) at 15 in the 3rd game straight win over Chris Brook to LE 6 WA 3. of the final event to earn get a point for Hunts. Herts 2nds HE 6 CH2 3. Northumberland a point. put up a good fight against their CH2 8 OX 1. SENIOR DMSION 1A 1st team before going down 4-6. ND 2 LE 7. SENIOR DIV 2A: Tim Seaholme, the 2nds team's WA 3 WO 6. ST2 9 ST3 1. No.1, won both his matches at LI 4 HE 5. Nine matches were played 18 in the 3rd games! WO 2 HE 7. at the St. Neots T.T. Centre. Just one match in this Division LE 5 CH2 4. The results were:­ during December, when the JUNIOR DIV 2C: OX 2 LI 7. BU 7 SK 3. Staffs. 2nd and 3rd teams met at GN2 6 SO 4. WA 5 ND 4. BU 4 ND 6. Norton TIC, Stoke on Trent. GS 3 WO 7. SK 4 Y 6. All matches were decided in HR 1 WO 9. 16 matches were played at Barnet CA 7 Y 3. straight games finishing 9-1 to GS 9 HR 1. TIC Herts and Leics came out on WA 7 lA2 3. the 2nd team. Staffs 3rds got the WI 6 DV3 4. top each having wins. Herts CA 4 WA 6. final event of the match when S. CO 7 DO 3. closest match was against Lincs. SK 4 CA 6. Davis beat A. Stokes 18 and 16. Stuart Seaholme (He) had to beat Y 6 ND 4. Glam. had a 6-4 win over Ken Philipson in the final event lA2 5 BU 5. JUNIOR DIV lA: Somerset. They are the only team of this match - he won 23, -16,12, CW 2 Y2 8. not to have dropped a point and Leics toughest match was against SK 6 CW 4. have established themselves at Worcs. Worcs made a great start he other most successful DY 6 LAI 4. the top of the League Table. with Eric Hardman beating players - each with 6 NK2 3 SK 7. Andrew Rumary (So) played Maurice Newman 12, -20, 22 and wins - were John NKI 6 NG 4. well to win his 2 events. The then went on into a 3-nillead. Burleton (Bu) and Helen NG 2 Y2 8. Glos, Herefords and Worcs teams Leics came back well to win the 2 Newbound (Ca). There NK2 6 NG 4. met at Cheltenham. Glos and doubles events. The match Twere many hard fought matches NKI 8 CW 2. Worcs team both had a 9-1 win evened at 4-4 when Keith with a third of the events going SK 4 Y2 6. over newcomers Hereford. Chris Fellows beat Roy Norton to give to a decider! One such clash was DY 5 NKI 5. Jones (Hr. No.1) played well to Leics the win. Another hard the Suffolk/Yorks match. Tim get a win over the Glos and fought match was the Dyson (Y) beat Phil Logsdon at 10 matches were played at Worcs No.2 players. The Warwicks/Northumberland 19 in 3rd game and Helen Shields Kesteven TIC Yorks 2nds took Glos/Worcs clash was a hard clash. Despite Ian Robertson (Y) beat Claire Lowe at 18 in a the lead after getting 3 wins. fought match. Worcs got a 7-3 being involved in 3 wins deciding game! The Yorks team Their hardest match was against win but Jonathan Bunn (Gs) lost Warwicks got the 5-4 win when was also involved in a 6-4 win Suffolk when the Yorks girls lost his events at 18 and 24 and 3rd Phil Paine beat Bob Dodds 19, ­ over Northumberland when their 4 events to Rebecca Sparkes games! Wilts beat Devon 3rds 6­ 11, 15 in the final event. Andrew Horsfield (Y) beat Ian and Claire Lowe. But the Yorks 4. Wilts team is very well served Players who were unbeaten in Robertson 17,-18,18 in the final lads - Peter Marshall, David by Tim O'Mahoney and Debbie singles events over the weekend event of the match. Andrew Smith and Wayne Marsh - were King who are unbeaten. were Brian Hill (Li), Ian Wilkinson (Nd) - a Junior last unbeaten. Derbys and Norfolk Robertson (Nd), Eileen Shaler season - had 2 good wins in this 1st teams have each dropped just JUNIOR DIV 2D: (Le) and Sally Bax (He). match including the defeat of one point, as a result of their BK2 ° SY2 10. Stephen Horsfield 16, -15, 22! drawn match. Scott Habershon K3 4 HA2 6. The Div. lA teams meet again and Helen Rainford won their 4 SY3 5 BU2 5. VETERANS DIV 1B: over the weekend 18/19 events for Derbys. SX3 8 MI2 2. BU 3 K2 6. February when 14 matches are Derbys had a good 6-4 win SO 1 SYI 8. due to be played. over Lancs 1st team despite Glen Surrey 2nd team established SY2 7 E3 2. One match played at North Payne getting two comfortable themselves at the top of this BK 6 E2 3. Shields Y.M.CA. - ND 5 WO 5. wins for Lancs. Division when they gained a Kent 2nds, with a good win over

26 TABLE TENNIS NEWS February 1995 County Championships Report ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Bucks at Milton Keynes IT has 100% singles wins, Middx 1st teams being level on points and season at the expense of Centre, have maximum points team improved their position sets. Avon beat Glos 2nds Northants 3rd team. Keith and are well established at the with a 6-3 win over Surrey 3rd dropping just 1 event when Hartridge (He) was involved in top of the Table. Nearest rivals team. John Holland (Mil won his Graeme Holton (GS) had a -19, the winning of 3 eyents. Surrey 1st team had an emphatic 2 singles and the men's doubles. 18 20 win over John Higgs. win over Somerset by an 8-1 In his first singles event he Devon had a similar win against margin. Surrey 2nds were well certainly had a hard fight before Wilts 1st team. All events were 2 VETERANS DIY 38: on top with a 7-2 win over Essex beating M. Fisher 18, -17, 23! straight including Wilts' one win SX4 3 HE3 6. 3rds. Ray Murray and Brian Kent 3 beat their 4th team, who - Basil Thompson beat Mike BK4 2 HA4 7. Adams each had a win for Essex were without a lady player, 7-2. Putland 10 and 15. Glos 1st team HA3 6 D03 3. 3rd team. Essex 2nds, on their Nova Sayadian (K3) lost both his went into a 2-nil lead over Hants WI2 9 WI4 O. visit to Kingfisher Club, Reading, singles matches. 2nds after Roy Fowler had also went down to Berks 1st beaten Charlie Childs at 24 in the After this round of matches there team. VETERANS DIV 28: 3rd game. However Hants came are still 3 unbeaten teams - Herts NKI 8 E4 1. back well to win 5-4. Devon 3rd, Hants 3rds and Wilts 2nds. VETERANS DIV 2A: HE2 9 BD2 O. 2nds are still without a point The Herts and Hants teams meet CW 2 WA2 7. HU 6 BU2 3. after losing to Dorset 2nds 2-7. in February. Herts 3rds visited LA2 7 WA3 2.' BDl 7 CA 2. Hove and beat Sussex 4th team NPI 6 NG 3. VETERANS DIV 3A: 6-3 with Tony Teff (He) winning Norfolk is certainly the top team Y2 9 STl O. both his singles events. Wilts After this series of rnatches there in this Division their latest CH3 5 BD3 4. 2nds had a maximum win over are 3 unbeaten teams in the success being the 8-1 win over HE4 6 NP3 3. their 4th team. Hants 3rds had a Division. Muriel Cox came into Essex 4th team. Chris Brewer and 6-3 win over Dorset 3rds when the Northants 1st team and won Steve Howlett are unbeaten and The top 2 teams - Yorks 2nds and Ray Lush remained unbeaten her singles and the mixed Mick Broughton has lost only Staffs 1st - met at Bradford and this season. Hants 4th team doubles with Keith Jones in their once. Hunts got their first points the home side got an emphatic 9­ visited Kingfisher Club, Reading 6-3 win over Notts. Warwicks with a 6-3 win over Bucks 2nds. owin. After 4 matches the Yorks and came away with a 7-2 win. Just 1 event went to a decider when Richard Mole (Ha4) beat VETERAN PREMIER DIVISION Geoff Civil 13,-17, 12. 2nd weekend played at Ashford ITC, VETERANS DIV 3C: Middlesex 14/15th January 1995 HE5 4 OX2 5. RESULTS DV4 4 DV3 5. Cheshire 6 lancashire 3 WI3 0 BK3 9. Kent 6 Essex 3 HR 2 S02 7. Dorset 9 Hampshire 0 Sussex 2 Yorkshire 7 Yorkshire 5 Kent 4 The 2 unbeaten teams in this Essex 5 Cheshire 4 Division met at Barnet. axon lancashire 5 Dorsel 4 2nds did well to win 5-4 and take Hamhshire 4 Sussex 5 Ches ire 6 Yorkshire 3 over the lead. George Pullin (Ox) Hampshire 2 lancashire 7 won his 2 singles events and Sue Dorset 5 Essex 4 Gokger (Ox) won her singles and Sussex 5 Kent 4 Kenl 5 Cheshire 4 the mixed doubles with Dave Yorkshire 5 Dorset 4 Harse. Devon 4th team put up a Essex 7 Hampshire 2 good fight against their 3rd team lancashire 4 Sussex 5 before going down 4-5. Wally Walton (Dv4) won both his FINAl. POsmONS singles and the mixed doubles P w l F A Pts with Madeline Pittman. Somerset Donet 7 5 2 40 23 10 (9063) lancashire 7 5 2 40 23 10 (89-63) 2nds visited Hereford and won Yorkshire 7 5 2 36 27 10 7-2. The men's doubles was a Cheshire 7

2nds visited Clwyd and, with all Hunts won the 2 vital doubles team has maximum points and SENIOR DIV 2A: event decided in straight games, events. Cambs lost their first has won 25 of the 36 events (Late Result) they came away with a 7-2 win. match of the season on their visit played! Ches. 3rds had a 5-4 win LI2 2 WA2 8. Alan Pierson (Wa) is undefeated to Bedfordshire. D. Hyde (Bd) over Beds. 3rd team. An so far this season. Lanes 2nds is continues with 100% in singles important factor of the win was Warwicks 2nds continue the other unbeaten team after a and doubles. Beds 2nds did not Ches. winning the 2 doubles unbeaten after their visit to 7-2 win over Warwicks 3rd team. fare so well getting the events, Phil Luxon/Eileen Lincoln 2nds. They came away "whitewash" from Herts 2nds. Edwards (Ch) won the mixed with an 8-2 win. It was Simon VETERANS DIV 2C doubles against Alex and Val Upson (WA) who dropped the 2 SX2 8 MI2 1. VETERANS DIV 2D: Murdoch 20 and 19. Suffolk met events. It was a close contest the K3 7 K4 2. HA2 5 GSI 4. Norfolk 2nds at Brittania Dome, respective No. l's when Andy MIl 6 SY3 3. GS2 1 AV 8. Ipswich and with Norfolk 2nds Wignall beat Simon Upson 17,­ WI 1 DV 8. leading 3-1 the match had to be 19,17. Sussex 2nds continued their DV2 2 D02 7. abandoned as the floor had unbeaten run with the 8-1 defeat become very slippery. Herts 4th of Middx 2nds. Andy Meads (Sx) Avon and Devon 1st are the top team got their first win of the

February 1995 TABLE TENNIS NEWS 27 EUROSCENE A look around Europe ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

younger Swedish stars, became at the Dome in Doncaster (report Nordic champion, when he beat in December issue). The 2nd leg the better known Erik Lindh in matches of these play-offs were the final. due to be played on 17th January. In the Joola European men's The play-offs for relegation League Super Division, Germany amazingly featured Sweden. and Belgium finished top of They walloped Denmark 4-1, groups A and B, but by very with Erik Lindh (2 points) and close margins. In the second Hakansson unbeaten. In the stage matches, the reigning other group, Poland champions Belgium stopped unexpectedly beat Austria 4-3. France (European men's team The super fast reflexes of Ding Yi held true for Austria with 2 points, but Schlager and Qian JEAN-PHILIPPE GATIEN, Qianli drew a blank. FRANCE'S FAMED WORLD Germany and Sweden made progress in the European CHAMPION, HAS ADDED Wome.n's League Super Division THE INDIVIDUAL WORLD stage 2 (semi-final) matches, 1st CUP TO HIS LIST OF leg. Jie Schopp and Nicole Strusse INDIVIDUAL TRIUMPHS both- out gunned the former WRITES GRAHAM European champion Bettine CARTER. Vriesekoop as Germany, the holders, won 4-1. European champion Marie Svensson scored laying in the 1994 Koos twice and Pernilla Petterson once Group World Cup in (against Toth), as Sweden came Taipei just 1 week home 4-3 despite being without before Christmas, their regular No.2 Asa Svensson. PGatien showed a true fighting spirit to topple the World No.1 Jean-Michel Saive FINALS DATES (Belgium) 21-18 in the 5th, after The European men's League being 2 games to nil down in the final, over 2 legs is scheduled for final. 11th and 25th February. The During the last year Gatien, the women's on 14th and 28th sweetheart of many a female February. spectator, had looked to be ousted from the super elite, after Results having gone down to 6 in the World Cup World rankings and making an December 15th-18th 1994 early exit from Euro '94. Taipei However at the World Cup, the Quarter Finals: hard work that he must have J-M Saive [Bell bt C Peng lung (Tpel been putting in paid off as he JEAN PHILIPPE GATIEN 16,-20,19,16,14 dispatched, in the quarter finals. Z Primorac [Cro) bt J Huang (Can) World No.2 Wang Tao deuce in 21-2 to Zoran Primorac in champions) 4-3. 15,19,-18,12 the 4th, then pipped the Olympic Belgium. Still, the England star's Jean-Michel Saive confirmed J-P Gatien (Fro) bt W Tao (Chn) Champion Jan-ove Waldner in a World Class potential has his position as the World's best 15,19,18,20 five game semi-final. obviously been spotted by the with 2 wins, one of whom was J-O Waldner (Swe) bt K Linghui (Chn)­ China's Wang Tao showed Europeal1corganisers. Gatien 21-4 in the 3rd. Jean­ 13,18,-8,13,17 there is little or no gulf left Michel's brother Philippe Saive Semi Finals: between the top Europeans and clinched the last rubber against Saive bt Primorac -18,19,12,18 the Chinese when he won the PERRY'S Patrick Chila, after Belgium Gatien bt Waldner 19,-17,-13,10,12 World All Stars Circuit in Lisbon recovered from 3-1 down. Final: on 29th - 30th October, against SWEDISH Germany smashed England 4-1 GATIEN BT SAlVE -17,-15,18,24,19 Jean-Michel Saive in the final. Wang Tao also won the World ADVANCES All Star event in Charleroi, Alex Perry, who has been playing Belgium on 15th November, but full time in Sweden this season, has been making real advances. it was Saive who had opened the Barcelona 13 Navember 1994 account two days earlier in Since joining Grondby - the same MS Jeon-Michel Soive (BEL) bl Mollhew Syed (ENG) 10,11 Barcelona when he took the 1st club as Waldner, Perry has come Wang Too ICHN) bt Kim Toek Sao (KaRl 15,16,17 Circuit event, beating Wang Tao on leaps and bounds. he has won Jeon-Philippe Go~en (FRAI br Zoran Primorac (CRO) 13,·16,19 Peter Karlsson (SWEj bl Jon-Ove Waldner (SWEI 20,15 in the semi and Sweden's Peter 5 Swedish domestic tournaments, SF Jeon-Michel Soive bl Wong Too ·18,6,13 Karlsson in the final. including a major tournament in Peter Karlsson bl Jeon-Philippe Go~en 18,19 England's own Matthew Syed the Under 21's. In the words of JEAN-MICHEL SAlVE bt PETER KARLSSON 19,-15,20,15 had the honour of being invited his English coach, Malcolm Charteroi, Belgium 15 November 1994 to compete amongst such Francis, "the way Alex is playing MS Wong Too ICHNI bl Jean-Michel Soive (BEl) 12,18 illustrious company. now, he is definitely the 6th best Zoran Primoroc (eROJ bt Matthew Syed (ENG) 8,2 Unfortunately his chance to scalp English player". Well, I'm sure Kim Toek 500 (KaRl bt Jeon-Philippe Go~en (FRA) 14,20 Peter Korls.on (SWE) bt Jon-Ove Waldner (SWEj 22,13 famous heads did not quite Andrew Eden will have SF Wong Too bl Zoron Primoroc 19,19 happen: he went down 21-10, 21­ something to say about that! Kim Toek 500 bt Peter Karlsson 17,·10,16 11 to Saive in Barcelona and 21-8, Fredrik Hakansson, one of the WANG TAO bt KIM TAEK 500 12,13,7

28 TABLE TENNIS NEWS February 1995 MAILBOX All your Views

...... •••.•...... ~..•....••..•.••...... •...... Letters to THe Editor, TIN,S, The Brackens, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 5JA

The top 12 - 20 decide to stay CAPACITY CROWD FUTURE OF away - it is too big a risk; 20 - 50 Congratulations to the English OUR SPORT in the ranking List suddenly and Chinese teams who provided become the players at risk; and, Anyone who saw the 60th English excellent post Christmas fare for The Christmas festivities and the Open on Cable TV over this month tum of the year have come round before we know where we are, the capacity crowd at the Woking number seventy plonk becomes should do as 1did, which was to eisure Centre. again and, altho~h, because of the top seed. write to Cable Magazine thanking Brickbats to whoever was 'deadline' dates they will appear Wire TV for their coverage and very late, it is time to wish all Oh for the days when the top responsible for the 'Opening stars used to enter the tournaments hoping we will be blessed with ceremony. Flag bearers and both friends, old and new, in table for he thrill of competing, and they more table tennis, maybe even a tearns entered the darkened arena tennis all the very best as I look regular spot!. Unless we form a into 1995. were just as likely to appear at the through a black curtain amidst 'Blankshire Open' as the English unit front and acknowledge clouds of 'stake smoke' into a very But, and 1am not criticising any these events then they will go individual, I do not like what I see closed - even if the prize was only inadequate spotlight. No-one a silver 'pot' and a book token. unnoticed. We have more chance could see where to go - chaos! The as I look at the future of our Sport, Equally worrying, I find, is the seeing more table tennis than we spectators could barely see the and I ask "where are the Counties ­ sad decline in the County do winning the National Lot;tery, players during the announcements not only my own Yorkshire ­ so remember the next time you fill going?" Championships, something which, - a complete farce. over recent seasons, has moved in your ticket and wait to win Qf Fortunately the table tennis made At one time there a was clearly Saturday evening then cursing defined path in our sport, down into the domestic 'Inter up for all that went on before. Town' Leagues. "I've lost again, but least that letter Brenda Bennett. Sevenoaks, Kent. dependent on competitive I wrote ensures that table tennis is performances at each level of the Those trying to put together on the telly again this week". ladder - the top players in the club learns to compete in the County Come on people put pen to paper, VOUCHERS! at local level selected to represent Championships find themselves in promote your sport yourselves or I would Like to know what your the league in the 'Inter Town' a similar position where, even in be subject to endless hour's of readers think of the variety oj league, from which the top bracket the Premier Division, the teams are snookers and darts. vouchers that are given to the were considered for County often well below full strength. S. HEYLIGER Nottinghom players as prizes throughout the 'colours' and, finally, the last move I know the comment - "Silly old . Send your letter to:- The Editor, Coble country. As I feel there is a lot of from County to International ...... , living in the past," but I will Guide, Airport House, Pudey Woy , confusion over where they can be honours. finish by going back 25 or more Croydon, Surrey, CRO OXZ. used and how. Plus the time But the ladder has had to many years to a Saturday evening in allowed for the players to spend of its rungs broken - it is no longer Pontefract Town Hall when them. in a fit condition for players to Yorkshire took on Essex in a After the Cadets and Juniors climb - the way to the top is now County Championship decider in "Different" played hard tournaments all over personal coach, sponsor, club - not front of a full house of 500 plus There is a saying "in Norfolk we the country it seems very unfair the table tennis club with half a spectators, with more locked out. dew diffrunt". Even so, players that they are given pieces of dozen teams playing a different Yorkshire, with the crowd behind see, to be abiding by the black/red worthless paper as their reward levels of the local League, but the them, were favourites, Essex with rubber rule. I regret that the that they cannot usev as and when British League club which pulls in Chester Barnes on the treatment colour has become so important they see something that they need its players from all corners of the table and unable to play, the and not the type of rubber. at the venues that they play at. country - all expenses paid by the underdogs, but every player gave The people who had "different" C ELLIS. Huddersfield. sponsor. 110% in the cause, the Southern type bats were usual1y characters But these are not the clubs to County shaded it in the final game who added something to the table SOFTWARE which a youngster comes and and were applauded off by that tennis scene. One person who As a member of the Cirencester receives basic coaching from some very disappointed, but sporting greatly helped table tennis in Table Tennis League I noticed that of the old hands, not so much in and appreciative crowd. Norfolk was Bill Todd, who sadly in previous issues of the Table tactics, etc., but in the very basics It would not happen now - the died two years ago. The bat he Tennis News you have requests for of play and, equally important, players, (ficiaLs and one or two used had no rubber on one side. information on computer software club pride and 'team spirit'. men - wjth or without their dogs ­ However, one was always ensured products that might ease the Match No, today's club could well be would amiably discuss a 'good an enjoyable evening when Bill Secretary's load. - e.g. the letter the end of a 100 - 200 mile game' and drift away - "see you at was around. Most people play from Sal1y Russell (York and motorway drive, visited for seven the next B~itish League game". table tennis to enjoy the company District TTA) in the June issue. home matches per season for a REA BALM FORD. Yorkshire. of others of an equal ilk, and have In answer to this appeal, I would negotiated monetary reward. a pleasant social evening, like to draw you attention to a Tournaments, once the way to hopefully winning. How often product called TABLE TEJ'\jNIS become noticed, have decli!\ed IRr~-aa-N when we feel a bit "down" do we MANAGER from Reverb Software. dramatically, not only in Yorkshire playa match, stagger home and May I through you excellent This is a dedicated packi.!ge, where I ran three tournaments, all magazine thank the ETTA for realise our spirits are lifted. A lot costing £55 (inclusive), whiclvnot of which used to be considered as giving the Table Tennis players in of us do not look at the colour of only produces instant league-tables top class events in their own right, the rubber, unless we are in the top the Chester area the opportunity to and individual Player Team but throughout the country, and see top class table tennis. England notch of table tennis. My husband fixtures lists to be readily here I must point a finger at the v China played at the Northgate - Ray Hogg - gave his personal produced (as well as the full Ranking Scheme, although I do Arena Chester was excellent view, in a previous T.T. News of League Fixtures schedule). appreciate the national economic entertainment played inJhe right illegal bats. The article was, of A Woolwich league can be situation, making sponsorship course, his own opinion, but I spirit. accommodated it required and difficult, if not impossible to A sp,ecial mention should be must make it dear that Norfolk either the 10 point scoring system obtain, also plays a major part. County Committee do not uphold made of Clive Oakman and his or the 4 points for a win system, I\appreciate the difficulties and excellent team who ensured that this view. The Norfolk County can be chosen at the start of each th advantages of a national Committee rule is that if you play everything went smoothly from new season. Ranking Scheme, but t ere is start to finish. with a person with an illegal bat, For further information or to so,mething wrong when players games won by them are forfeited. I hope that Chester will be the order a free demo disc contact and adv~rtisers get down to pre­ Ruth Hogg (Mrsl venue for a similar event in the Reverb Software on 01285 653374. journament discussion with a future. Treosurer of NorFolk County Tobie Mike Cutts. Swindon. pocket calculator at the ready to B. BUTIERFIElD Tennis Assoc: decide "Is it worth while entering Secretary Chester ond District TIL this even('

February 1995 TABLE TENNIS NEWS 29 DEVELOPMENT ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

WHILE INTEREST IN THE This is done at the head quarters NATIONAL LOTIERY at Hastings. After seeing the planned scheme and after getting CONTINUES UNABATED, IT AWARDS to know something of the people IS TIME TO REMIND TABLE putting it through, the ETIA can TENNIS NEWS READERS state that the scheme and organisation are bonafide. This is THAT, WHEN IT COMES TO important to the F.S.A., who need GRANT APPLICATIONS to be sure that the money they THERE IS MORE THAN ONE are providing is being put to good use. WAY TO SKIN A CAT. WRITES GRAHAM WHAT DOES AND CARTER. ran s F.SA.APPLICATION NEED? id you know that the 1) Concise covering letter. Foundation for Sport TO TABLE TENNIS 2) Written background to the and the Arts has so far organisation, including awarded well over £1 club/league constitution. million to table tennis 3) A proposal - the number of Ddevelopment during the last two people who will benefit, a and a half years? background description of the Set up by the well known Pools people on the committee, Applicant Purpose companies, such as Littlewoods costings of the project, including and Vernons, the F.S.A. provides 3 tenders (if appropriate). Also, Battle TIC (Sussex) To assist costs to start a TTC £1,750 grant aid to worthwhile projects details of own fund raising Battle & longton School and causes in, as the name schemes and any other grants. TIC (Sussex) To purchase new equipment £1,000 suggests both Sport and the Arts. "God helps those who help Becorp TIC (london) To set up a TTC £4,000 I was founded with more than themselves" is a phrase which Benenden TIC (Kentl To assist the formation half an eye on the plans of the could be applied to F.S.A. grant ofa new TTC £2,915 National Lottery, and was able to application. Boston & District TIL (lines) To clear outstanding debt £10,000 come on stream well in advance 4) A copy of your organisation's Bramley Ebenezer TIC of the Lottery to serve as a accounts. (Yorks) To upgrade club facilities £5,600 charitable funder. 5) Letters of Endorsement from Bromley TIC {WOI To purchase new equipment £1,600 other agencies such as your local Carr Manor High M.P. - support from him/her is WHAT HAS nilS TO DO School TIC To purchase new equipment £750 very influential and can make all Cookridge Primary WJTH TABLE TENNIS? the difference. Alternatively from School TIC To purchase more equipment £1,000 Plenty. A glance at the list of your local authority or local Cooper & Jordon CE known recipients of awards on Sports Council! Junior School (STI To assist with set up costs £1,000 this page will show how many Cowling County people and organisations have Primary School To purchase new equipment £500 WHAT TYPES OF benefited during 1994. In fact the (Yorkshire) figure is far more than we have SCHEMES DO BEST? Forest Green TIL (GS) To purchase lighting £2,333 shown as there are several grants The schemes gaining the most Glusburn CP School (BU) To purchase new equipment £500 awarded to organisations where 'yes' votes are the ones which lancing TIC (Sussex) To upgrade facilities £3,500 the ETIA have not yet heard the involve: young people, dual use larkhall TIC (Surrey) To purchase club leits £750 good news. of premises/facilities and Matthew Murrey High projects from very local School TIC (Yorks) To purchase more equipment £1,000 committees. WHAT SORT OF Milton Keynes TIL (Bucks) To set up a schools nilNGS CAN RECEM coaching programme £2,000 CONTAO YOUR RoD.O. F.SA. GRANT AID? Minsthorpe High School TI Section To purchase new equipment £1,000 All sorts: equipment, tables, AND APPLY. Plumstead Common To purchase tables, lights, building conversion, The ETIA encourages every club Working Mans Club barriers £500 refurbishment. Anything really to in England to make an Poole & District TIC (Dorset) To assist set up costs £6,000 do with Development work. application. There is no Sindleshom School (BK) To purchase equipment £4,000 minimum amount you can ask Southampton TIA To start a school for, but the maximum is rnA CAN HELP WJTH (Hampshire) Table Tennis scheme. £2,,460 £100,000. St. Pauls Primary School To purchase new equIpment £1,000 APPLICATIONS. Please be patient: the (Sussex) The ETIA helps members clubs, Foundation receives up to 500 St. Philips TIC (london) To purchase more equipment £1,000 Leagues and individuals with applications per week from all Sutton-in-Croven CE School Set up costs £846 applications. Firstly, contact your sports, so it may take a httle hme (YorkshireI Regional Development OffICer. to process - perhaps 5 months. Wembley & Harrow TIL To purchase new equipment £3,800 He or she can help with putting If you've got poor facilities at (Middlesex) your case together to give it the your club, why not speak to you Westcroft leisure Centre best chance of success. (By the R.D.O. and apply? To quote (london) To purchase a Table Tennis Table £750 way success is not guaranteed: another old phrase: "Nothing Windsor Boys' School TIC To purchase new equipment £ 1,000 the F.S.A. is an independent ventured, nothing gained!" Worcester TIL (Worcs) To replace worn out equipment £ 1,000 body which receives up to 500 applications per week!) Total (known) amount Secondly, the ETIA helps by awarded by the F.S.A. providing National endorsement. to Table Tennis £63/554

30 TABLE TENNIS NEWS February 1995 Looking ahead •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• KINGFISHER WIN BATTLE OF BOSWORTH

KINGFISHER TABLE TENNIS CLUB IN READING HAVE WON THIRD PRIZE IN A NATIONAL COMPETITION TO SELECT ENGLAND'S BEST CLUBS OF THE YEAR.

ominated by the ETTA as table tennis representative, King-fisher were presented with a N £1000 plaque and cheque for by Gratton Endicott, the Secretary to the Trustees at the CCPR annual conference at Bosworth Hall on 24th November. Brian Halliday and Colin Dyke received the prize on behalf of the Kingfisher club, who had finished third out of clubs from 127 different sports who were contesting the competition. This is the second year in a row that table tennis nomination has effected honour at the CCPR awards: last year Ian Marshall collected a similar prize on behalf of BFL Grove, who also achieved third place. who qualified as Nol., Gemma Pointing, (Devon). the success and failures of the The contest is based upon good Loughran (Av) who qualified as Apologies for absences were various competitions that were club administration, running a N02. Cadet Boys, David Porter received from Pat Archdale (in organised by the region over the coaching and development (Av) who qualified as Nol., Portugal), Harvey Webb (at the past few years, it was agreed that programme, organising Daniel Nelmes (Gs) who Dorset closed), and Alf Pepperd a woman's team tournament competitions. qualified as N02., Paul Adams (at the Glos'shire closed). should be held again this season, "Kingfisher's achievement is (Av) who qualified as N03. The Chairman hoped to everybody agreed that the new outstanding. They are a great Junior Girls, Ann Humble (Gs) introduce Steve Ward, the new purpose built facility at Deer example for other clubs to who qualified as Nol., Elizabeth RDO for the Sw. Region, Park School Cirencester, would follow", said ETTA National May (Dv) who qualified as N02., however, Steve had entered the be an appropriate venue, with Development Manager Dillon Melanie Garlick (Gs) who Middlesex 3star prior to his May 1995 as the possible date for Gray, who attended the qualified as N03. Junior Boys, official appointment as the new opening. conference. Tim O'Mahoney (Wi) who ROO, the Chairman stated that qualified as Nol., Tom Orlick he hoped to appoint a Hon­ (Av) who qualified as N02., Secretary and a minutes THE WAY Graham Worth (Co) who Secretary at some future stage. South West qualifies as N03., Andrew FORWARD Rumary (So) who qualified as COUNTY UMPIRE'S Keith Ponting stated that the REGIONAL N04. It was noted that there are a only way forward could only be The first SWR meeting took place number of coaches in the region achieved if all and sundry under the chairmanship of Andy who still need to pass the County worked together, Le.: NEWS Steward at Andy's home on 11th Umpire's test paper in order to Communications should be In the final (ETTA South West December 1994. compete the Level 3 Stage, Les improved and relevant Regional Trials), which were held Those present were: Smith and Andy Steward information passed on the at Wellington Sports Centre of Andy Steward, (Chairman ETTA volunteered to mark any Counties. Saturday 17th of December, the (SWR)). Doug Parsons, submitted papers that might It was agreed that there should following Junior/Cadet/Players (Treasurer). Les Smith, come to hand. be a further Regional Committee qualified for the National Trials (Competitions). Val Clack, Meeting (Hosted by the at Whitchurch on Sunday 21st (Coaching). John Burtenshaw Chairman), possibly in May 1995. January 1995 writes Alf Pepperd (Avon). Ron Chapman, (Wilts). COMPETmONS Cadet Girls, Suzy Robinson (Gs) Peter Hancock, (Cornwall). Keith There was some discussion on

February 1995 TABLE TENNIS NEWS 31 COUNTY NOTES ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

weekend with a win over Janet AVON sounding. Mick and Keith's wins were both against Stuart Palmer which ~BOB MURRAY finished what would be regarded generally as a successful weekend. COMING SEASON The next scheduled senior matches Only the Veterans have been in action are on the weekend of 18th and 19th since my last report, maintaining their February. unbeaten start to the season with an 8­ The veterans side have also made a 1 victory over Gloucestershire 2nds. good impression in Division 2B. On Gary Baldwin and Bob Murray won the 24th M Stennett (2), J Turner (1), R both their singles and teamed up to Fenson (1) and a doubles win for M take the men's doubles. John Higgs Stennett and J Turner secured the and Linda Porter won one set each result. and also teamed up to take the mixed. On the 15th October Hunts were the The County Closed Championships visitors to St. Neots and a good all were held at the beginning of round performance saw Cambs with a December. Top seed Andy Creed took 7-2 win. The team consisted of M the men's title with some comfort and Stennett (2 1/2), B Hagger (1 1/2), C Linda Porter beat Gillian Beer to take Gay (1 1/2), and J White (1 1/2). the ladies crown. Results in full:­ Two weeks later Buckinghamshire Men's Singles: A Creed bt H Dalton 13,13 visited St. !\eots only to fall foul of a Men's Doubles: M Bridgeman/ A whitewash 9-0 result. M Stennett, B Sheppard bt G Lang/B Fudge 22,-20,1 B Hagger, J Turner and J White were the Ladies Singles: LParter bt G Beer 11,­ games veterans inflicting the damage. 19,11,15 The fourth veterans match took Ladies Doubles: G Beer/L Porter bl J place on the 19th November but Morgon/J Sounders 11 ,6 details were not available at the time Veteran Singles: BMurray bl D Price 13,8 of writing. Junior Boys Singles :T Orlik bt G Lang The recent Eastern Region Junior 14,16 Trials at St. Neots saw only one of Cadet Boys Singles: M Loughran bt P Cambs juniors progress to the second Adams -15,17,19 COUNTY NOTES IS FOR THE PUBLICITY OF stage. James Walton confirmed his U12 Boys Singles: D Porter bt· N Rogers status as the top junior in Cambs and 10,20 COUNTY ACTIVITIES. THE ACCURACY OF goes on to complete on December the Junior Girls Singles: J Orlik bt G Loughran ­ WHAT IS PUBLISHED IS THE RESPONSIBILITY 18th, again at St. Neots. 18,10,20 Although as mentioned in the Cadet Girls Singles: G Loughran bl J Orlik OF THE COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS, AS THE November issue we do not have a 17,-19,15 . Cambs junior side, the youngsters at U 12 Girls Singles: G Loughran bl S EDITOR CANNOT POSSIBLY KNOW THE Wisbech thoroughly enjoyed their first Dauncey 14,14 'FACTS' MAY BE INCORRECT. COPY venture in the St. Neots Junior Junior Doubles: T Orlik/G Lang bt P Invitation League. Indeed Wisbech Adams/M Loughran 17,15 CONTAINING LIBELLOUS OR PERSONALLY seems to be giving the junior scene a Class 2 Singles: D Daniels bt KArmstrong boost at present with numbers 19,15 ABUSIVE MATTER OR 'POLITICAL' inqeasing every week at the regular COMMENT WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED. Monday evening coaching sessions. BRISTOL LEAGUE The English Junior National Bristol's junior side have made an Championships were held at the excellent start in the new Woolwich Bushfield Sports Centre, Peterborough Junior British League division 2B. on the 3rd and 4th December 1994. After the first weekend's matches they N Jahns/G Copper 9;16 James Walton represented lead the division with a maximum 10 Junior Boys Singles: G Long bl TOrlik ­ Cambridgeshire and in the V17 points from their 5 games. Graham 20,20,13 CAMBRlDG singles event won his group with Long took the "Woolwich Player of Cadet Bays Singles: Liles bt PAdams 8,12 comparative ease beating Mark Forder ~ANDY the Weekend Award" after winning U11 Boys Singles: 0 Parter bt 0 Rumley HUBBLE of Sussex, a much higher ranked all of his 10 sets and he was ably 4,11 mpetitor. James was eventually supported by Tom Orlik (8 from 10), Junior Girls Single: J Orlik bl G Loughran GOOD PROGRESS defeated by Andrew Sugarman of Leigh lies (3 from 6) and Brian Smith 17,14 Both county senior and veteran sides Yorkshire (ranked 25) in a close three (3 from 4). Cadet Girls Singles: J Orlik bt G Loughran have made good progress in their ender. On Sunday in the cadet I understand that three Bristol 16,-18,16 early games. The senior team championship James (ranked 12) officials also did sterling work at this U11 Girls Singles: Jiles bl LJones 17,18 consisting of K Richardson, M H~r, adopted a more attacking game and event: Mike Lewis (Deputy Junior Doubles: G I:ong/T Orlik bt B A Withers, Y Hooks and H NewbOund played his way through to the quarter Organiser), Tim Harris (Referee) and Smith/Liles 15,17 played Warwickshire and YorkshiJ:e final stage without losing an end. The Dave Nipper (Assistant Referee). Codel Doubles: BSmith/Liles bl J eft /G on the 5th November and Suffolk on draw then saw him drawn against the I provided the headline news from Loughran 11,15 the 6th November. All matches were No.1 seed Gareth Herbert (the the Bristol Closed championships in played at St. Neots. eventual winner). James went down my last report but promised the detail WE ON LEAGUE The first match resulted in a na 0'1 21-12, 21-16 but was not disappoint for this issue. The results were as Worle 'C' a d YMCA 'B' are the front defeat t"the hands of W rwieks with his performance. follows:­ runners 0 some strong teams in the by ames to. en ewbounCi The 17th of December saw the Men's Singles: A Creed bt BReeves 10,15 Weston mier division this n. s undefeated, Keith and Mick were second stage of the Eastern Regional Men's Doubles: M Bridgeman/P Payne bt E last sea's champions Na' the other point scorers. Junior Trials to the final stages which Roofe/H Dalton 17,18 Sp ven', achieved la ear's The evening match saw an upturn will be held on the 21st and 22nd Veteran Singles: RMurray bt B Reeves nsistency having a d' suffered in fortunes with a 7-3 win against January 1995 at Whitchurch Sports 16,13 l1efeats. Yorkshire_ Keith, Andy and Helen Centre at Bristol. Veteran Doubles: RMurray/D Price bt D In Division1, Musketeers hold a scored maximums and Mick added On the 18th December the Wisbech Caambe/K Wans 13,10 narrow advantage over Bleadon YC the other point following a 21-19 third junior side of James Walton, Matthew Over 55 Singles: RSmith bt KWatts 21,22 although the latter have a game in end win against Andrew Horsfield_ Knott, Alan Bennett and James Div 1/2 Singles: G Lang bt D Bull 18,­ hand. The two sides met at Bleadon On Sunday against Suffolk the Warren were in action in the second 18,15 with the home side emerging 7-3 second win of the weekend was round of matches in the St. Neots Div 3/4 Singles: D Daniels bt D Richards winners. A maximum from Ann gained by a 6-4 margin. Junior Invitation League. Again 17,19 Sandford was supported by a double Helen secured her third successful results were mixed but although Div 5/6/7 Singles: Liles bt BSmith 13,15 from Reg Manaton and one from maximum to complete an excellent being defeated 6-3 by Kettering, wins Div 1-4 Doubles: DCoombe/K Wans bl D Chris Parkinson. Ann and Reg then undefeated weekend. Keith, Mick and of 5-4 against Hunts Central and 7-2 BulVA Brailey 11,19 teamed up to take the doubles. any each contributed one apiece and against Peterborough ensure a mid Div 5-7 Doubles: G Holmes/D Richards bl Yvette prevented a whitewash table position half way through the

32 TABLE TENNIS NEWS February 1995 News Round Up ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

season. So the performance of Cookie, almost stopped the emergence of Nothing else to report so I will Bradley and Nicola kept Derbyshire Nigerian sensation A Wariola in the GLOUCESTERSHIRE finish with a New year goodwill well and truly on the map on the second round of Men's Band II when message to all involved in table tennis International front and all their he led his opponent by a game and ~ALF PEPPERD and I hope that 1995 sees an upturn in progress in the future will be 20-17, only to see his opponent the general attention given to our monitored with real interest. recover and win a tight decider. SEVERE BLOW technical yet enjoyable sport. It was also encouraging to observe Steve Rand (Brentwood) went on to that Lorraine Groaves has joined the reach the semi-final of this event The Gloucestershire Junior and Senior Derbyshire squad as a qualified falling to Surrey's Darren Blake, after Closed Championships were both DERBYSHIRE umpire. She recently obta~ her halting the strong run Ian Attridge played off just before, Christmas, and (Dagenham) had made to the quarter­ commencing with the Junior event ~COLIN umpires certificate alongSide County DEATON Secret Les AlIwood. final. Ian had previously beaten John here are the results. CLOSED EVENT Bot t ese newly quali d umpires Payne (Middlesex) very convincingly This event was dealt a severe blow are v active, not just n the and won a tight encounter against the by the lack of entries in the U12 and The annual Derbyshire Closed event D r.shire scene. We ngratulate up-and-coming Neil Bigrave (Bucks). U14 section, the Organisers eventually was again held at the Mackworth th ~ both on their new umpires On the Sunday Don McGilvray cancelled both of these age groups, Tertiary College, Derby and a good q'lal ficalions. agenham) gave the inexhaustible leaving the three main championships entry was received with perhaps a contrast it was disappointing to Wariola (are we sure he was a to be played. record entry in the Junior events. This h of the attack suffered by Burton Nigerian and not a Kenyan?) as much In the U17 Doubles, the number 2 aspect is particularly pleasing and Supremo Terry Gadsby prior to trouble as anyone until his loss in the seeds Robin Price and Scott Nichols final, just going down -18,19,-18 in shows the coaching commitment (i,hristmas. from Gloucester, beat the unseeded appears to be paying some dividend. Terry is, without question, one of round three. These were the results from these the guiding lights in Derbyshire Table Congratulations to Shelley Ruocco pairing of Jon Bunn (Stroud) and Aaron Mortimer (Gloucester) in championships. Tennis and the news that he has b~ (Dagenham) who took the Junior Girls MEN'S SINGLES ordered to rest at home will be a ig Doubles and Mixed Doubles titles at straight games 15,17 to take the title. S Show (Burton) bt J Bamford (Derby) body blow for Burton and Derbysl\.ire the English Junior Closed with Glenda Stroud's Suzy Robinson, the 4th WOMEN'S SINGLES table tennis. Ashison and Terry Young respectively. seed, caused a minor upset in the N Deaton (Chesterfield I bt S Cooke It is no surprise that he is to resign She was only one game away from Girls U17 event, beating the No 2 seed (Chesterfield I as the National Councillor for taking the triple crown losing the Melanie Garlick (Gloucester) -8,17,19. MEN'S DOUBLES De+byshire and a successor is already Junior Girls final to Glenda. Also with This victory took 12 year old Bamford/Show bt Isherwood/Boult being sought. We wish the dedicated reason to be pleased is Steve Joslin Robinson into the final against the (Chesterfield I erry Speedy recovery because table wllo has enjoyed a brilliant spell of reigning champion 14 year old Ann VETERANS SINGLES tennis' Derbyshire would not quite late and has climbed to No.7 in the Humble from Highnam Glos, Humble A Gregory (Matlock) bt D Stills (Derby) the same without him. Junipr Boys National Ranking list. who was the defending champion bet JUNIOR GIRLS SINGLES Chesterfield's Mick Thorley, I am Another player on the way up is young Suzy 12 and 16 to retain her' H Rainford (Eastwood) bt S Merrick delighteCllo say, is back after quite a Suffolk's Sarah Davison who plays singles title. illn~. (Burtonl long Mick, who had a much of her table tennis in the There were no major upsets in the JUNIOR BOYS SINGLES quadruple by-pass is now pJaying Chelmsford and Braintree leagues and early stages of the Boys U17 singles, M Isherwood (Chesterfield) bl S again in Matlock, Chesterfield and who has jumped to the No.7 spot in with all four seeds successfully Habbershon (Chesterfield I Sheffield'and playing again, I am the Junior Girls list. reaching the semi-finals. WOMEN'S DOUBLES reasonably informedr with the same RHaggerd (HurtonJlJ Vickors (Derby) bt sort of determination and enthusiasm IRE TWOOD Jon Roberts (Chelt), the current title N Deaton (Chesterfield)/S Milne we all experience prior to his illness. holder, beat Gloucester's Aaron (Chesterfield) Finally, Derbyshire's Handicap L GUE Mortimer for a place in the Final, The Brentwood League may have a MIXED DOUBLES County Cup Competition has whi~e in the other half Robin Price case for boasting the strongest S Shaw/N Deaton bt J Vickors (Derby)/J produced a very close encounter in disposed of Jon Bunn over three premier division in the county this Davies (Matlock) the first round where Castl season. The teams battling it out for games. As expected both Steven Shaw and Donnington of Derby beat the title are led by Brentwood TT Club So, it was a Roberts V Price final: Nicola Deaton retained their Waingroves of the Eastwood League A (Steve Rand, Paul Sayer, Paul Roberts the No.1 seed, took the first respective Singles titles and both by the slender margin of.twe1ve Stephens and Jon Stokes) followed by game at 15, but Price fought back well collected their second title winning points. Buttsbury A (John Holland, Dave in the second, clinching it at 14, and the Mixed Doubles event. Also, the Der League are again '! Finlayson, Steve Willis and Ev Lucas' so we came to the third and final How pleasing it has been to see the promoting t annual popular Derby and Cranston Park (Linda, Peter and game in a power struggle between Derbyshire players in the limelight Junior event. event has matured 'fhls Leslie Radford, Feisal Mauthoor, two very evenly balanced players, over the Christmas and New Year to become one o( the most popular George Pavitt and Mark England). period. Junior events in England and again it Price got off to a very good early start, Brentwood Table Tennis Club C in Alan Cooke has played some superb is to be'staged at the Moorways and when they changed ends Price fourth place are able to choose a team table tennis whilst playing in the Test Centre. A good ntry is anticipated. }Vas 10-2 up, Roberts however was far from Martin Cole, David Cole, Ian matches against China and in the from beaten and from this seemingly Hayden, So Man and Gary Ward, process, picked up some valuable impossible position fought back to whilst fifth place Peniel A can call on computer ranking points. The wins he level the scores at 18 all, Robin Price ESSEX. the likes of Vince Avery, Keith Be, gained may well see him deservedly, however managed to retain his Jennifer Coleman, Ben Lineker, cey we think, gain promotion in the ~STEYE KERNS Davies, Verity Cleminson, Sam composure and eventually ran out a National Ranking List. Cleminson as well as the highly worthy winner at 21-18 in the third. Another success in the same test MIDDLESEX 3 STAR promising Tim Yardy. At the half-way series was the form of BradJey OPEN stage no one look capable of gettin THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE (CLOSED) Billington who displayed some of the close to the leaders. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS table tennis we know he is capable of. Both players could well be featured TM E DARREN GRIFFIN in England's plans for the future and the Thurrock league's top division with the Commonwealth and World Steve-Willis' team Port of TIlbury A REGAINS SINGLES Championships forthcoming, both lead the way followed by last year's CROWN Bradley and Alan may have further champions Comrades A (Terry International recognition. Last years runner-up Darren Griffin, Guymer, Keith Shepherd, Paul Morris, triumphed in the Gloucestershire Nicola Deaton played in both the George Shippey and new signing (Closed) Senior Championships. The Test Matches against Russia. The first Mick Smalldon). Also in the running one against Russia, played at Hull are Aveley Sports A lead by James semi-finals at Cheltenham Recreation where they lost 9-1 witnessed Nicola Wickens and Karl Grant. Centre were contested by the four top playing really on top form gaining the Nevertheless, Comrades A remain the seeds. sole win for England and performance favourites to retain their title. Number one Griffin defeated against the World Ranked Russian Graham Slack 14,13 while defending Galina Melnik where the score stood champion Dave Harvey beat Bill at 17 all in the third and final game Dawe 12,22. before the experienced Russian took In an exciting final Griffin, exacted the game.

February 1995 TABLE TENNIS NEWS 33 COUNTY NOTES

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his revenge for the 1993 final by to the third round proper of the cadet Centre, on Sunday 11th December Turner and Nic Hutchings. beating Harvey 15,13. singles before bowing out to the 1994. Our cadets look destined for a The Ladies singles was a foregone eventual runner up, Kent's Scott The youngsters from Hertford won middle place in the Hampshire Inter­ conclusion as Natasha Williams the Friday. Whilst the girls did not the all their five matches but received Town league, which I regard as a fair Welsh Number one now resident in Peterborough tables alight that all tough opposition when they faced effort, as all players are new to such Gloucestershire, proved herself head three gained from the experience was Hemel Hempstead Cadets, whom competition. James Ovnik looked and shoulders above all other female evident a fortnight later when at the although they beat 3-1, just pulled authentic in this company with 8 wins through in two of the four games. from 9 outings and Lucy Pointer (l0) opposition, easily beating regional trials Butt, alreac:ly exempt as In the opening singles Hertford's has continued to impress against boys Cheltenham's Sue Labrum 7, 12 to a cadet, qualified for the a tOnal Daniel Gillet only just beat Hemel's of 13 and over. She gets tremendous take the title. Junior rials and the two girls (both Richard Murrell, after a classic battle support from her father John, . The Veterans singles boasted a large from BOu nemouth) after ome good winning 26-24, 21-18. indispensable if she is to progress. entry, the number two seed Dennis perfo ances including lloth giving Then in the final game Hemel did We had three juniors playing in the Holland withdrew owing to an arm th ventual winner a run for her all they could to force a draw, which British Junior League Weekend for injury, so the coast was clear for m n y, stand by as No's 1 and 2 would have won them the trophy but 'mainland' clubs. Danny Burns did England's number eight ranked rese es for the Nationals. they failed, losing 21-19 in the third, best with 8 wins from 9 matches. veteran Dave Harvey to romp into the utt's name is to the fore again as .n the doubles. Lorna Dutch was disappointed with final against Irishman John Fannin. to ether with Stephen wilshcre he This win for Hertford was their first her results, but with two more junior The final did not last long - Harvey share top spot with a 100% average Cadet Inter-League trophy and seasons after this one, she should not the defending champion ran out from 12 sets to sit Southampton at the combined with the success of the find it difficult to add 4 or 5 points to winner, 15, 14 but it must be said that lOp of the inter town Cadet league Hoddesden Table Tennis Club at the her game which would turn the two John Fannin put up a great show of after 4 matches. Portsmouth"A" Hertfordshire Junior Closed quarter final places she has achieved resistance, scooping up returns from (Richard Chan, Sam Pitkeathly & tournament in November, proves that so fa.r (Peniel and Essex Selects) into Hertford has a rosy table tennis only a foot or so from floor level. David Riddle), Isle of Wight Ua es final places and maybe wins. [n any In the Under - 21 Singles, Natasha futures. normal ranking system this would Ovnik, Mark Przysocki, Rory Far.relly Williams strolled to victory over The three Hertford stars were David place her in the top 8, but not in ours, and Lucy Pointer) and Portsmouth Junior County Player Jon Roberts in Wooten and Sharon and Daniel which continues to discourage players the final, beating Roberts 7,11, "B" Oonathan Potter, Matthew Wilson, Gillett, with Daniel Gillett being the of all ages. The "bonus" system, throughout the entire tournament Charles Barnes and Stephen Chard) top player with a 100% record. which seems to be an attendance Miss Williams did not drop one single are in joint second place with 3 wins Hemel Hempstead's trio of Paul allowance for 'losers', defies game. out of 4. After one session of 2 Higgins, Richard Murrell and Gary comment. I have made the point In the minor singles event, which is matches champions [sle of Wight Curran won the runners-up spot, with before Ihat you now get more points closed to all first division players, one again lead Division 1 of the Junior Higgins recording a 100%. for turning up and losing in the first of the most exciting matches took section with their team of Greg and round of say, the Grove 2 Star than for place when Gloucester's Alex Danny Bums, Stuart Dover and Lorna CADET INTER-LEAGUE 1994/5 winning the national title. Battered Robinson found himself 12-18 down Dutch. P W l F A PTS players continue to vote with their in the first game, Robinson, however, Another excellent newsletter HERTFORD 5 5 0 17 3 10 feet, but too few open their mouths in recovered to beat Mike Plummer 37­ receivedjrom the Basingstoke HEMEL 5 4 1 17 3 8 protest and so the farce continues. 35 and then went on to pinch the Association (Congratulations Dave 8ARNET 5 3 2 13 7 6 Our Juniors did not look impressive WATFORD 5 2 3 8 12 4 in the Hampshire Junior Weekend in second game at 17. Salisbury); this together with a pilot In the final however, Robinson came N. HERTS 5 1 4 3 17 2 which they started as favourites to issue by the new Southampton up against County Junior Aaron HERTFORD II 5 0 5 2 18 0 retain their title. Danny Burns, in his secretary Colin French are the only Mortimer who ran out eventual first season as a junior, went through winner 13,-16,18 this was a great win such publications within out 10 league the two m matches unbeaten, as did for the youngster currently ranked County (Do let me know if I am ISLE OF WIGHT Lorna (or course) in the singles. No.3 County Junior Player. wrong!) following the demise f Unfortunately Greg Burns, plagues by In the men's doubles the defending Bournemouth's "21 Up" which poor ~JOHN PREAN injury all season, lost a couple and, Gloucester Champions Bill Dawe and health forced Harold Pearce to give incredibly, a mixed double with Sylvester Callum lost 16,17, to the up. lSTDMSIC)N Lorna, which seemed an Gloucester/Cheltenham duo of Both December andJanuary are 'impOSSibility'. The team will have to Darren Griffin and Graham Slack, this blank monthS for our County teams. It looked as if our 1st Division'Wa& play better to hang on to the title and was a complete reversal of last year's Again [have to end Hampshire's about to open up into a real contest ames average is likely to be decisive. doubles final, when Griffin/Slack notes on a sad, note with the passing when both Roger Hookey and Mike were the then runners-up. Turner lost their unbeaten records en ON THE MOON of Peter Goldring who was still \My 'tongue-in-cheek' exclusive that A disappointingly low entry for the playing in the Portsmouth league route. However, Sandown won the next seven and so left Ryde without the [sland player Carl Prean had again Ladies Doubles meant that it started until shortly before his untimely death with the Semi-Finals, in the Final the consolation of a single point. Our beaten the English No.1 Yorkshire's at the age of 71. The title of "Mr Natasha Williams and Julie Taylor scoring system awards one point for a own Chen Xinhua in the German Port~outh Table Tennis" would not beat Sue Labrum and Carole 6-4 defeat, three for a win of 6-4 and Bundesliga made a national Godding, 16,9 to run out as winners, have gone amiss on the shoulders of four for a win of 7-3 or more. Nic newspaper a few weeks later. all four of these finalists hailed from Pete, a Vice President since 1987 in Hutchings, having taken Turner',s However, in reply to readers' Cheltenham. recognition of his 35 years on the scalp, was then battered by Lorna questions, it did not a.ppear in our Mrs Gill Smith acted as Hon-Referee Pompey executive (29 years as Dutch, who lost to Brian Farrelly, computer ranking list. Presumably it for both the Junior and Senior events treasurer, also ser-ving asJournament another chapter perhaps in her was treated as if played on the moon and also presented the medals and secretary, mUlts secretary and problems against combination bats. or not at all. The main point of using trophies, Peter Cruwys was the handboo compiler) as well as serving For an hour or so Sandown my have computers to decide such matters is organiser, greatly assisted by Stan his Ports outh Community club wondered whether agreeing to a ~ that computers are impartial. However, if the input is censored, Johnstone, and yours truly had the faithful~ s secretary for 40 years. arrange

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statistics? There are some heartening Western Zone. A good win here for 6-3 in a friendly match when Ron squad of Phil Logsdon, Russell King, things going on, but not on the Angie Bristow over Jon Cheng 21-19, Langheim dropped himself. John Andy Hawes, Leighton Chipperfield playing side at this time. 21-18. Holland maintained his excellent form and Mick Broughton make them a real P W l PTS with 3 wins in singles and doubles. force, and with the possible return of Falkestone A 3 3 a 14 The Veterans 1st and 2nd teams met Leeroy Pye who do you leave out? KENT Maidstone B 3 2 1 10 in a County Match which was very County Closed is still on April 8/9th Bromley A 3 1 2 6 competitive especially when John at Lynnsport and it is essential that ~ADRIAN HALL Tunbridge Well C 3 a 0 a Holland and Maurice Isaacs finished we have a good entry for the Folkestone A team of Scott (!)awtry 21-1 in the deciding games with satisfaction of what sponsors we have KENT LEAGUE MID and Trevor Griffiths beat the Girls of Maurice just edging home. and also to cover our considerable SEASON REPORT Maidstone, Crystal Hall and Alison Walter Mascarenhas was the star costs and if possible have a bit over Smith q.lead the 1st divisIon of the turn this time completing his for next season. Entry forms should be Bromley A are on course to win the Northern Zone. maximum. Anne Flowerday on her available now. Men's Division One of the Kent W PTS debut also performed well winning in League being unbeaten after four lree games against Kathy Nunn matches, the clash win N W Kent who Moidstane A 3 3 a helping Middlesex I win the match NORTHANTS are also unbeaten should be Folk,stane B 3 2 1 7-2. interesting. Chris Knight with 12 wins Medwoy B 3 1 2 ~DENNIS MILLMAN out of 12 leads the averages. There is Si«ingbourne A 3 0 3 no clear favourite in division two, but The Maidstone A team of Christian ENniUSIASM forth placed Ashford are still Thompson and Scott Friday were NORFOLK unbeaten and with Paul Smith, Alan never in any trouble in the Central ~RAY HOGG The fifteenth Tina Coleman Memorial Provan and Fred Coleman prominent Zone and will be firm favourites for Trophy for Ladies Doubles, once again in the averages should finish well. the play offs. CENSORED? demonstrated the enthusiasm of the East Kent Leagues Folkestone and W PTS participants and produced an Thanet are leaders in Division three. The furore I created within this intriguing competition" with some N W Kent A are clear leaders in Tunbridge Well B 3 3 0 13 County with my own views on tense moments in the concluding Ladies Division One with their M,edway A 3 2 I 8 red/black now seem to have abated stages the prelude to an absorbing leading players Jackqueline Mersh Ashford A 3 0 3 5 after a rather hairy commillee meeting final. and Sandra Collins on 100% records. Thane! A 3 I 2 4 when it was suggested that my article The flamboyant skills of Caroline Maidstone Band N W Kent B are Tunbridge Wells capitalised on the should be censored. A further Perkins, Joanne Abbott and Maxine neck and neck in division two, but absence of Paul Smith from the complaint will be that there waS no Shears, the consistent play of Clem with their players unbeaten N W Kent Ashford side to take a commanding article in the January edition. I can't Little, Cath Walsh and Jill Pell, and will be favourites to take the title. lead in East Zone. win. With the County teams our the wheelchair expertise of Denise N W Kent A lead the Veterans Seniors took a bashing in their week Barnett and Irene Weed all took the Division One with Paul Crisp and KE T GIRLS TOP IN end but far from being down they all eye, but at the end of the day, none of Dave Emery on 100% records. say their game has improved by 5 these graced the final. Bromley A, winners of this division RE AL T IALS points from the experience and are The best game in the qualifying Angie Bristow (T Wells) and Crystal for the past thirteen seasons are in looking forward to the next time. This stages was that between Caroline Hall (Maidstone) finished 1st and 2nd forth place and the clash with N W team consists mainly of 'second Perkins and Jenna Ashberry (+1) and respectively in the U17 Girls section of Kent may determine the final starting' players who do not get the Viv Smiley and Gabrielle Evans (Scr), the Regional Trials at Mcadowside positions. Bromley C and Medway A chance to play representative matches and though the first named pair came Leisure Centre, S W London on 18 lead the second division with Neil Le normally. Junior 1st team could be out on top -17,10,15, the losing pair December 1994 and now take their Milliere (Medway) and Dave Wilkins creating a problem for us if they get recovered well, to win their remaining place at the National Trials a (Bromley) unbeaten. Sittingbourne B promotion most of them will be too seven matches and so qualify for the Whitchurch on 21/22 January 1995. and Canterbury B are joint leaders of old to compete and we will have to semi-finals in top place. Angie Bristow had a particularly the third division but it is Ron Terry have a long hard look at who is National disabled champion Denise good day being unbeaten and (Tonbridge) and Terry Harris coming up and dedication of them Barnett and Waendal Warriors Irene finishing in top spot without (Canterbury) that lead the averages. before deciding on teams for next Weed (+9) lost their opening rubber, dropping a leg. Joining the U17 Girls season. Leeroy Pye has returned to the but then bamboozled a series of will be U17 BOys Trevor Griffiths £24,000 SPORTING fold, but may well prefe to play opponents and also ended with seven (Folkestone) and Lee Howes (T Wells) Senior county next season. Veterans vins to take second place. who finish ~t1t and 7th in their BONANZA GETS 1st team look as though they will Conversely Ann Woolston and Anne category and Justin Dodd (Gravesend) return to division 1 after 3 seasons Abboll (+6) combined effectively to UNDERWAY who finished in 5th spot in the U14 with a settled team of Mick 'n their first six matches, but then A new era in the development of Boys event. Broughton, Chris Brewer, Steve lost their way, and failing to add to KENT JUNIOR TABLE TENNIS All the abo e players are joined in Howlett and Mary Sawyer with Tony their tally, finished third, while Clem began at the when eighty (80) teams the finals by those that qualify as a Hipperson and Sue Allen in reserve. Little and Mary Perkins (+7) won four of budding stars began their right due to their national ranking at Second team doing well with plenty times, as did Jill Pell and Maxine campaign to become champions of the beginning of the season, U17 Boys: of players to choose from. Match Shears (Scr), but it was the latter pair Kent. - Christian Thompson (Medway), Paul abandoned in our first ever vete aDS who went through, on a count-back of Sponsors Bribar Table Ten'nis have Smith (Ashford), Scoll Dawtry match with Suffolk when the floor at ends. pledge £12,000 to fund the Junior (Folkestone) and Scott Friday Britannia club decided to turn into a In the semi-finals, Smiley and Evans Table Tennis Competition over the (Medway). U14 Boys:- Scott Friday skating rink. To their credit Suffolk next three seasons and the youngsters (Medway). again proved too knowledgeable for showed their thanks by turning out in have offered to come to Norfolk for Pell and Shears, while the wheelchair spectacular fashion to compete in the the replay and to meet our expens . challenge of Barnett and Weed was Bribar Kent Junior League. ThoughtMI have to be-lliven t()~ e finally repelled by Woolston and Youngsters from all over Kent will surPlus eteran p yers now alTallabl~ Abbott, who in a pulsating encounter, benefit from the joint financial award d with Mick Musson making a reversed their earlier defeat. made by Bribar Table Tennis and come back after some 5 years and The Smiley/Evans combination took matched by Sportsmatch pound for aetermined to regain his place in the an early grip on the final, but county team, can we afford a 3rd Woolston and Abbott made the most pound, providing a total of £24,000 \ 'the lunior and Caae! Regional team? If so is there anyone willing to of their six point advantage to level over three years. Trials held in December Daniel organise it? What about someone the match at one game all. In the Feseathsion performed well to win all from Kings Lynn where the veterans decider the initial lead was gradually BRIBAR KENT JUNIOR LEAGUE his group games in one section and 3 are coming through thick and fast ­ whittled away by some fine attacking P W l PTS out of 6 in the next group to they had no less than 7 at the VETIS play, and it was Smiley and Evans Tunbridge Wells A 3 0 a 14 unexpectedly qualify for the Junior Eastern masters. who took the title - twelve year old Maidstone C 3 2 1 11 National Trials in January. Situations vacant are still a Gabrielle for the second year is Ashford B 3 1 2 3 As expected Yuki Geswell qualified Coaching Officer and now a Schools succession, and Viv at the first time of Folkestone C 3 a 3 2 in the girls singles and our admirable Representative as Addie Johnson is asking, becoming the twenty-first Tunbridge Wells A team of Angie prospect James Wakefield also made it moving to Sussex. player to get her name on the Bristow and Lee Howes did well to be through to the Cadet National Trials. Foxwood British League team is magnificent Rose Bowl. the Maidstone C team of Antony Our Veterans 1st team returned to having a good season after 2 seasons The only action on the County Lickfold and Jon Cheng 4-1 in the winning ways to beat Surrey Veterans of trials and tribulations. A regular Championship scene came when the

February 1995 TABLE TENNIS NEWS 35 COUNTY NOTES

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Veteran First picked up a six-three No 2 England ranked "Benny" will represent Notts in the regional about the team this season with Phil win over Notts after losing the first played a great captain's role, winning finals to be held at Grantham later in Payne, Rob Millard, Steve Palmer and game of the day. However, Ray all eight of his singles and three out of the year. Tina Sadler playing in all the rna tches. Kingston levelled the scores when his four mixed doubles. Bob, John and Mansfield Cadet team of Craig A number of individual successes are fast attacking play proved too much Pauline each won a singles in the Witton, Darren McGachan and Alan worthy of mention. Against Dorset, for Mick Peska. victory over Oxfordshire, and Bob Ford were all in top form after four wins for the ladies (Tina Sadler The third singles was vital and in also had a sinSles uc s in the nail­ completing 10-0 wins over and Christine Cowell) were the early stages the visiting John Ellis biting defeat against Warwickshire, Nottingham II and Leicester II at instrumental in the 6-4 victory. Phil held the upper hand, but in a tactical but generally we were unal5 e to take South Kesteven Table Tennis Centre at Payne's win -20,19,24 against Tony battle Keith Jones took the first end to our cha from in some ses Grantham. Mansfield's second string, Sweet (Devon 3) gave Somerset a losing expedite, and then proceeded ilions. HopehJlly the who consisted of Adam Buxton John another 6-4 win. A comfortable to win the match with some shrewd e will prove be eficial for Bramley and James Brown won both victory 9-1 against Cornwall 2was attacking tactics. ond series of pia -offs'n. their games against Grantham 11 and followed by a 4-6 reverse against a He and Muriel Cox took the mixed ary against Chesl1ire fI, Leicester I by a 7-3 margin to strong Gloucestershire team led by doubles and with Mrs Cox making the Lin lnshire and Worcestershire mplete a fin double for the Darren Griffin and Dave Harvey. The transition from Thirds to First with M anwhile, the seniors minus Eddie Mansfield cadets. double fixture in February against consummate ease, the ladies singles S '1, who was working, got a 5-5 The top league match in the both Wiltshire 1 and Wiltshire 2 could was added in fine style. w in their latest fixture at horne to VVorksop League between Priory well determine the Division winners. The men's doubles was narrowly Worcestershire. "Benny" and Andrew Carpets A, the current league Can Phil 'stamp' his authority on lost leaving Northants to take one of Wilkinson each won two singles and champions and the up and coming these matches? the reverse singles for the match. Steve Coverdale won the last set of Sports Centre A team resulted in a Just as Everton have recently won a Thereupon, Mick Edwards came back the match to ensure a point for his thri1ling victory for the Sports Centre match or two, so remarkably have the to win comfortably against Peska and side. team of Mark Short, Stephen Harrison Somerset Vets 2nd team, well, one to the match was safe. The Carter Cup match involvin the and Gary Lee who won by a 6-4 be precise. The chief washer-upper Jones went down heavily to some Northumbria League and the Carlisle margin. Priory fought hard to protect was allowed out of the workhouse, tremendous hitting from Terry Bull, League junior boys' representative their 100% record of 3 years and their made a appearance against but Kingston played out the final sides, resulted in a 3-5 defeat, team of Dale Ajeto, Paul Clarke and Herefordshire and won both of his singles with patience to scrape although Gareth Brown was Mick Bartrop will no doubt be looking singles. Two wins also for Alan through at deuce in the third against unbeaten. forward to the return fixture in April. Maidment, one for captain Kelvin Ellis, and so enhance the final Former England No. 1 junior Short and Harrison who play for Lum and two doubles successes. scoreline of an entertaining match. And w Wilkinson was recently voted A dale in the British League are Amazing. County Development Officer Gwil as North Tyneside's Young ce ainly making an impact locally Enough information and comment. Evans and Northants Junior Match Sports"{inner of the Year. He received and should their progress be It is now six 0'clock and nearly time Secretary John Russell have invited his award from Councillor Bob Usher, maintained high aspirations are held to return to the more mundane tasks. sixteen juniors and sixteen. cadets to Mayor 0 North Tyneside, and David by t¥ ~gue for their future. 'Pass the turkey sandwiches. Happy participate in two January training Baker, General Manager of the Th Notts County Inter-Town New Year. sessions under the guidance of John Northern ock Building Society. Chaniplonships will be contested at Burleton. . The l\(ational Power Northumbria Wellow House School on Thursday 16 This comprehensive list of players League is at the time of writing in the February when Newark, Relford, SUSSEX gives some indication of the current middle of the Christmas and New Mansfield, Nottingham and Worksop ~JOHN upsurge of enthusiasm at this level, Year break and was due to resume will be invited to participate. WOODFORD and a further series of coaching activity on Monday 9 January. In the first toumarnent of the season SEARCH FOR TALENT sessions during spring and summer Gateshead 'A' are still leaders in John Westwood and Gordon Galick will pave the way for selection of a Division 1, while North Shie\dS won the DTH Engineering Senior The search for talent continues in team in each age group to compete in YMCA 'C' are at the top of Division 2. Doubles title when they defeated Dale Sussex as everywhere else. My best next season's County Championships. DSS'B' head the Dill'ision 3 table, and Ajeto and Phillip Middleton in an player for improvement in 1994 is Ian Hawes, who is also number one Dunston 'A' are so far proving almost exciting finish 24-22 in the final Joanna Bush-Harris of Brighton, who on the Northants Queensberry unstoppable in Division 4. deciding set. The tour~ent had 32 is in her last year as a junior and Scimitar Computer Rankings, holds players of 21 years old and was held winning many games at both junior pole position in the Kettering League at the Valley Sports Ce tre, W and senior levels. ranking list. Chris Handshaw is NomNGHAMSHIRE One of her latest successes has been second, followed by Ryan Keates, U1 the Rose Bowl second round, when Richard Elliot, Julian Marshall, Steve ~MIKEj TUNNINGLEY SOMERSET her pair of victories, put Brighton on West, Mark Nannery, Terry Luxton, the victory path, winning 5-2 against a Steve Brown and Gordon Shaw. 5QIIOOLS ~ANDY SEWARD strong Crawley team, led by Sally With three players in the top six ­ CHAMPIONSHIPS Weston the Sussex No.2 lady. Hawes, Marshall and West, Team CHRISTMAS DAY IN The clash between Brighton and Electric, who currently find A total 0 .seventeen teams entered the Crawley contained some almost themselves at the top of Kettering's Nolls Schools Table Tetlnis THE WORKHOUSE bizarre results, highly unpredictable Premier Division, are still without a ChamP.ionships which were held at It is Christmas Day in the workho e might also be an apt description of horne venue but appear to be thriving Wellow House Schoo ently. This and the chief washer-upper has several of the scores. in unfamiliar territory. However, they figure was higher than those entered finished his chores. Whilst the I would have bet heavily against will still have difficulty in staving off by our near neighbours Derbyshire manager of the house and assorted Miss Weston losing all three to the holders Higham Band, who presently and full credjt for this mustoe relayed guests settle down to the usual 3 Brighton side of Teresa Bennett the lead Wellingborough's Premier to the orga!'}sers..Mr Brian Jones and o'clock television viewing, what Sussex champion, Miss Bush-Harris Section, closely pursued by Old Mr John de. The senior boys exercises the min of the chief wash' and Sarah Stedman of Arundel. But Grammarians A, Westerfield A and events w dominated by Ashfield uppy l's 0 vious - writill2Tf that is what happened. Glamis A. School ho are managed by Paul C unty otes of eourse!! Then carne two huge shocks by Linfield. hey completed wiI In tn Did Santa give the chief washer­ Crawley. Why this match is of great the 16's and Under s events upper any presents which would interest is because it contained the NORn-IUMBERLAND n irnpressi s-o a ·n. The assist in the writing of these County two leading seniors - Bennett and li t t con t ofth ev ning was for Notes? Unfortunately, no. Even the Weston - and the up-corning juniors ~PAULINE LONG the BOys Under 3' title where all the 1995 edition of the Guinness Book of Bush-Harris and Stedman. preliminary rounds were decided by Answers has no information Possibly, the biggest shocks of the CAPTAIN'S ROLE the odd game or set. The eventual regarding table tennis activities in campaign carne when Marie winners were Fairham Community Somerset during the last part of 1994. Campbell, the Crawley No.3 who The County Veterans' team of Ian College who defeated Wellow House The book does have a section on table plays her table tennis only in the Robertson, Bob Dodds, John by a 6-2 margin. tennis, but Somerset, not a word. Crawley League, Division 2 beat Miss Williamson, Maurice Cheek and The remaining events were a tribute So what information has filtered Stedman 13-21, 22-20, 21-15 and then Pauline Long beat Oxfordshire 6-3, to the Worksop League with Valley through to the workhouse? Jill Green the Crawley housewife who Leicestershire 2-7 and Warwickshire 4­ School 16 Girls winners, Wellow It appears, surprisingly, that the played not long ago for Hampshire 5 in the first of the Division lA play­ House Under 13 Girls winners, and Seniors are currently the most trounced Teresa Bennett 21-16, 21-12! offs held at Barnet during the Redlands Primary School Under 11 successful County team we have However, two from Joanna, two weekend of 3/4 December. Girls winners. All the winning teams Somerset. There is a certain stability from Teresa and one from Sarah took

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Brighton through, but what a match The Leagues only Cup competition, Tennis Centre in Devizes to talk winners were Alison Rathbone and that was. the Sona Cup, will continue to be run about, we have set up a steering Kate Hughes who contested the final Robert Abbots is my choice for the just once a year, starting in January. committee to decide on our next step which was won by A Rathbone 10,­ Boy of the Year, despite being dogged Another new initiative in Stratford and in conjunction with Steve Ward 17,20. by injuries. he has a new personal has been the introduction of coaching our new South West Regional Cadet Boys - Twenty-one entries sponsor - J S Gedge Motorcycles, had sessions for juniors at the King Development Officer, a series of played in 7 groups. SF Alex Hill beat a back injury problem earlier in the Edward Grammar.-School. It is hoped meetings are planned. loan Rees 14,13, Stephen Jackson beat season. that these sessions will lead Lewis Cook 18,19. Final Hill beat Concerning the Centre at Devizes a Playing 5-a-side soccer at school he eventually to the formatio @f a Jackson 17,19. working party of Alex Collar, Eddie sustained what seemed to be a badly Woolwic Junior League in the area. Junior Girls - Ten entrants played in 3 sprained wrist. This turned into a Roofe, Trevor Lloyd and myself over a groups (4,3,3). The biggest upset of fracture - he now has his arm in five week period have installed the tournament was when Jenny plaster for six weeks but is hoping to twenty Halogen Lights, for four Burchill (age 11) beat seeded Jenny be fit for the forthcoming national courts in the gymnasium, after Ponsford and then won her group. trials. -"'=...... ,..,...... ,.="""~~-~--unning power lines from Devizes She was beaten in the semi-final by In the Junior National Trials at New TTL hut. Our thanks to you all. Rosalind Sedman-Smith another Malden, Abbots was joined by Kevin Congratulations to Swindon's Tim group winner -18,12,16. The third C Doyle and Chris Hancock and O'Mahoney on making it through to group winner No.1 seed had a bye to Harry McCamey of Lewes. the National Finals, good luck in the final. Final Stephanie Price beat R By the time this appears in print; Hello everybody in WLitshire, Bristol Tun. Sedman-Smith 8,15. Sussex will have we hope overcome a welcome to my first articles for the Junior Boys· 33 entrants played in 11 major problem - no venue, no date for Table Tennis News. Firstly I wish to groups. SF Time Evans beat Lewis Cook the all-Sussex senior championships ­ ~hank Laurie Selby my predecessor WORCESTERSHIRE 16,.17,13. Ian Wood beat Alex Hill 20,20. Roger Gillett the East Sussex article writer who has stepped down ~JOHN BARBER Final Wood beat Evans 17,8. Ian Wood tournament organiser from Bexhill is after many years of superb news was in top lorm to beal County Rankings 1 the man in the hot seat searching for a writing for this magazine. THANKS TO OUR and 2. Tne lasing semi-linalists are both venue. As you may be aware this ~son J cadets. Meanwhile, at times I despair that was appointed Secretary of the LADIES Girls Doubles - Ten players entered. SF we can ever get real co-operation County Association, in my new role I Our first team visited Stephanie Price/Jenny Ponsford beat Kate between coaches. I know it happens Hughes/Sarah Jones 8,4. Rosalind have been concentrating hard on Northumberland in the County all over the country. Lesser grade Sedman-Smith/Alison Rathbone beat Jenny press coverage in all areas of the Cha pionships and came away with coaches quite naturally are unhappy a c~able draw thanks to our ladies Burchill/louise Evans 17,14. Final when their promising juniors move County Leagues. From my Price/Ponslord beat Sedmon­ distribution of County match reports who were undefeated. Both teams upwards, but that is life, surely. were without their No.1 players, and Smitn/Rotnbone 9,5. and league results to Newspapers, In Sussex, there are two coaches Wores also had Janet Hunt deputising Boys Doubles - 32 players entered. SF local Cabl TV stations and indeed making life difficult for the Sussex for Mandy Mytton. Our winners were Tim Evans/Lewis Cook beat Ian ~ured TTA/. There are two others who want local ra i Stations, I have a Sandra Roden (2), Janet Hunt (2) and Wood/Stephen Jackson -14,16,14. Alex to do their own thing, without radio s n BBC WHtshire Radio reserve Steve Horton (1), who play Hill/Dennis Hill beat Tim Morris/Ben working with the county. It appears every Friday evening, the show is on very well. Winter 15,19. Final Hill/Hill beat that they all want to work between six and seven with the Table Our Junior m visited Cheltenham Evans/Cook 23,12. independently, but surely, that is not Tennis slot usually around 6.45. The to play two matches on the same day The championships were staged at possible if junior talent is going to show started at the beginning of against Gloucestershire and Christopher Whitehead School blossom and be fed into the right October and J have been able to give Herefordshire. They achieved a Worcester. The referee was John channels. reports on County fixtures as well as a meritorious victory over Gloucester, Mylton. round up of all league positions. who were previously unbeaten, 7-3'­ E,ntries for the county team competition are again disappointing During November J gave two live Ian Wood took 2 as did Stephanie for this season. Six have been received WARWICKSHIRE broadcasts from the County Junior Price, with Tim Evans Alex Hill and for the scratch event and ten for the ~PETE ~ou..mafhave Laura Vanghan taking one each. The WALDEN Championships, handicap. been aware, there Kave been no same player defected Hereford 9-1, the orLiy loser being Hill against Chris The County Closed Championships ALL CHANGE County mat for quite a while and Jones. have been fixed for 22 January 1995 at news has ther thin on the It's a case of all change for the The Juniors also scored a creditable ointwich Sports Centre. Stratford and District League this ground. As a t I wish to thank, 8-2 win over Cornwall whose boys In the Veterans section of the season. A slight fall in team entries, at Ernie Howell, y Lowe, Ron were always in close contention ounty Championships, 16 matches the start of the season prompted the Chapman and I Clack for assisting taking three sets to the third. Worcs played at Barnett TT Centre committee to try out a new format me in fea turinglheir coaching successes were Ian Wood (2), Alex Hill during the first weekend in December. similar to that introduced in facilities on the radio in a hope of (1), 11m Evans (1), Stephanie Price (2) Worcestershire were involved in four Leamington. Four divisions each recruiting new players to the spot. and Laura Vanghan (2). of them as follows. consist of six teams who play each Trevo, "Kit-Kat" Lloyd has kept me Worcestershire Senior 2nd team Against Lincolnshire they lost 5-4. other twice before Christmas with well ilUonned 0 West Wilts events, have also played well to achieve Lines clindled it when K Philipson promotion and relegation taking place including the Dlamondjubilee event second 'place in their division. beat Eric Hardman in the 9th set at the start of the New Year, thereby 20,17. Wores winners were Roy that is taking place in April at Wiltshire 1st team they lost 6-4, ir making in effect two winter seasons. NoTton(1), Trevor Washington (1), Trowbridge SnO(! en .e winners being Lewis Siket (1), David In Division One, Sholtery A have Rogers (2) and Joanne Hill (1). Against Janet Hunt, and Hunt/Norton in claimed the title with the runners-up evening is being staged exactly sixty mixed doubles. years tot le ay of the mception of the same County's second team the spot going to either West Warks A or won 8-2. ason Thompson (2), Si Against Warwickshire, they beat the leagt\. icket details can be Astwood Bank. Gary Stewart of Hiu.g~I:Si!~ their neighbourly rivals 6-3, R Norton obtained om Malcolm Phillips 0 (1), J Sholtery Hall looks set to take the top -=""_:.!.S~,,e (1», Sho' good form David wining (2), T Washington (1), E average with 93%. 766612. n Ford has als<] p u oge was unhea.len,Another good Hardman (1), Janet Hunt taking her Royal Mail A are top in Division chro' f the league to c ratethe. \dctory was recorded against Dorset singles and Washington and Hardman Two followed by Stratford Foods A. e winning 6-4 the ladies being winning men's doubles. Roy Birtles of Stratford Foods leads ~eSEJOWT1'll~ague Bill Bailey undefeated. Thus Joanne Hill with That was the only Worcs victory. the averages with 89%. ard nie owell are a. constant another two wins is greatly improved. Herts fielded a strong team to win 7-2. West Warks B look set to win source ofinformation, for which I Other winners were Sarah Stone (2) , It was a rare event for Washington to Division Three, chased home by thank them, Big Ron in Salisbury David Rogers (1) and Lewis Siket (1). lose both singles. Worcs successes Arden and Church Leach. John along with Alan Cooke also give me were R Hardman and Mytton from Church Leach is the top little snippet's to talk about. Now this Washington/Hardman in men's player here with a 95% average. doubles which they just managed at is not an exclusive club if you have Division Four looks like a tight COUNTY JUNIOR 18,-7 and 19. anything to tell me do so, my number finish with Royal Mail B favourites to Finally, Leicestershire beat Worcs 5-4 edge home in front of Stratford Foods is 0249 815736 and I will get the info CLOSED after Worcs had taken a 3-0 lead. In B and West Warks C. Good to see published or broadcast if I possibly this encounter Washington won 2, can. CHAMPIONSHIPS Mary Rose of West Warks leading the Cadet Girls - There were six entries Hardman 1 and Norton 1. In the next issue I hope to have averages here with 93%. playing in 2 groups of 3. The group great news concerning our Table

December 19941January 1995 TABLE TENNIS NEWS 37 EXPEDITE Additional News Items ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

6n-1 ASHFORD VETS Mablin. wins over Hams, Newton, Allison was also felt that the power should The Ladies 'B' event was won by before beating N. Davies in S/F. In be usedmore frequently to control TOURNAMENT Linda Hales who beat Janet Brown. the earlier rounds there were good unacceptable behaviour. Due to the 79 men and 17 ladies headed for It was good to Linda playing again wins for Chris Brewer over Mike courtesy of the Midland Bank Ashford (Middx) in this popular post after injury. Last year she had to Short and Paul Beck over Don everyone received a blue wallet with Christmas get-together. Groups of 3 scratch in the final through injury. McGilvery. It was good to see John two transparent pockets in which red sorted out the entries before the 3 The ladies 'C' event was won by Joan Holland on the winners rostrum in and yellow cards have been placed. men and 3 ladies tournaments West who beat Sue Ryan. the 0/50. John had wins over top With the pliable blue cover it was started after lunch on the 7th So ended a long day 184 matches seed Gunnion, Bradley and Sheader possible to display the cards either January. were played on 7 tables and only 1 (22 - 20 in the third) before is 21-13, singly or together, and could easily As few surprises in the groups. competitor out of 86 entries failed to 22-20 win over Allison. be slipped in a pocket. Ron Streak beats 'Points' Crowley appear. In the ladies section two more wins The service law was discussed only to lose to Alan Duke. In the WOODFIELD 1 STAR OPEN for evergreen Doreen Schofield. in especially with regard to the status of ladies group Muriel Hooker beat the ladies 0/40 singles Sylvia Tyler the match being played. Most Sally Bax. SAT/SUN 5TH/6TH NOVEMBER had good wins over Hickman Jvdson umpires agreed with Mr Berry that it 'I>: On the men's competition in the With an entry of 57 players for the and Maltby, before losing to Ruth would be possible to ruin a league first round matches D Wood beat S junior and Cadet events on the Bentley. match by strictly enforcing the law, Montgomery in a good match. Ron Saturday, a 9 am start was necessary UMPIRES SEMINAR but Mr P Jones said that this was not Wilde narrowly lost to Mike . in order to finish play prior to the so as tournaments, especially with Broughton 17 in the 3rd. Old start of a bonfire party at 7.30 in the The fact that officials were willing to make journeys of nearly 200 miles juniors, where umpires were failing Middlesex fox Taylor beat Solmon 9 evening. (The last final was coaches if the failed to insist that the & 12 but the biggest shock of the day completed at 7.40). is surely indicative of the need for more umpires' seminars to discuss players were not seen to be a least was the 21-19, 21-18 win by Graham Playing in groups of 4 with 2 making a real effort to serve Outrim over twice tournament progressing to the knock-out stages, laws and problems. From Bath and Mevagissey, correctly. winner Derek Holman. a full days play using seven tables Discussion of the expedite law In the second round Beck beat was possible. umpires gathered in Exeter to talk over the duties of an umpire, and the again raised the subject of Isaacs. Outrim marched on with a Seven players from the Isle of Man equipment. Every umpire needs a first ever win over Taylor. Bhalla and seven Welsh entries were of their responsibility. With the President of Devon, Mrs stop-watch; many cheap but efficient beat Herrity and Wood beat Streak. welcome, with our Welsh visitors ones are available, but could they be There was an excellent win for Mike being very successful, especially the Frances Jarvis in the Chair, the seminar got off to a prompt start bought in bulk and so be purchased Rhodes over Broughton and what Davies' sisters. even more cheaply. was probably the best match of the Resuhs: Junior Boys Singles. Alan Hewitt discussing equipment i.e. the racquet. It came as a surprise to Mike Hawkin (Bath) said that he tournament John Callcut beat Don IWK) bt Danny Harris (TTWA) 18, 10. could not find a shop selling two McGilvray 17-21,22-20,21-19. In the some to learn that although there Junior Girls Singles· Delyth Davies coloured plastic disc. This was third round. Crowley beat Bhalla, !TTWA) bt Judy Cox (lIj 8, 17. Cadet was a law covering the thickness of the rubber, there were none endorsed by Cyril Whiting and Beck beat Callcutt, Outrim beat Boys Singles· David Matthews IWA) bt several other members. Wood and Rhodes beat Brookman. Steven Jackson IWOj·20, 11,23. Cadet governing the thickness of the blade. With the edge trimmed with tape of It was agreed that the organiser (Bill had the consolation of winning Girls Singles· Jody Cox (lIj by Siwan (Mrs Pat Archdale) should make a bottle of whisky in the Raffle). The Davies !TTWA)·l7, 11, 14. Junior Boys unrestricted substance it can be used for hitting the ball, and could assist a enquiries re: an umpire's pack­ semi finals saw Beck beat Rhodes 12 Doubles - Alan Hewitt (WA)/Gregory Lee wa,tch, disc, net measures and black & 16 and in another fine game and ILAj bt Tim Evan IWO)/Steve Jackson serious attaching serve. Richard Avent (Plymouth) queried ball points. Crowley beat Outrim 17-21,21-10, IWO) 16, 12. Junior Girls Doubles ·Iona Then clutching a copy of the laws 21-13. The coaching Graham Outrim Davies !TTWAl!Siwan Davies !TTWA) bt whether the weight would be to great, but it was agreed that thick and/or a test paper everyone headed has had at the Les Cresswell Delyth Davis (TTWAl!Vicky Hopkins home. coaching clinic has certainly paid ITTWA) 14, ·19, 13. balsa wood could be used. Umpires off!. Carl Morgan successfully defended were also warned never ever to assist SMALL ADS BOX So to the Final - The demonstrative his Men's Singles title without the a player by trimming the rubber on a Single column boxed adverts beck against the laid back style of the loss of a game, and Nikki Meddings bat even if a player asked him/her to cost only £10 each per insertion pre-paid to:-Sports lugubrious Crowley. The match won the Ladies Singles event. do so. If an umpire considers the rubber is too large, it is up to the PR, PO Box 8, Cheadle Hulme, swung first one way then the other. Resuhs: Men's Singles S/F's· Carl Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 7RG Beck winning the first game 21-19. Morgan IWA)bt Matt Harvey ISTj 7, 16. player to arrange the alteration. The second game saw the Crowley Andy Rich ISTj bt Adrian Thorp 1ST) 13, Any doubt re colour - Val Addicott forehand majestically executed as he 16. Final· Morgan bt Rich 16, 16. (Exeter) asked when is white white? CIIYOFD_Y often left Beck rooted to the spot. 21­ Women's Singles S/F's· Kate Ryan (WA) As a shirt that is pale greyunder JUNIOR SBICI' 11th . 12th March 1995 13 to Crowley. The final game saw a close scrutiny looks dirty white (as bt Penny Perry (DV) ·11, 16, 18. Nikki Open Event & Banded Singles Events 4 point lead by Crowley disappear Meddings IWA) bt Tracy Spencer (ST) 20, do many balls) at the far end of a table. She also asked whether colour Moorways Sporst Centre, Derby and Beck forge ahead, 19-16. 16. Final· Meddings bt Ryan 18,21. Entry Forms available from: Crowley fought back to 20-19, only Veteran Singles· Ray Dixon (WO) bt cards which used to set a standard Robert Collins 0332 833164 to lose the next point in an excellent Mervyn Wood IWO) 12, ·16, 13. can still be obtained. Mike Payne 0332 557162 skilful final. Men's Doubles· Andy Rich (ST)/Adrian Adjusting the height and tension The ladies ~I>: competition saw Dixon 1ST) bt Mick Browne IWA)/Chris can also be a problem because Cyril Dawson beat Hooker and Knightly LeachlWA) 16,·17, 11. Whiting (Plymouth) had found out it SUBSTANTIAL HAND·MADE crushes Thomas 7 & 12. the semi Women's Doubles· Nikki is not always easy to obtain the TIMBER TABLE TENNIS TABLE finals saw Mary Dawson loose to MeddingsIWA)/Lindsey Thornton ILAj bt necessary equipment to check the FULL SIZE AND IN EXCELLENT fellow Essex player Marilyn Bawden Joanna Barraclough (DV)/Penny Perry facts. Mr Walton that in smaller) CONDITION BUYER COLLECTS 22-20,13-21,12-21 and Gill Knightly (DVj18, ·21,21. towns with small sports shops many OFFERS IN THE REGION OF £190.00 beast Sylvia Tyler 21-16, 21-8. EASTERN MASTERS did not have any net measures at all, In an excellent final Marilyn just while Mr Golding regretted the loss Telephone 0181 9592448 pipped Gill 22-20 in the 3rd game. GRIMSBY 26/27th NOV 94 of the notches to measure the in the final of the Men's 'B' Good turn out for the Eastern thickness of rubbers. Masters which saw Phil Bowden win The use of red and yellow cards COACHIN! competition Ian Schwartz beat Andrea Gordon Chapman in the 3rd game his first 0/40 title when he beat John was thoroughly discussed and most by H lMIiIaItIe for group .. after almost letting a 12 point lead Hilton 21-14, 15-12, 21-13 in the final. people agreed with David Lancaster Bowden has beaten Dixon D.Wood (Mevagissey) that many players did IncIivWuaI coaching. slip and in the final of the Men's 'C' relepltone for .,.,. competition Barry Morten beat Ian and Robertson before he beat not appreciate the power of an Baldwin in S/F. Whilst Hilton had umpire to award penalty points. It 070 612 5197.

38 TABLE TENNIS NEWS February 1995