Table Tennis Official Magazine of the English Table Tennis Association Edited by W. HARRISON EDWARDS Published by Walthamstow Press, Ltd., Guardian House, 644 Forest Road, London, E.17 Vol. 14 JANUARY, 1956 No.4 CLASH OF RULES LL IS NO'T WELL with the county champion­ Divisions with one team going up from each. The A ship, and Kent, with an intense publicity inauguration of the Second West this season has campaign, have been spotlighting '.vhat they term altered the whole aspect and the leading sides "a contradiction of rules." from each of the three divisions are now required It concerns promotion from the Second to to playoff so that one is eliminated. Premier Division. Obviously, then, if a fourth placed team were Rule 3 states: "In each Second Division the to win this challenge and be denied promotion team finishing neal1est to the top, having no team while the second team went up it would make the in the Premier Division, shall be eligible to whole' position ridiculous. challeng,e for a place in the Premier Division." But Rule 4 says: " ... In no circumstances CHANGE ZONING shall a county finishing fourth be promoted." Placed as they are in the Second Division South Another team competition that is apparently \vith the Second teams of Essex, Middlesex, and causing some discontent is the Wilmott Cup.. Surrey, and the prospects of finishing fourth, Kent G. N. Harding, the Folkstone secretary, writes, are naturally anxious to know where they stand. "Having just played against Bromley in the Wil­ Teams in the Second North and Second West mott Cup for the fourth time in four years, I , have no such worries, for with the exception of should like to fire off a salvo in support of a Yorkshire, these divisions are composed of first change of the present zoning." teams. He puts forward the following suggestion, which Kent are forwarding proposals to the Cham­ he feels would give weaker leagues more incentive pionships Executive Com'mittee that the relevent to enter; a 'miniumun of two matches; a chance to part of Rule 4 be deleted. watch better teams; and reduce expenses. Teams divided into groups of three, all play OVERLOOKED? all, at a venue with four tables available making When the matter is eventually thrashed out I it possible to playoff four groups plus semi-finals think it will transpire that this is what was and final over a week-end. originally intended when the rules were aillended This scheme would allow for all rounds up to at the Council Meeting, but that it was overlooked. the quarter finals to be completed on one week­ In this respect, Kent, who were one of the prime end, thereby relieving the present congestion of movers in having the rules altered, must share fixtures. the responsibility for any clash. It was up to I have no doubt that Harding can expect strong their two representatives to watch these points support from the Gloucestershire area, who cam­ and bring them up at the tinle. paigned last season for a change of zoning. The promotion rules have long been a source Cheltenham and Gloucester boycott the Wilmott of trouble, for it is hard to please everyone. The Cup and Rose Bowl as a protest when the old question of a team finishing fourth not .being pro­ spread-eagle system was continued. moted was introduced when it was found that It would be interesting to hear other league's teams were going up one year and down the next. views on this. In those days there were only two Second HARRISON EDWARDS. One to February 2, 1956. The E.T.T.A. E.T.T.A. may take part in the Official News: will shortly be nominating players to Open National Championships represent the Association at these of other Associations only by Championships. permission of the E.T.T.A. BERNARD CROUCH. It is with Belgian Open. The Belgian Open We would point out that the above very great regret that we have to re­ Championships are to take place in Regulation applies to players taking cord the death of Bernard Crouch, Brussels on February 4 and 5, 1956. part in the Open Championships of the International and Swaythling An announcement will be made in the Home Countries, i.e., Ireland, Cup player, in the recent Barnes the near future as to the players re­ Scotland and Wales, as well as to railway accident. As all our members presenting the E.T.T.A. at these other Associations in the I'nterna­ know he was also a regular County Champion~hips. tional Table Tennis Federation. player for Middlesex and he was E.T.T.A. Representatives. For ~~'le Television. It would be as well to known to all as, a very modest and purpose of nominating and electing remind members once more about loyal sportsman. We extend to his Officers of the Association and mem­ the position in connection with tele­ family our most since're and deep bers of the National Executive Com­ vision-either B.B.C. or Independent. sympathy in their great loss. A floral mittee, each- County Association, The regulation reads as follows:­ tribute was sent on behalf 9f the League or Local Association is en­ "No affiliated player may take Association. titled to appoint "E.T.T.A. Repre­ part in a televised evenl in con­ Rumanian Tour. A most successful sentatives." nection with table tennis, unless tour 'of three matches was arranged Under Rule 12 it is the responsi­ sanction has first been ob­ for the Rumanian team who rec.ently bility of a County Association, tained from one of the Officers visited this country. Rumania was of the Association." Rozean~, League or Local Association to in­ represented by Angelica form the Hon. General Secretary of Ella Zeller, and Messrs. Harastoszl, the Association in writing not later Gantner Pesch and Popescu, with than January 31 of the year in which TABLE TENNIS non-playing captain Mr. G. Bianu. the election takes place, the full name Published on the 10th of each month Before the International match a lun­ and address of the appointed Repre­ October to May inclusive. Postal Sub­ cheon was given in their honour by sentative or Representatives. scription 7s. 6d. for eight issues. the Mayor of Tottenham. In addition, The majority of Associations and WELSH EDITION with special Official Civic Receptions were arranged at Leagues have informed the E.T.T.A. Table Tennis Association of Wales High Wycornbe and Norwich. as to the names of their Representa­ Section, from Mrs. N. Roy Evans, English Open Championships 1955/ 1, Llwyn-y-Grant Road, Penylan, tives, but those. which have failed to Cardiff. 56. Entry forms are now available inform the Association should do so and appiications should be made to Circulation: The Walthamstow Press by the last day of this month. Ltd., Guardian Hou4te, 644, Forest the B.T.T.A. office if any player Official Handbook. Copies of the Road, London, E.17 (LARkswood wishes to receive one. May we re­ Official Handbook for season 1955/56 4301). mind our members that this season are on sale at a cost of 2/3d. per Advertisements: E.T.T.A., 214, Grand the Championships are being played copy post free and can be obtained Buildings, Trafalgar Square, London, at Belle Vue, Manchester, from the W.C.2. (TRAfalgar 2165). from the E.T.T.A. Office. Editorial: W. Harrison Edwards, c/o 28 February to 2 March, 1956. Books and ·Publications.. The fol­ Prices for the Finals-night tickets Sports Press, 149, Fleet Street, London, lowing publications are also avail­ E.C.4. (FLEet Street 9951). are 9/6d., 7/6d., 6/6d., 5/- and 3/6d. able from the E.T.T.A. Office:­ (all reserved seats) and applications should be sent direct to Mr. N. Rules of the Game, in cardboard, size approx. 21Un. x 14Un., with hanging Cook. 7, N orth Avenue, Stalybridge, cord attached (suitable for hanging in Cheshire. club rooms) 1/6d. HARRY VENNER French Open Championships. The Know the Game-Table Tennis 2/~d. England and Surrey Table Tennis-I. Montagu 10/­ French Open Championships are to Table Tennis· Tips-J. Carrington 1/6d. Coaching and Exhibitions arranged take place in Paris from January 31 :hlfodern Table Tennis -J. Carrington 7/6d. Enquiries 66 TAVISTOCK CRESCEMT. Table Tennis for All-J. Leach ... 9/6d. MITCHAM. SURREY. Table Tennis My Way-J. Leach 2/6d. Table Tennis-L. S. Woollard...... 2/6d. English Table Table, Tennis Quiz-A. Brook ... 1/6d. Rules of the Game in Booklet Tennis Association form 4~d. The Twins on Table Tennis- CLUB BADGES Patron: Her M a i est y The D. & R. Rowe 8/6d. Attractive cloth badges can now Queen. be supplied in any quantity from Official Badges. A reminder is six upwards at low prices and with President: The Dowager Lady given that the official badge of the quick delivery. Made entirely to your own design and suitabll.e for Swaythling, O.B.E. Association is still available for sale wear on blazers or sweaters, etc. Chairman: Hon. Ivor Montagu. al1d can be obtained at 2/3d. each or Free assistance given in designing 24/- per dozen from the E.T.T.A. your badge if required. Details from Honorary Secretary/Treasurer: S. A. CORY AND CO~IPANY. Office. It is of attractive design, 5, Worbeck Road, LONDON, S.E.23 A. K. Vint. affixed to a pin. Hon. Assist. Secretary: D. P. International Contacts. We would Lowen.