What's new, nevvs? John Prean is back. Whatever sport's traditional role in school I found recently in St Neots, Closed, two days at the Top 12, your views on that, his letter PE lessons and games. when requesting directions to a possible Invitation event and, leads the Mailbox in this current Or because money makes the local club from the nearest every other season, three days of edition. news. Tennis, golf and snooker pedestrian. the English Open. He conjures up the concept of spring immediately to mind. Is the club's programme of ac­ And then the tired county an "olive branch" from the Or widespread participation tivities one which encourages championships or the national editor. But let that pass because stimulated by specialist comfor­ new members - perhaps from league which imposes a club the issues raised are serious ones table facilities ... badminton and local schools? Do the leagues system on what is currently a and fundamental to the health squash. and counties keep the spotlight team structure? I hardly think so of the sport. Or perhaps I could go on on the personalities and stars in ... not a lot to keep interest buz­ "We are the forgotten sport", writing excuses for the rest of the local media? zing and the presses rolling. he writes. Is national press the page. All these small but significant Which is why Table Tennis coverage really all a matter of Readers - whose patience I ways in which members can help News supports current initiatives luck? have often over-extended and themselves and the sport at local to establish new events to re­ Reading reports on hockey, apologies for that - may have level. capture media interest. Welcome cycling, lacrosse and other been aware that the vice­ For its role, the English Table to the Stiga Grand Prix, sports which are also short of chairman public relations and Tennis Association has a similar amongst others still being football, snooker and, latterly, the editor of Table Tennis News brief. Presentation, which for negotiated. cricket personalities, it would be have been one and the same this this short period the editor has But, even then, yet more will difficult to agree. There are a season. put above other considerations, be needed and the complete pro­ number of other factors which The first has resigned and the is j.ust part of the marketing motional effort sharper still. influence sports editors - not the second is unlikely to long outlive mix. Here's one for October - a least of which is "image". the other; increased respon­ Another is the product itself five-match series between One is success - and while sibilities at work have already ... at what price victory in a England and the new European England languish in the "se­ denied readers the service that rally-less match before departing league champions Poland, who cond" division of the European they quite rightly demand. spectators? field some of the most attractive League - not an insignificant So, for just a moment longer, But table tennis can be, and players in the game today. factor either. At 'least in the bear with me to look at table is, exciting, packaged in the right Surely table tennis and Polish Super division, as the sports tennis from the view of an out­ form - as Ray Drew mentions of roots could support such a series editor of the Daily Telegraph sider or a potential member. the Europe Top 12. The problem - in Bristol, Birmingham, Man­ remarked at the time, "our At local level, do we have the in England is there are so few chester, Leeds and London? players are competing in the top­ attractive facilities so desired by occasions when the sport is Surely even our soft and deval­ flight - which is more than can Keith Davies? What resources, placed in the front-line before ued pound still has some persua­ be said for our football team". incidentally, is the national the media and spectators. sive power in the eastern bloc? A second is the advantage of association investing to counter Thke away three (sometimes No doubt such subjects will being a nationally recognised this long-term problem? four), sometimes top-rate, Euro­ have been discussed in Prague. sport - perhaps due to the media Where there are reasonable pean league matches and what Right, that's October out of attention associated with the club facilities, have they a high do we have at national level per the way .... what's on the agenda Olympic Games or from the local profile? Sometimes yes, as season? Two days at the English, for December?

Contents Page English Senior Closed - Fiona Brown 2 Europe Junior Top 12 4 --8-­The official magazine of the Europe Top 12 - Douglas so close 5 English Table Tennis Association. Published eight Europe v Asia - George Yates reviews the historic confrontation 6 times a year. Stiga Grand Prix - £100,000 sponsorsip announced 9 Subscriptions and distribution: Halex National League - Fiona Brown 10 Beth Davies, ETTA, Stiga County Championships 12 21 Claremont, HASTINGS TN34 IHF. Tel: 0424 433121. Grassroots ­ Mike Prior supports the new scoring proposal 14 - Keith Davies calls on leagues to reform 15 Advertisements: Christine Wilkes, ETTA, 21 Claremont, Home News ­ Two girls in the headlines 16 HASTINGS TN34 IHF. - Promoter Nigel Channon gives his first impressions of table tennis 17 Tel: 0424 433121. School Report - David Lomas at the team championships 18 Editorial: Robert Oldfield, County Notes 19 193 Cuckfield Road, Hurstpierpoint, HASSOCKS Welsh Corner 26 BN6 9RT. Tel: 0273 834774. Rubberneck ... finds Douglas on the defensive 27 COPY DATES Rankings 28 June 1986 issue Coaching - with Tony Russe 29 30th April 1986 Pre-season August 1986 issue Mailbox - Charters, Drew, Ladouble, Prean 30 24th June 1986 Tournament Circuit 31 1 Cooke feels the lash of the Douglas backhand Fiona Brown Anyone who doubted that Triumph Desmond Douglas could main­ tain his dominance of English The womens singles was very table tennis, was left to recon­ much a story of tears to triumph sider their views after his em­ for 21 year old Lancastrian Joy phatic display of precision Grundy. Only twelve months power play in the English Closed ago Grundy's career was under at Oldham from 7th to 9th serious threat as a back injury March. forced her to withdraw from the Douglas coasted to his ninth 1985 Championships. championship victory 21-15, Subsequently she missed both 21-15, 21-11 in the mens singles the Commonwealth and World final against No 2 Seed Carl Championships but after a sum­ mer of rest and recouperation "You're in for a whupping, boy" Prean, having dropped only one returned to major competition game, to Yorkshire's Steve Mills, and Skylet Andrew when they RESULTS in the Milton Keynes Top 12, throughout the event. Earlier he went on to claim the mixed MENS SINGLES finishing fourth. Third Round had joined forces with Prean to doubles title with a 21-19, 21-15 In the womens final at Desmond Douglas (Wa) b Colin Wilson take his ninth mens doubles title. win over reigning champions (Mi) 12,12,7; Oldham, having twice fought It was hardly surprising that Alison Gordon and Graham Steve Mills (Y) b Andrew Syed (Bk) -16, back from two game deficits in 11, 12, -18, 16; the mens singles final was a for­ Sandley. Both had made an Graham Sandley (Mi) b John Hilton (La) earlier rounds, she faced mality with the European Youth early exit from their respective 6,9, 15; England No 1 and reigning Alan Cooke (Dy) b Chris Rogers (Le) 14, champion Prean the victim of singles competitions, Andrew to 12, 23; champion Lisa Bellinger. injured Douglas pride. Earlier in John Souter and Elliot to Skylet Andrew (E) b Kevin Satchell (Wi) Bellinger began with a solid 16, -19, -19, 16, 12; the week the Birmingham left­ Mandy Sainsbury. defence to which Grundy could John Souter (Mi) b Stephen Scowcroft hander had read press reports (La) 17, 14, 14; find no response but as the Elliot was less fortunate in her Nicky Mason (Sy) b David Wells (Mi) 8, speculating on his future after match progressed one was second final. Playing womens -19, 19, -13, 18; losing to Alan Cooke 21-15, Carl Prean (W) b Tony Taylor (Ch) 17, reminded of the old maxim 'pa­ doubles with Jill Harris, the 21-15 in an invitation event at 18, 13. tience is a virtue' as Grundy reigning Middlesex 3 Star cham­ Newcastle the previous weekend. Quarter-finals abandoned her all-out attack in pions floundered after a good Douglas b Mills -17, 14, 17, 17; Cooke Douglas, having finished se­ b Sandley 11, 8, 4; Souter b Andrew 16, favour of a more moderate ap­ start - succumbing to Jean cond in the Europe Top 12 just -17,17, -21,19; Prean b Mason 15, 16, proach to far greater effect. Parker and Grundy 21-16, 16-21, 10. a few weeks· before, had been Reserving her deadly forehand 10-21. Semi-finals unconcerned and considered the Doulgas b Cooke 16, 14, 17; Prean b smash for the high returns i1­ There were no major surprises match an exhibition - even with Souter 16, 14, 18. licited from superb positional in the veterans events with top Final £200 at stake for the winner. But play, her confidence visibly grew seeds Ralph Gunnion and Douglas b Prean 15, 15, 11. Cooke saw the chance of some with each game. Doreen Schofield victorious. national publicity and was soon WOMENS SINGLES By the fourth end she had Ralph faced his most difficult Second Round on the phone. Lisa Bellinger (Bd) b Debbie Soothill emerged to dominate the match challenge against Maurice Bill­ Douglas' reported reaction of (Cu) 14, 14, 11; as the final game scoreline of ington in the semi-final losing Juliet Houghton (K) b Joanne Shaw (Y) "Wait till next week", proved a 15, -18, 19, -18, 16; 21-10 bears testimony. the first game before recovering stinging prophesy of the Cooke Mandy Sainsbury (Bk) b Julie Billington The victory was en­ to outplay the man who had (Dy) 8, 7, 13; humiliation in the semi-finals at earlier despatched No 3 seed Fiona Elliot (St) b Andrea Holt (La) 20, thusiastically received by a 16, -14,20; Oldham. Although the Chester­ substantial crowd eager to Matt Sheader. field dynamo was in superb Joy Grundy (La) b Carol Butler (Dv) 13, acknowledge their local hero. 14, 11: form as .he raced through Having moved to a North Karen Witt (Bk) Suzanne Airey (Li) 19, Grundy, briefly overwhelmed by Graham Sandley in the quarters, .West venue for the first time the :"17, -14, 20, 12; her success, rallied when inter­ Jackie Bellinger (Bd) b Claire Potts (Ch) he never looked in with a chance championship entry was a little -12, 18, 14, 17; viewed by MC Richard Eaton, against Douglas. lower than that of recent years Alison Gordon (Bk) Jean Parker (La) 9, cheekily taking advantage of the 18, 13. For just a brief moment there but the excellent facilities of the opportunity to remind those Oldham Sports Centre were cer­ Quarter-finals was a rare flash of Douglas present that she is looking for a L Bellinger b Houghton 5, II, 16; emotion at the end of the 21-16, tainly appreciated. Sainsbury b Elliot 17, - 8, -IS, 18, 18; major sponsor - any offers? GrundybWitt -19, -17,II,16,20;Gor­ 21-14, 21-17 win. The vestige of Following the 1986 champion­ don b J Bellinger 20, 13, -16, 15. a victory salute to the press ships five new names are added Semi-finals Consolation Bellinger b Sainsbury 9, 13, -IS, 12; gallery and Cooke was firmly to the silverware while three Grundy b Gordon -18, -17, 12, 19, 13. put in his place. Cross Douglas There was consolation for the players have extended their ex­ Final with care! No 4 singles seeds Fiona Elliot isting tally of wins. Grundy b Bellinger -16, 16, 14, 10.

2 MENS DOUBLES Quarter-finals Douglas/Prean b Cooke/Donald Parker Witt nursing an ambition (Dy/La) 13, 13; Nigel Eckersley/Scowcroft (La) b Stuart Karen Witt, the 1985 Com­ Palmer/Keith Richardson (Sk/Ca) 14, 11; Souter/Wilson b Adrian/Stephen Moore monwealth champion, has (Sx) -18, 12, 15; Andrew/Mason b decided to quit table tennis at Bradley Billington/Sean Gibson (Dy/La) 19, 19. the end of this season. Starting Semi·finals in September, she begins a Douglas/Prean b Eckersley/Scowcroft 12, 3-year Registered General Nur­ 20; Andrew/Mason b Souter/Wilson 15, -17, 12. sing course at Westminster Col­ Final lege Hospital, London. Douglas/Prean ,b Andrew/Mason 16, 19. Now 25, she began playing table tennis at II for Aldrynton WOMENS DOUBLES Quarter-finals Primary School and, under the L & J Bellinger (Bd) b Christine Ap­ eye of coach Peter Charters, pelby/Holt (La) 20, 18; Grundy/Parker b Shaw/SoOlhill 19, 17; Elliot/Jill Harris soon collected a haul of national (St) b Melody Hill/Witt (Y/Bk) - 20, 15, titles including the Closed in 12: Gordon/Sainsbury b Airey/Helen 1983. Bardwell (Li/Hu) 17, -19, 15. Semi-finals Table Tennis News spoke to Grundy/Parker b Bellinger/Bellinger 15, the former champion at Oldham -18, 15; Elliot/Harris b Gor­ after she had played her last don/Sainsbury 17, 17. Final singles in the national cham­ Grundy/Parker b Elliot/Harris -16, 16, pionships - losing 20-22 in the 10. fifth game of a tense quarter­ final with the eventual winner MIXED DOUBLES Quarter-finals Joy Grundy. Sandley/Gordon b Cooke/Billington 19, "Even though it was "deuce" 17; Eckersley/Grundy b Billington/Shaw 8, 11; Mason/Sainsbury b Wells/Parker in the fifth, I wasn't playing well 12, 19; Andrew/Elliot b Scowcroft/Holt enough to win it", she 17, II. acknowledged with typical Semi-finals frankness. "I was concentrating Sandley/Gordon b Eckersley/Grundy 18, 15; Andrew/Elliot b Mason/Sainsbury very hard but was really grovell­ 17, -13, 15. ing to win the points". Final "At the moment, I think I'm Andrew/Elliot b Sandley/Gordon 19, 15. going to miss it", she said. "I Witt, in a familiarly competitive mood. VETERAN MENS SINGLES really enjoy the competitive side Quarter·finals of it alii!. Ralph Gunnion (Wa) b David Seahclme (He) 17, 14; Maurice Billington (Dy) b "I've enjoyed it a lot", she said The back had been weakened Omega club in Reading where Brian Edlingotn -16, 9, 13; David reflecting. "The victories and by a series of operations when she spent so much time playing Walmsley (Y) b Roy Frankland (La) 9, 15; Karen was younger. "Perhaps it Derek Schofield (La) b Brian Allison (Li) the friendships. And I can and practising. "No one else has -19, 14, 12. remember the trip to China real­ was spending so much time in ever had a testimonial; Ali had Semi-finals ly well:' hospital that gave me the idea to gone to all that trouble and Des, Gunnion b Billington -15, 19, 15; Schofield b Walmsley 13, -18, 13. "I just wish I had been more be a nurse!", she said. "If I Sky and Alan all came down for Final successful. It annoys me that I hadn't been a player at 18, I it". Gunnion b Schofield 18, 14. didn't win a Europeans as the would have gone into nursing She paused ... Any regrets? top women are very beatable". then". VETERAN WOMENS SINGLES Semi-finals At one time, Karen made it into And one of the most moving "My temper", she said. "And Doreen Schofield (La) b Janet Hunt (Wo) the Europe Top 12 - only to be things of her retirement was the at this precise moment of time, 18, 12; Lynda Reid (Wo) b Sue Allison beaten again by a back injury "testimonial" organised by I just feel really upset". (Li) 7, 4. Final which plagued her playing fellow club and England team We too, Karen; the pleasure Schofield b Reid 9, 9. career. mate, Alison Gordon at the ours ... Good luck!

Sports and Leisure Club Management by Andrew Sceats BookReview (Macdonald & Evans, £5.95)

This book sets out to help anyone hundred pages available, it is an insurance organisation aid goods adds nothing to the list on taking on responsibility for perhaps not surprising that some mentioned on page 71, I was the facing page. The diagram of a organising or running a sports topics are sketched only lightly. misdirected to Appendix C. That clubhouse layout lacks dimensions club: 'to provide advice and There is useful initial address, with many others readers and is not to scale, but seems to recommendations to help concentration on some ofthe things might find very useful, is in have unnecessarily extensive overcome many of the difficulties too many clubs startby doing badly, Appendix E. Appendix C turns out corridors, an awkward journey which may arise.' to their later regret-things like to be a specimen Income and between kitchen and restaurant Andrew Sceats brings to his task rules and committee structure and Expenditure Account and Balance area through hall and lounge, and qualifications and experience as running meetings effectively, and Sheet. This specimen might be little natural light to the main hall. sports administrator, coach and ofcourse finance. more enlightening with footnotes Despite its limitations, someone player. His chapter headings give a Surprisingly, although there are explaining some of the entries. I starting off with enthusiasm but picture of the range he seeks to two pages of ideas for fund-raising wonder whether those who know little knowledge and prepared to cover: Management of a Club; events ranging from a pie-and­ enough to understand it without delve will find many useful Financial Aspects of a Club; mash night to a car rally, I could such help really need to have it at pointers, and valuable signposts Funding Large Projects; Sports find no reference to preparing a set all. identifying where more detailed Club Facilities; Sports Clubs and ofaccounts. Neither 'accounts' nor The illustrations break up the and specialist help on particular the Law; Coaching, Accidents, 'balance sheet' appears in the text but are generally problems might be found. Injuries. With little more than two index. However, for the address of disappointing. The picture of first- EGW 3 Matt a favourite •In Matthew Syed, from Reading, inated the girls event won by was a favourite with the crowd Csilla Batorfi of Hungary. at the Europe Junior Top 12 in Vladimir Marinkevitch of the Modling during early January, Soviet Union captured the boys Rudolf Sporrer reports. His at­ title, though only just beat Mat­ tractive style kept the spectators thew in the third round after entertained as the best of trailing 1-0 and 17-11. Europe's youth battled to get through the Syed defence. Matthew, at 15, having receiv­ ed his invitation because of his performance in last year's Euro­ pean cadet championships, was in superb form to finish tenth from 12. His four victories in the gruell­ ing round-robin tournament in­ cluded wins over Tomas von Scheele (SWE), Petr Javurek (TCH), Frank Boute (HOL) and Manfred Gsodam (AUT). Eastern-bloc countries dom- Final Positions Boys W L Girls w L I Marinkevich (URS) 9 2 1 Batorfi (HUN) 11 0 2 Rosskopf (FRO) 9 2 2 Timina (URS) 9 2 3 Saive (BEL) 8 3 3 Badescu (ROM 9 2 4 Oatien (FRA) 7 4 4 Kasalova (TCH) 7 4 5 Andersson (SWE) 6 5 5 Lohr (ROM) 6 5 6 von Scheele (SWE) 6 5 6 Nagy (HUN) 5 6 7 Javurek (TCH) 5 6 7 Nolten (FRO) 5 6 8 Mazunov (URS) 5 6 8 Komrakova (URS) 5 6 9 Orman (TCH) 4 7 9 Davidkova (TCH) 3 8 10 Syed (ENG) 4 7 10 Ciosu (ROM) 3 8 Crowd favourite Matthew Syed 11 BOUle (HaL) 3 8 11 Bohning (FRO) 3 8 12 Osodam (AUT) 0 11 12 Zilnner (AUT) 0 11

Boys Group B First round Girls Group A Jorg Rosskopf (FRG) b Mattbew Syed Group A Group B First round (ENG) 12, 21; First round First round Jean-Michel Saive (BEL) b Jean-Philippe Vladimir Marinkevitch (URS) b Dmitrii Csilla Batorfi (HUN) b Krisztina Nagy Kinga Lohr (ROM) b Emila Ciosu Gatien (FRA) 18, 16; Mazunov (URS) -16, 12, 20; (HUN) 18, 14; Katja Nolten (FRG) b like (ROM) -IS, 17, 14; Otilia Badescu Petr Javurek (TCH) b Milan Grman Mats Andersson (SWE) b Tomas von Bohning (FRG) 16, 19; Elena Timina (ROM) b Elena Komrakova (URS) 8, 13; (TCH) -11, 16, 14; Scheele (SWE) -17, 12, 14; (URS) b Michaela Zillner (AUT) 18, 17. Renata Kasalova (TCH) b Daniela Frank Boute (HOL)b Manfred Gsodam Second round Davidkova (TCH) 19, 15. (AUT) 18, 12. Second round Syed b von Scheele -16, 15,8; Andersson Second round b Mazunov 7, IS; Marinkevitch b Nagy b Zillner 18, 22; Timina b Bohning Second round 9, 18; BalOrfi b Nolten -17, 19, 22. Ciosu b David'kova 16, - 20, IS; Badescu Gatien b Gsodam 19,9; Javurek b Boute Rosskopf 18, 16. b Lohr 19, -13, 5; Kasalova b -20, 10, 15; Saive b Grman 20, 19. Tblrd round Third Round Komrakova 19, 18. Marinkevitch b Syed -18, 20, 18; Rosskopf Nagy Nolten 24, 17; BalOrfi Timina Third round b b b Andersson 16, 24; von Scheele b 11, 18; Bohning b Zillner 17, 19. Galien b Grman -18, 20, 15; Saive b Third round Mazunov 24, 15. Badescu b Ciosu 14, 20; Kasalova b Lohr Boute 9, 17; Javurek b Gsodam 14, 12. Fourth round Fourtb round 18, 13; Komrakova b Davidkova 18, 21. Bohning b Nagy, 14, 17; BalOrfi b Zillner Fourtb round Mazunov b Syed -20, 11, 9; Rosskopf b 17, 16; Timina b Nolten 18, IS. Gatien b Javurek -8, 16, 19; Saive b von Scheele 17, 21; Marinkevitch b Fourlh round Komrakova b Ciosu 16, -16, 6; Lohr b Gsodam 13, 15; Grman b Boute 13, -19, Andersson 19, 20. Fifth round Davidkova 14, 18; Badescu b Kasalova 14, 15. Timina b Nagy 6, -IS, 14; Nolten b Flftb round 16. F1ftb round Andersson b Syed 12, -14, 11; von Scheele Zillner 9, 16; Batorfi b Bohning 6, 14. Gatien b Boute 12, -20, 16; Grman b b Marinkevitch -13, 14, 14; Mazunov b Fiflh round Gsodam 6, 10; Saive b Javurek -19, 25, 17. Rosskopf 19, -16, 17. Kasalova b Ciosu 16, 15; Badescu b Davidkova 16, -18, II; Lohr b Sixtb round Komrakova II, -18, 14. Saive b Syed -19, 15, 8; Gatien b von Scheele 18, -11, 19; Javurek b Mazunov 13, 15; Rosskopf b Grman -12, 13, 15; Boute b Andersson -17, 21, 18; Marinkevitch b Gsodam 13,8. Sixlh round BalOrfi b Davidkova 17, 8; Komrakova b Timina 19, -19, 19; Bohning b Ciosu -18, Snentb round Gatien b Syed 21, 16; Mazunov b Saive -11, 19, 18; von Scheele b Javurek 14, 4; 16, 18; Nolten b Kasalova 17, -17, 16; Lohr b Nagy 13, - 20, 17; Badescu b Zillner 12,9. Andersson b Grman 16, 19; Marinkevitch b Boute -13, 12, 18; Rosskopf b Gsodam 15, 13. Seventh round Eigbtb rouad Komrakova b Bohning 18, -19,20; Timina b Davidkova 17, 18; Balorfi b Ciosu 12, Syed b Javurek -18, 17, 17; Andersson b Gsodam 20, 13; Gatien b Mazunov -11, 17, 10; Nolten b Lohr 18, -17, 8; Badescu b Nagy 9, 18; Kasalova b Zillner IS, 9. 16; von Scheele b Saive -11, 18, 10; Marinkevitch b Grman IS, -16, 21; Rosskopf b Eighlh round Boute 18, 22. Timina b Ciosu 10, -14, 17; Batorfi b Komrakova 10, -18, 16; Davidkova b Bohning N1ntb round -17, 11, 12; Badescu b Nolten 19, 14; Lohr b Zillner 16, 16; Kasalova b Nagy II, Saive b Andersson 18, -IS, 12; Marinkevitch b Gatien -14, 15, 16; Rosskopf b Javurek -12,14. 17, -18, 17; Grman b Syed 21, 11; Boute b von Scheele -10, 17, 15; Mazunov b Gsodam Ninth round 21,7. BalOrfi b Lohr IS, 22; Timina b Badescu 12, 21; Kasalova b Bohning 16, 18; Ciosu Tentb round b Zillner II, -IS, 16; Davidkova b Nolten 16, 19; Nagy b Komrakova 18, -19, 16. von Scheele b Gsodam 14, 12; Syed b Boute 18, 18; Grman b Mazunov 19, 7; Tenlh round Marinkevitch b Javurek 20, -16, 20; Andersson b Gatien IS, 13; Rosskopf b Saive -13, Komrakova b Zillner 17, 18; Nagy b Davidkova 18, 15; Ciosu b Nolten 16, 19; Badescu 16,14. b Bohning 10, 19; Timina b Lohr 13, 9; Batorfi b Kasalova 20, 19. Eleventb round Elevenlh round Javurek b Andersson 16, 15; Rosskopf b Gatien 17,26; Saive b Marinkevitch 17, -13; Lohr b Badescu -IS, 18, IS; Timina b Kasalova IS, 16; Batorfi b Badescu' 18, 9; Nolten 20; von Scheele b Grman 19, 19; Mazunov b Boute -IS, 10, 11; Syed b Gsodam IS, 19. b Komrakova IS, 15; Nagy b Ciosu -15, 12, 19; Davidkova b Zillner 16, 13. 4 Rest for Waldner denies Douglas the crown Rob Oldfield two game points at 20-18 cost his fellow Swedes while Andrzej escaped at deuce in the fifth. him final victory despite a third Grubba was in trouble as he Next it was Carlsson. 3-0, no "It's the best that Des has played game 21-8 win. went off to hospital with a trouble. Erik Lindh, however, in my two years as national The form of the England No. suspected ulcer. then in third place, was a dif­ trainer", said Donald Parker. A 1, after a season of little inter­ "Grubba had been holding his ferent proposition altogether. masterly understatement ­ national play and no regular stomach on the first,day" , said Again trailing 1-2, again the Douglas had just finished se­ competition in the German Parker. "But he came out Douglas reserved pulled him cond in the Europe Top 12 at Bundesliga, had been publicly fighting like a dog on the second through in a match lasting an Sodertalje, Sweden over the doubted. It made the results all to play Des in the first matches hour and a quarter. But weekend between 31st January the more remarkable and of the day". Waldner, had enjoyed the and 2nd February. rivalled his previous best-ever A magnificent match - 3-2 to benefit of a round's rest due to "It was the first time in four­ performance at the 1978 Euro­ Douglas - it was crowned by the the absence of Grubba. teen years that two men had met pean Championships in sportsmanship of the fifth when The break proved crucial as with 10 wins each in the final Duisberg when he reached the a disputed point at 18-14 went in Douglas, with his first real round", continued Parker. "And semi-final of the singles having the Pole's favour. Grubba hit the chance of the prestigious Top 12 the first time that winning ten been undefeated throughout the next ball into the floor and play title, snatched just 15 minutes to sets has failed to bring home the team event. resumed at 19-15. prepare himself for the final title". At the end of Day 1, Douglas encounter. At the end, the. crucial already had four sets to his Grubba out eleventh win eluded Douglas as credit - beginning with a 3-0 win he squared up to the home hero over England colleague Carl Two rounds later Grubba was Jan-ave Waldner. From 17-11 in Prean after Prean served off a out ofthe tournament and his the first, he lost 19-21, and a game point in the first. Waldner withdrawal turned out to be a failure in the second 21-23 after was concerned with dispatching blow for the Douglas fortunes. Douglas, seven wins behind Final Positions him, faced four Swedes in suc­ Men W L Women W L cession on the final day, look­ I Waldner (SWE) II 0 1 Bulatova (URS) 9 2 ing for a showdown with 2 Douglas (ENG) 10 1 2 Nemes (FRG) 9 2 Waldner. At 9.30 on the Sunday 3 Lindh (SWE) 8 3 3 Guergueltcheva (BUL) 8 3 morning, it was Jorgen Persson's 4 Carlsson (SWE) 7 4 4 Batinic (YUG) 7 4 turn. 5 Kucharski (POL) 6 5 5 Vriesekoop (HaL) 7 4 Persson, 2-1 up, looked across 6 Persson (SWE) 6 5 6 Alboiu (ROM) 5 6 to see Waldner trailing by the 7 Mazunov (URS) 5 6 7 Batorfi (HUN) 5 6 8 Grubba (POL) 4 7 8 Hrachova (TCH) 5 6 same score to Mazunov who, the A somewhat wistful Douglas shares 9 Klampar (HUN) 4 7 9 Olah (HUN) 4 7 previous week, had reached the the rostrum with the winner 10 Pansky (TCH) 2 9 10 Kloppenburg (HaL) 3 8 final of the Triumph Adler Waldner and third-placed Lindh. 11 Prean (ENG) 2 9 II Urban (HUN) 3 8 English Open at Brighton. But photo by Lasse Hedberg, Pressens Bi/d, 12 Secretin (FRA) 1 10 12 Perkucin (YUG) 1 10 both Douglas and Waldner Slockholm. Men Women

First round First round Andrei Mazunov (URS) b Tibor Klampar (HUN) 19, -19, -15, 13, 12; Edit Urban (HUN) b Zsusza 01ah (HUN) 17, 19; Andrzej Grubba (POL) b Leszek Kucharski (POL) 16, 18, -15, 15; Olga Nemes (FRG) b Csilla Batorfi (HUN) 14, 13; Jan-Ove Waldner (SWE) b Jorgen Persson (SWE) -13, 21, 6, -20, 17; Daniella Guergue1tcheva (BUL) b Maria Alboiu (ROM) 18, 19; Desmond Douglas (ENG) b Carl Prean (ENG) 22, 17, 16; Fliura Bulatova (URS) b Marie Hrachova (TCH) 15, -18, 16; Jacques Secretin (FRA) b Jindrich Pansky (TCH) 19, 19, 13; Bettine Vriesekoop (HOL) b Mirjam Kloppenberg (HOL) 12, 21; Ulf Carlsson (SWE) b Erik Lindh (SWE) 17, 13, -10, 7. Branka Batinic (YUG) b Gordan Perkucin (YUG) -15, 18, 14. Second round Second round Douglas b Mazunov 8, 18, -14, 12; Persson b Pansky 9, 13, 17; Kucharski b Klampar Nemes b Guergueltcheva 16, 12; Alboiu b Urban -17, 17, 20; Hrachova b Kloppenberg 18, 17, 19; Lindh b Secretin -17, 16, 16, -17, 15; Grubba b Prean 18, 16, -14, 10; Waldner 13, 18; Bulatova b Perkucin -18, 12, 19; 01ah b Batorfi 3, -16, 19; Batinic b Vriesekoop b Carlsson -18, 19, 9, 14. 16, 19. Third round Third round Mazunov b Grubba 19, -13, 19, 15; Waldner b Lindh 17, -15, 19, 19; Kucharski b Prean Vriesekoop b Perkucin 20, 11; Guergueltcheva b Olah 11,-13, 17; Urban b Batorfi 19, -9, 15, 19, -19, 9; Douglas b Klampar 17, -20, 16, 21; Carlsson b Pansky 20, 9, 16; 6; Nemes b Alboiu 21, 13; Hrachova b Batinic II, 12; Bulatova b Kloppenberg -17, Persson b Secretin 16, 16, 15. 13, 15. Fourth round Fourth round Douglas b Kucharski -119, 18, 18, 16; Prean b Mazunov 14, -9, -23, 18, 12; Carlsson Hrachova b Perkucin 8, 11; Bulatova b Vriesekoop 17, -12, 10; Olah b Alboiu 20, 15; b Secretin 13, 18, 22; Waldner b Pansky -19, 16, II, 18; Grubba b Klampar 24, 9, 21; Batinic b Kloppenberg 14, 21; Nemes b Urban 14, 16; Batorfi b Guergueltcheva 12, 17. Lindh b Persson 19, 9, 21. Fifth round Fifth round Alboiu b Batorfi -13, 16, 18; Vriesekoop b Hrachova -20, 17, 16; Bulatova b Batinic Waldner b Secretin 15,20, 10; Persson b Carlsson 13, -20, 15, -15, 9; Douglas b Grub­ 13, 14; Guergueltcheva b Urban 14, 12; Kloppenberg b Perkucin 19, 13; Nemes b Olah ba 14, 20, -22, -13, 16; Kucharski b Mazunov 16, II, -15, -15, 15; Klampar b Prean 18, 18. -21, 19, 13, 18; Lindh b Pansky 10, 13, 13. Sixth round Sixth round Guergueltcheva b Kloppenberg -19, 20, 19; Vriesekoop b Urban 21, -13, 17; Batorfi Douglas b Pansky 18,9, 14; Kucharski b Persson 16, 15, -8, -15, 16; Grubba b Secretin b Bulatova II, 15; Alboiu b Hrachova -15, 16, 5; Batinic b Olah -14, 19, 11; Nemes 14, 13, 18; Lindh b Klampar 18, -16, -14, 18, 13; Carlsson b Mazunov 12,9, 16; Waldner b Perkucin II, 16. b Prean 26, 17, -17, -19, 7. Seventh round Seventh round Batinic b Batorfi 14, -16, 19; Nemes b Kloppenberg 12, 9; Hrachova b Olah -17, 15, Kucharski b Pansky 8, -5, 22, 16; Persson b Grubba 16, -14, 18, -13, 12; Carlsson b 12; Perkucin b Urban -20, 16, 12; Guergueltcheva b Vriesekoop -22, 18, 19; Bulatova Prean 8, 17, 13; Douglas b Secretin 9, II, 15; Lindh b Mazunov 16, 18, 11; Waldner b Alboiu 16, 11. b Klampar 16, 18, -17, 11. Eighth round Grubba withdraws - all unplayed sets considered as 3-1 walk-overs, 21-15 in each game. Batorfi b Kloppenberg -18, 17, 13; Guergueltcheva b Batinic 17, 17; Alboiu b Perkucin Eighth round -13, 11, 10; Bulatova b Olah -16, 18, 22; Hrachova b Urban 18, 10; Vriesekoop b Nemes Douglas b Persson 19, -16, -14, 19,21; Prean b Secretin 12, 23, 14; Lindh b Kucharski 16, 13. -12, 18, 17, -19, 9; Klampar b Pansky 19, -19, 12, 13; Waldner b Mazunov -16, 12, -17, Ninth round 16,20. Nemes b Batinic 12, 12; Guergue1tcheva b Perkucin -18, 9, 20; Kloppenberg b Olah Ninth round 21, -12, 19; Bulatova b Urban 22, 18; Batorfi b Hrachova 24, 16; Vriesekoop b Alboiu Waldner b Kucharski 10, 19, 17; Mazunov b Secretin -8, 14, -14, 13, 13; Lindh b Prean -9,21, 12. 25, 19, 12; Persson b K1ampar 12, -13, 10, 17; Douglas b Carlsson II, 15, 8. Tenth round Tenth round . Nemes b Hrachova 14, 16; Kloppenberg b Urban -II, 18, 17; Olah b Perkucin -14, Kucharski b Secretin 16, 15, -16, 9; Douglas b Lindh -16, 18, -18, 16, 18; Persson b 16, 10; Bulatova b Guergueltcheva 14, 8; Batinic b Alboiu II, 15; Vriesekoop b Bator­ Prean 12, 14, -22, 18; Klampar b Carlsson 21, 10, 17; Mazunov b Pansky 10, 10, 6. fi 20, -17, 20. Eleventh round Eleventh round Carlsson b Kucharski 9, -14, 18, 20; Mazunov b Persson 10, 20, 16; Klampar b Secretin Batorfi b Perkucin 14, -18, 12; Guergueltcheva b Hrachova 15, 11; Batinic b Urban 12, 19, 14; P b Prean 19, 14, 16; Waldner b Douglas 19, 21, -8, 15. -17, 18,20; Olah b Vriesekoop 17, 13; Alboiu b Kloppenberg 18, 14; Bulatova b Nemes 19, 10. 5 Historic Meeting In• Rome by George Yates

The first-ever confrontation of the Japan's Ishida yielded three sets Valkencourt Club in On Friday morning, 10th top players from Europe and Asia in the top womens match with Valkenswaard, Holland. Here, January, the teams and officials took place in the Palazzetto Delio Hrachova also beating Dai Lili in a once again, Europe's men were on to Paris. A prolonged Sport, Rome on Tuesday 7th 5-4 win for Asia. triumphed overall 20-11 and Asia's journey in appalling weather January 1986. Another 5-4 result in Asia's women 15-7. conditions followed by a quick It took the form of team events favour occurred in the mens No 2 In the top mens matches in which lunch and a reception hardly involving twelve men and nine team meeting with Jacques Europe I played Asia II and Europe provided a build up for the women from each continent-split Secretin ofFrance winning two and II played Asia I , Europe won both evening's group matches in the into teams of three with no more Erik Lindh of Sweden and Leszek by 5-1 and 5-3 margins with Lindh, individual events!. than two players from anyone Kucharski of Poland one each having beaten Teng Yi in Rome, country allocated to one team. against Kim Song Hui and Chu adding the scalps of Jiang Jialiang However, after a last minute call­ Asia's No I team was Jong Chol of North Korea with and Chen Longcan. Some treble! up for Patrick Renverse and young spearheaded by the reigning Teng Yi of China. Also in Asia's Henk van Spanje was the host Jean-Phillipe Gatien to take the worldchampion Jiang Jialiang of favour was the 5-4 result of the country's representative at places of Waldner-departed for a China, backed by his compatriot womens No 2 teams. Valkenswaard but, unlike cup match in Germany-and and World No 2, Chen Longcan In this latter encounter Costantini in Italy, failed to record a Appelgren, who had turned his and Hideo Goto of Japan. Against Hungary's Csilla Batorfi, winner win. Young Batorfi also tasted ankle in Holland and had to return them were Andrzej Grubba of of the Europe Junior Top 12, defeat when beaten by Dai Lili and to Sweden, play got under way in Poland and Sweden's Jan-Ove brought off a magnificent treble in Geng Lijuan. front of a crowd of some 2,000. Waldner and Mikael Appelgren. beating Li Bun Hui and Cho Jonh Asia's top womens team Hui of North Korea as well as Jiao comprised Geng Lijuan and Dai Zhimin of China! Lili ofChina with Kiyomi Ishada of Overall, in the mens section Japan against Bettine Vriesekoop Europe came out top 16-13 whilst of the Netherlands. Marie Asia's women triumphed 13-11. The Hrachova of Czechoslovakia and host country's Massimo Olga Nemes of the Federal Costantini, playing for Europe IV, Republic of Germany. brought the house down in typical Playing the first to five sets, Italian style with his win over Vong Europe's No 1 mens team Iu Veng of Hong Kong when astonishingly beat Asia's No I team Europe IV beat Asia IV 5-2. 5-1 with Waldner Europe's only Leaving Rome on the morning of loser to Chen Longcan. Both 8th January the whole party Grubba and Appelgren accounted transferred to the second setofteam for Jiang Jialiang! matches the following day at the Constantini (ITL) - "brought the house down"

Mens learn IN ROME Team Results Europe I 5 Asia I Mens team AppelgrenbChenLongcan -16, 18, 14; WaldnerbGoto -14,14, 15; Grubba bJiang Jialiang 18, IN VALKENSWAARD 16; Waldnerlst Chen -'I7, -20; Appelgren bJiang -12,20, 18; Grubba bGoto 15, 14. Europe I 5 ASIA n 1 Europe n 4 Asia n 5 Waldner b Kim -15, 14, 19; Grubba 1st Chu 14, -15, -12; Appelgren b Teng 16, 18; Grubba b Kucharski b Chu Jong Chol 13, 17; Lindh 1st Kim Song Hui -10, -16, -19; Secretin 1st Teng Yi Kim 20, 17; Waldner b Teng -17, 16, 17; Appelgren b Chu 13, -17, 17. -18, -16; LindhlstChu 18, -19, -10; Kucharski 1st Teng -10, -10; Secretin b Kim 17, -17,15; Europe n 5 Asia I 3 LindhbTeng 19,15;SecretinbChu 12, -19, 16; Kucharski 1st Kim 16, -8, -19. Secretin 1st Jiang -14, -11; Kucharski lSI Goto ·-12, 18, -18; Lindh b Chen 16, -20, 17; Europe ill 2 Asia ill 5 Kucharski b Jiang 13, 13; Secretin 1st Chen -10, -17; Lindh b GOlO -20, 19, 16; Kucharski b Pansky 1st Yoon Nam Kyu -18, -17; Surbek 1st Miyazaki -19, -14; Orlowski 1st Kim Ki Taek Chen -12, 16, 19; Lindh bJiang -20, 14, 15. -16, -17; Pansky b Miyazaki 18, 19; Surbek 1st Kim 23, -18, -19; Orlowski b Yoon 16, 14; Europe ill 5 Asia IV 4 Pansky 1st Kim -13, 18, -19. Pansky 1st He -7, -18; Surbek b Vong 13, 13; Orlowski b Chan 12, 16; Surbek 1st He -17, -11; Europe IV 5 Asia IV 2 PanskylstChan -18, -18; Orlowski b Vong 11, 13;SurbeklstChan 13, -22. -16;OrlowskibHe Mazunov b He Zhiwen -10, 19,21; K1ampar b Vong lu Veng 9, 9; Costantini 1st Chan Kong Wah 11, -15, 19; Pansky b Vong -18, 14, 18. -22, -11; K1ampar b He -11, 17, 14; Mazunov 1st Chan -14, -16; Costantini b Vong 18, 13; Europe IV 5 Asia ill 3 K1amparbChan -16,14,16. Henk vanSpanjehollstMiyazaki -20, -12; K1amparb Yoon 17, -21, 11; Mazunov b Kim -17, 11, 19; K1ampar b Miyazaki 18, 16; van Spanje 1st Kim -10, 14, -18; Mazunov b Yoon 17, 17; RESULT: EUROPE 16 ASIA 13 K1ampar 1st Kim -10, -19; Mazunov b Miyazaki -20, 9, 18.

\\Omens team RESULT: EUROPE 20 ASIA 11 Europe I 5 Asia I 4 Womensteam Vriesekoop 1st Geng Lijuan 15, -18, -15; Nemesblshida 14,15; Hrachovab DaiLili -15,15,17; Europe I 3 . Asia n 5 Nemes lSI Geng -14, -15; Vriesekooplst Dai -12, -12; Hrachovab Ishida 16, 16; NemesbDai Vriesekoop IstJiao -10, -7; Hrachova b Cho -21, 14, 13; Nemes b Li 15, 16; Hracilova 1st Jiao 13, -15, 19; HrachovalstGeng 12, -16, -11; Vriesekoopblshida 16, 13. -11, -10; Vriesekoop 1st Li -13, -9; Nemes bCho 13,17; Hrachova IstLi 16, -II, -17; Nemes Europe n 5 Asia n 4' . 1st Jiao -19, -14. Batorfi b Li Bun Hui 17, -18, 13; Olah bChoJong Hui -19,20,15; B.ulatova 1st Jiao Zhimin 17, Europe II 3 Asia I 5 -18, -9; Olah 1st Li ,-16, -10; Bulatova b Cho 15, 19; Batrofi b Jiao -8, 17, 14; Bulalova 1st Li Olah 1st Dai -15, -16; Batorfi b Ishida 19, 13; Bulatova b Geng 21, 16; Batorfi 1st Dai 23, -9, -21, -18; Olah 1st Jiao -20, -15; Batorfi bCho 14, II. -10; OlahlstGeng -19, -14; Bulatovablshida 10, 17; Batorfi 1st Geng -17, 12, -12; Bulatovalst Europe ill 1 Asia ill 5 Dai -19, -16. Perkucin 1st Lee Sun -5, -19; A1boiu bHui So Hung 14, 14; Kloppenburg 1st HyuanJung Wha Europe ill 1 Asia ill 5 15, -15, -19; Alboiu 1st Lee -II, 19, -16;Perkucin 1st Hyuan -13, -15; Kloppenburg 1st Hui Kloppenburg lSI Lee -17, -17; Alboiu bHui9, 12; Perkucin 1st Hyuan -15, -17; Alboiu 1st Lee -19, -20. 17, -12, -20; Kloppenburg 1st Hyuan -16, -12; Perkucin IstHui 16, -16, -14. RESULT: EUROPE 11 ASIA 13 RESULT: EUROPE 7 ASIA IS COMBINED RESULT MEN EUROPE 36 ASIA 24 WOMEN EUROPE 18 ASIA 28 54 52

6 So, do we now talk to the editors? These difficulties are recognised We do when we can get a foot in the but will not prevent us from trying All Press door and one day we will convince alternative ways of getting a current editor that table tennis is publicity. We issue press notices on A view by ETTA chairman Tom B/unn very different from the concept he a very large distribution in advance has atpresent. Thenwe will starton of an event and provide stories A feature of the traditional fair attention away from table tennis the next editor. I have an idea for whenever we can. ground is a circular booth and bad news is always more going one better and trying to make Nevertheless, it is no use denying containing about thirty electric bell acceptable than good news. contact with and converting one or that the publicity we receive does pushes. A bell is chosen and a I watched the television coverage two proprietors. not satisfy us. It is by no means central illuminated disc set in of BBC Sportsman of the Year and negligible as we are sometimes led motion. Everybody presses their I believe our members would was amazed to see the number of to believe but there is plenty of bell believing it will have an effect welcome a results service in champions we had in the UK from room for improvement. Every on where the revolving disc will preference to coverage of an various sports. I could not opportunity will be taken to effect stop, hoping it will be on their isolated event. This is what we are recognise the names of some of an improvement in the future. number. The bells, of course, are trying to achieve but it can be done them and certainly had not realised not wired up and the pressure only with the co-operation of the Thble tennis cannot claim to be a that most of them were world majorsport, though a recent survey exerted is wasted. It is just pure match officials involved. champions at their own particular luck. by the Sports Council put it in the sport. We have made contact now with number six position of popularity I sometimes wonder whetherour Ceefax and Oracle for the Halex own efforts to obtain coverage are Had they been banned for some in the UK, and this is higher than National League results but it is up anywhere else in Europe. The properlywiredupinordertoobtain misdemeanor I suspect I would to the match officials to ensure that a satisfactory result. The element have read about it. The days of press facilities that the ETTA the results are given to the ETTA provide for the national press of luck seems to be prominent and reporting an event for the joy of Press Officer in good time. The the ETTA is not being endowed describing the skills and the reporters are far better than those same applies to the County provided by some of the larger with good fortune. achievements are now too few ­ Championship results. Both these There are all sorts of diversions where is the modem Neville sports. events are allocated dates in the The reporters tell us this and they which detract the sports editor's Cardus? calendar which is provided for ----:~------do their best to send as much copy teletext and the newspapers and in as possible. It is in their interests Playing in eight groups of three, through, beating Vong and Kim. changes in dates do not help our fallers of distinction for the men And Gatien set the place alight with to try to get as much published as cause. We must provide a regular possible as they benefit financially were Jiang, Lindh (lost to Jindrich a 2-I win over Teng. and reliable service if we hope to Pansky), Miyazaki, He and Teng. but the final decision as to what is It was Pansky who eliminated obtain the best publicity. Out of the four Chinese only Chen published is in the hands of the Secretin, the idol of France, in the Longcan got through to the quarters The results of international Sports Editors and sub-editors. quarters and he went on to dismiss to represent Asia. matches and tournaments abroad There are many and varied Kucharski in the semis. But he was These were played on the provide greater problems. The late circumstances influencing the no match at the final hurdle when Saturday evening in front of an finishes prevent many results from editors' decisions and in some opposed by the complete player astonishing 3,500 spectators thanks appearing on the following cases a personal choice may be the Grubba who had previously beaten to the publicity generated by the lie morning. Tournaments with the deciding factor. I can remember Goto and Chen Longcan, both de France League on behalf of the fmals on Sunday have to compete Bill Hicks and Harold Evans who 2-straight. French Association. But some with the football stories and all were table tennis players as well as 6,000 spectators were required to Apart from Vriesekoop no other weekend sport on Monday editors on a national newspaper. break even on the event. European woman reached the morning. There have been others. Still, the paying public got their semis in the womens event with money's worth especially on the Jiao beating Dai in an all-Asian Friday evening when Secretin got final. Ex-Tournament Equipment

Mens singles Womens singles in excellent condition PARIS PARIS Group I Li Song Hui bJiang Jialiang 21. -18. Group I .. 16; b Surbek 18. 10; Jiang Jialiang b Surbek 13. Geng b Hui 12, 14; b Perkucm II, 14. HUi b II. Perkucin -16, 8. 15. Group 2 Grubba b Birocheau 18. 14; b Chan Group 2 Vriesekoop b A1boiu 14, 18; b Ishida Kong Wah 18, -13, 16. Birocheau b Chan 13, II. A1boiu b Ishida 20. II. Butterfly Europa tables £200 Kong Wah 13, 20. Group3Dai bLee21, -10,24; b Bulatova 15, Group 3 Chen Longcan b Yoon Nam Kyu 18, 12. Bulatova b Lee 17, 14. 15; b Orlowski -II, 17,21. Yoon Nam Kyu b Group 4 Joola 20005 tables (used once) £250 Orlowski -12, 15,20. Hrachova b Nadine Daviaud (Fra) 13, 12; b Group 4 Pansky b Lindh 13, -II, 18; b Hi Cho 15, 15. Cho b Daviaud 10, 9. Zhiwen -13, 10, 15. LindhbHiZhiwen 15, II. GroupS Butterfly surrounds £10 Group S Secretin b Vong Iu Veng 17, 17; b JiaobHyuan 14, 17; bOlah II, -9, II. Hyuan Kim Ki Thek 23, -10, 17. Kim Ki Taek b Vong bOlah9, -21, 13. Iu Veng 14. 15. Group 6 Butterfly scoring machines £15 Group 6 K1ampar b Renverse 17, 19; b Chu Nemes b Batorfi 23, 18; b Li 14, 19. Li b JongChoI16,8. RenversebChuJongChol14. Batorfi 19, 16. 18. EUROPE 8 ASIA 10 Lighting sets £35 Group 7 Goto b Gatien 14. 10; Teng Yi b Goto 13, -18, 15; Gatien b Teng Yi -14, 15. 18. Quarter-finals: Group 8 Kucharski b Mazunov. 18, 22; Geng and Vriesekoop byes; Jiao b Hrachova Light shades (new) £3.95 Mazunov b Miyazaki -17,7, 13; MIyazaki b 22, 15; Dai b Nemes 15, 16. Kucharski 12, -16, 16. Semi-fmals: Jiao b Geng 13, 17; Dai b Vriesekoop 14, II. EUROPE 14 ASIA 10 FInal: Quarter-finals: . Jiao b Dai 13, IS. Write or telephone Clive Oakman, Kucharski b Li 17, 21; Pansky b Secretm 16, EUROPE 8 ASIA 15 13; Chen b K1ampar 17,21; Grubba b Goto 9, 20. South East Table Tennis Equipment, Semi-finals: 27 Darnet Road, Tollesbury, Maldon, Pansky b Kucharski 17, -21, 17; Grubba b OVERALL Chen 18, 16. EUROPE 20+8=28 ASIA U+15=26 Essex CM9 8HG (0621) 869761, Final: FAIR PLAY TROPHY Grubba b Pansky 13, 14. Chan Longcan for Asia and Andrzej and also for details of our hire service. EUROPE 20 ASIA U Grubba for Europe. 7 Stiga sign £100,000 deal Security for senior grand prix and Top 12 announced

Stiga, the Swedish table tennis Donald Parker has been prepar­ "We are delighted to welcome ficult with a variety of combina­ equipment and clothing ing the top players for the Stiga as a major sponsor of the tions. Ralph Green of Not­ manufacturer, have agreed a radical changes by competitions English Table Tennis Associa­ tingham rejected 576-574, sponsorship of £100,000 bet­ at training camp based upon the tion over the next three years" , 600-602, 625-623 on the very ween the ETTA and their UK 11 points concept. he added. reasonable basis that Charles distributors, Rodan Sports. "We hope that this scoring said the match had been played The three-year deal, change will make the matches "last night" and with those negotiated with the support of punchy and fast", said Simon scores it still would not have Swedish Table Tennis AB, Hobson, Rodan's Sales and been finished. In any case, the establishes a senior Grand Prix Marketing manager. "With this PING ratios were not right! for the first time in this country deliberate attempt to liven up The most popular and feasi­ - based upon five 3-Star tour­ the game, it is also hoped to en­ ble answer was 30-32, 26-24, naments and a grand Final at courage television interest in the PONG 21-18; just three points the end of the season. sport" . separating the two players, In addition, the national Top POSERS Charles on 77 points, and a 3:4 12 competition introduced at the Grand Prix The table tennis teasers of ratio of Alan's game scores bet­ ween 3rd:2nd and 2nd:lst. beginning of this season is to The competitive scene in January's Table Tennis News receive a cash injection linked England has been revolutionis­ proved a great hit with readers, 4 and 5. The Jets and Sharks with radical changt:s to improve ed by the massive Stiga invest­ attracting the biggest and most could play in a number of per­ considered answers ever for a its spectator appeal. ment. Grand Prix points at five mutations. There were obvious­ table tennis competition. Stiga 3-Star tournaments, begin­ ly a large number of tournament Up to 11 "The most challenging issue referees and league secretaries ning with the Stiga Yorkshire & since I first became a sub­ At the exciting round-robin Humberside in October 1986, amongst the entrants! scriber" wrote Dr Peter Avery of "Beware" , warns Peter Avery event in Milton Keynes, will allow eight men and women the Department of Mathematics England's leading men and to compete at the Grand Prix however, "of attempting similar at Keele University. solutions for a six-a-side event women fought out an ex­ Final in May 1987. Readers will be reassured to on six table in six sessions. Euler hausting competitive schedule Each victory in the 3-Star know in these hard-pressed (the non-playing captain of with blue tables, red nets, orange .championships will gain points academic times that Dr Avery Switzerland at the time) tried it balls and relaxed clothing for the players - one per win in completed all the teasers correct­ in 1782 and conjectured that no regulations. group matches to 32 for the ly as did most of the entrants. such solution exists. Tarry pro­ Now, in the most radical move champion. A minimum par­ And, ironically, by the most ved Euler right in 1900!" yet seen in English table tennis, ticipation in two tournaments definitely non-mathematical Popular solutions, in session games at the Stiga National Top will be necessary but the points method of selection, was the order,· were: 12 in October 1986 are to be will only. be for English players first out of the hat for the free played up to eleven points in­ even though many of the events subscription. Table 1 2 3 stead of the traditional are expected to attract overseas Our congratulations to all AvX BvY CvZ twenty-one. competitors. those that sent in the right CvY AvZ BvX "We believe that this will Stiga, who already sponsor 25 answers and thanks to the pro­ BvZ CvX AvY create more crisis points, adding leading players in England, are blem setter. Our commiserations Table 1 2 3 4 to the atmosphere of the event to encourage their contracted to Alan Duke of Swindon who AvW BvX CvY DvZ and the enjoyment of spec­ players in other countries to attempted a practical solution to CvZ DvY AvX BvW tators", said ETTA chairman enter the events. "This will add Des Douglas' service practice DvX CvW BvZ AvY Tom Blunn at the launch of the a further dimension to the routine and ended with only BvY AvZ DvW CvX new sponsorships. Grand Prix" , said ETTA chair­ four of his eighteen balls in the Nittaku boxes! (Guidance on this type of problem is given Player reaction to the seven man Blunn, "and give our own within the ETTA handbook just published ­ games of 11 points idea has been players more frequent oppor­ Answers are below with some Ed). brief notes. The editor will mixed, with general comments tunities to meet their foreign 6. Nittaku boxes was evidently in favour. England trainer counterparts" . definitely not enter into any correspondence! quite straightforward unless one took the West country approach 1. Virtually all saw the answers of Alan Duke! Des was right ­ to the Vital Statistics produced there are many solutions, all of by the cub reporter from the the same type. final league table: Table Tennis News liked the BCD E one suggested by Ralph Green A 3-2 3-1 3-0 3-0 which allows the server to fill the B 3-0 3-0 3-0 holes in order using a spiral C 2~ 3~ pattern: D ~3 2 and 3. In Charles' One­ upmanship battle over Alan and 0 0 0 0 Denis, ratios caught a number out but all found the score of 0 0 0 0 23-25, 22-20, 21-16 when he played Denis. 0 0 0 0 ETTA chairman Tom Blunn (left) and Tomas Berner of Stiga com­ His score against Alan, plete the formalities of the £/00,000 sponsorship. however, was rather more dif­ 0 0 0 0 0 0

9 •••• Ellenborough• make steel appeal Fiona Brown Reigning premier division Alan Cooke seems to be returning champions Thorn EMI Ellen­ to more consistent form whilst borough have been devastated by Horatio Pintea, Nigel Eckersley the news that their premierdivision and John Brae maintain their match against current leaders GKN support. Although Ellenborough Steelstock Wolverhampton, due to may have lost the chance of have been played on 2nd February retaining their title they could still 1986, was officially postponed by have a serious part to play in the the ETTA's National Council. The outcome with matches remaining unprecedented decision was based against the top two teams. upon the unavailability of a single player-Desmond Douglas. Cardiff in control At their meeting in January the National Council accepted a Butterfly Cardiff have returned to recommendation from the winning ways consolidating their National League Committee that place at the head of division one GKN Steelstock should be allowed and all but destroyed Salford and a postponement on the basis that Dagenham's hopes of a late season their No 1, Douglas, was involved raid. Salford No 1, John Hilton, in the Europe Top 12 and that the remains optimistic, "We won't give clash had been caused by the up until the last ball is struck, I came to Salford to help the team Mandy Goodwin - "saved Oldham" European Table Tennis Union's Photo by kind permission of the "Oldham Evening Chronicle" decision to bring that event forward into the premier division and that's provided by Byker Newcastle, who Crusaders Lincoln and promptly in the calendar-a decision beyond still our target." are currently involved in an appeal saved the day with a final set victory the control of neither the club nor to the national league committee over Jim Brewster which earned the ETTA itself. Chan tested over their scheduled match on 20th herteama4-4 draw. The match will Normally, under league April against City of Leeds. also be remembered by Crusaders Second division north leaders, regulations, just one player missing The Byker squad, who have been No 1Matt Sheader, he has lost only Chan Construction, were put to the would not have justified such a included in a Newcastle City four sets all season-all of them test when they met Leicester team, move, as Ellenborough discovered Council party which travels to against Oldham! Byron STUTE. With new Byron to their peril last season when they China in mid-April on a cultural No 1, Richard Jermyn and No 2 were obliged to fulfil their fixture exchange visit, requested Mark Randle in fine form Chan against Ormesby. permission to rearrange their final Recovery were soon two sets in arrears. fixture. Like the case cited earlier The national league committee It was not until man of the match Abeng Warriors met little such a move requires special were under the impression that Murray Jukes came to the table in resistance when they overwhelmed consideration. Ellenborough were not raising any the seventh set that the Chan squad Omega Reading 7-1 in the third objection to the postponement. were able to relax a little as he division, or so you might think. However, the Middlesex club have outplayed Randle to give his Banker Behind the scoreline lies the tale of lodged an appeal against the Birmingham side the lead for the Mandy Goodwin, a 24 year old a' remarkable recovery by Omega decision. first time. The second point came bank clerk with Nat West in No I Peter Harris, who fought back Whilst others argue, Alan from Richard Tanner with a Oldham, has certainly earned her from 14-20 in third game to beat Ransome's Ormesby squad are straight sets win over Ian Randle. place in the town's third division Martin Shuttle 22-20, a feat which making a late charge for the The only remaining threat to north national league team. Mandy shows 'where there is life there is premier crown. Ormesby No I Chan's promotion hopes is that stepped in, at short notice, to face hope!'

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Alec Brook ... ADB (London) Ltd., 49-55 Harrow Road, London W2 1JH. Tel: 4025671 Jill Hammersley-Parker Foundation Players of the Months The Jill Hammersley-Parker Foun­ "It is only in this way that England dation exists to assist leading young will be able to produce good teams The selections agreed by the national league committee are: players by providing greater oppor­ in the future" , she says. "Without tunities for playing experience at in­ such a scheme we will continue to TREVORBUNN ternational level. And more produce one or two who are outstan­ Trevor Bunn of second division south team EAE Waveney wins the members are needed to fund the ac­ ding individual players but no December award for his two outstanding performances against Simon tivities on which England's interna­ English teams of serious merit" . Proffitt and Peter Harry which helped his team achieve a 6-2 victory tional future depends. "A special thank you to all those over Gunnersbury Triangle. "I launched the Foundation" , the members who have signed up former European champion said, again" , says Jill. "A four-member "based on a similar scheme in panel decides how the funds are CHRIS ROGERS Sweden - the leading European allocated, meeting every six For his excellent victories over top defenders Matthew Syed and Dave table tennis country. The ETTA can months" . Barr South Yorkshire's Chris Rogers receives the January selection as only afford to pay for a very few A cheque for ten pounds allows youngsters to attend the top events you to become a member of the Jill 'Player ofthe Month'. and the Foundation helps other pro­ Hammersley-Parker Table Tennis mising young players with interna­ Foundation but all contributions are tional training camps and participa­ welcome to: The Barn, Common League Tables tion in the major junior Bank, Dolphinholme, LAN­ championships" . CASTER LA2 9AN. Premier Dhision P W D L F A As GKN Steelstoek 'Mllverhampton I 10 7 3 o 50 30 17 Results Ormesbyl 8 4 3 1 39 25 II Thorn EMI EUenborough 8 4 3 \ 38 26 II Premier 4 35 29 8 Grove 2 GKN Steelstock 6 Omega Reading I 840 Bath 9 2 4 3 37 35 8 Grove 3 Thorn EMI Ellenborough 5 Toyota 31 South Yorkshire 3 GKN Steelstock 5 Grovel 832 3 33 8 Omega II 1 South Yorkshire 7 South Yorkshire I 9 I 2 6 26 46 4 Thorn EMI Ellenborough 4 South Yorkshire 4 Omega Reading II 10 0 3 7 22 58 3 GKN Steelstock 5 Bath Toyota 3 Omega I 2 Ormesby 6 FIrst Division P W D L F A PIs Bunerfly Cardiff 9 7 2 0492316 First Thrget Gold Salford 961 2 51 21 13 TSP Larkhall o West Warwicks/B'ham 8 Dagenham FC I 852 1422212 West Warwicks 3 Butterfly Cardiff 5 Airmasler SI Neots I 9 4 I 4 33 39 9 Dagenham Fe 4 TCB Dolphins 4 West WarwickshirelBirmingham 840 4 37 27 8 Target Gold Salford 8 TCB Dolphins o TeB Dolphins 9 1 4 4 27 45 6 Ormesby II 3 Dagenham FC 5 TSP LarkhaU I 9 0 3 6 2\ 51 3 TCB Dolphins I Butterfly Cardiff 7 Ormesby II 9 I I 7 20 52 3 Airmaster St Neots 5 West Warwicks 3 Second Division North P W D L F A As 2nd North Chan Construction I 9 8 I o 53 19 17 City of Leeds 3 March 5 Byker Newcastle I 9 8 o 1 49 23 16 Byker Newcastle 6 Unity Bradford 2 SinciI Lincoln 9 4 2 3 38 34 10 Byron STUTE 4 GKN Steelstock II 4 GKN Steelstock Wolverharnpton II 9 3 3 3 37 35 9 Sindl Lincoln 2 Chan Construction 6 Unity Bladford 9 3 3 3 33 39 9 Chan Construction 5 Byron STUTE 3 March 9 3 o 6 32 40 6 Unity Bradford 1 Sindl Lincoln 7 Byron Roofmg 'STUTE' 9 1 2 6 29 43 4 GKN Steelstock 11 6 Unity Leeds 2 City ofLeeds 9 o I 8 17 55 I March 2 Byker Newcastle 6 Second Division South p w D L F A PIs 2nd South Pengeley Sports (Banda) Torbay I 8 8 o o 48 16 16 TSP Larkhall 2 Pengeley Torbay 6 EAEWaveney 9 5 I 3 40 32 11 Pengeley Gwent 4 Norwich Foxwood 4 TSP LarkhaII II 9 3 3 3 37 35 9 Pengeley Gwent 5 Gunnersbury Triangle 3 Medway 9 3 3 3 35 37 9 Pengeley Torbay 5 Norwich Foxwood 3 Jaques Fareham 9 3 2 4 35 37 8 EAE Waveney 3 TSO Larkhall 5 Norwich Foxwood 9 3 2 4 32 40 8 Norwich Foxwood 5 EAE Waveney 3 Pengeley Sports (Banda) Gwent 10 3 I 6 33 47 7 Medway 4 TSP Larkhall 4 Gunnersbury Triangle 9 2 o 7 28 44 4 Jaques Fareham 3 Pengeley Gwent 5 Gunnersbury Triangle 2 Pengeley Torbay 6 Third Division North P W D F L A PIs 3rd North Kingsbro' Insurance Services 9 8 1 o 54 18 17 Vickers Barrow 6 Ormesby 11\ 2 Oldham 9 5 2 2 48 24 12 Ormesby IV 2 Byker 6 South Yorkshire II 9 5 I 3 42 30 II Kingsbro Insurance 5 South Yorkshire 3 Crusaders Lincoln 9 4 3 2 40 32 II Oldham 4 Crusaders Lincoln 4 Vickers Sports Barrow 9 3 3 3 36 36 9 Ormesby 11\ 1 Kingsbro Insurance 7 OrmesbylV 9 3 I 5 32 40 7 South Yorkshire 2 Oldham 6 Byker Newcastle II 9 2 1 6 28 44 5 Ormesby IV 2 Crusaders Lincoln 6 Ormesbym 9 o o 9 8 64 0 Byker Newcastle 2 Vickers Barrow 6 Third DivisIon South P w D L F A As 3rd South Ashford 10 9 o I 64 16 18 Nittaku Ruislip 7 Errey's Print I C & L Ninaku Ruislip 10 9 o I 64 16 18 Spicer New Malden 1 Abeng Warriors 7 Rejects 9 6 o 3 44 28 12 Errey's Print 8 Deptford Rams o Abeng Warriors (Stiga) 9 5 1 3 40 32 II Nittaku Ruislip 7 Rejects I Deptford Rams II 3 I 7 31 57 7 Ashford 8 Spicer New Malden o Errey's Print '84 9 3 o 6 34 38 6 Abeng Warriors 7 Omega Reading 1 Omega Reading III 9 2 o 7 17 55 4 Spicer New Malden 9 o o 9 10 62 0 3rd East AHW Pioneers 6 Airmaster St Neots 2 Third Division East p W D L F A As Soham 5 Witham 3 AHW Pioneers 10 8 I I 49 31 17 Fellows Cranleigh 6 Dagenham FC 2 Fellows Cranleigh 9 6 I 2 44 28 13 Playrite Northampton 4 Britannia Deepsure 4 Britannia Deepsure 9 5 2 2 43 29 12 Witham Town FC 4 Playrite Northampton 4 Soham 10 4 1 5 36 44 9 Britannia Deepsure 5 Fellows Cranleigh 3 Playrile NorthamptOn 9 2 4 3 34 38 8 Dagenham FC 3 AHW Pioneers 5 Witham Town FC 9 3 2 4 33 39 8 Airmaster St Neots 6 Soham 2 AirmaslCr St Neots n 9 3 I 5 36 36 7 Dagenham FC 21 51 0 3rd West n 9 o o 9 Duchy Launceston 7 Pengeley Torbay I Third p w D L F A As Leominster 6 Jolliffe Poole 2 Division west Global Sports Plymouth 8 \ 55 17 17 Global Plymouth Leominster 3 9 o 5 Leominster 2 25 16 Grove 4 Leicester TTC 4 10 8 o 55 Jolliffe fuole II 5 1 5 48 40 II Chan Construction 5 Jolliffe Poole 3 Leicester TTC 9 4 2 3 43 29 10 Leominster 6 Grove 2 GroveD 9 3 3 3 36 36 9 Leicester TTC 7 Chan Construction I Chan Conslnlction II 9 4 5 29 43 8 Jolliffe Poole 5 Banda Launceston 3 o Duchy Windows (Banda) LaunceslOn 9 1 I 7 25 47 3 Pengeley Torbay 1 Global Plymouth 7 Pengeley Sports (Banda) Torbay II 10 I o 9 13 67 2 II Middlesex beat off the Lancs challenge by Doug Moss The second series of premier Kent matches had 5-4 results, even Nigel Eckersley each getting 11 out Yorkshire played Chris Oldfield division matches were played though they did lose 5 ofthese. The of 14 wins and Steve Turner 10 out in both series and introduced under good conditions at Oldham league table shows they finish with of 14. In doubles events David Barr Michael O'Driscoll in the second Leisure Centre. The series started the same average as Yorkshire in and Matthew Syed (Bk) won three series. Matthew Syed came in as with Middlesex, Lancashire and third place. of their four matches. Andrew No I for Berkshire this time. Yorkshire all unbeaten ... The Bellingham and Adrian Dixon (St) Leicestershire also had 5-4 Adrian Dixon (St) deserves a kept up their good performance climax came when Middlesex and results in four matches and took special mention because in this Lancashire met on the Sunday from the first series with five wins three sets off the champions when second series he had wins over two afternoon with both still unbeaten. in the seven sets-Scowcroft and they had their full team. In fairness well ranked players in Steve Mills Eckersley had the same record. In (Y) and Steve Thrner (La). Middlesex were well in to Yorkshire, their team won four mixed events the most successful command. They went into a 3-nil matches at 5-4-a tribute to their Final League Thble P W L F A Pts pair was Steve Turner and Jean lead and won 6-3 and it gave them fighting spirit and something I have Middlesex 7 7 0 43 20 14 Parker (La) with just one loss in Lancashire 7 6 1 46 17 12 their fifth successive premier commented on in regard to other their seven sets. Yorkshire 7 4 3 26 37 8 division championship win. In this Yorkshire teams in the It shows great promise that four Berkshire 7 3 4 32 31 6 series of matches Middlesex was championships. Staffordshire 7 3 4 28 35 6 players still in their junior category represented by Sarah Sandley, John Surrey 7 3 4 27 36 6 No player went through the (three of them still cadets!) played Kent 7 1 6 26 Souter, David Wells and Mark 37 2 whole· series with an unbeaten at this level and acquitted Leicestershire 7 I 6 24 39 2 Mitchell. record. Best singles performances themselves well. It had been evident at Tolworth came from Fiona Elliot (St) and The complete results were: that the premier division was very Mandy Sainsbury (Bk) with six out Berks Kent Lanes Leies Middx Staffs Surrey lbrks competitive. There were so many of seven wins. Of the men David Berkshire 5-4 4-5 6-3 4-5 4-5 4-5 5-4 Wells (Mi) took the lead with 13 out close finishes with not a wide gap Kent 4-5 1-8 5-4 4-5 4-5 4-5 4-5 betweentopand bottom teams. The of 14 wins and his team-mates John Lancashire 5-4 8-1 8-1 3-6 7-2 7-2 8-1 situation was repeated and over the Souter and Mark Mitchell each 4-5 1-8 3-6 4-5 5-4 4-5 whole competition 17 of the 28 won seven of eight events. Nigel Leicester 3-6 matches (61 %!) had 5-4 results. Tyler (Mi) in just three matches in Middlesex 5-4 5-4 6-3 6-3 5-4 8-1 8-1 the first series was undefeated. Staffordshire 5-4 5-4 2-7 5-4 4-5 3-6 4-5 The Kent and Leicestershire Surrey 5-4 5-4 2-7 4-5 1-8 6-3 4-5 teams, promoted from last season, The Lancashire men did well as a are due for relegation. Yet 6 ofthe 7 team with Steve Scowcroft and Yorkshire 4-5 5-4 1-8 5-4 1-8 5-4 5-4

Round-up Senior 38. Cornwall II 3 Avon II 7: Avon 19 Cornwall I I: Avon 19 Cornwall Results are from earlier matches but the league tables are those cur­ II I: Avon II 6 Cornwall I 4: Glamorgan 9 Hereford I: Dorset II I rently available. Devon II 9: Avon II I Avon I 9: Herefords. 3 Dorset Ii 7: Devon Senior 2A. II 10 Isle of Wight 0: Cornwall I 10 Isle of Wight 0: Cornwall II 10 Warwicks. 3 Derbys. 7: Wores. 2 Lanes. II 8: Cheshire 8 Bucks 2: Isle of Wight 0: Somerset II v Cornwall II-postponed Cambs. 5 Yorks. 11 5: Worcs. 4 Cambs. 6: Lanes. 11 3 Cheshire 7: Bucks. P W D L F A Pts I Warwieks. 9: Derbys. 7 Yorks. II 3. Avon I 7 6 1 0 56 14 13 Devon II 5 5 0 0 45 5 10 P W D L F A Pts Cornwall I 7 4 1 2 44 26 9 Derbyshire 6 6 0 o 40 20 12 Dorset II 6 3 I 2 29 31 7 Yorkshire II 5 3 1 1 34 16 7 Avon II 7 3 0 4 32 38 6 Warwickshire 6 3 0 3 33 27 6 Glamorgan 5 2 0 3 24 26 4 Cheshire 5 3 0 2 29 21 6 Cornwall II 6 I 1 4 22 38 3 Cambridgeshire 6 2 1 3 24 36 5 Somerset II 4 I 1 2 15 25 3 Lancashire II 520 3 27 23 4 Hereford 6 I I 4 18 42 3 Worcestershire 520 3 24 26 4 Isle of Wight 5 0 0 5 5 45 o Buckinghamshire 600 6 9 51 o Senior 3C. Senior 28. Bedfords. 8 Bucks. II 2: Glos. 8 Herts. 2: Oxfords. 8 Bedfords. II Hants. 4 Dorset 6: Middlesex II 10 Essex 0: Sussex 9 Somerset I: Devon 2: Northants. 3 Norfolk 7: Northants. II 2 Northants. I 8: Norfolk 8 Wiltshire 2: Sussex 6 Middlesex II 4: Somerset 2 Devon 8: Wiltshire 7 Bedfords. I 3: Bucks. II 4 Oxfords. 6: Herts. 6 Worcesterhsire II 8 Hampshire 2. 4: Bedfords. 11 v Glos.-postponed. P W DL F A Pts P W D L F A Pts Middlesex II 4 I 38 12 8 5 0 Gloucestershire 660 46 14 12 4 4 0 30 10 8 o Devonshire 0 Norfolk 760 I 44 26 12 I 0 26 14 7 Sussex 4 3 Bedfordshire I 750 2 46 24 10 2 1 26 24 6 Wiltshire 5 2 Hertfordshire 7 4 0 3 34 36 8 I 3 21 29 5 Essex 6 2 Northamptonshire I 7 3 I 3 37 33 7 25 35 2 Somerset 6 1 0 5 Oxfordshire 7 3 I 3 37 33 7 4 19 31 2 Dorset 5 I 0 Worcestershire II 6 2 I 3 29 31 5 4 15 35 2 Hampshire 5 1 0 Buckinghamshire II 7 I I 5 24 46 3 Northamptonshire II 6 0 I 5 17 43 I Senior 3A. Bedfordshire II 6 0 I 5 16 44 I Notts. 7 Northumberland II 3: Cheshire II 9 Cumbria I: Nor­ thumberland 17 Durham 3: Lincoln 5 Warwieks. II 5: Cumbria I Senior 3D. Clwyd 9: Durham 5 Notts. 5: Warwieks. II 5 Cheshire II 5: Northum- Suffolk II 2 Cambs. II 8: Berks. 114 Sussex 116: Kent III 2 Essex II 8. bria 4 Lines. 6. . P W D LF A Pts P W DL F A Pts Essex II 7 6 0 I 52 18 12 Northumberland I 6 6 0 0 51 9 12 Surrey II 6 4 2 0 43 17 10 Lincolnshire 7 5 I I 43 27 11 Suffolk I 8 .4 2 2 49 31 10 Cheshire II 6 4 1 I 37 23 9 Cambridgeshire II 7 4 1 2 43 27 9 Warwickshire II 5 3 2 0 35 15 8 Sussex II 7 4 1 2 39 31 9 Clwyd 6 3 0 3 33 27 6 Berkshire 11 6 3 0 3 34 26 6 Notlinghamshire 6 2 1 3 28 32 5 Kent 11 6 3 0 3 29 31 6 Durham 6 I 1 4 23 37 3 Kent III 7 I 0 6 22 47 2 Cumbria 7 1 0 6 15 55 2 Essex 111 7 I 0 6 21 49 2 Northumberland II 7 0 0 7 15 55 0 Suffolk II 7 I 0 6 7 62 2 12 Veterans Premier Sussex 8 Notts. I: Essex I 4 Middlesex I 5: Kent 4 Lincoln 5: Cheshire I 6 Bucks. 3: Essex II 2 Sussex 7: Middlesex 3 Kent 6: Lincoln 7 Cheshire 3: Bucks. 9 Notts I. P W L F A PiS Cheshire 6 5 I 36 18 10 Sussex 6 5 I 35 19 10 Lincolnshire 6 5 I 34 20 10 Juniors 2A. Kent 6 3 3 28 26 6 Yorkshire II 8 Staffordshire II 2: Warwickshire 4 (Amended result): Buckinghamshire 6 2 4 27 27 4 Lincolnshire 5 Northamptonshire 5: Cheshire 3 Nottinghamshire 7. Middlesex 6 2 4 26 28 4 Essex 6 2 4 21 33 4 P W D L F A Pis Noninghamshire 6 o 6 9 45 o Yorkshire II 6 6 0 0 54 6 12 Noninghamshire 6 4 2 0 38 22 10 Cheshire 6 4 0 2 31 29 8 Suffolk 6 2 2 2 30 30 6 Staffordshire II 6 3 0 3 29 31 6 Veterans 2A. Warwickshire II 6 I I 4 26 34 3 Essex II 5 Herts. 14: Oxon. 5 Leics. 4: Hunts. 0 Cheshire II 9: Yorks. NorthamplOnshire 6 0 2 4 20 40 2 2 Worcs. 7: Essex II 7 Oxon. 2: Herts. 6 Hunts 3: Cheshire II 6 Yorks. Lincolnshire 6 0 I 5 12 38 1 3: Worcs. 5 Leics. 4. P W L F A PIS Worcestershire 5 4 I 28 17 8 Juniors 2B. Essex II 6 4 2 31 23 8 Middlesex II 5 Wiltshire 5: Hertfordshire 7 Surrey 3: Berkshire 6 Hertfordshire 6 4 2 26 19 6 Cheshire II 5 3 2 26 19 6 Devonshire 4. Yorkshire 6 3 3 29 25 6 P W D L F A Pis Leicestershire 6 2 4 26 28 4 Surrey 6 4 0 2 36 24 8 Huntingdonshire 6 2 4 20 34 4 Glamorgan 5 4 0 I 29 21 8 Oxfordshire 6 I 5 17 37 2 Berkshire 6 4 0 2 30 30 8 Cornwall 5 3 1 I 31 19 7 Hertfordshire 6 2 I 3 32 28 5 Middlesex II 5 I I 3 20 30 3 Wiltshire 5 0 2 3 16 34 2 Veterans 2B. Devonshire 4 0 I 3 16 24 I Dorset 14 Sussex II 5: Berks. 4 Avon 5: Middlesex II 7 Surrey 2: Hants. 6 Kent 3: Dorset 6 Middlesex II 3: Sussex II 2 Berks. 7: Avon 2 Hamp­ shire 7: Kent II 5 Surrey 4. P W L F A PiS Juniors 3A. Hamptonshire 5 4 I 27 18 8 Cumbria 3 Derbyshire II 7: Huntingdonshire 9 Warwickshire II I. Middlesex II 6 4 2 30 24 8 Kent II 5 3 2 27 18 6 P W D L F A Pis Berkshire 6 3 3 27 27 6 Derbyshire II 5 5 0 0 41 9 10 Surrey 5 2 3 23 22 4 Leicestershire 5 4 0 I 39 II 8 5 2 3 20 25 4 Huntingdonshire 5 3 0 2 27 23 6 Dorset 5 2 19 26 4 Cheshire II 5 2 0 3 22 28 4 Sussex II 3 Avon 5 I 4 29 2 Cumbria 6 2 0 4 23 37 4 16 Warwickshire II 5 I 0 4 16 34 2 Clwyd 5 I 0 4 12 38 2

Veterans 3A. Herts. II I Yorks. II 8: Hunts. II 2 Northants. 7: Northumbria 6 Herts. Juniors 3B. II 3: Northants. 5 Cheshire III 4: Norfolk Yorks. II 9. Oxfordshire 9 Cambridgeshire Ill: Cambridgeshire I 7 Berkshire II 3: Bedfordshire I 9 Bedfordshire 1: Buckinghamshire 2 Worcester- P W L F A PIS Yorkshire II 5 5 0 40 5 10 shire 8. Northumberland 5 4 I 28 17 8 P W D L FA PIS NorthamplOnshire 5 3 2 22 23 6 Bedfordshire I 6 5 0 I 43 17 10 Hertfordshire II 5 2 3 18 27 4 Cambridgeshire I 6 5 0 I 43 17 LO Norfolk 5 1 4 20 25 2 Oxfordshire 6 5 0 I 37 23 10 Cheshire III 4 1 3 15 21 2 Worcestershire 6 3 I 2 35 25 7 Huntingdonshire II 5 I 4 10 35 2 Berkshire II 6 2 I 3 32 28 5 Bedfordshire II 6 I 0 5 17 43 2 Buckinghamshire 6 I 0 5 17 43 2 Cambridgeshire II 6 I 0 5 16 44 2 Veterans 3B. Beds. 9 Hunts. III 0: Berks. II 5 Herts. III 4: Herefords. 2 Essex 6: Bucks. II 7 Herefords. 2: Herts. III 5 Beds. 4: Hunts. III 2 Essex III 7. Juniors 3C. P W L F A Pis Dorset 4 Somerset 6: Hampshire 8 Avon 2. Essex III 5 5 0 36 8 10 Berkshire II 5 4 I 28 17 8 P W D L F A PIS Bedfordshire 5 3 2 26 19 6 Gwent 5 4 1 0 35 15 9 Buckinghamshire II 5 3 2 25 20 6 Somerset 5 4 0 I 32 18 8 Hertfordshire III 2 2 3 21 24 4 HamplOnshire 5 3 0 2 30 20 6 Herefordshire 5 I 4 16 28 2 Gloucestershi re 4 2 I I 21 19 5 Huntingdonshire III 6 0 6 9 45 0 Avon 5 0 2 3 18 32 2 Cornwall II 4 0 I 3 12 28 I Dorset 4 0 I 3 12 28 I Veterans 3C. Juniors 3D. Herts. IV 2 Berks. III 7: Wilts. I 8 Dorset II 1: Wilts. II 4 Sussex Essex III 8 Herts. II 2: Essex II 8 Sussex II 2: Kent II 10 Norfolk III 5: Wilts. II 2 Wilts. 17: Hants. II 8 Herts. IV 1: Berks. III 3 Dorset 0: Surrey II 7 Herts. II 3. III. P W D L FA PIS P W L F A Pis Kent II 4 4 0 0 32 8 8 Wiltshire I 5 4 1 33 12 8 Essex III 4 4 0 0 29 II 8 Hamptonshire II 5 4 I 32 13 8 Essex II 3 2 0 1 21 9 4 Berkshire III 5 4 I 22 14 6 Surrey II 4 II 2 19 21 3 Sussex III 4 3 I 22 14 6 Hertfordshire II 5 I 0 4 17 33 2 Dorset II 4 I 3 9 27 2 Norfolk 3 0 I 2 7 23 I Hertfordshire IV 6 1 5 12 42 2 Sussex II 3 0 0 3 5 25 0 Wiltshire II 5 0 5 16 29 0 13 Mike Priorfrom Buckinghamshire explains why he supports the review ofthe scoring system proposedfor the Stiga National Top 12. Of late there has been much Further, the dominant serve is discussion on the state of the game accepted as part of the game and - i 1 t~ , in the UK-little spectator appeal 'aces' warmly applauded. Rallies leading to poor TV coverage and were often few and far between but resulting in a lack of money in the spectators stayed enthralled. sport. The 'problem' has been Boring Squash variously attributed to: the Earlier in the year I watched squash influence and dependence upon on TV. In the past it has been specialised bat rubbers; the difficult to follow but aided by the dominance of the service and the new reflective ball the camera resulting lack of rallies; and that, could easily follow the play. I generally, the game is now too fast assumed I could therefore relax and and technical to be appreciated by enjoy the entertainment. the public at large. However, Jahangir Khan and his I have supported many of the opponent were so good that the articles written along these lines rallies went on interminably until I Squash - "boring': A scene from the world's longest ever match (2hr until I came to relate our problems got bored waiting for an 'error' to 46mins) between Gamal Awad and Jahangir Khan at Chichester to other sports. end the point. Such long rallies, I photo by Stephen Line (079173867) In all sports, players are am convinced, would not revitalise analysis and comment; and person­ capture the interest created by other constantly seeking to gain an our sport. alities. sports. advantage by using superior Other very fast sports have not Tennis and darts maintain ten­ Maybe by exposing our young up equipment. At Wimbledon, for suffered unduly. In fact, TV with its sion by having many short games and coming talented players to such instance, there was a variety of slow action replays, has enhanced where the server or the first to pressure, they too might emerge as different sizes, shapes and styles of their appeal with detailed analysis throw is expected to dominate. tomorrow's personalities, capture rackets-even with adjustable and expert comment. At Wimble­ However, the frequency of 'pres­ the imagination of the public and tension facilities. don, Boris Becker appeared to be sure' points and the knowledge that secure the return of table tennis to diving all over the court miracu­ few points can be forfeited keeps our TV screens. lously making winning returns. spectators' adrenalin high and Certainly this will not happen Luck? No, it became evident on maintains their interest. without some change and a simple KEITH HURLOCK the close-up replays that even at full In table tennis pressure is not review ofthe scoring system seems stretch he still managed to turn his really apparent until the last six to easier than changing the It is with deep regret that I write wrist at the vital moment of ball eightpoints ofeachgame, by which equipment. Advanced bat rubbers to record the death of Keith time the result is all too often a are merely a reflection of progress Hurlock, a great table tennis en­ contact to disguise the angle or topspin ofthe return. formality with one player having a in a scientific age. Let's accept the thusiast and international player lead ofseveral points. innovations, like them or not, and of the fifties. He died of a severe face up to the future. heart attack at his home in Tension Crises needed IIShorter" The results could be interesting. Croydon, apparently while wat­ What, therefore, captures the Perhaps, by playing shorter ching television. imagination and interest of the games with players serving for the Keith was the perfect sportsman, public? What have darts, Wimble­ whole of each alternate game, and ETTA Elections on and off the table, and he don, and for that matter, TV panel with ~hese games grouped into Messrs Tom Blunn, George possessed a fluent two wing at­ games got in common? tennis-style sets with frequent inter­ Yates and Aubrey Drapkin have tacking game plus an equable I suggest three key elements: vals for TV action replays, com­ been re-elected unopposed as temperament. In January 1951 tension; frequent intervals for ment and analysis, we too could ETTA chairman, deputy chair­ he surprised everyone by winn­ man and treasurer respectively ing the Metropolitan Open, in for the 1986/87 season. those days one of the country's major tournaments, and in Stan calls foul recognition of his feat and ob­ vious potential he was awarded Stan Teasdale, a county umpire wonder if there is any point in stitutes a 'not too bad' service an international badge against from Whetstone, North London having defined service laws". as distinct from one which is Scotland. is perplexed by serving he has Serving is so bad that to do the 'foul', he says. "In Barnet, where He was of the period when it seen around the tournaptent cir­ job properly would delay tour­ I am, juniors playing for their was considered an honour to cuit and is calling f~r guidance naments interminably he claims. county and serving incorrectly represent one's county and he on the service law. "Where does one start to put would not get away with it as we wore his Surrey badge with pride "I am a qualified 'County um­ this part of our game right?", he have clamped right down on at every possible occasion. pire' and am now in my second asks. "Especially when you pull foul serving". When he eventually retired from season of going around tour­ juniors up for foul-serving and "I would like to hear other of­ the table tennis scene he took up naments in all parts of the coun­ they trun round and say that ficials' ideas on the subject", he golf at which he also reached a try", he says. "What I have seen they have always got away with says. "Would it not be an idea high standard of proficiency. on my travels has compelled me it even in top-level tour­ if the ETTA were to hold a con­ The Surrey County Association to write to Table Tennis News': naments". ference with umpires and other would like to pay tribute to this "Firstly, I would like to know "I have even spoken about this officials in order to straighten popular player of a previous what other umpires and officials to other umpires", he says. "One out the service rule?" generation and to offer sincere think about the state of serving certain international umpire told condolences to his family. Table in tournaments. I seem to be me not to worry about is as long Stan loves going to tournaments Tennis is the poorer for his holding a different copy of the as the service was not too bad!" and umpiring some of the mat­ passing. laws on service to everyone else. The advice has left Frank con­ ches. What a shame, he feels, Sometimes, when I look around fused. "I would like someone to that it has to be spoilt over such RJ Crayden a tournament hall, I despair and send me a directive on what con- a simple thing as foul serving. 14 League Crisis! Recent innovations by the Tees Sport super league in Dorset and the Ashford club in Middlesex are threatening the traditional league structure. Last month, Table Tennis News stressed the importance of the ETTA and its member leagues looking ahead and predicting the demands of tomorrow's members. Here, Keith Davies of Jaques Generation Fareham explains why he feels the sport has to think hard about the type of competition it offers to attract participants from other sports.

1 have been playing competitive On reflection, not much can be I have spoken to many people must take note, change their table tennis, quite happily, since done about this although some within the sport and they all 'laissez faire' attitude and look 1972. I have also, over the years, leagues play all their matches at agree that an evening's table ten­ at the time it takes to complete held several positions on our modern sports centres that have nis is a long drawn-out affair a league match. There are club committee as well as being such amenities as heating, compared to other popular several ways to improve the involved with the local associa­ changing rooms with showers sports which last 1-2 hours at the situation but each has the tion. However, 1 have become and reasonable tables. most. desired effect, that is to reduce increasingly frustrated with the the number of games played attitude of many clubs and My main concern is the number A shorter match means many during an evening. leagues. of people leaving the sport for things: 1. a reasonable break for Thble tennis is still a great game other leisure activities. Thble ten­ refreshments; 2. more time to to play but a sport that is stan­ We all know of the poor condi­ nis has to compete not only with socialise with opponents; and 3. ding still. I implore all leagues tions at delapidated buildings these other sports but with in­ more time to travel home, and associations to think about which come under the heading creasing apathy. No doubt I change, shower and retire. it ... we must stop the exodus of 'club premises'. shall play on but many won't! All leagues and associations of players away from the sport.

Ashford premier league a great success In the January issue of Table Tennis News I reported that the Ashford Centre had finnly established its premier league, sponsored by Playrite Sports, within a few weeks of commencement writes Ray Tucker. Open to top players within a 20 mile radius of Ashford its two­ man team format has proved very popular. The league's first tournament was held in January and this also proved to be extremely successful. Local businesses put up £300 in cash prizes for the three events held. The super league in Bournemouth has hit the local league particularly hard Harold Pearce has reported in his excel/ent league magazine Glen Baker picked up £120 ofthis In the doubles Glen had a harder Up~ of '21 Hampshire county press officer when winning the singles, and the time when, with David Goode, his David Cosway is dismayed by the league's doubles with David Goode. Seeded match against Simon and Jonathan demise: I in the singles he defeated No 2 Proffitt went to five games. They seed Rupert Bole in the final 21-17, ran out worthy winners though, "I saw in the last edition of '21 "I know that Harold Pearce is 21-15, 21-13. Since transferring to 19-21,22-20,21-9, 16-21,21-16. Up' that the first half fixtures not happy with the situation Ashford's national league team in The third event was aconsolation for the Bournemouth premier that these players are giving December, Glen has rapidly singles for all players eliminated in division showed a number of preference to the super league regained the form that he lost in the the first two rounds. Simon Proffitt unusual aspects with many of and are neglecting their respon­ autumn. picked up the winners prize here by the previous 'star' players not in sibilities to the clubs for whom beating Peter Simmonds 21-13, the leading averages", he says. they have played, he continues~' Rupert didn't do himself justice 21-13, 18-21,21-18. "Clearly this is because of the but Glen was looking too strong With four qualified umpires in new super league which means "It is unfortunate that this super anyway. Rupert had some con­ attendance the tournament was that players who have in the past league has been more of a solation in the £50 runners-up professionally run and will no dominated the Bournemouth replacement to the usual league prize; John Green and David doubt lead to increased interest in league have not represented their matches rather than a supple­ Goode collected £25 each as losing next season's league for which a clubs on a regular basis". ment to them". semi-finalists. second division is planned. 15 Debbie leads the way Jose Ransome Debbie Fletcher from Oldham is a bright young star on the table tennis horizon. Only 14 years old, Debbie qualified as a County Umpire last October-probably the youngest English umpire on record-and is already receiving invitations to officiate at major events. It all started when Debbie's parents were concerned that her younger sister was improving faster than Debbie in the sport and looked for an alternative direction for her efforts. They spoke to coach Stuart Sneyd about guiding Debbie into coaching but, because she was too young to qualify, he suggested umpiring. Since then Debbie has made great strides. In addition, her own play improved tremendously, so much so, that she finished third in Debbie Fletcher - in control during the semi-final of the Cleveland Open between Desmond Douglas (ENG) the North East regional cadet trials and Juzo Nukazuka (JPN). to win a place in the national he said, and added that two nights a week and plays as a present did not arrive in time for ranking trials at Luton! international umpire, Brian feed on a third night for beginning her big event in Cleveland. Debbie accompanied Stuart Foggin, who worked all day with players! Debbie has opened up a new Sneyd to umpire at the Cleveland Debbie at Thornaby Pavilion, had This is just one indication of her avenue for youngsters who love junior championships in Nov­ commented on her good rapport nice personality, another is her table tennis. Not all will make it to ember and did so well that she was with the players which had helped sunny smile and friendly attitude the top as players, but many more invited back to Teesside for the to generate their confidence in her towards everyone. Her ambition is could enjoy years in the sport as Cleveland 3-Star Open on I8/19th ability to umpire their matches. to become a national umpire and umpires, as well as officials or January, having also umpired at the Debbie started playing table hopefully to qualify as an inter­ promoters, utilizing their table Halton I-Star and County Cham­ tennis .at junior school and now national umpire by the time tennis skills to good advantage in pionship premier division attends Hathershaw Secondary England hosts the World Cham­ other directions. weekend in between. School in Oldham. Asked about pionship again. Stuart Sneyd is obviously very any other inte~sts she said that If Debbie has had one dis­ proud ofhis protegee. "It is unusual whilst she likes all sports, there was appointment, it would be that the Well done Debbie, and best to find a youngster sensible enough little time for anything else because blue umpires blazer that her wishes for a successful career in and dedicated enough to umpire;' she goes for coaching herself on parents ordered for her Christmas table tennis!

YTS backing for table tennis star by Sue Donnely of the Kent and Sussex Courier

Tonbridge teenager Juliet professionals' and this is enabling Said Juliet: "People don't take "I love all sports. I play cricket Houghton is winning her way her to finance her years training. table tennis seriously, because it's and stoolball, but I don't have as through to the top ofthe table tennis She is also receiving backing from not a television sport. much time to play them now as I'd world. Tonbridge and Mailing Borough "It's always thought of as ping like." As her fame grows in the table Juliet, 17, is one of the country's Council. pong, just knocking a ball around. Juliet first started playing table People don't appreciate that there's tennis world Juliet is still trying to top young players. She's currently ranked top of the Kent junior and tennis for fun at the British Legion a lot more to it, there's a lot of get used to people asking for her autograph and the thrill of repre­ seniors, and number four in the in Leigh, where the family used to training involved and though it live. After becoming more pro­ senting England in international England juniors. might look like just tapping a ball ficient at the game she started over the net there's an awful lot of events. After passing five O-Ievels last entering competitions at the age of spin on the balls and some of the Her ambition is to go on and year Juliet is taking a year long 13 and went from strength to shots travel up to 90 mph. make it to the top of the England break from school at the moment to strength. ''At the moment I'm playing senior rankings. concentrate on table tennis full Now Juliet spends much of her about four or five hours every day Said Juliet: "I've taken this year time. She then intends to go back to time in Reading training with and competing at various off to establish myself. After I've school to study for A-levels. national coach Dave Fairholm, but tournaments around the country at done my A-levels I wouldn't mind Juliet is one of two young players she was back in action in Tonbridge weekends. I love table tennis, I going to university, then I'd really to be selected for places on the to take part in an exhibition at the never get bored with it-ifI did get like to make a career out of table Government's Youth Training Angel Centre against the Japanese bored I'd stop playing because tennis." Scheme as 'apprentice table tennis national team. there would be no enjoyment in it. reproduced by permission. 16 First Impressions A report from promoter Nigel Cannon

Venturing into the unknown is something ofa Victorian ideal, but being offered the chance of staging a 'neo-International' table tennis exhibition match was for me, just that. Japan were the visitors, their services quickly secured by the Tonbridge league's Ted Houghton and Bob Taylor. Firstly the language barrier had to be broken down. No, not that between the Japanese and English, but that between table tennis and me. Hopefully I managed to con­ vince all and sundry that surely organising.a table tennis match is similar to that of snooker or darts and cricket or football. Table Tennis is beset by the major problems of my winter love, hockey. It regrettably epitomises The Japanese took it all in their The two teams at Tonbridge But money will not become the domain ofthe English 'amateur' stride, their only complaint was the available from sponsors until the sport-people would rather play red net which had to be exchanged game has something new to offer than watch. for yellow. Green is a natural colour spectators. I am told all sorts ofnew Hence the problems offtlling the and in an artificial surrounding is, ideas have been banded around but Angel Centre in Tonbridge. Com­ frankly, dull. If only the surrounds I think the first secret is the venue. had been blue as well. An evening audience ofover 500 Darts and snooker have left the munication was never going to be a was expected, 150 of which were Also in blue were the five sordid surroundings of pubs and problem; dragging them away from avid supporters of Tonbridge girl, officials collected together by clubs and found new homes in Tuesday's edition of 'Emmerdale Juliet Houghton. When Juliet referee, Chris Wright. All were modern, comfortable theatres. Fann' was. reported an injury to her playing county or international class so my They also have the game as centre ann, I envisaged myself instigating cheque stub which says £24.36 stage; one dartboard or one Cliches an 'El Cid' repeat. There was no covering their expenses was not snooker table. Agreed, the English way she was going to cry-off at this Cliches such as 'Cinderella of only a reflection of their kindness Open could never be played on one stage. Sport' and 'Minority Sport' echoed and generosity but the way in which table but something could be done As it turned out, well over 600 from all angles which we used to the game is able to be bought so to reserve special status for the top saw that match, my main interest our advantage. The press and cheaply. seeds. media were all keen to promote the being the percentage new to the But take heed, we only see the event, probably giving them more A little more expensive were the game. At least we had something in World's top sixteen at snooker and artistic licence than other national Invitation Select team, hand­ common. It is no good table tennis darts so the rich have been made sports. More so I think it was out of picked by national coach, David preaching to its converted. New richer. Without being facetious, if sympathy more than anthing else. Fairholm. Not quite knowing what ideas and new blood must be drawn there were such a thing as the Thnbridge Wells Mazda stepped to expect, all minds were quickly in and every event must have Benson and Hedges World Table forward with generous support, as put to rest by six players all something new to offer. Changing Tennis Masters there would be few did Trusthouse Forte with over­ prepared to enter into the spirit of the colour of the table was just one Europeans let alone English in the night stays at The Rose and Crown the occasion. simple naive idea but from a tournament. I think you'll find that, Hotel. The hall was decorated with marketing point of view, a huge top sixteen apart, table tennis is not Japanese motorbikes while a success. too far behind snooker and darts. famous Bavarian bear enticed the Silence Although several things went Most of all, our night at audience to drink his equally wrong on the night, none marred Tonbridge told us that the future of famous Hofmeister lager. This included the afternoon session the enjoyment of the packed table tennis rests not only with the So, we had the commercialisa­ which was open to school parties audience and I trust table tennis players but with the audience as tion that I am told is sadly lacking in free of charge. It was probably made many new friends. The well. Iftable tennis is going to grow top class table tennis. But with it enough for the children to digest the results only mattered in one the most important factor of the came responsibility, more pressure skills of the English players, but respect-the English game is a long night was that 650 people had a and more burden on the shoulders there was stone-cold silence when way behind that ofthe Far East, but great night out not that the players ofthe organisers. Japan entered the stadium for the we all knew that, anyway. earned X pounds. That will come Rather like the World Cup is first time. From the Promoter/Stage Man­ later. remembered for a particular goal, Clearly tired by a strenuous ager point of view it was a success Finally, without wishing to the Tonbridge event will be campaign and a lunchtime lesson in but the question I was most asked promote my own interests too recorded in posterity for its blue cricket, their mere presence on the night was, "why is table much, I feel there is a case for table. Shock horror reverberated created an experience of excite­ tennis so far behind darts and independent promoters within the through the senior ranks but never ment only witnessed when world­ snooker?" game. This way the English Table in my short career in sports class sportsmen are around. To see Well, the simple answer to that is Tennis Association and its regional promotion have I seen such a the looks of astonishment on the 'money'. With strong financial bodies may return to the adminis­ transfonnation and impact on a young faces made my day, anyway. backing, players can be given a tration of the game rather than sports arena the moment the blue And that was before they had even strong superstar image and I'm sure becoming the scapegoats for its table replaced the green. shed their tracksuits. the game would soon catch on. failure. 17 Market Drayton and Croydon chalk up double successes David Lomas Schools from Market Drayton Ul6 girls champions Chilton Trinity School with Mr Terry Mack, 3. Ifield Community College, and Croydon scored notable regional director of the Sports Council, East Midlands Crawley (West Sussex) double successes in the finals of Mary Webb 3 - Kettlethorpe 3; the Dunlop National School Ifield 4 . Kettlethorpe 4; Mary Webb 5 . !field 3. Team Championships at Lea Green, Matlock, on Saturday, U16 Girls March 15th. I. CHILTON TRINITY, BRIDGWATER (Somerset) The Grove, Market Drayton, 2. Kesteven & Grantham Girls won the girls VI9 and VI3 titles (Lincolnshire) to add to another Shropshire 3. Mayflower, Billericay (Essex success in the shape of Mary County) Webb school, Pontesbury, who Mayflower 3 - Chilton Trinity 5; Kesteven & Grantham 5 ­ won the boys VI6 event. Cum­ Mayflower 3; Chilton Trinity 4 nor House of South Croydon - Kesteven & Grantham 4. emerged as winners of the boys VB and VII categories after Ul3 Boys I. CUMNOR HOUSE, SOUTH some anxious moments. CROYDON (Surrey All the eight events were close­ un boys winners Cumnor House with CUr Joyce Plaits, Chairman of Metropolitan) ly contested with the four-player Derbyshire County CounciL. 2. Parkview, Barrow-in-Furness (Cumbria) teams being keenly supported by 3. Brislington, Bristol (Avon) many parents. Brislington I - Cumnor House 7; It was a bleak day for teams Parkview 5 - Brislington 3; Cum­ from the North Region. They nor House 5 - Parkview 3. had only one winner when Ul3 Girls seasoned campaigners, Wold I. THE GROVE, MARKET Junior High, Hull, won the girls DRAYTON (Shropshire) VII title for the third time in 2. Archbishop Cranmer CE Mid­ seven years. dle, Leeds (West Yorkshire) 3. Hillcross Middle, Morden (Sur­ The finals - the 20th annual rey Metropolitan) championships - were the Archbishop Cranmer 7 ­ culmination of contests which Hillcross I; The Grove 8 ­ began in some counties in Hillcross 0; The Grove 5 - Arch­ September of last year and pro­ bishop Cranmer 3. gressed via county, area and U16 Girls McNamara saved three match U13 Boys regional qualifying competitions I. CUMNOR HOUSE, SOUTH Even closer! Three fresh faces. points and possibly the match organised initially by the af- CROYDON (Surrey Chilton Trinity and Kesteven & when he defeated the Dronfield Metropolitan) _filiated county schools associa­ Grantham Girls' (who have the No 3, Robert Oldale, 23-21 in 2. Dronfield Junior (Derbyshire) tions and then by the English dubious honour of Prime the third game. 3. Holymead Junior, Bristol (Avon) Schools' Table Tennis Minister, Margaret Thatcher as Cumnor House 8 - Holymead 0; Association. a former pupil) each registered Ull Girls Holymead 2 - Dronfield 6; Cum­ 5-3 wins over Mayflower. They World No I Sally Marling in nor House 4 - Dronfield 4. good form as her team proved Highlights then drew 4-4 in the "final" with un Girls the Somerset girls winning the too strong for familiar opposi­ I. WOLD JUNIOR HIGH, HULL U19 Boys "sudden-death" doubles decider. tion from Luton and Market (Humberside) Holders, Bury Grammar, were Drayton, both former winners. 2. Market Drayton Junior beaten into third place with Ul3 Boys (Shropshire) Results Bedford Modern adding to New champions, Cumnor 3. Ramridge Junior, Luton (Bedfordshire) previous VB and VI6 titles. House, only needed a draw in U19 Boys Budehaven - with 12 yr old Neil the final match, having won 7-1 I. BEDFORD HAVEN Market Drayton 5 - Ramridge 3; against Brislington whereas (Bedfordshire) Ramridge 2 - Wold 6; Wold 7 ­ Bevan at No I - made them fight 2. Budehaven Comprehensive, Market Drayton I. all the way with four sets being Parkview were pegged back to a Bude (Cornwall) decided at 21-19 in the third 5-3 verdict. Parkview No I, 3. Bury Grammar (Greater "Best Performance" Awards: game. Jonathon Lowes had a good win Manchester) Girls: over ESTTA VII champion, Bedford Modern 5 - Budehaven Melonie Carey (Chilton Trinity) U19 Girls Jason Blake, in a tense final but 3; Bury Grammar 2 - Budehaven Boys: A surprise result. The Grove the Croydon boys won 5-3. 6; Bedford Modern 7 - Bury Gavin Black (Bedford Modern) lifted their seventh national ti­ Grammar I. U13 Girls tle with No I, Alison Barker, Holders, Archbishop Cranmer U19 Girls unbeaten. Last year's VI6 ousted by The Grove with Claire I. THE GROVE, MARKET DRAYTON (Shropshire) holders, Sydney Smith, were Marshall at No 3 for The Grove weakened by the absence of 2. Luton Sixth Form College undefeated Hillcross well beaten (Bedfordshire) Alison Evans with a back injury. into third spot. 3. Sydney Smith High, Hull A first national finals for Luton (Humberside) Ull Boys Sixth Form College. Luton 2 - The Grove 6; Sydney A real cliffhanger with both Smith 2 - Luton 6; The Grove 7 U16 Boys Dronfield and Cumnor House - Sydney Smith I. Very close with 5-3, 4-4, 5-3 well-supported. Cumnor again U16 Boys results. Mary Webb edged home only needed a draw. That's all Gavin Black of Bedford Modern and only games ratio separated I. MARY WEBB, they could manage against the PONTESBURY (Shropshire) School receives his "best perfor­ Kettlethorpe and debutants, "locals" from Dronfield. And 2. Kettlethorpe High, Wakefield mance" award from Mr Tom Mat­ Ifield (West Sussex). -- yet Cumnor No.4, Paul (West Yorkshire) thews, president of the ESTTA. 18 CAMBRIDGE NOTES CHESHIRE CHAT

Geoff Waters Brian Webb

The top seeds won all the singles Fox, Peter Davies, Vic Collins and All our teams are in the county 4 Jerry Taylor events at the Cambridgeshire closed his wife and Cathy Richardson. That championships are enjoying a degree 5 Mike Tew championships, played at Soham the event was held at all was thanks of success, with our seniors going 6 Alan Timewell Sports Hall, on Saturday 25th to our ten sponsors! well and looking for a promotion Veteran Women January. spot at the end to the season. 1 Doreen Schofield Keith Richardson won the mens Results Top cadet Jonathon Thylor has had Halifax Building Society MS: K 2 Diane Johnson singles for the sixth time, beating the a splendid season so far - we all hope Richardson b R Swift 15, 14. 3 Myra Lypnyekyj 1980 winner Robert Swift in the his progress will continue for the rest final. Only in the semi-final, when Autocolours WS: J Pettitt b H Finch 4 Tricia Brookes of the season and beyond. last season's winner Geoff Davies II, -18, 17. Pye Telecom MD: K 5 Eileen Edwards Umpire Karen Jonge, who with Peter took the first game was he ever Richardson/M Harper b G 6 Barbara Fowler pressed. Davies/A Withers 15, 14. Pye Williams was orgainsed the county's Earlier there were minor shocks in Telecom WD: Y Hooks/H Finch b ranking trials, has successfully pass­ the quarter finals when Mick A Mills/J Pettitt -17,17,14. Cam­ ed her national umpire examination Harper, seeded two, last deuce in the bridge Commercial & Industrial and another of the county's umpires, DURHAM NOTES third to Peter Holliday, seeded eight, Cleaners XD: K Richardson/A Mills Roger Vardon, has been selected as while number three seed Andy b M Harper/J Pettitt 16, -19, 16. one of two English umpires to attend Withers fell by a similar score to TSB JBS: N Ashman b J Collins the European Championships in Harry Black swift. -17,22, 13. Drivers, Estate Agents Prague. UI4BS: J Collins b C Weston 16, 13. The England ranked number 21 Many apologies for this column's showed his superior class by also Chapman How JGS: R Hutchinson b L Ward 18, -19,18. pye Telecom absence in recent editions - I hope Durham gained their first point of winning the mens doubles with I shall not miss any more editions! the season in the county champion­ Harper and the mixed in partneiship UI4GS: M Canham b E Siggs 16,22. Space being limited, I shall restrict ships when they drew 5-5 at home with Mandy Mills. Tony Brotchie VS: J Ashman b B Odell 12, -19,13. Gray & Holmes this report to the county ranking to Nottinghamshire. Lynne Yarnell The wornens events were more restricted singles: T Vine b S Griew lists, drawn up earlier in the season. evenly shared out with Joanne Pet­ and Lynne Bainbridge won their -21,16,14. Fordham Printers Han­ titt only succeeding in the singles. In respective singles matches and a dicap singles: M Laughlin (20) b M the final she beat Hilary Finch, who Men doubles win contributed three sets. Fox (26) 41-38, 41-34. proved a formidable opponent. It 1 Brian Johns Darren McVitie, on his return to the was only after the change of ends in 2 Tony Taylor side, and David Blackbume defeated The Cambridgeshire senior team the third game that Joanne finally 3 Mark Hankey Lee Neil to give Durham a share of kept open their outside chance of subdued her opponent. promotion in division 2A, with a 6-4 4 Roger Hampson the points. Hilary received some consolation win over Worcestershire. They led 5 Derek Schofield Peterlee, who are unbeaten, currently by winning the womens doubles in 5-2 at one stage, but the midlands 6 Ron Vose lead the Durham county league partnership with former Essex col­ county pulled back to 5-4 before senior division and look favourites league Yvette Hooks. They inflicted Women Mick Harper clinched the points. 1 Clare Potts to win the title following their 8-2 a rare defeat on the Pettitt/Mills Murray Jukes proved a thorn in victory over previously unbeaten combination, who usually dominate 2 Janet Deakin the Cambridgeshire side with wins Sunderland A. this event. 3 Doreen Schofield over Keith Richardson and Harper In their first return fixture of the Nick Ashman beat Jonathan Col­ 4 Lynne Harrison and he also combined with Simon season Peterlee's junior team travell­ lins in the under 17 boys, but the 5 Anne Williamson Claxton to win the mens doubles. ed to Sunderland to play the town Wisbech youngster gave him a hard Andy Withers, fortunately, was back 6 Debbie Maguire time, winning the first 21-17 and only B side. Having been soundly beaten to form with singles wins that proved Junior Boys 10-0 in the first match of the season, failing 22-24 in the second. The vital. England ranked cadet, however, pro­ 1 Simon Jones a little apprehension was felt by the ved too strong for twelve year old 2 Andrew Taylor Peterlee squad. Chris Weston in the under 14s. Team effort 3 Jonathon Taylor But they performed well and were The under 17 girls was an all The second team had a very 4 Mark Danaher just lacking in practice and con­ Wisbech affair with Ruth Hutchin­ creditable draw with second placed 5 Andrew Wright fidence to have made the final score son winning for the first time against Surrey II at March. 6 Neil Schofield of 9-1 to Sunderland a little more Louise Ward. There was never more This was a fine team effort with 7 Paul Birken respectable. The one victory for than three points difference in a all the players playing their part. Junior Girls Peterlee was gained by the new closely fought three game set. Geoff Davies and Gary Jordan, both 1 Julie Hope doubles combination of Judith Melanie Canham repeated last beat Jonah, while Julian Wheel had 2 Claire Potts Grant and Chris Russon beating season's success in the cadet girls, a fine win over Rupert Bole. Alison 3 Belinda Lou Mickey Chang and Steven Riggins. with a straight games win over Ella Edge beat Hazel Love and also part­ A lot of good, high quality table ten­ Siggs from the Cambridge League 4 Alison Jones nered Yvette Hooks in the doubles nis was played by both sides and in club, Impington. success. Yvette, however, lost for the 5 Beverly Parkes 12 year old Steven Riggins, The veterans singles was a repeat first time in the singles when she nar­ 6 Sharon Norman of last season's final with John rowly lost to Debbie Simmonds. 7 Jill Schofield Sunderland appear to have found a very good prospect. Ashman again getting the better of The juniors beat Berkshire II 7-3 Cadet Boys Brian Odell. John, however, came and with Oxfordshire having beaten 1 Jonathon Taylor The Peterlee team again stuck to the close to defeat in the semi-final, Bedfordshire can now win junior 2 Max Ekstein task in hand and showed steady im­ when he scraped home deuce in the division 38. Berkshire were a little 3 Roger Taylor provement in ability and technique. third against CIBA's Peter Beatham. unfortunate to be trailing 7-1 in this 4 Neil Allan However, other juniors are showing Wesley's Tim Vine, beaten finalist match, but received no more than 5 Peter Lou promise in the domestic league mat­ last season, proved the best of the they deserved when they picked up 6 Garry Knowles ches and may push for places in the non-county players with a splendid the last two sets. league side before the season is over. win over Cambridge University's Jonathan Collins and Louise Ward Cadet Girls Simon Griew in the restricted singles. came through the match unscathed, 1 Pam Jones Matthew Laughlin, the county but there were singles defeats for 1a Helen Potts Junior trials junior number three, won the han­ Nick Ashman, Matthew Laughlin 2 Sarah Freeman The three local players that par­ dicap singles, beating March's Mark and Ruth Hutchinson, for the first 3 Maria Bubb ticipated in the cadet boys event of Fox in the final. The Merit award for time this season. 4 Suzanne Bridge the national junior trials held at the most promising newcomer was The junior second team fell 9-1 to 5 Judith Williams Luton did well. Both Steven Riggins presented to Impington's Gavin championship-chasing Oxfordshire, 6 Catherine Kenworthy Roberts. but they were without both top and Dermot Ledwith just failed to The tournament was played on 14 scorers Robin Tewkesbury and Veterans Men go forward to the next stage when tables and ran very smoothly under Denise Hinks. Sara Peukert, deputis­ 1 Derek Schofield they finished in third place in their county chairman Brian Jud4 with ing for Denise, was the county's sole ·2 Peter D:4rcy groups, while Ian Collier finished able support from Derek Stacey, Roy winner on her debut. 3 Eddie Griffiths sixth in his group. 19 ESSEX DERBYSHIRE NOTES

Malcom Al1sop by Laurie Darnell

It was all change at the Essex senior ed by Joan Hand (Brentwood), Lisa The Derbyshire junior 2nd team With the points safe, Eastwood closed championships held at the Hayden (Brentwood), Kern Mudge maintained their winning run with a 7-3 relaxed allowing Stuart Brookes and Highwoods sports centre, Col­ (Dagenham) and Peter Radford victory over Cumbria. Paul Knowles Charlie Kyles to win a singles each and chester. Dave Newman (Romford) was ill and had to be replaced by combine to win the doubles for a (Chelmsford), with a new partner in Results Lancaster teammate William Holling­ respectable 3-7 scoreline which was a the mens doubles, was the only MS: Jeff Drew (Rom) b Kevin worth, who was unbeaten. John truer reflection upon the closeness of player to successfully defend his Caldon (Dag) 23, 19. WS: Lisa Backhouse won both his singles and the the match. share of a title. Hayden (B'wd) b Kim Mudge (Dag) boys doubles for Cumbria; but John The new mens champion is Jeff 18, 12. MD: Des Charlery/Dave Davis, Gavin West, Julie Forster and Division One P W D L SETS Pts Drew (Romford). He reached the Newman (Dag/Chelm) b Dave Amanda Dawkins won the rest for Matlock 1st 2 2 0 0 17-3 4 final by defeating Richard Darnell Birkett/Steve Tilson (B'ham) 11, 12. Derbyshire with 'good attacking table Eastmod 1st 2 2 0 0 13-7 4 (Brentwood) who had knocked out WD: Mudge/Elaine Sayer (Dag) b tennis' according to captain Les Derby 1st 2 0 0 2 6-14 0 the top seed Newman. The other Kim & Lisa Hayden (B'wd). XD: Ian Allwood. Burton 1st 2 0 0 2 4-16 0 finalist was Kevin Caldon Attridge/Mudge (Dag) b David Matlockcelebrated the end of 1985 by (Dagenham) who used the cham­ Cole/Linda Barrow (B'wd/B'ham) topping division one and the veterans Robert Ridge won his three singles pionships to regain the competitive IS, 15. VMS: Peter Radford (Rom) division of the Derbyshire Inter-Town for Burton 2nd in a close 6-4 victory edge to his game ... enough to get b Brian Parish (Dag) 9, -18, 7. VWS: League. over Matlock 2nd; with Derby 2nd past the No 2 seed Des Charlery in Joan Hand (B'wd) b Shirley Carroll The Matlock lst team gained a showing no mercy to Buxton in a 10-0 the semi-final. (B'ham) 14, -10, 23. VD: Rad­ convincing 8-2 win over Derby 1st with victory. The final provided several periods of ford/John Tendler (Rom/Dag) b Geoff Gill winning a maximum. Mick fluctuating fortune between the No Stan Battrick/Ray Murray Division Two PWDLSETSPts 3 and 4 seeds. But in rallies of spin, (Dag/Thurr) -17, 8, 22. U21MS: Thorley and Tony Gregory won two each for Matlock. Derby 2nd 2 2 0 0 20-0 4 speed and touch play, Jeff emerged Paul Sayer (Dag) b Richard Darnell Burton 2nd 2 2 0 0 12-8 4 Bill Fowkes kept Eastwood 1st in the as a worthy winner by fighting back (B'wd) 23, -16, 19. U2IWS: L Eastwood 2nd 10014-60 championship race with three wins in the first game and sustaining a Hayden (B'wd) b Joanne Cook Matlock 2nd 2 0 0 2 4-16 0 against Burton 1st. In a tightly-fought two point margin after holding an (B'wd) 12, 11. MS(res): Peter Nor­ Buxton I 0 0 1 0-10 0 immense lead in the second and final cott (Dag) b Martin Speight (B'ham) match, Eastwood took a 7-0 lead with all games. 20, 15. WS(res): Hand (B'wd) b Mar­ 7 sets requiring a third and deciding Double championships were achiev- tina Hicks (B'wd) 12, -14, 19. game. In the veterans division, Mick Thorley and Harvey Flint won all their sets for Matlock, with Rapley getting GlOUCESTERSHIRE Buxton's consolation with a win over LesHewitt. by Alf Pepperd Derby gained an equally impressive 9-1 victory over Chesterfield. Eastwood The Tsakarisianos family dominate Rudford lead Men were made to fight hard all the way by the news in Gloucestershire this J Darren Griffin (G) We have now reached the half-way Burton, with Rose Haggar in good form month. Paul (Nina's brother) has 2 Graham Slack (C) stage of the Providence Capitol for Burton with two singles and a temporarily left these shores to travel 3 Steve Moreman (G) county premier league. of 10 doubles victory with Alan Haynes; overland to Israel where he plans to 4 William Dawe (G) meetings. To date all teams have Dave Inkley won three singles for seek work in a kibbutz. The entire 5 Martyn Lane (G) played each other and it is clear that Eastwood and was well supported by venture, I understand, is likely to last Rudford are heading for the cham­ Women Colin Cheetham who had two wins in in the region of six 'months, so pionship. J Jenny Ellery (G) Eastwood's 6-4 victory. hopefully he will be back in time for With Darren Griffin, Steve 2 Heather Colwill (G) next season in the city league and the Moreman, Martyn Lane and 3 Claire Symonds (G) Veterans Div P W D L SETS Pts county premier league. Richard Pepperd at their disposal 4 Julie Bearr:roft (G) Matlock 2 2 0 0 19-1 4 And Nina is doing sterling work Rudford present a great threat to any 5 June Hall (C) Derby 2 1 1 0 14-6 3 each week at the Gloucester leisure other teams competing and they Eastwood 2 I 1 0 11-9 3 centre coaching a mixed section of Junior Boys must surely be favourites to take the Burton 2 1 0 1 12-8 2 the local community. I hear she has J Dale Saunders (G) title even with five more matches to Buxton 2 0 0 2 3-17 0 already attended some of Bryan 2 Howard Williams (S) play. Chesterfield 2 0 0 2 1-19 0 Merrett's coaching courses for Their lead is now 17 points clear, but 3. Craig Saunders (G) coaches held for a period of six 4 points separate the next three 4. Laurence Symonds (G) Experience was a telling factor in the weeks at Cheltenham. teams; CEGB with 25 points, and matches played in the junior division. Cirencester operational Cheltenham Saracens on 21. Junior Girls Burton and Derby gaining 9-1 victories Cinderford 13, and Stroud, 11, are J Jenny Ellery (G) over Matlock and Eastwood respect­ Cirencester, after 26 years of table battling to avoid the wooden spoon 2 Jenny Egan (C) ively. tennis demise, have formed a league - nevertheless it is interesting to note (with perhaps a little help from 3 Cheryl Fannin (G) that each team has won at least one 4 Caroline Stainer (S) JuniorDiv PWDLSETSPts county officials and others). Chaired match and no-one playing in more 5 Wendy Nicholls (S) . Burton 1 1 0 0 9-1 2 by Andy Alridge - a school teacher than two matches has won less than Chesterfield I 1 0 0 8-2 2 C- G- S at Deer Park - a sound working two sets. Cheltenham; Cloucester; Derby 2 1 0 1 11-9 2 committee has already beeen form­ At the time of writing our seniors in - Stroud. Eastmod I 0 0 1 1-9 0 ed and the league became fully division 3C are sitting at the top of Mike Prosser Matlock 1 0 0 I 1-9 0 operational from 20th January with the table unbeaten. But we do have I was saddened to hear of the death nine teams making up one division. postponements on the list, So by the of well-known former Hereford Fee increase It is the most encouraging news to time this is printed it could be that player Mike Prosser. Mike not only come out of the county for several we have been overtaken! The English Table Tennis years. While most of the country played in his native Herefordshire Association have agreed an af­ suffers from tt recession in general but, in company with Steve filiation fee unit of 168p for the here at long last in rural Gloucester­ Moreman and Dave Harvey - all 1986/87 season - an infla­ Footnote: Readers will appreciate playing for Tibberton and Thynton shire our game is on the increase. tionary increase of 6.3070 as It could well be argued that few pe0­ that no league can be formed in a in the late 70s - won the Gloucester ple in the sport want to give up any hurry. At present Cirencester are not first division team championship determined by reference to the time at all for the generat promotion affiliated under the county's official two years running in 1978 and again Retail Price Indices for or running of the sport, so this in­ umbrella, but no doubt this will the following year. Mike will indeed November 1984 and November itiative is doubly commendable. come about in due course. be sadly missed. 1985. 20 LANCASHIRE NOTES LEICESTERSHIRE LINCOLNSHIRE

George Yates Terry Brown

The first task of new county match Middlesex, in the senior premier In division I of the Leicester & District Wayne Noon, from Grimsby, was in secretary Norman Pearson (0254 division of the county championships. League, Knighton Park I, as they have excellent form during the Lincs 53376), following the resignation of From all accounts the second premier done repeatedly over the past few years, junior championships at Grantham Marjorie Riddle, involved the division weekend at Oldham was a well­ are sweeping all before them with the barracks, Grantham, on lIth registration of both Andrea Holt and conducted affair thanks to the efforts of irresistible Chris Rogers enjoying a January. He won the boys UlS, UI7 Sean Gibson for senior play. Theformer Stuart Sneyd whose son, DarryI, 100 %performance so far. and, to make it a hat-trick, the boys made his seniordebut against Warwick­ figures as the county's top Lancastrian Division 2 is currently topped by doubles with Glen White, also from shire in division 2A on 15th February, cadet at No 15. Leicester Electricity I with the power Grimsby. his male teammates being Paul play of Steve Zanker and the solid The girls events were dominated by Hutchings of Liverpool and Phil Sean Gibson is the top Red Rose backing of Phil Overend very much in the Grantham players who featured Aspinall of Oldham. Young Sean is a player in the junior boys list at No 7 evidence. That club again, Knighton in every final - a great achievement Preston inter-league player whilst also followed by David CarseofBolton at No Park 5 look to be running away with the for one town. Only young Sally playing for British Aerospace, Lostock II. And, in the junior girls list, Andrea division 3 pot thanks to an all-round Johnson, from Lincoln, stopped in the Bolton league. Holt rides high at No I, taking over from team effort spearheaded by Michael them from taking all the titles by Lancashire's senior team did well in Cheshire's Claire Potts. Nicola Lapworth. winning the UI3 event. She was also again finishing runners-up, to McGrath ofPreston figures at No 13. Leicester Building Society 2 are runner-up in the U17. building up what looks like a useful lead The championships had a slight in­ at the top ofdivision 4 with Neil Talbot crease in entries from last year, running at 90% interest. Belgrave which is a good sign for the future. HAMPSHIRE Liberals I, with Geoff Hancock at the The standard of play was very high helm, are waiting in the wings should and the behaviour of competitors ex­ cellent. David Cosway the Society men falter. Thorn EMI 2 are currently shining Results Again a defeat for the county first The junior match against Avon bright at the top ofdivision 5 with a 4pt JBS: Wayne Noon (Grimsby) b Ver­ team, this time against Wiltshire. To was a good 8-2 win with the team buffer over Knighton Park 7 & Great non Carthew (Grantham) 19, 12. be fair this is a very strong division of Paul Hudless, Phillip Watson, Glen 5. Hogg Robinson's Bob Norman UISBS: Noon b Jason Williams and we have played the strongest Martin Johnson, Lisa Rice and leads the race for the individual (Boston) II, 16. UIIBS: Matthew teams first. Racheal Cheffey all contributing. honours. King b Terry Paxton (Grantham) 8, As for most of the season, coun­ The veteran A team 7-2 win over 16. UI3BS: Matthew Jackson b ty champion Clive Young, was Avon had Ray Lush, Fred and Ivy Hinckley league David Onuga (Grantham) 10, IS. unavailable and Jill Green missed Kershaw winning all their singles and In Hinckley league, who adopt the JBD: Noon/Glen White (Grimsby) her first county game for some time, Ken Giles one singles. The Veteran 'points for sets won' system, the Croft b Williams/Gary Hill (Boston) 13, through injury. I can do no better B team had a comfortable 8-1 win first team are leading the pack in 12. JGS: Joanne Mole (Grantham) than quote from Chris Shelter's over Herts 4th, thanks to Maurice division I three points clear of the b Sally Johnson (Lincoln) 14, 17. report: ':4 very disappointing match Shave, John Harvey, George Philpot second placed Queens Head and with a UISGS: Helen Stephens b Jeanette which we lost -28'; wrote Shetler. and Anne Abraham. match in hand. David Grundy - of Baxter (Grantham) -20, II, 15. Even though Kevin Satchell, now At the half way stage in the inter­ Croft - tops the averages with 21 wins UI3GS: Johnson b Baxter 7, 19. ranked 16th in England, played, I town league, Aldershot head the outof2I. UllGS: Winner: Catherine Challis. was hoping for a draw': mixed division having beaten all Ashby Parva's first string occupy top Rumler-up: Abigail Durrands (Gran­ "Graham (Toole) remains an their three opponents in the first spot in division 2 with a massive 30pts tham). JGD: Mole/Stephens b enigma, brilliant one match, rubbish half. Southampton are in second lead over Mencap Casuals A who have Catherine May/Baxter (Grantham) the next. Certainly he has the abili­ place having lost only to Aldershot. three matches in hand. Alec·Downes of 15, 12. XS: Hill b Matthew Warren ty but is far too inconsistent. Therefore many outstanding mat­ Ashby Parva B is the man ofthe moment (Grantham) 13, 19. Rhamish (Bhalla) not at his best ­ ches in the mens division but again at the head of the averages with 89 %. No fluke no chance against Satchell, but Aldershot lead the way having won Lines beat Cheshire 7-2 in the managed to win one singles. Yours both the matches they have played. Mark Shutler (Gosport and veterans premier division of the truly won one of this singles very Alton making their welcome first Fareham) b Neil White (Basingstoke) county championships to prove that easily and only lost in the third appearance in the league have lost 12, 8. UI4BS: Mark Thorne last year's win against this great team game to Kevin Edwards in the their first two matches. (Southampton) b Bryant Gonsalves was no fluke. other': Southampton A lead the veteran (Aldershot) 13, 16. JBS: Paul After a shaky start, losing the first "The girls played very well in the division I with three wins, veteran Hudless (Aldershot) b Stuart Ottley two sets, Matt Sheader stopped the doubles and lost a close match in division 2 with two wins followed by (Basimtoke) 10, 17. UI4IXD: rot by beating Peter D'Arcy. And the third game. They should really Bournemouth C who have won their Thorne/Shutler b Gonsalves/M then Connie Moran really set the have won this one two straight only match to date. Again many Nash (Aldershot) 20, 21. JIXD: Cheshire team back by defeating though, being 17 up (sic) in the se­ outstanding matches in the veteran Hudless/Hammond b Thorne and Doreen Schofield, the England No cond having won the first. Sarah division - time was when fixtures Greg Moore (Southampton) 16, 13. I veteran lady. could only be postponed in excep­ (Hammond) played very well in her In the Hampshire Schools individual This is the fust game Doreen has lost singles, probably only losing tional circumstances. Championships again held at Red­ in this event in seven years, and on­ The Hampshire junior closed at­ through lack of experience at this bridge Sports Centre, Southampton. ly the second in any competition for level. She was up in the third game tracted a good entry although slight­ Once again Harold Alberry in veterans in this country - an excellent but lost through several unforced er­ 1y down on last season. Tournament charge assisted by John Hammond. win for Connie. rors right at the end against Janet organiser Harold Alberry states that Most of the events were played on 12, 20. UI9GS: Sarah Hammond (New) Parker': once again he had no assitance from a group system; the results as the many umpires in the county and (Richard Taunton, Southampton) b "Cheryl (Buttery) was up against follows:­ a good opponent in Clare Maisey had it not been for the help he Racheal Cheffey (Barton Peveril, (ranked in the top 30) but even so received from John Hammond, he UI9BS: Andrew Davies (Farn­ Eastleigh) 13, 14. UI6GS: Lisa Rice her performance was slightly erratic would have been hard pushed to borough Salesian College) b Richard (Horndean) b Kerry Hughes (St Ed­ and never looked like winning at cope. Mandair (Richard Taunton, munds, Portsmouth) 4, 4. U13GS: any stage of the game': Southampton) 9, 13. UI6BS: Jason Clare Woodham (Farnborough Hill) Results "So, another defeat. Still you can Hicks (Richard Oldworth, Bas­ b Tina Caws (Glen Eyre, Southamp­ only do your best and the spirit in UI2GS: Joanne Windsor (Port­ ingstoke) b Stuart Ottley (Richard ton), 8, 12. UIIGS: Heidi Wheaton the team is good. Everyone is enjoy­ smouth) b Heidi Wheaton 16, 13. Oldworth, Basingstoke) 20, 15. (Solent Middle, Portsmouth) b ing it even me with my 35 year old UI4GS: Elizabeth Schubrook U13BS: John Crouch (Farnborough Alison Thorne (Hardley, Southamp­ legs! The next match is against (Aldershot) b Tina Caws Salesian College) b Stephen Crouch ton) 24, -12, 19. Somerset first at Hambledon and (Southampton) II, 5. JGS: Sarah (Farnborough Salesian College) 12, Last year, Sarah Hammond went this could be the one where we Hammond (Southampton) b Lisa 18. UIIBS: Charles Fell (Wallhamp­ from winning this individual cham­ break our duck!" . Rice (Portsmouth) 13, 14. UI2BS: ton) b Guy Erricker (Wallhampton) pionship to win the national event. 21 NOTTS NEWS NORTHUMBERLAND

Mike Thnningley Pauline Long

Once again the Nottinghamshire Both the Northumberland senior mark with his first singles victory premier division equal on points. junior team progressed one step county teams entertained Lin­ and also a 'first' in the mixed But the Byker team have one game nearer to promotion from division colnshire in a 'double header' at doubles with Pauline Long. in hand over the second placed team 2A of the Stiga county champion­ Byker Community Centre on 11th This result means that Nor­ and two games over the third. thumberland are currently lying se­ ships when they overcame some January. The first team's match was There is a similar battle in division cond in the table, hoping to at least strong resistance from Lincolnshire originally scheduled for 22nd March 1 involving Boldon CC A, DHSS A to eventually run out comfortable but was brought forward to the same hold that position as Yorkshire II and Byker CC D, while in division cannot gain promotion with their 8-2 winners. day at Lincolnshire's request. 2A, Ouston CC A and Gateshead B first team in division 2A. The convincing scoreline however, The teams experienced mixed for­ are fighting it out for the leading The Christmas break proved to be did not reflect the determined effort tunes, with the first team achieving position. Newton 'A: are still leading a disaster for the Byker Newcastle by the division's bottom team as no their fifth successive victory (8-2) to division 2B by three points, but will first team in the Halex National less than six of the ten matches extend their lead at the top of divi­ have to watch lYne Gas A and league as they lost their vital match resulted in third game deciders. sion 3A. The seconds, unfortunate­ Shanklea A as they appear to be the to Chan Construction Handsworth John Holland got Notts off to a fine ly, remain rooted firmly at the other teams most likely to close the gap. to record their first defeat of the start when he beat the Lincs No I end after putting up a brave fight, Wills SRA, Electrics D and possibly season. Neil McMaster and Eddie Wayne Noon 21-18 in the third. But only to narrowly lose 4-6. They are Northumbria Centre appear to be Smith were their only set winners in a close defeat for Robert Fearn 22-20 still looking for their first victory. the likely promotion challengers in a 2-6 defeat. The second team fared in the third quickly levelled the The success of the veterans team division 3A, while in division 3B, even worse when they crashed 0-10 match. continued when on the same day at Jarrow CC A and Ashington YM­ to Kingsborough Insurance Services. Tim Sheppard who is having a real­ Blaydon Youth Club they had an ex­ CA B are the current leaders. But The second half of the Nor­ ly good final season for the county cellent 6-3 win over a good Hert­ they could face a challenge from thumberland league season only defeated Vernon Carthew to put fordshire second side, who had only third placed North Shields YMCA come down the previous season recommenced on 6th January after Notts 2-1 ahead. Wins in the girls D. doubles by Kay Mayall and Claire because their first team had been the Christmas and New Year break, Oldman along with Holland and relegated from the premier division. so not many results were to hand at Lemington B are now five point> Sheppard's win in the boys doubles Maurice Cheek again won two the time of writing. Byker CC A, clear at the top of division 4, but took the score to a healthy 4-1. singles to preserve his unbeaten North Shields YMCA A and Shanklea C have emerged to The run was sustained by Holland record - as did Fred Short - while Norland Road A are all currently challenge Northumbria Fire Service with his win over Peter Wilkinson Larry Cartnell at last got off the locked together at the top of the C for second place. and, though Claire Oldman lost in the girls singles aginst Helen Stephens, three successive wins for SOMERSET Junior Girls Sheppard, Mayall, and a fine 1. Melonie Carey (B) recovery by Fearns against the Lincs 2. Sarah Webb (B) Les Bridges No 2 Carthew gave Notts a hard­ 3. Kirsty Withyman (B) fought victory. Among the Somerset players who Aitken (Dv) in straight games, while 4. Fiona Stuart (B) 5. Tina Sadler (Y) Surprises appeared in six of the eight finals at Tina Sadler beat the England VI4 the Exeter Open in early February, No 10, Sarah Pengelly (Dv) in the 6. Joanna Webber (B) There were plenty of surprises in the Phillip Payne and Tina Sadler third in the VI4 final. Mansfield league's annual cham­ emerged as singles winners in the All of the Somerset players train Cadet Boys pionships with the holders of four V17 boys singles and VI4 girls at the Chilton Trinity School club in 1. Leon Bovett (B) trophies seeing their dreams of a singles. Bridgewater. Steven Durdey (Y) double crash in the Vnited Friendly Sarah Webb and Kirsty Withyman 3. Adam Gallop (B) Insurance-sponsored event. won the girls doubles and Tina James Webber (B) One of the major upsets came in the Sadler also reached the final of the 5. Terrance Austin (Y) Hildreth open singles where the V17 girls event defeating England holder Brian Hill lost 19-21 21-8, ranked Sarah Webb and Kirsty Junior Boys Cadet Girls 16-21 to his Packer Sports colleague Withyman on her way. 1. Phillip Payne (B) 1. Tina Sadler (Y) Geoff Gill. Other finalists were Katherine 2. David Woodridge (Y) 2. Sarah Grassam (Y) However, Hill still finished with a Gent, Vll girls, and Mark Smith 3. Paul Smith (B) 3. Kate Pearce (B) winners trophy after he teamed up Vll boys. Paul Fowler (B) Mamie Jarvis (B) with Gill to win the doubles final Phillip Payne put on a splendid 4. Keiron Boucher (Y) 5. Katherine Gent (B) against Tony Rusinowski and Ray display of defending to beat Richard Adrian Gillham (Y) Wright. Vl2 Boys David Brown the holder of the Packer veterans singles trophy also Sir Stanley Graham Rowlandson 1. George Ball (B) became another scalp for Gill as he 2. Mark Smith (B) outgunned him to win in straight MBE. JP, FCA 3. Michael Price (B) sets. It is with great regret that I have to on watching our sport, and only twice 4. Robert Fearn (B) The womens title went to Jane announce the death ofour President, Sir (once through ill-health and the other 5. Daniel Finberg' (Y) Vickers who shocked the holder Stanley Graham Rowlandson, MBE, because of the diabolical weather) did Jackie Bull in an all Rolls Royce JP, FCA. Graham, as he liked to be he fail to come to the finals of the Ul2 Girls final to win 21-16, 21-15. She then called, boasted that he had one of the Middlesex 3-Star Open Champion­ 1. Sharon Fowler (B) followed up this success by teaming longest entries in Who's Who. and ships, even when he had to be literally 2. Kate Gent (B) up with Steve Thylor to win the mix­ certainly he held a great number of carried up the stairs in the old days at 3. Kay Dorrett (B) ed doubles against Barry and Alison appointments both in the business Hanwell. He also held receptions for 4. Sarah Bawden (B) Thylor. world and public service. It was because our victorious teams when they won the 5. Stephanie Fox (B) It was Thylor's second winner's of his position as Chairman of the now County Championships and attended trophy of the championships follow­ defunct Middlesex County Council that many ofour functions. B - Bridgewater; Y - Yeovil we approached him 28 years ago and ing his victory in the V17s event He will be remembered with asked him to become our President, a while Lee Coppock gained success affection by many Middlesex table in the V14s section. Ray Bostrom, post he was pleased to accept and which tennis players and will be sadly missed he has occupied ever since. the district manager of Vnited by us all. Friendly Insurance, presented the Although a polio victim and confined awards during the afternoon. to a wheelchair, he became quite keen 1risMoss 22 STAFFORDSHIRE NOTES SURREY

by Jack Chalkey Frank Hams

For those who have followed the per­ latest win against Bath (5-3) keeps When Nicky Mason walked through the The event was the last to be held; next formances of Staffordshire in the them on top of the national league, doors of the Elmbridge Leisure Centre, year it should be one of the first so that county championships over the with Desmond Douglas remaining on Saturday 25th January, the hopes of veterans who support the tournament by years, perhaps the most remarkable unbeaten. the other competitors flew out of the playing in all events are not put at a feature of this season's results is suc­ If they continue to hold this posi­ windows. When he scored his frrst point disadvantage. cess in the doubles matches. Our tion, they will be the first midland orblocked a seemingly outright winner, The mens doubles won by Martin three wins over Berkshire, Leicester­ team to win the premier division. it was apparent there would only be one Shuttle and Neville Miller; the womens shire and Kent, all 5-4, depended on Having seen their recent match victor of the mens singles in the Surrey doubles by Barella and Heather Payce­ doubles victories and two doubles against Ormesby, one cannot help closed championship. Drury; the mixed doubles by wins also took us very close to a but refer to the outstanding exam­ His opponent in the semi-final, Dave Simmonds and Hammond; the defeat of the champions, Middlesex. ple which Desmond Douglas gives Harding, gave him the hardest game consolation by Alun Garroway. In fact, Fiona Elliot's only singles to table tennis. His talent needs no 21-16, 21-13. His opponent in the final Neither Glen Baker (the holder of defeat of the championships comment from me the results say it was Steve Holloway who beat Mike mens singles) or Leslie Popkiewitcz unluckily came in the Middlesex all. But added to this he is one of Hammond in the other semi. entered the tournament. Glen said his match, denying us a famous win the few players at the top who can Steve is tall, but Nicky, who had forms arrived too late (everyone over the top county. Nevertheless, be described as a true sportsman, travelled up from the English Open, received their forms late) and Leslie, finishing equal fourth with six points always displaying good manners looked taller than the Brighton Dome. because she no longer wants to be was a very creditable performance with no outburst of temperament or During the match he had Steve locked associated with the county. and as good as we could have ex­ ill-feeling. If only coaches would in­ up and under complete control. She is upset with county selection; pected. still in young players that temper and His services were tricky and difficult selector Mike Kercher has asked her to There were excellent contributions loss of control contributes all too to read and resulted in outright winners reconsider but I understand she may from Fiona and from Adrian Dix­ often to lost matches. 'If you can or easy openings. When rallies did join another county. on (7 wins out of 14) and Andrew keep your head when all about you happen he moved around the court In the final of the U17s Richard Jones Bellingham (4/14, playing No I); are losing theirs. . . : faster than an excited ferret. was beaten by Simon Philipsz who also Craig Bakewell and Andy Rich com­ Our junior second team looks set to Steve did his best and hit the odd beat Matthew Pernett. In the girls U17s pleted the team and added a singles hold their place in division 2A. They winner but at the end the scoreline of Cheryl Bateman beat Tracy Pritchett win each, whilst the doubles wins gained another victory over Suffolk 21-11, 21-13 tells its own story. For the 15-21, 24-22, 21-16 after being 17-20 came from Bellingham/Dixon (517) by 6-4, singles wins coming from first time the trophy has the name of down in the second. In the U14 girls and Elliot/Rich (417). Nigel Tongue (2), Adrian Thorp, Mason on it. Karen Ashley beat Amanda Dewsbury The county join team captain, Paul Mark Stretton and Louise Sherratt, The score of the womens final tells a and she also won the U12s. Chester, in being well pleased with with Thorp and Tongue adding the story of a different kind 21-15, 17-21, Graham Connelly won the U14 boys, retaining our place in the premier doubles. 24-22. The match between Jane Barella the U12 boys winner was Jason Blake, division and the chance to have The same team, which also includ­ and Debbie Simmonds was fairly pre­ and Matthew Pernett was awarded the another go at the top counties next ed Jane Winter, travelled to dictable-Jane slow looping, Debbie Jim Forest trophy for the most improved year. Yorkshire but were unable to upset blocking; both trying to hit the odd player. Our other defeats came from the strong Yorkshire second team. winner. Yorkshire (4-5), Lancashire (2-7) and Thorp recorded two singles victories Jane serving tight spinny services; Surrey (3-6). As a final word, I in the 8-2 defeat and must now be Debbie, who was faulted a few times should make special mention of a serious contender for a place in when she was younger, serving Recovery junior Adrian Dixon's outstanding our junior side to go to the second absolutely impeccably. Flat, open hand The premier team recovered from their performance as a member of the premier weekend. but still with plenty of variation. poor results at Tolworth by winning senior team. His 7 wins included the His win in the junior boys event in First game to Jane; second to Debbie. three out of four matches in the second notable scalps of Steve Mills of the Grove 2-Star tournamnet em­ In the third with Jane 17-11 up it looked premier weekend. They finished Yorkshire (No 12 in the national phasises the progress he has made all over, but when Debbie won the next fourth. At the veterans southern tourna­ rankings) and Steve Thrner of Lan­ this season. two points her opponent suddenly had ent at Brighton Connie Warren lost in cashire (No 28). Plans are going ahead for another doubts. the final to Henry Buist. Jenny Vass lost hard bat tournament this season. At 20-20 it was anyone's game-who in the womens semi-final. Douglas a success for GKN The veterans lost against Kent 4-5. 11th May is the likely date and once had the nerve? Jane looped; Debbie Another success story at premier again individual (Thrner Trophy) blocked with pimpled rubber; the ball Gordon, Frank and Brian won one division level is that of GKN and team (Beattie lfophy) events will died characteristically near the end of each, plus a mens doubles. Steelstock Wolverhampton. Their be held. the table. Jane lunged, the ball balanced Rupert Bole made his debut in the 2nd on top of the net and fell over. The next senior team away to Cambridge. He point evened the score and the crowd won one in the team's draw. Jerome roared. Had their impartiality changed Jonah also played his first game in this because of the previous point? match. They seemed behind Debbie, but Now-a question that many people Jane won the next two points to become will not answer-which ofyou are older the champion. than the Surrey committee? They have a problem. Is the Surrey Table Tennis Shocks Association 40 or 50 years old? In 1936 There were shocks in the veterans the STT League was formed. In 1946 event. Frank Hams, Brian Simmonds, the STT Association was founded but Ron Wilde and Gordon Chapman all the founders of the league also helped lost and it was left to Ron Langheim to form the association. Should we be beat Mike Pearson 10-21, 21-10, 21-15 in celebrating our Jubilee? Answers please the final. to Ron Craydon.

Members of the Staffs junior second team who represented the county in several of the earlier matches this season. Left to right: Adrian Thorp (Wolverhampton), Nigel Tongue (Stafford), Jane Winter (Tamworth), Louise Sherratt (Stafford) and Mark Stretton (Wolverhampton). Photo courtesy of the "Tamworth" Herald" 23 SUSSEX NOTES WARWICKSHIRE NOTES

John Woodford Mary Rose

Phil Smith, 29, the season's most winning the womens singles against her The second session of Warwickshire successful player on the Sussex ranking sister Christine in the final, took the League matches were held at the list has finally driven a wedge between womens doubles with Christine and the Phoenix Club, Coventry on Sunday the Moore brothers! mixed doubles with Malcolm Francis 19th January 1986, but referee Brian COVENTRY In the latest list, effective from March who also won the coveted Brighton Lloyd reported them a disaster, as only 1st, Smith appears at No 2 in Sussex crown against Andy Walker in the final. two of the planned seven matches were There has been considerable activity on with Adrian Moore back at No I and Shock at the Brighton tournament played due to Rugby and Stratford being the Inter City front, mainly in respect to Stephen Moore down to No 3. Smith has was the defeat of Roger Chandler at the unable to send teams because of other the cadet sides. The A team has played had a fine season for TCB Dolphins in hands of Robin Stace who then went commitments. two series of matches and after six the national league, with an outstanding down to Walker, another fine perform­ A date has been booked in March, matches remain undefeated, sharing top win at Cardiff by Alan Griffiths; he has ance by the Lancing man. again at the Phoenix Club, but with such league spot with Loughborough. also beaten Stephen Moore three times. It is vital that these young Sussex men a congested programme during the next Jonathan Baldwin remains undefeated His reward is virtually certain to be a start to come through, bearing in mind few months it will obviously be a after 18 sets, while David Clarke and No 2 seeded berth at the all-Sussex players like Chandler, Stace and Keith problem re-arranging the postponed Peter Rose each have 15 wins to their championships at Lancing on 16th Horton are now all veterans. Incident­ matches. credit. April. On current performance that ally that is certainly a strong veterans should give him a place in the final-in­ team added to the strength of Alan The B sidedid not meet with the same form Ritchie Venner should be in the top Rowden, whose record in Sussex as a success when they played a session in Tournament Success half with Adrian Moore-and Smith veteran is second to none. The top the Heart of England league winning should have a clear run after trying for Sussex veterans team is on a high-flying Anne Lloyd of Birmingham after only one of the three matches played. that elusive crown for many years. run, challenging for the lead in the playing for two seasons in local veteran Coventry trio of Daniel Swallow, Carl Shortly after the re-rankings however county championships with Rowden the events has decided to branch out and Jackson and Philip Balfe lost 3-7 to Dolphins were humbled at St Neots and star performer. enter major events around the country. Banbury, 4-6 to Worcester, but defeated Stephen Moore got his own back on I seek hard for good news on juniors Her first successes came at Coventry Leamington B 7-3. Venner. But at the Kent Open in and it is hard to find, but there is some in November, reaching the semi-final of The Midland League mens A side Gillingham the Crawley v Bexhill battle relief at Crawley. After trying for 16 the Over 40s womens singles and the have recorded two useful 8-2 wins over royal for supremacy took another years Ifield Community College­ final ofthe restricted Over40s ladies. At both Wo!verhampton at home and strange turn when Venner reached the guided by stalwart Andy Meads-are the Midland Zoned Tournament held at Chesterfield away. Adrian Pilgrim mens singles final at the expense of through to the national finals of the Wolverhampton Anne won her group being undefeated winning six sets in two Adrian Moore. This was certainly ESTTA competition. Scott Green­ matches in the singles event beating matches. Kevin Pilgrim winning five Venner's finest hour even though he lost brook, Marcus Greenbrook, Alan Cole Janet Allen ofWorcester on the way, but sets and Chris Martin four. to Colin Wilson in the final. and Paul Sutton are the high-flying losing to Linda Reed in the final. Last Crawley quartet. but not least was a trip to Brighton for The B side have had mixed results, Another high-flyer, at Hastings, is the English veterans tournament gaining a creditable 5-5 draw at Burton Come-back RosemaryRainton,I6, who plays in one winning her group, and pairing with after being 2-4 down, they then fell to Former Sussex champion Carole of the lower divisions of the local Joyce Coop to reach the semi-finals of Leicester B 3-7. Hewett is making a welcome come­ league. She is on the way up with a fine the womens doubles. The junior A side had a good win back. After a mix-up over a letter at the win over Sheila King, England No 41 Perhaps Anne's success and obvious against Derby coming back from 3-4 start of the season she is now available woman player in the Hastings cham­ enjoyment in playing veterans down to win 6-4. The turning point for the county. pionships. Paul Rowden won his fifth tournaments will encourage other came when Simon Brain won his singles In the Brighton championships on title at Eastbourne and Sheila King took ladies in Warwickshire to admit to their against Amanda Dawkins after three 24th February she swept the board the womens crown for the second time. veteran status. very close games. PING PONG FOR CHARITY

A marathon 24-hour table cancer research. Richards, a pupil at Will­ right they are David Hiley, tennis session has netted up to But organisers believe the final ingsworth High School, Tipton James Wills, Matt Phillips, Matt £500 for charity. figure is now likely to be bet­ said: "}t's very hard going but Richardson, Andy Richardson, Members of the Leabrook ween £400 and £500. worth it. We had a rota with 20 Tony Chadwick and Matthew Table Tennis Club in Wednes­ The marathon was officially people playing on two or three Gibbs. bury in the West Midlands opened by Desmond Douglas, tables all the time~' aimed at raising £250 for the the national singles champion. *Some of the sporting team Reproduced with permission from the Sand well Marie Curie Foundation for Organiser, l5-year-old Andy members who took part; left to Mail, West Midlands. 24 ERIC Hill - A TRUE TYKE

Rea Balmford

Eric Hill, after serving the county as rowing respectively, while sons Greg, the nationally ranked cadets, all of" Both players have 29 wins, but with coaching secretary, county champion­ who made 95 Yorkshire League appear­ whom began their table tennis activities Milnes gaining his revenge in the recent ships secretary and national councillor, ances for Bradford, and Adrian, a at the centre, live in Thorpe return fixture between the players and has recently taken over the 'hot seat' as former No I ranked Yorkshire junior as Willoughby, although not all play for the only one defeat against his name, chairman of the Yorkshire Association. well as an Oxford half blue, both made village side. Beaumont is left with a mountain to Like all Tykes, Eric is intensely their mark in table tennis. Ifso many young people in one small climb, for the Battyeford man has lost proud to be a Yorkshireman, and that is village in Yorkshire are eager to learn to four times, having played one more The family table tennis connection the motivation behind his willingness to play our sport, how much untapped match than his rival. was extended when Greg, now a stick out his neck and put Yorkshire talent and interest is there throughout Dewsbury, too, take a full share in successful business man in his own where he feels that they belong - at the the length and breadth of the land - a county affairs with general secretary right, married Melody (Ludi) who, top. sobering thought! Bevan Walker on the management although, like 'dad in law', always busy, A busy man in his professional life as Another equally sobering thought ­ committee and very much involved in still finds time to play for Bradford and, a director of a Bradford firm of wool the Selby success story has come to, the county championships programme, ofcourse, Yorkshire. merchants, Eric's sporting background what everybody will hope, is a merely Chris Clemson travelling the country in covers not only table tennis, but lawn Over twenty years with the Clayton tempor-d/)' halt as the league urgently the blue umpire's uniform and Bob tennis, soccer, squash, snooker and Heights club sees the new chairman seek new premises in which to continue Ryder, when time away from his milk golf. steeped in table tennis at all levels from their work. Everybody in the county round permits, still taking great This versatility extends to his family, the grass roots up to the highest, and all will be hoping that this progressive pleasure in his work as a coach. where two of his four daughters, his many friends from the 'Woolopolis' league can quickly get the show back on Rebecca and Bronwyn, gained repre­ and far beyond will wish him well and the road and the talent can continue to Frank Briggs fund sentative honours at swimming and give him every support in 'life at the top'. come to the fore. At a recent meeting of the Yorkshire Dewsbury enthusiasm management committee it was decided Selby success to keep open the Frank Briggs News from another of the smaller, but Memorial Fund for a further period of flourishing leagues in the county comes time in order to make it possible for With the news that the Selby league are went from strength to strength with one from Dewsbury, where it really is a table tennis enthusiasts from both looking for a new coaching centre as a junior and five cadets named in last players' organisation, with all members within and beyond the boundaries ofthe result of rebuilding and modernisation season's England ranking lists. of the executive playing regularly in county to show their appreciation for at the Squash Club comes a five year This success is not only a tribute to domestic competition. the work ofa man who devoted much of success story from that busy little town the work of the young players No less than eight of the 24 member his life to the cause of table tennis in situated betweeen the industrial West themselves and a squad of dedicated clubs are represented on the executive general and Yorkshire table tennis in Riding, historic York and rural East coaches, but it has seen that handful of committee, led by hardworking chair­ particular. Yorkshire (now politically known by youngsters of five years back grow to man Gordon Sanders, who combines Leagues, Associations, members and that horrendous misnomer of North thirty - over one third of the 86 players the duties of press secretary and match friends are invited to make donations to Humberside). registered in the league - and provide secretary with those of keeping law and add to the County's own substantial Five years ago when the local league the nucleus of the table tennis future in order in the committee room. contribution, while, at both the major boasted only a handful ofjuniors, a nine the town. Gordon must have a persuasive national tournaments due to be held in table coaching centre was set up at the The coming of the coaching centre personality. When I asked him how he this calendar year, the Beneficial Trust Squash Club, thanks to the efforts of offered an opportunity and, often, even managed to get his committee from Yorkshire Junior Select and the newly Mike Hanley and Mick Wilcockson nine tables were insufficient to cope among the players - not an easy task, inaugurated Yorkshire and Humberside and, from the beginning, the tables were with the demand, particularly in a most administrators will agree - the 3-Star Open, opportunity will be overflowing with enthusiastic young­ league where many clubs are attached to reply was along the line of "We just tell available for individuals 'to associate sters working under the guidance ofthe local industry and thus unable to open the AGM that we are short of a helper themselves with the fund. two equally enthusiastic coaches. their doors to those who want to get a and somebody volunteers to do thejob". One of the already established foot on the ladder. On the playing side Stuart Milnes County championships youngsters at that time was Mick One of the few independent clubs is (Moorend WMC), who represents Emmerson, now with Harrogate, who in the nearby village of Thorpe Dewsbury in the Yorkshire League at In finishing third in the final senior became Selby's first to achieve a county Willoughby, and here thirty of the fifty both senior and veteran level, currently premier division table behind Middle­ junior n.nking - at No 8. Younger members were in thejunior orcadetage shares the lead in the Division I merit sex and Lancashire, Yorkshire are brother Steve and Mandy Holmes from group, with thirty more on the waiting table with Stuart Beaumont of pleased with their effort and pay tribute neighbouring Castleford followed suit list, and these latter were channelled Battyeford Boys Club, the only player to to a tremendous performance from their twelve months later, and the scheme into the coaching centre. Now four of have beaten him this season. teenagers. Against powerful opposition Michael O'Driscoll, who came out with four victories and four defeats on his debut at this level, will regard this as an extremely good performance, while Joanne Shaw also broke even in her four singles outings. The two wins, six defeats record of Steve Mills and Chris Oldfield hardly reflect their standard ofplay;with many of the games being extremely close. Bevan Walker and his squad came away with their heads held high. 00000 Rea wishes to record his thanks to the following for their help in supplying information for these notes: Malcolm Hartley, Bradford Telegraph and Argus (Eric Hill). is Former British and European heavyweight boxing champion Henry Cooper still striking blows for charity. Dawn Harris, Hon Match Sec, Selby is J.H. Ltd. Here he seen presenting Mr. Cullimore of Dewhurst with table tennis equipment auctioned in aid TTA (Selby Coaching). of the Boys Clubs Association. Gordon Sanders, Chairman, £212), Equipment manufacturers Dunlop had donated the table, bats and balls (worth which went to Mr. Cullimore Dewsbury league (Dewsbury). for £350. He obviously knows good value when he sees it! 25 Swansea player Peter Harry. This Butterfly Cardiff maintain National time it was Warwick Armstrong's turn to blot his copybook and he lost to the two Proffit brothers. But by H. Roy Evans League record Angie Evans again came up with In Butterfly's 6-2 win against St to Moore and Harper, and looked and Honor, and it was left to the the savers, with two straight wins Neots, Alan Griffiths and Nigel as if all confidence had deserted inexperienced Paul Williamson, over Don Smith and Simon Tyler continued their winning him. after being comprehensively Proffitt. ways, with two victories apiece, Pengelly Sports, narrowly beaten by Pickard in his first Paul Williamson had lost to Peter whilst Nigel Thomas also came up beaten by Norwich Foxwood in the outing, to prevail over Steward Harry quite comfortably in his first with two good performances. Alan first half of the season, did well to 28-26 24-22 in a game full of match, but now, encouraged by his beat Stuart Palmer and Keith force a 4 all draw at Abersychan. errors. It gave Paul his first national success against Norwich, Paul got Richardson, Nigel beat Richard­ Although Nick Williams lost to leage success and produced a draw his head down. Although he lostthe son and Stephen Moore. Nigel David Honor and Douglas for Pengelly. first game to Don Smith, he took Thomas accounted for Michael Bennett, Warwick Armstrong, Against Gunnersby Triangle, the second in good style, then Harper, and gave one of his best after losing to Bennett, beat Neil also at Abersychan on the following battled out a nail-biting decider to performances to beat Palmer. Pickard. Captain Angie Evans, day, NickWilliams camegood with win 23-21, and thus assure Pengelly Unfortunately Gary Wilkins is veteran of the side, but as ever a wins over Jonathan Proffit and ex- ofa5-3win. still right out of form, going down grand fighter, beat both Steward GWENT ClWYD Stephen Gibbs

Charles Bayliss Andrew Evans (Eastern Valley) For Kevin Boalch it was a good day. regained the Gwent singles title at He excelled himself, as indeed he had Abersychan Leisure Centre with an to, in the Handicap Singles event as he Wrexham schoolboy Spencer Harris, with L1ay RBL B in the lead with 81 exciting three set win over Jeremy played through six rounds conceding aged 12, is the youngest player to points and Telecom C second with 74 Hobbs (Tredegar) in the Halex Gwent double figure starts in four of those compete in the first division of the and third are early pacemakers Closed Table Tennis Championships rounds! Wrexham League. Wrexham B on 67 points. 1986 on Sunday 9th February. When The junior title went as expected to He is the latest star to emerge from the Division 3 show Telecom Juniors Warwick Armstrong withdrew at the Paul Jones of Newport. Jones' only table tennis crazy family of Harris's of with a lead ofone point over Wrexham B last moment Hobbs only had to contend scare was against David Buck in the Coedpoeth near to Wrexham. who have 87 points. with the challenge of the junior Paul semi final. Steve Ward (Eastern Valley) And he has already made a big impact Jones and ofKevin Boalch on his way to is one of the few Gwentjuniors to have by winning more than 50% of his East Flintshire league the final. scored wins over Jones and always at matches for Caergwrle Boys Brigade so Andrew Evans, having disposed of Abersychan. But this time Jones, farthis season. Caergwrle Boys Brigade lead division Graham Sell, should have played Paul knowing it to be his last chance of the Spencers success has earned him a one of the East Flintshire league with Williamson in the semi but Williamson juniortitle, made no mistake and he won place in the Clwyd county junior squad 106 points from their 12 matches lost to JeffTurner. Turner came close to powerfully 21-16, 21-13. and his current position as cadet played, second position are BSC causing an upset as he led Evans The other two events in the champion of North Wales and the Shotton with 99 points. through most of the first game only to tournament were contested by very Wrexham league. In division two Caergwrle Boys see Evans steal through 22-20. Evans small groups of players. With the large His father Alan who is chairman of Brigade C are leaders on 69 points with took the second 21-17 and was decidedly numbers of Veteran players throughout both the North Wales ITA and also his their D team second with just one point pleased to have done so. the county it was extremely disappoint- local Wrexham league said, "Spencer less, they are joint second with In the final there was little doubt that ing to see less than a dozen take part. has been playing in the Wrexham league Hawarden A also on 68 points. Jeremy Hobbs was out to show the Alan O'Connell (Tredegar) was for about three years but this is the first The DR Ledgard Challenge Cup Gwent selectors that they were wrong in favourite to retin his title and that he did. time he has competed in the first competition is now at its final stage after leaving him out of national league side. Stan Williams of Newport was thought division. BSC Shotton beat Sealand Youth Club Hobbs played his best ever table tennis to be the dark horse of this event but he "He is extremely enthusiastic about 9-1. And in the other semi-final, in Gwent as he gave Evans as good as he was nowhere near steady enough to his table tennis and his aim is to break Caergwrle Boys Brigade routed British got. outwit O'Connell who won 21-11,21-14. through into the Welsh cadet squad. Aerospace with a clean sweep 10-nil. Hobbs led 15-11 in the first game but Gwent re-introduced a womens "I must admit I have been surprised Evans fought back with his usual fierce singles for this closed event and again by his progress this season. He has won approach and took the set 21-18. numbers were very small. The four more matches than I could have hoped, County Championships Even more determined, Hobbs ladies involved played for the title on a some of his victories have come against After a journey through snow and icy entered the second set with renewed round robin basis. top class players." road conditions, Clwyd arrived at strength and took it comfortably; it was The crucial game proved to be Spencer who attends Bryn Offa Kendal to play their away match with 9-9 in the deciding set before Evans between the junior, Sian Evans school, Wrexham practises on a table Cumbria. The journey had been a bad could take the initiative. (Newport) and the favourite, Janet installed in his garage at home. one but the welcome was very warm A combination of fine anacking Helps (Eastern Valley). And he has no trouble finding from the local county. forehands combined with some good Sian's anacking play proved to be too opposition. His father has played for Clwyd playing without their number blocking with his pimpled rubber put strong for Janet and with three unbeaten around 20 years and his sister Nicola one Mark Thomas had in his place John him 15-10 in front. From then the players sets to her name she took the title. Janet aged 14 also plays. Even younger Ellis. Paul Griffiths, Terry Turner, and battled out each point but Hobbs could Helps with two wins was runner up. brother Daniel is taking up the sport, at for their debut together Evelyn Wright not close the gap and Evans regained the age six. and Heidi Coner, completed the squad. title previously won in 1982 with a 21-15 Truly a table tennis mad family are All three men won both of their two win. the Harris's. Results singles and the two girls also their The two finalists faced each other in (Part of WI article from the Wrexham Evening singles and combined together to take another final when Kevin Boalch and MS: Andrew Evans (E Valley) b Leader). the doubles 21-15, 21-11. Evans were defending the doubles title Jeremy Hobbs (Tredegar) 18, -16, 15. In the mens doubles John Ellis and against Hobbs and Jeremy Price. WS: Sian Evans (Newport) b Janet Wrexham Paul Griffiths had bad luck in just losing Having scraped home 30-28 in the third Helps (E Valley) 14, 18. VS: Alan Leaders in the division one of the the set which would have given the set of the semi final against Turner and O'Connell (Tredegar) b Stan Wrexham league are Caergwrle BB (82 North Walians a clean sweep. However Williamson there was no way that they Williams (Newport) II, 14. JXS: pts) with Malpas still in contention with they failed to win in the third game so a were going to give up the final game Paul Jones (Newport) b Steve Ward 79 points. They have, however, played a very useful away win by 9-1. easily. (E Valley) 16, 13. IXD: Evans/Kevin match more than Caergwrle. This result was all the more Hobbs, having just lost the singles Boalch (E Valley) b Hobbs/Jeremy McAlpine Quarries first team are satisfactory because Clwyd were final, could not raise his game again and Price (Tredegar) 13, 18. Handicap close behind with 74 points. The without both Mark Thomas and also Evans and Boalch retained the doubles singles: Boalch b Martin Prior division two situationis still quite open Trevor Manning. title with a clear 21-13,21-18 win. (Newport) (+ 15) 20, 16. 26 Trivial Readers who play the latest unbeatable it seemed. nero "A playing shirt shall be "That's not right", they all craze of "Trivial Pursuit" might protested. "I know" said Rub­ "What colour shirts must mainly of a uniform colour like to be forewarned on the ac­ ~', berneck, "but I set the table tennis players wear in of­ other than white, but .. said curacy of some of the answers. questions". ficial competition", asked ques­ ITTF rules committee chairman Seeking relief from interminable tionmaster Whiteside. This ap­ Clemett, his voice trailing off as meetings, Rubberneck joined parently simple problem pro­ he searched for the international Got a loight boye? the ETTA's management com­ handbook. "...but it has to have mittee for a game in the hotel voked much surprising a Butterfly logo", interjected With the ETTA facing a £15,000 after the Oldham discussion. vice-chairman development plus bill for the refurbishment of the Hastings office after years championships. "Anything goes", selected the Ransome helpfully. of neglect, Rubberneck was sur­ The structure of the game is laissez-faire Charters - advocate "No", said Rubberneck", prised to receive the unusual re­ simplicity itself. Players move of the MK Top 12 approach ­ you're all wrong. The answer is quest for an experienced ar­ around the board answering from the telephone in the cor­ "black". questions on six subject areas: sonist after a recent meeting of history, geography, art and the management committee. literature, entertainments, One knowledgeable in such science and nature, sport and matters advised that the best leisure. method of tackling the problem The management team were was via the side alley where ac­ cess to the back of the building Invisible Man 2 may be gained unobserved. ETTA coaching committee meeting held January 1986, Sky high minute 23.1: Gordon Stegall East London extrovert Sky An­ hoped that the ESTTA would be drew has had his chips it is able to appoint someone for the reported. Sky, like many others, next meeting. He then asked was flabbergasted when the about the ETTA's representation latest Joola computer ranking to their meetings. PS replied list put the England interna­ that due to short notice he had tional at No. 31 in Europe. been unable to attend the last An unconfirmed report to meeting. Rubberneck has suggested that ESTTA Executive meeting the flamboyant Skylet was quick held 12th May 1985, minute 13: to point out his amazement ­ 1985-86 dates - no change in having barely won a match of venues. Executive meeting, European significance since the 5.1.86. previous listing when he was unplaced. Stuck Sorry Dot (White of Devon who Snookered had asked for a snappy table TV watchers in the North East tennis car sticker - December have informed me that Steve in­ Rubberneck)! Imagination teresting Davis and darts cham­ seems in short supply. pion Eric Bristow have cancelled Except that is for England No. their subscription to the II Kevin Satchell and Surrey Desmond Douglas fan club. press officer Frank Hams who, Appearing on Tyne-Tees televi­ between them, provided all of Des on the sion, the England table tennis the saucy suggestions for Dot's No. 1 pulled no punches when dilemma. South Yorks apology defensive asked why table tennis did not Satchell, a fast mover at all Graham Cae of South Yorkshire There was standing room only attract the same money and times we are told from sources table tennis club has disputed at the Karen Witt benefit exhibi­ popularity as other sports like in Melksham, Wiltshire, provid­ the accuracy of the report tion on Thursday 6th February. snooker and darts. ed "Table Tennis players do it (January Rubberneck) which Rubberneck, suitably disguised "Snooker? Darts?", said the faster!" at the top of his list. In­ suggested an outstanding pay­ with a scarf to fend off the incredulous Douglas. "You can't cidentally, what is "it"? ment due by the club to one of biting cold, shook the snow call them sports. Meanwhile, it And Hams, who submitted 26 their players. from his boots as he slid into the looks as if the audience viewing thoughts in quick successipn The editor is pleased to accept Omega Reading clubhouse to figures for these two sedentary ranged from the upmarket Mr Coe's assertion that this pay tribute./o one ofEngland's pastimes have reached the top of plagiarism of "No TT - No matter - involving an amount most-liked players - retiring the much vaunted "arousal comment!" to the vulga'r, which of less than £200 - had been from table tennis in order to curve". cast aspertions upon the virility resolved by the time of the Bath enter a nursing career. • • • e, • of (presumably) Surrey players and Reading national league Highlight of the exhibition with whom he is no doubt matches and apologises was Des Douglas against fellow An apology, too, to readers for familiar. unreservedly to the South recordbreaker Alan Cooke. Des, the "Coachess" article in the last For pure sexism, reference to Yorkshire club for any embar­ just back from the Europe Top magazine. "rubbers" and "(long) pimples" rassment which the report might 12, was in brilliant form. The editor, it seems, deleted all were right out of order for the have caused. The Rotherham­ He astounded onlookers in­ reference to "he" from the disapproving Rubberneck. based club have long been cluding ETTA Chairman Tom Director of Coaching advert to Hams gets the free sub for his recognised as an efficiently ad­ Blunn with a hitherto unreveal­ ensure it complied with the re­ "no ping - no zing" and "I (love) ministrated organisation and ed defensive talent as he retriev­ quirements of the Equal Oppor­ TT" in the accepted style of a working to the promotional ed balls of the floor from the tunities Act, rendering Rubber­ heart for the word "Iove'l. benefit of the sport. back of the arena. neck's quip incomprehensible. 27 Wells up two, Sandley continues slide Rob Oldfield Dave Wells, now No.7, is up two the rise of Mark Mitchell to a rank­ In the womens, little change - par­ places in the latest Lentec ranking ing more usually associated with his ticularly below No. 31 where few list. But former international consistent form - back to No. 24 players appear to have gained any Graham Sandley has continued to from 49 since January. And leading points since January. An exception slide down the rankings and just juniors Jimmy Stokes and Adrian is Sheffield's Lesley Longstone (nee makes the top 10 in ninth position. Dixon have leapt 14 and 12 places Broomhead) who comes into the Most. obvious changes include up the latest classification. Top 50 at No. 38. Men Women No. Name Town of Residence Points No. Name Town of Residence Points I Desmond Douglas (Birmingham) 2609 I Lisa Bellinger (Dunstable) 1566 2 Carl Prean (Ryde) 1858 2 Alison Gordon (Reading) 1493 3 Alan Cooke (Chesterfield) 1365 3 Joy Grundy (Preston) 1067 4 Skylet Andrew (London E15) 1119 4 Fiona Elliot (Wolverhampton) 855 5 John Souter (Neasden) 881 5 Karen Win (Reading) 665 6 Nicky Mason (Bexhill) 800 6 Mandy Sainsbury (Newbury) 602 7 David Wells (Milton Keynes) 768 7 Jackie Bellinger (Dunstable) 594 8 AndrewSyed (Reading) 756 8 Joanne Shaw (Normanton) 366 9 Graham Sandley (Poners Bar) 738 9 Jill Harris (Walsall) 337 10 Philip Bradbury (Aylesbury) 665 10 Suzanne Airey (Grantham) 336 II Kev in Satchell (Frome) 602 II Jean Parker (Preston) 331 12 Steven Scowcroft (Bolton) 585 12 Karen Smith (Leicester) 234 13 Steve Mills (Sheffield) 582 13 Carol Butler (Plymouth) 215 14 Colin Wilson (Cuflley) 530 14 Susan Collier (Maidenhead) 212 15 Chris Rogers (Leicester) 504 15 Claire Maisey (Swindon) 197 16 ManhewSyed (Reading) 467 16 Juliet Houghton (Tonbridge) 179 17 David Dodd (London SE7) 465 17 Sarah Sandley (Poners Bar) 178 18 Carl Morgan (Birmingham) 464 18 Elaine Short (Plymouth) 171 19 Andrew Wellman (Reading) 454 19 Helen Bardwell (Ware) 167 20 Adrian Moore (Bexhill) 453 20 Jane Barella (Surbiton) 166 21 Nigel Eckersley (Warrington) 446 2 I Karen Burrows (Castleford) 153 22 Tony Taylor (Manchester) 443 22 Teresa Moore (Bexhill) 152 23 Michael Hammond (Surbiton) 431 23 Kim Mudge (London E13) 138 24 Mark Mitchell (London N9) 422 24 Helen Williams (Enfield) 134 25 Max Crimmins (Wimbledon) 418 25 JiliPowis (Wolverhampton) 134 26 John Hilton (Manchester) 414 26 Melody Hill (Bradford) 125 27 Jimmy Stokes (Reading) 409 27 Elaine Sayer (London E12) 123 28 Stephen Turner (Preston) 403 28 Angela Mitchell (Edmonton) 121 29 Phil Smith (Horley) 394 29 Michelle Hams (Morden) 119 30 Adrian Dixon (Wolverhampton) 388 30 Helen Perron (Bristol) 116 31 David Barr (Newbury) 383 31 Debbie Soothill (Carnforth) 90 32 Stuart Palmer (Lakenheath) 378 32 Diane St Ledger (Birmingham) 87 33 Keith Richardson (Soham) 377 . 33 Lisa Haydon (Brentwood) 86 34 Andrew Bellingham (Wolverhampton) 333 34 Sandra Peakman (Birmingham) 83 35 Bradley Billington (Chesterfield) 331 35 Jackie Billington (Chesterfield) 82 36 Brian Johns (Northwich) 327 36 Mandy Reeves (Slough) 79 37 Stephen Moore (Bexhill) 324 37 Julie Dimmock (Dunstable) 79 38 Joe Kennedy (London SE15) 323 38 L Longstone (Sheffield) 79 39 David Gannon (Leicester) 322 39 Rebecca Russe (Weston-super-Mare) 77 40 Steven Dorking (Hornchurch) 322 40 Julie Revill (Oadby) 75 41 Andy Creed (Bristol) 318 41 Sheila Killg (St Leonards) 75 42 Desmond Charlery (London E13) 31 I 42 Sally Weston (Horsham) 75 43 Barry Johnson (Birmingham) 308 43 Kerry Hall (Chesterfield) 74 44 Kevin Beadsley (Bradford) 304 44 Jenny Collins (Reading) 69 45 Neil Taylor (Cirencester) 290 45 Doreen Schofield (Stockport) 69 46 Richard Venner (Crawley) 283 46 Susan Butler (Plymouth) 69 47 Philip Gunn (Birmingham) 279 47 Joanne Pal mer (Newmarket) 66 48 Paul Whiting (Plymouth) 276 48 Helen Shields (Bradford) 66 49 Dipay Topiwala (London N17) 271 49 Cheryl Bunery (Lincoln) 61 50 Malcolm Green (Telford) 266 50 Lesley Popkiewicz (Purley) 60 Des seeded fourth In• Prague Rob Oldfield England's No. I Desmond Douglas faced the prospect of a semi-fnal Not shown here but in the Euro­ (SWE), and Narine Antonian (URS) has risen two places in the latest meeting with the new Europe No. I, pean list for the first time is Skylet on the current list. The defensive En­ European ranking list, issued after Jan-ave Waldner. Andrew at NO.3!. In the women's, glish Open champion Elena Kovtun his superb performances in the This list has been prepared by Lisa Bellinger's win over Olga Nemes has entered the rankings for the first Europe Top 12 in Sodertalje where Joola computer and comparison in the Triumph Adler English Open time, coming straight in at No 19. he finished in second place. with the previous European Jist is puts her up seven places to No. 15. The team for Prague included Douglas is up to No. 4 and was therefore difficult. It looks as if a Alison Gordon and Joy Grundy Douglas, Prean, Cooke, Andrew and seeded fourth for the European combination of human intuition and have also risen, thanks mainly to the Souter, with Bellinger, Gordon, championships in Prague, held "imaginative programming" has non-appearance of Valentina Grundy and Elliot representing 5th-13th April. In the top half, he provided the current classifications. Popova (URS), Marie Lindblad England's women.

Men (previous positions in brackets) Women I (2) Jan-Ove Waldner SWE 16 (7) Jacques Secretin FRA I (I) Olga Nemes FRG 16 (17) Alica Pelikanova TCH 2 (I) Andrzej Grubba POL 17 (29) Boris Rozenberg URS 2 (2) Marie Hrachova TCH 17 (20) Sonja Grefberg FIN 3 (3) Erik Lindh SWE 18 (24) Patrick Renverse FRA 3 (7) Fliura Bulatova URS 18 (16) Brigine Thiriet FRA 4 (6) Desmond Douglas ENG 19 (19) Mariano Loukov BUL 4 (3) Benine Vriesekoop HOL 19 (-) Elena Kovtun URS 5 (4) Mikael Appelgren SWE 20 (27) RalfWosik FRG 5 (5) Csilla Batorfi HUN 20 (23) Barbro Wiktorssen SWE 6 (5) Leszek Kucharski POL 21 (16) Zsolt Kriston HU 6 (4) ZsuzsaOlah HUN 21 (21) Nadine Daviaud FRA 7 (10) UlfCarisson SWE 22 (20) Janos Takacs HUN 7 (8) Branka Bbatinic YUG 22 (25) Alison G<>rdon ENG 8 (II) Jorgen Persson SWE 23 (22) Henk van Spanje HOL 8 (II ) Daniella Guergueltcheva BUL 23 (32) Renata Kasalova TCH 9 (17) Milan Orlowski TCH 24 (33) Vladimir Dvorak URS 9 (9) Maria Alboiu ROM 24 (27) Gyorgy i Fazekas HUN 10 (15) Zoran Kalinic YUG 25 (21) Georg Bohm FRG 10 (15) Mirjam Kloppenburg HOL 25 (24) Vesna Ojstersek YUG II (9) Tibor KJampar HUN 26 (35) Jarmo Jokinen FIN II (12) Edit Urban HUN 26 (30) Alena Safarova TCH 12 (14) Dragutin Surbek YUG 27 (-) Jorg Rosskopf FRG 12 (10) Gordana Perkucin YUG 27 (28) Jolanta Szatko-Nowak POL 13 (12) Andrei Mazunov URS 28 (26) Die Lupulescu YUG 13 (19) Anita zacharian URS 28 (26) Anke Schreiber FRG 14 (13) CarlPrean ENG 29 (-) Andras Podpinka HUN 14 (18) Otilia Badescu ROM 29 (31) Pia Eliasson SWE 15 (8) Jindrich Pansky TCH 30 (30) Zoran Primorac YUG 15 (22) Lisa Bellinger ENG 30 (34) Joy Grundy ENG

28 Mind Games ARE YOU COVERED? "It's all in the mind" says 1bny Russe Tony Russe says 'Check your insurance' I was most interested to be counter-productive. It is the Following substantial claims Coaching Seminar introduced to DrTony Morris at the coach's job to make them aware of against the Norwegian Associa­ Triumph Adler English Open by what they are doing? tion on behalf of players who The ETTA are to hold a seminar the England captain, Don Parker. On the other hand, there are suffered injury and death on a for league coaching liaison of­ Dr Morris from Chichester players who do need the reminder Spanish trip, the ETTA have ficers at the National Water College of Higher Education was from the comer. They will begin been reviewing their insurance Sports Centre, Holme Pierre­ appointed to the England squad for well-motivated and will then start cover in the public liability area. point, Adbolton Lane, Not- the championships to act as team to fall back from the peak point on The following guidelines tingham on Sunday, 29th June 1986. psychologist. He was observing the curve. These players are easier apply to all ETTA registered Subjects will include an ex- and will formulate his opinions in to captain than the former, coaches: planation of the aims of the na- due course. Hopefully we will hear probably because all coaches in the I. Ifa player suffers an accident tional coaching scheme, the more later of his conclusions. first instance seek to 'gee-up' their which results inloss whilst at­ Dunlop Skills Award scheme However, the meeting reminded players. tending your coaching/train­ and other matters relating to me how important it is that a coach The players that are most ing session he could have a coaching, particularly at local should try to understand his player. difficult to keep balanced are the claim for damages against level. The more I work in the comer of ones I call 'see-saw merchants' the course organiser. S/He The charge of £5 per person various players the more I am aware be.::ause they tilt first one way and would have to successfully will cover lunch, morning cof­ of the absolute importance of then another from peak during a establish negligence against fee and afternoon tea beginning keeping a player balanced. remarkably short period. the coach and, as a registered at 10.00 a.m. Details from the We are often told that given two At the English Open I was ETTA coach, against the ET­ ETTA. Tel: 0424 433121. players ofequal ability, it is the one assisting in one doubles match TA itself. If the that is 'fittest' on the day that will which my players were winning Juniors and Cadets are to attend coach/trainer is liable, so is win. But what is meant by fit? comfortably in the decisive third. a two day coaching course at the ETTA, provided it is an Any player knowing he is to play One of my pair became 'under­ Lilleshall Hall on 7th/8th June ETTA sanctioned session. in a tournament where results are aroused', played two poor losing writes Jim Hayward and on 2. The ETTA does have public determined over the best of five strokes and then immediately 26th-28th September there is a liability insurance which con­ games will have trained and became 'over-aroused' and made residential course at Lilleshall firms that Acts of Negligence practised to that end. But will he four more unforced errors in his Hall for student and advanced by professional coaches, in­ have brought his mind to bear on desire to be positive. coaches. There are only 24 jury to Third Party caused by the needs of concentration over Six losing points and the game places for this Sports-Council coaches whilst playing, and longer periods? It is as important as was gone. The player felt deeply sponsored weekend. liability to Third Party for in­ the physical training. how much he had let down his In addition, schools of sport jury or damage on the part I take the trouble with the players partner, which is natural, and he will be operating in all counties of ETTA coaches not actual­ that I work with on a regular basis agreed with me that he was a bit ofa after the August holidays. ly employed by but acting jor to try and assess where they start on 'closet case'. Nevertheless we Contact Jim Hayward regar­ the arousal curve. talked and came up with one word the ETTA are covered under ding information for any of the the Public Liability Section Some are so keen and anxious to which we now use to trigger certain above events (0902-751427). of the policy as long as succeed that they can be 'over the thought processes when in play. We liability falls legally on the Holidays top' mentally within a very short tried it in a subsequent match and ETTA. If you want to get the kids off period ofplay. Commands of'come he played very well under extreme 3, Where a coach (other than your hands this summer, what on' are likely to produce the pressure and won. Time will tell if better way to do it than anac­ adverse to the desired effect. we have found a 'cure' for him. professionals employed by ETTA) undertakes a training tivity holiday? In fact their game can session for which he receives Table tennis holidays are again disintegrate. For instance players * * * * * remuneration, he has an being run by Constance All­ having difficulty in receiving serve Laurie Neville (Club Coach) asks obligation to ensure that he Stars (in Bournemouth), Jill will play all kinds of unsuccessful "Should coaches continue to play is insured by the body pay­ Hammersley-Parker (Lancaster), returns, believing themselves to be competitively, or devote their time ing the remuneration or Jarvis Sports (Cleveland), Helen positive when in fact they are being to coaching?" Does anyone have otherwise makes separate ar­ Sewell (Canterbury) and Tees negative because their efforts are strong views on the subject? rangements for himself. Sport (Durham). I would remind ETTA But if you want to go Dutch coaches who do receive then Infosport of Amsterdamse monies for coaching, selling Straatweg 173, 3551 CA Utrecht, equipment etc., of their Holland are to hold a five-day obligation to be registered training camp in Scherpenzeel Permit Holders with the (nr Amersfoort) between 28th ETTA. The holding of the July and 1st August. Cost £70 Permit might, in my lay opi­ including coaching, accom­ nion, strengthen your per­ modation and meals. sonal case in any claim The English Table Tennis against the ETTA. You Association are also holding a would be seen to have done residential holiday course for that which you ought to have players with some match ex­ done. perience at Crystal Palace Na­ tional Sports Centre between It is up to each coach to ensure Sunday 13th and Friday 18th that the session that he runs is July. The course, run by a na­ ETTA approved. If not, make tional coach, costs £105. Details England No 3 Alan Cooke helps out in a local coaching session at separate arrangements. from the ETTA, Tel: 0424 the Uxbridge table tennis centre. Where in doubt, enquire now. 433121. Photo reproduced by kind permission 0/ (he "Burton Daily MoU'~ 29 an excellent administrator, but TT exchange Thanks, but no thanks perhaps this was judged a small price if it helped others to snooze We would like to send our son, It would be ungracious of me not to looked forward to my copy every more peacefully. My son now plays Benoit, 14 to England in July in break my silence after the kind month. Now one can skip through a most ofhis table tennis abroad. He, order to learn English. contributions from Ian Knights and whole issue in 15 minutes without too, has been almost forgotten. As far as Table Tennis is con­ lain Perks. It is good to know that I missing a thing. The lack of Sometimes I am right and some­ cerned, Benoit is minor, second am not completely forgotten. Both international news is particularly year, class 35 and takes part in times I am wrong and, if I am, I are well argued letters which the sad. France Minors' Championship don't mind hearing about it. What leadership should study. The price fate extracted from me with our region's team (Touraine is not possible is that I am always for my contributions was Orleanais) and as an individual The ETIA's National Publicity wrong. Nevertheless a spokes­ sometimes heavy. One could live too. . effort is pathetically inadequate. person could be found who was with the drudgery ofgetting a piece He likes all sports including Failure on that front is now prepared to expound precisely that accepted as the norm. We are the together every month, but a cult athletics and swimming. view. This was the self-proclaimed Moreover, he has the same tastes Forgotten Sport and a new s~med to form. It became apostle of moderation. Whatever I as the children of his age; he en­ generation is growing up that has fashionable, a passport to wider wrote would bring him out in front joys listening to music. He has hardly heard of us. Therefore, as fame, a virility symbol to become of the curtains to proclaim the total been learning English for three lain Perks and others have one of my victims. I was always wisdom of what had been done. years and is now in third form. unanswerably argued, we do not careful not to wound in a personal There was an equally total un­ For our part, we would be pleas­ attract new members, whilst the old way, If I was unkind, it was about willingness or inability to admit that ed to take the son of his guest ones are getting older. trends and policies, but I had no mistakes had ever been made. family with us in August. We have 'achieved' what control over self-inflicted or It is not possible to conduct We are pharmacists and will businessmen call the classic imaginary wounds. People of spend four week's holiday on whose existence I was on!y dimly dialogues with people so blissfully marketing failure, the relentless convinced of their own infallibility the mediterranean coast in Cap aware seemed to beg me to insult D'Agde (in Languedoc). Our erosion ofour membership base. and that, too, has contributed to my them, so that the leadership might visitor will be able to play table I am not one to brush aside an olive silence. To have to endure branch when it is offered which become aware of their loyalty or tennis if he likes; Agde's club existence, which would erect a censorship after so many years plays in National 4 with class 20 seems to be what the editor is doing merely provided the fin! straw. in his footnote. Nevertheless I shall platform from which they could and 25 players. I shall have a few months off and remain silent, hard though I might protest their devotion and enhance This child will share our family consider my position. I have not find this. The fact remains that the their promotion prospects. life and we do hope that this ex­ given up my battle for a better sport change will be possible. first piece I submitted to the new I could live with this comic opera, and I shall be back, though not in editor he sought to cut by nearly but soon we were to witness what Max Ladouble these columns until there is much half, which distorted what I was Mr St John Stevas called an 36130 Deols change ofheart and policy. trying to say and eliminated the 'auction in illiberality' and Cc.P. Limoges 119.79 better passages. There is a sort of unpleasant things were written Tel. (54) 34.19.21 bright and breezy conformity now, about my wife and son. In time the an almost desperate effort to get scene so sickened my wife that she JohnPrean A vice-chairman away from the George Yates era. resigned as national councillor and 12 Marlborough Road This is not for me. There was then a county secretary. Nationally we Ryde replies mass of reading material and I lost an independent voice, locally P033IAA In reply to Les Bridge's letter in the last issue of the magazine, at the subsequent meeting of the 'Open Dissent national coaching committee it was decided to change the Having spent 3 days at the arrive! Ray's letter has been edited to "Sports Centre Leaders Award" ,Triumph Adler English Open in We paid a lot of money for make it shorter for publication to the "Sports Leaders Award". Brighton, which I enjoyed to a tickets and accommodation and but he also requested an ex­ This results in a very basic degree, there are a couple of travelled a round trip of over 300 planation about the reason for coaching award being available points I would like to raise. miles to see this tournament, the late production of the to a great number of people in­ I have recently received some only to find that most of the January issue which was the volved in recreational table ten­ circulars from the ETTA one of stars are missing, and it is to say programme for the Open. The nis, a move of which, I am sure, which was a letter from the the least, very disappointing! circumstances relating to this Les would approve. chairman, Mr. Tom Blunn say­ Possibly it will be said that these were outlined in the Feb/March This was done for a number of _ing how successful the Open had players were preparing for the edition. reasons, including those raised been. He also stated "our European Top 12 the following by Les at the National Council English Open is second to none weekend, but if the English His speculation on the reasons Meeting. A certificate of atten­ on the open Tournament Cir­ Open is as good as we are led to for the non-attendance of the dance system was also cuit:' believe, then I would have top European stars is absolute­ introduced. If this is so, could someone thought that this tournament ly correct. The dates of the With regard to John Prean's please explain why it is that a would have given them all the Europe Top 12 were, unfor­ comment "Self ...... of modera­ great number of top interna­ preparation they could want. tunately, altered after the Euro­ tion" I will gladly confess to it, tional players did not enter? The Having in the last few years wat­ pean calendar had been fixed if it means that I am not an ex­ Open two years was a little bet- ched two Top 12's (in Nantes and without reference to the tremist I do hold some im­ o ter than this year regarding and Cleveland) and the World's English Table Tennis moderate views however over players. The real crowd pullers in Sweden, it makes my friends Association - Ed. some aspects of ETIA activity, surely are players like Secretin and I wonder if it's worth spen­ where I believe changes are and Grubba (as in Cardiff last ding money and holidays to The report on how England's necessary for the good of table year), also Orlowski, Surbek, watch the Open as it is! No. I, Desmond Douglas, fared tennis. (I will expound on them -Appelgren, Bengtsson and the in the Top 12, having played at if the need arises). top young Swedes, but none of Ray Drew Chairman Brighton the previous weekend, Peter Charters them entered this year, and at King's Lynn TTA appears earlier in this edition. ETTA Vice Chairman Selection -least 10 of the top player~ whose 67 London Road On the personal conclusions ex­ & Coaching 'names were on the competitors King's Lynn pressed by others, I can make no 57 Burghfield Road list in the programme did not PE305EU comment - Ed. Reading RG3 3NE. 30 But it was not long before MENS SINGLES Semi·finals Douglas again applied his Desmond Douglas (Wa) b David Hannah Douglas relentless quicksilver stroke play (SCO) 18, 17; Carl Prean (IW) b John to win the title in straight games. Souter (Mx) 8, 18. Final The womens final was a classic Douglas b Prean 12, 14. charged up . . Lisa Bellinger's subtle defen­ WOMENS SINGLES sive spins caused Alison Gordon Semi-finals to overhit continually. Lisa BeUinger (Bd) b Mandy Sainsbury Lisa was behind after drawing (Bk) -II, 15, 14; Alison Gordon (Bk) b The atmosphere at the 28th In the womens, Lisa Bellinger, Jackie Bellinger (Bd) 20, 15. level at lO-all in the first game Final Essex 3-Star at Harlow on seeking her touch, lost 11-21 in but many long rallies showed off Bellinger b Gordon 15, 13. 8th/9th February 1986 was elec­ the first game against Mandy the skill of both players. MENS DOUBLES tric right from the start reports Sainsbury . . she showed her One rally in particular was Final Lourie Darnell. It attracted the character to fight back and win Alan Cooke/Douglas (Dy/Wa) b Horatio stupendous . . the ball being Pintea/Colin Wilson (CAN/Mx) 6, 17. largest entry which included all this very tough semi-final given more and more air until, the top players. match; Steve Dorking fought with great agility, Lisa struck a WOMENS DOUBLES And the support of Butterfly hard to come through two very Final telling backhand kill to wrong J & L Bellinger b Gordon/Sainsbury II, (UK) Ltd, Harlow sports centre competitive three-enders with foot the defending champion. 15. and Clive Oakman Services was Phil Logsdon and Paul Giles in The finals, well-supported by essential. With no major spon­ the Class 2 . . many observers VETERANS SINGLES spectators on three sides of the Final sor available, their help enabled said they were worthy of the arena, were played mainly on Matt Sheader (Li) b Ralph Gunnion (Wa) 21, -8, 16. the event to be held. finals arena; and he further two tables, beginning at 6.30 pm The appearance of England No delighted the Essex contingent and being completed by the last CLASS 2 MIXED SINGLES 1 Desmond Douglas was the when he overwhelmed Gary ball of the mens singles at 8.20 Final spark. It was if every player was Wilson for the Class 2 cham­ Steve Dorking (E) b Gary Wilson (Dv) 14, pm. 14. determined to play at the top of pionship. their form and many incidents In the mens singles final, come to mind. Douglas hit his forehand win­ Horatio Pintea, the Canadian ners down the line into Carl Mandy keeps title No 1, miscued his serve to give Prean's backhand. His reflexes, Graham Sandley a deuce in the coupled with the depth and Mandy Sainsbury, the No 1seed The mens singles also went to third result; Kevin Satchell, forc­ angle of his shots, exposed the at the Kent 2-Star, retained her the favourite - Colin Wilson of ed Dave Hannah to play at his slowness of the defending womens singles at the Black Middlesex. But he had a shock very best to get through another champion. Lion Sports Centre, Gillingham in the semi-final facing a strong deuce in the third encounter; Prean tried to force Douglas to on 22nd123rd February 1986. challenge from Steve Dorking of and John Souter, having lost the exchange long-range shots. At Hardly troubled until the final Essex. first game, came good to beat 7-3 and 12-8 down, he tried to where she met county colleague In the other half, after No 2 seed Alan Cooke to the cheers of the reduce the point-gathering of Susan Collier, Sainsbury let the Michael Hammond crashed in Middlesex umpires on the the No 1 seed by winning three second game of the final slip as the second round to Kent's An­ balcony. out of his five serves. she won 21-19, 14-21, 21-16. dy Cunningham, Ritchie Venner emerged from a match with county team-mate Adrian Moore. But he was no match in the final for Wilson. The tournament, first establish­ ed in 1925, have applied to the ETTA for 3-Star status in 1987 or 1988.

MENS SINGLES Semi.finals Colin Wilson (Mx) b Steve Dorking (E) 19, -17,18; Ritchie Venner (Sx) b Adrian Moore (Sx) II, 17. Final Wilson b Venner 14, 14. WOMENS SINGLES Semi-finals Mandy Sainsbury (Bk) b Jane Barella (Sy) 13, 7; Susan Collier (Bk) b Elaine Sayer (E) 18, II. Final Sainsbury b Collier 19, -14, 16. MENS DOUBLES Final Adrian & Stephen Moore (Sx) b Wilson/Joey Kennedy (Mx/K) 15, -20, 24. WOMENS DOUBLES Final Lesley Popkiewicz/Sainsbury (Sy/Bk) b Collier/Thresa Moore (Bk/Sx) -17, II, II. VETERANS SINGLES Final Babs Adedayo (Mx) b Ramish Bhalla (Sy) 14, -18, 13. CLASS 2 MENS SINGLES Final The Irish Open was held in Belfast during February, under the sponsorship of the "Wedgie" logo for Dorking (E) b J Drew (E) 19, -18, 16. cheese. CLASS 2 WOMENS SINGLES Final Milk Marketing Board marketing director Jim Noble with Irish international Mervyn Kelly, tournament Sheila King (Sx) b Jane Barella (Sy) 17, director Alan Strong, and Ulster's youngest No I and Irish No 3 Andrew Dennison -14, 18. 31 Gloucester prestige hammered 4m~~x Of the ten titles in the Beneficial Helen Perrott kept us all on proceeded to produce the win­ JUNIOR GIRLS DOUBLES Trust Cotswold Junior Select tenderhooks in the VI7 girls ning game 21-14, giving a two­ Final Melonie Carey/Helen Perrott (So/Av) b held in Gloucester on Istl2nd doubles. The second game see­ straight success story for the Holt/Juliet Houghton (La/K) -13,27, February, local prestige took a sawed first in one direction and Yorkshire girl. 28. bit of a hammering, writes Alj then the other before Melonie & In the final of the cadet boys CADET BOYS SINGLES Final Pepperd. At least to the extent Helen took it eventually at doubles, the Essex/Yorks com­ O'Driscoll b Oldfield 19, 20. that not one of the local under 29-27. bination of Damian Holland CADET GIRLS SINGLES 17 boys entered managed to When the crucial third set and O'Driscoll proved far too Final Debbie Toole (Y) b Julie Billington (Dy) emerge as a group winner and went to 20-all, tension was strong for Garry Knight & Leigh 19, 14. thus qualify for a first round building up on both sides and Jefferies, the former running CADET BOYS DOUBLES place. Carey and Perrott finally clinch­ out clear winners 21-19, 17-21, Final Damian Holiand/O'Driscoll (E/Y) b Vnfortunately the 1984 Grand ed the title at 30-28; a real nail 21-13. Gary Knights/Leigh Jeffries (St/Wa) 19, Prix winner and this year's No biter! -17, 13. I seed - Reading's Andrew Syed Holt (La), as befitting her JUNIOR BOYS SINGLES CADET GIRLS DOUBLES Final Final did not participate owing to a ranking, cruised quite comfor­ Bradley Billington (Dy) b Matthew Syed Ellen Meddings/Toole (Y) b Julie Bill­ torn tendon, but the family tably to a 21-17,21-17, win over (Bk) 12, 18. ington/Kerry Hall (Dy) IS, 14. name was upheld by Matthew Debbie Soothill (Cu) in the VI? JUNIOR GIRLS SINGLES UI2 BOYS SINGLES Final Final appearing in the final of the VI7 singles final. Andrew Holt (La) b Debbie Soothill (Cu) Knights b Brian Mileham (K) 14, -16, singles against his old sparring In the girls VI2 singles, the 17, 17. 19. opponent Bradley Billington of diminutive Helen Potts (Ch) ­ JUNIOR BOYS DOUBLES UI2 GIRLS SINGLES Final Final Derbyshire. It apparently was highly reminiscent of her elder Michael O'Driscoli/Chris Oldfield (Y) b Helen Potts (Ch) b Ellen Meddings (Y) Adrian Dixon/M Syed (Sl/BK) 17, -10, not Matthew's day, Bradley won sister Clare - stormed into a two 17. 21, 19. this encounter two straight straight 23-21, 21-19, win over 21-12, 21-18. Ellen Meddings. To rub salt into existing Syed While in the boys VI2 final wounds - Matthew & Adrian Garry Knights of Staffs had a Dixon were surprisingly beaten very close three set encounter in in the VI7 doubles by Michael beating Brian Mileham 21-14, O'Driscoll & Chris Oldfield. 16-21, 21-19. O'Driscoll, the previous day, had Meddings and Debbie Toole captured the cadet boys doubles rather surprisingly beat Kerry with DamienHolland and I can Hall and Julie Billington 21-15, only mention that O'Driscoll 21-14, in the cadet girls doubles. and Oldfield played to a stan­ The cadet boys singles was dard that was both incredible very close but O'Driscoll prov­ and delightful to watch. ed his No 1 seeded position by After losing the first 13-21, to beating Oldfield 21-19, 22-20. Andrea Holt and Juliet And in the cadet girls singles, Beneficial Trust medal winners Ellen Meddings (Harrogate), Michael . O'Driscoll (Mirfield), Chris Oldfield (Sheffield), Debbie Toole (Norman­ Houghton, the West of England Debbie Toole, after a narrow ton) with coach Hans Soova from Bradford. pairing of Melanie Carey & 21-19 win over Julie Billington, Photo by kind permission of Yorkshire Post Newspapers. Hard bat Buist triumphs Despite a forced change of date Lloyd. Since season 1979/80 a semi-final clash with John ed with excellent defence, which was expected to cause a Laurie has won this title in alter­ Payne who was dispatched in without undue trouble. decrease in the number of en­ native years, firstly with Mar­ two games. trants the Fifteenth Interna­ jorie Walker and on the last It set up a final against Buist MENS SINGLES tional Club Hard Bat event was three occasions with Mary. who, in the semi final had cover­ Semi-finals The mens doubles was the come the surprise challenge of Henry Buist (K) b David Finlayson (E) played at Barnet Table Tennis 8, 17; Stuart Gibbs (E) b John Payne Club on 19th January with a scene of several surprises with Dave Finlayson. Finlayson had (Mx) 13,14. larger entry than in the previous the number three seeds Laurie disposed of fourth seeded John Final two years, thus proving that Landry and Paul Beck being Burleton at quarter-final stage Buist b Gibbs 12, 15. playing with rubber is attractive ousted by the Essex combination whilst Laurie Landry had been WOMENS SINGLES to many people within the sport, of Dave Finlayson and Steve surprisingly ousted by late entry Final writes Bernard Chatterley. Willis. Whilst at number two Trevor Campbell, the latter Sally Raymond (Mx) b Paula Rogers (E) Sally Raymond returned to Fred Lockwood and Stuart however fell to Payne in the 13, 10. take the womens singles Gibbs were comprehensively quarters. MENS DOUBLES Final defeating Paula Rogers in the demolished by John Burleton Despite the final scoreline of John Burleton/Bill Brookman (Sy/Mx) final and Paula had her turn in and Bill Brookman who then 21-12, 21-15 to the 50 plus year b Buist/Ray Lush (K/Ha) -16, 16, 18. the doubles when with Lesley went on to defeat the number old Buist, it was a feast of enter­ WOMENS DOUBLES Popkiewicz she defeated holders one pair Henry Buist and Ray tainment. Buist and Gibbs are Final Mary Symes and Lesley Lush in an exciting final. old adversaries and it must be Lesley Popkiewicz/Rogers (Sy/E) b Moscrop. Fred Lockwood took the mens said that the Kentish veteran ap- , Lesley Moscrop/Mary Symes (Mx) 10, Lesley Popkiewicz added a se­ consolation event defeating pears to be playing even better -18,25. than when first I saw him play MIXED DOUBLES cond title in the consolation Steve Willis by the narrowest of Laurie Landry/Symes (K/Mx) b singles when defeating Lesley margins. more than two decades ago. Lockwood/Leone Lloyd (E/Mx) 12, 17. Moscrop in the final. In the mens singles the excite­ His non-stop aggression MENS CONSOLATION SINGLES The mixed doubles was, as ment ran high for most of the tempered with shrewd positional Final usual, keenly contested with day. Stuart Gibbs was given a sense enabled him to overcome Lockwood b Steve Willis (E) 20, 19. Laurie Landry and Mary Symes good three games work out by Gibbs, who fought the whole WOMENS CONSOLATION SINGLES coming out the winners over your scribe before proceeding way with the attacking flair for Final Fred Lockwood and Leone via Messrs Lush and Tiplady to which he became famous coupl­ Popkiewicz b Moscrop 13, 14. 32 Tournament Circuit Michael's home win• With the constant changes in the nth seed Jonathan Goode before pression on Lee Jeffries, his Final junior ranks as the players move going out to Ellis, who, in turn, predecessor as UI2 champion. Dixon b Syed 17, 19. up through the age groups, it is squeezed out Bradley Billington With O'Driscoll ousting JUNIOR GIRLS SINGLES Semi-finals something of a rarity for a to clinch a semi-final spot. doubles partner Damien Debbie SoothilI (Cu) b Kerry HalI (Dy) player to retain the title he has Girls singles title went to Deb­ Holland and Yorkshire's latest 16,9; Claire Potts (Ch) b Juliet Houghton won the previous season. bie Soothill and, though she is Premier Division starlet Oldfield (K) 19, 18. Final However, this rarity became far too nice a girl to put her accounting for Jeffries, the stage SoothilI b Potts 9, 16. almost commonplace at this tongue out at the national was set for an all-Yorkshire final JUNIOR BOYS DOUBLES season's Yorkshire Junior Select authorities who preferred with the left-hander, using the Final on 22nd123rd February, part of Scotland's Sarah Hurry in the angles extremely well, the even­ Bradley BilIington/Sean Gibson (Dy/La) the Beneficial Trust Grand Prix No 8 seeding place, she certain­ tual winner. b John Bult/David Carse (Y/La) 20, 10. JUNIOR GIRLS DOUBLES writes Rea Balmjord. ly made her point on the table. In the girls, although the rank­ Final Not only did three of the Out went top seed Andrea ings were upset when Caroline Julie Billington/HalI (Dy) b Andrea holders make a return visit into Holt in two close games in the Buckley (6), Helen Potts (7), Holt/Juliet (La/K) 16, 16. the arena after the finals, but first round proper, then Hurry Ellen Meddings (4) and Julie CADET BOYS SINGLES Semi-finals Michael O'Driscoll, from near­ and title holder Kerry Hall Forster (5) all crashed, the semi­ O'DriscolI b Damian Holland (E) 7, 12; by Mirfield, claimed a third followed suit in the same finalists lined up as expected, Chris Oldfield (Y) b Leigh Jeffries (Wa) tenure of the CBS title which he straight sets pattern to set up a with Hall and Billington coming 13, 17. Final first won in 1983/4. final clash with Claire Potts, past Debbie Toole and Hurry. O'DriscolI b Oldfield 13, 16. Outstanding among the repeat seeded 2. The final went Hall's way in CADET GIRLS SINGLES performances was that of JBS In a hard hitting match the three. Semi-finals champion Adrian Dixon, who Cumbrian girl came out on top Toole and Meddings had their Hall b Debbie Toole (Y) 18, 19; Billington b Sarah Hurry (SCO) 19, -18, 15. came up for his second term again in two close games, to set revenge in the CGD, beating Final with a hard earned final win the seal on an excellent day's holders Hall and Billington. HalI b Billington 19, -17, 14. over top seed Matthew Syed. work. And, in the parallel boys event CADET BOYS DOUBLES Neither of the two finalists In the groups there was a - a carbon copy of the 1984/5 Final HolIand/O'DriscolI b Oldfield/Neil were taken the distance on their shock when rapidly rising cadet final, a nail biting three gamer Simms (Y) -19,21, 19. way to the last hurdle, with se­ Joanna Roberts shut the door brought victory for O'Driscoll CADET GIRLS DOUBLES cond seed Dixon taking out on Helen Lower (seeded 5). The and Holland. Final David Morris (quarters) and Leeds girl went out to Rachel Ellen Meddings/Toole (Y) b Bill­ ington/Hall 18, 20. John Ellis (semi), both of whom Knight in her Round I game, RESULTS un BOY SINGLES had dismissed the seed allocated but there was another upset at JUNIOR BOYS SINGLES Final to their place. this stage when Ruth Bray over­ Semi-finals Neil Bevan (Co) b Gary Knights (St) 19, In the top half Syed came turned sixth seed Lisa Hayden Adrian Dixon (St) b John ElIis 22, 17; -20, 17. Matthew Syed (Bk) b Michael O'DriscolI through past Sean Gibson and before giving best to Miss Potts. Ul2 GIRLS SINGLES (Y) 11. 13. Final O'Driscoll in a section where the The JBD saw third and second Helen Potts (Ch) b Meddings 17, -19, absence of Paul Amos (seeded seeds Billington and Gibson and 10. 9) and the round 2 defeat of O'Driscoll with Chris Oldfield Paul Gooding (14) by Mark quality for the bottom half Ward were the only deviations semi-final, with fourth choices Fractious Beadsley from the planned pattern of John Bult - David Carse doing Five out of the eight titles went But what a pity that, after events. likewise in the top section. But to players from the home coun­ such a heartwarming display, the In an intriguing final the Ellis and Morris, the two boys ty at the recent Pontefract Open Bradford man should again Wolverhampton boy worked who had caused the singles in January, writes Rea show his Jekyll and Hyde tremendously hard for his vic­ upsets, joined forces to push out Balmjord. A hospitable, home­ character by hurling his bat at tory against the stonewall defen­ Dixon and Syed in their three­ ly tournament, it is always the ceiling to sour the tremen­ sive game of Syed, using the game quarter-final. popular with both the home dous atmosphere which had drop shot well to pull his oppo­ Their gallop was stopped in based players as well as a cross­ built up. nent in and waiting patiently for the semi; Bult and Carse lined section from right across the the openings to hit his winners, up for the final against Bill­ North of England. often through the backhand ingham and Gibson. Although Steve Mills took the MS in a wing. the latter pair were trailing for magnificent three-game thriller North Bournemouth Pushed hard towards the end much of the opening game, they and Karen Burrows from the 2-Star Open of the second game, Dixon edged home in a late rally and host league claimed both WS 2nd February 1986 showed considerable character then raced away to take the title and WD titles. The latter she as he weathered the storm and in the second. took with beaten singles finalist MENS SINGLES then turned on the pressure in The Scottish contingent made and JGS winner Debbie Toole, Final the final points to ease home one of their two semi-final ap­ John Burleton (K) b Dave Harding 12, one of the most promising and -19, 17. against the younger lad, who pearances in the JGD when consistent cadets in the country showed just why he merited an Sarah Hurry and Jennifer Hook WOMENS SINGLES No 3 in the current list - and Final entry into the European Junior came through, only to fall to John Bult won the JBS event. Leslie Popkiewicz (Sy) b Kathy Ridgard top twelve in Austria in January. Billington and Hall, seeded 3. The stirring mens final As someone who has long Top seeds Andrea Holt - Juliet MENS DOUBLES highlighted the fighting spirit of Final believed that combination bats Houghton also came out second Mills, who came back from the Andrew Cunningham/John Burleton b have made a significant con­ best to the two Derbyshire dead at 3-13 in the second after W Chopping/Ritchie Venner -15, 19, 13. tribution to the present ills af­ cadets, who took the title in losing the first game, to level the WOMENS DOUBLES fecting our sport at all levels, I straight sets. match score at 1-1. Then he Final must admit that this final gave In the cadet events all the repeated the performance after B Clark/L Harman b M ample evidence that spectacular seeds, with the exception of turning round at 5-10 in the Fagan/Popkiewicz 12, 17 and interesting table tennis can Brian Mileham, fighting the 'flu decider. JUNIOR BOYS SINGLES be played using this type of bat. bug at home in Kent, came safe­ It was the sheer brilliance of Final , Pride of place in the earlier ly through the groups. opponent Kevin Beadsley, who J Hegarty b D Stedman 17, -21, 15 rounds must go to Morris, rank­ Neil Bevan, as the eventual demonstrated both an accuracy ed at 34, who took the Round winner of the UI2 BS, made the of touch and power in finishing, I place set aside for Neil Simms long journey from Cornwall which kept him on top of Mills and then dismissed the 'higher worthwhile, but, in the quarters for much of the match and ranked Matthew Pemet and of the cadets, he made little im­ made him the hero of the hour. 33 Printed in Great Britain by Thomas Hill Print (1985) Ltd., Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham DLl4 6JQ.