Editorial

Best foot forvvard

It has been a long season and one which has restored faith Another sponsor leaving ~s after six years is Halex, the in English table tennis. Internationally our players have Hertfordshire based equipment manufacturer. In their scooped 14 medals in senior competition and there is cer­ place we welcome Schildkrot of Germany who are to sup­ tainly cause for optimism. port the 'Schildkrot British League'. Formerly known as Carl Prean secured his first Open title in Belgium, Des­ the national league this competition promises to be even mond Douglas finished an honourable 2nd in the fierce­ bigger and better next season with a highly commercial ly contested Europe Top 12 and Lisa Bellinger took her approach being given to its promotion.. first step onto the European Championships rostrum. Newly crowned premier division champions, Steelstock With Sweden's Jorgen Persson at 19 and Hungarian Wolverhampton, have secured the services of Desmond Csilla Batorfi a mere 17 years old, capturing the Euro­ Douglas for a further twelve months and English table pean titles it has certainly been a year of youth and in tennis will undoubtedly be the benefactor. this respect we should feel some confidence. Although table tennis is essentially about those who Michael. 0'Driscoll, our leading Cadet, from play, leading coach Tony Russe has offered, in this issue Yorkshire, has earned his first major title in France and of Table Tennis News, an interesting insight to the world Reading's Jimmy Stokes leaves the junior ranks with a of coaching at the highest level - the frustrations and clutch of titles, including the English Junior Open and the rewards of a knife edge existence. John Prean ques­ his second Beneficial Trust Grand Prix. tions the system of selections and reassesses his opinion Talking of Beneficial Trust, it is with some sadness that of the national trainer coach. While many sports now we bid them farewell. They have given tremendous sup­ place selection in the hands of their professional staff, port to junior table tennis during the past three seasons table tennis has, thus far, elected to maintain the time - needless to say great efforts are being made to secure honoured format of "the committee". But change is not a replacement sponsor and it is hoped that we shall be a million miles away - indeed the new approach to grant able to make this welcome announcement before the new aid document recently presented to the Sports Council, season gets underway. calls for this very move.

Contents Page

European Championships - John Woodford 2

Into the 20th century - John Prean 6 The official• magazine of the Beneficial Trust English Junior Open ­ Fiona Brown 8 English Table Tennis Association. Published eight European League round up 10 times a year. Official News 11 Editorial: World Veterans Championships ­ Mike Watts· 12 Fiona Brown National League Finals 13 Advertisements: Christine Wilkes Junior Top 12 14 Tournament Circuit 16 Subscriptions and distribution: Beth Davies Time and a place ... an appeal from Geoff James 19 Halex National League 20 ETTA, 21 Claremont, HASTINGS TN34 IHF. Stiga County Championships - Doug Moss 23 Tel: 0424433121. County Notes 25

COPY DATES Coaching - with Tony Russe 31

25 July 1986 ATTP update - Derek Baddeley 33 Issue 159 August/September 1986 Rubberneck· ... Skylet Andrew replies 34 12 September 1986 Issue 160 October 1986 School Report - David Lomas at the individual championships 35

Mailbox - Balmford, Chalkley, Leach, Prean 36 / European Championships Yh~~~;or~a~t:~t~~~~~n ~~m~i2s~ps~r:a~~nders ! Jorgen Persson, 19, and Csilla Batorfi, 17, are the new European champions. Young heads to wear the crowns but it needed strong teenage legs and an abundance of skill to reach the final rounds. Both are worthy young cham­ pions. They kept their heads high and their top-spin shots booming away when the older men and women felt their legs would never be the same again. Famous names, some old, some young - Desmond Douglas, Jan-Ove Waldner, Erik Lindh, Mikael Appelgren, Dragutin Surbek, Milan Orlowski, Jacques Secretin - crashed out long before the final curtains. The Polish challenges from An­ drzej Grubba and Leszek Kuchar­ ski were there until the last gasp. However Giubba is not the player he was. Kucharski has certainly improved. Although, astonishingly the Swedish Big Three - Waldner, Lindh and Appelgren - had shot At 19 Swedens Jorgen Persson outshines: from left to right Kucharski, Carlsson and Grubba. their bolts before the late rounds. All photos by Brian Webster, Dundee. Scotland (0382) 642503. Sweden always seems to have an ace up its sleeve, in this case plause from the huge crowds up I cannot recall the crowd Team improvements Persson. to 8,000 strong, the many hours figures for the 1977 World Cham­ No doubt there are readers who of television coverage and the new pionships in Birmingham, but I Former Table Tennis News editor have barely heard of the names of young champions Persson and am sure that the size of the crowds George Yates wrote in May 1984 the new champions Persson and Batorfi, could almost have had in Prague went beyond it. that the England team returning Batorfi. In fact, when I arrived some of the 40 Brits in Prague My theory in a nutshell is that from Moscow had "met with ab­ home to a series of telephone calls wishing they could stay on the there are so many other things go­ ject failure", no medals and and supplied the names of the continent! ing in Britain by way of entertain­ relegation for the men. winners to enquirers, the usual I have covered four European ment both in sport and in other Happily, this was not the case reply was "Never heard of events in the past two and a half fields, music, the arts, theatre, the in Prague. Some will say that the them". Happily, Heel, they will years, two championships and enormous boom especially on TV vast improvement was the result be with us for the next decade. two Top 12's. With the possible of snooker, darts and another of strategic planning by the Some would say that the exception of Moscow, the support dozen sports or pastimes that TV England selectors, top ad­ strength of Sweden is that they from the crowds and the media, producers seem to like as all ministrators and coaches. Some have four men stronger than Des­ television, radio and the press has media people like something new. will dispute that. mond Douglas and although in­ been exceptionally good. And of course, a lack of Whatever the truth, there were dividuals might fail, Sweden will Chester Barnes type personalities. no blunders in the mens team still rule. Skylet Andrew is the~nearest we event this time - like resting Des­ Il did at the 15th European have come to an extrovert mond Douglas and playing him in championships, I think it will in character that appeals to all sec­ the wrong order. Paris. ,Further than that we have tions of the media. England men cut seven nations to wait and see. In communist countries like down to. size, 5-0 against Holland, Czechoslovakia and indeed com­ Scotland, Spain, Wales, Faroe Reflection munist countries in Asia, the Islands and Turkey. Only amount of entertainment is only Belgium took a game - this down Seated uncomfortably on most a fraction of what is available to Skylet Andrew but he had two occasions or squatting Red Indian here. Ninety-two teams in the set points for a two straight win. style behind the England captains Football league is a good exam­ Belgium have gained promo­ on the cold concrete of the Prague ple of that and the laziness of the tion along with England mainly stadium floor, British hearts like average Brit is well known through the skills of their young mine had time to ponder on the worldwide. star Jean-Michel Saive, so rising tide of table tennis success He would rather sit back and Belgium will become one of on the continent whilst in England watch it all happen in his lounge England's chief targets to stay in our sport suffers a lean time. on the box where he can watch a the top flight in Paris in 1988. The wind of change is in the selection of sports in warmth and Our women did not have such favour of table tennis on the con­ comfort - who wants to stand in a happy time but they proved tinent. The strength in numbers, a draughty stadium watching the strong enough to finish in sixth the tumultous but usually fair ap- Fluira Bulatova same sport for hours on end? position, the same as before. They 2 European Championships

stopped Yugoslavia and Finland but lost to Hungary, Czechoslovakia and France. Later in the second stage they beat Holland who were without Vreisekoop due to a shoulder injury. The mens final when Sweden predictably lashed France 5-0 was disappointing. But watch for the new French star Jean-Philippe Gatien. He could be the next Secretin. Hungary finally triumphed 3-2 over Russia in the womens final with Edit Urban overpowering the classy defender Elena Kovtun 21-16,21-18 in the fifth deciding set. Interesting that the Russians often produce female defenders. The three best female choppers in Consolation jor Czechoslovakia as the hall were Fliura Bulatova, 1986 English Open Champion, Elena Kovtun (r), celebrates her jirst Euro­ Marie Hrachova and lindrich Pan­ Kovtun and Lisa Bellinger. pean title with partner Fluira Bulatova sky capture the mixed doubles.

How did they get on? John Woodford reviews the English performances

Let's glance at the performances the leading expert in long Lisa was involved in a number Joy Grundy of the England squad of ten pimples." of long games, often coming back players. The tenth player was the "When the rules were changed from apparently impossible posi­ The reigning English champion perky young man from Reading, he still came back making the tions on the scoreboard, wearing from Preston who has made a Jimmy Stokes, 17, who persuad­ most out of skill and his equip­ down her opponents with her remarkable recovery from injury in the last twelve months had an ed a group of local businessmen ment which includes bicycle glue. defence. impressive tournament. She was to invest a largish sum of Swiss He has been born and bred since Sometimes she reminded us of called on to replace an off-form francs in him so that he could join the age of lIon the skills and Jill Parker in her hey-day, bang­ spins that can be achieved with Alison Gordon in the team events. the England team. ing her bat on the old-fashioned various surfaces, a true profes­ Joy performed well and look­ wooden floor as she recovered the Jimmy Stokes sional even at 18", he said. ed as professional as many of her big hits from the back of the court opposite numbers in the teams of Young Jimmy whose two tremen­ but often coming in with smart at­ Lisa Bellinger the 28 nations competing. dous wins at Farnborough over tacking strokes that usually left 'John Souter and David Hannah The Belle of the Ball in Prague! She had a bad draw in the her opponents standing. womens singles going straight in helped him to make the journey Not always at her best in the team events, Lisa made up for Lisa, 19, has now declared but losing with honour to Zsuzsa or at least boosted his morale, ran another time-consuming interest through two qualifying rounds everything in the womens singles Olah of Hungary. winning a bronze for reaching the apart from table tennis - she in­ It was said in Prague (and I whipping Daniel Wintersdorff tends to marry next year to a Bed­ (Lux) and the Dutch No 4 Rob semi-finals after lifting herself to cannot reveal the source) that record another magnificent win fordshire printer and footbailer. "Joy is really our best player" ­ Turk, another juicy slice of How that will affect her profes­ revenge over Holland. over Olga Nemes - the top seed in the womens team. Her pro­ from West Germany - in the sional career is something that After his wins he said, "Sitting blems are that she has no spon­ quarter-finals. only time will tell. on the bench for four days, I was sor and no ETTA contract. ready for anyone." At the third She helps out in her parents' hurdle however the Reading pro­ fruit and vegetable shop in fessional went under to Patrick Preston, but there is a strong feel­ Renverse (Fra), a player of vast ing that instead of weighing up experience. the potatoes people should be assessing her excellent chances of Carl Prean joining Lisa Bellinger amongst the Top 12 in Europe. I thought Carl Prean had a tremendous tournament. In his Desmond Douglas quiet, unassuming way he scorch­ ed through the rounds past Josef Books could be written and no Dvorak (USSR) until in the fourth doubt will be on Des and his round he went two games down career and why he still has yet to to Erik Lindh (Swe). win a really major title. The "Preano" fought back like a closest he has ever been was one tiger winning the next two, but step away at the last Top 12. could not quite hold on in the In Prague there were the fifth. Alan Ransome said this of highest hopes ever that this was Prean: "He is a rare specimen, a Csilla Batorji hoists the womens singles trophy, Lisa Bellinger collects a his opportunity. As the tension technician. And, outside China, well earned bronze medal. L to r: Bulatova, Batorji, Bellinger, Badescu. mounted and the late rounds of I 3 European Championships the mens singles approached, it Fiona Elliot looked "all systems go for Des". He had just managed to hold Before Prague I had only seen Fiona Elliot on court on two brief off the old warhorse Dragutin occasions, though I had watched Surbek; Waldner had been capsiz­ her improving results. Having no ed by Mazunov; and Orlowski chances to display her talents in was powered out by Ulf Carlsson. the team events she went into So, in the quarters it only re­ eager action in the womens singles mained for Des to stop what ap­ and returned home with two fine peared to be a tiring Carlsson but 'wins - against Suzane Wenzel he went under in four games. (FRG), the stocky blonde, and Once again, the team had suffered then against the willowy Barbara a blow just when they were hop­ Wiltsche from Vienna. ing that Des was going through. Resigned by then to have to The pressure was too much, men­ face someone with a high ranking tally and physically. she even played gallantly as she Said Des, "Playing three big lost to Bettine Vriesekoop (HOL) games a day and some doubles at who then beat Marie Alboiu this level is absurd". (ROM) but lost in the quarters to Tournament schedules will Csilla Batorfi. always be criticised. In Prague, My verdict is that Fiona pro­ tected well her position in the the final rounds of the singles Fiona Elliot learnt a lot in Prague Eileen Langsley (0246) 882376 team and it will need some were the top attractions and they I am confident that in the next tion to win. But occasionally he tremendous form by Mandy were pushed into the week-end decade there will be plenty of loses out when he goes beyond Sainsbury or someone else to shift much too close for comfort for chances to describe his 20-20. Fiona down. In fact she could the older players. performances. A flamboyant, popular figure even move up. It could be argued that is why often flashy and brilliant at times the youngsters triumphed. Des, Skylet Andrew but always entertaining and that The Captains for one, would support that "Sky" Andrew, the personality of is on what the future of this sport Few people envy the workload of theory. the England team. Suave, stylish, in Britain may depend. an England captain. Don Parker John Souter man-about-town, "fancied" by really did all a captain and head most of the ladies, a Man for All Alison Gordon coach could be expected to do on "Sooty" is a young man of few Seasons. But what about his table "Ali" from Reading, renowned the courts and off. He seemed to words who fully earned his place tennis? as the fighter of the England weld the team together, engaging in the England squad. In Prague After playing well in the team team, was not very pleased with firm discipline in a situation he was also an impressive player events Skylet found himself up her performances in Prague, where it would be easy for a - calm on court with positive against Henk Van Spanje and this especially in the early stages of the player to succumb to the strokes that had opponents time it was the Dutchman who team events when she lost both pressures. Paul Day did a similar­ dashing all over the rear of the came through in four - later to singles and was dropped by team ly good job for the womens team courts often in vain. beat Boris Rosenburg (URS) and captain Paul Day. with Jill Parker heavily engaged He recorded a fine win over lost to Zoran Kalinic (YUG). The clouds rolled away for with the video equipment but still managing on occasions to coach Nemeth of Hungary but lost to I watched the Essex man from Alison however in the womens Bela Mesaros of Yugoslavia in the the courtside on three occasions. singles. She hammered out Eva her fellow chopper Lisa Bellinger. second round. He is a formidible figure. He Calinska (POL) and Marie The Prague experience will, I seems to get himself into Svensson of Sweden before losing believe, help to further mature his precarious situations and fre­ to the Bulgarian girl now of some Bad press note Daniella Guergueltcheva. game although of course he has quently fights back into conten- The press centre at the European young rivals waiting to step into championships in Prague was well his England squad place say for appointed; the telephone and telex New Delhi next February .... they services were magic and a further are Nicky Mason and now Jimmy plus were the press refreshment Stokes to name but two. facilities. But quite unforgivable, Alan Cooke unheard of at any major racquet . sport event was the lack of draw "Cookie" was another second charts on the press centre walls round faller in the mens singles. showing the progress of the In the first round the Derbyshire players in the individual events. ace eliminated the Swiss No I Journalists had to employ a Theirry Miller in four games and runner if they could find one, to then also in four went down check players progress or wait an fighting hard to the top-seeded hour or more for the results on Waldner who at one stage look­ paper, or walk to the public ed extremely hard-pressed indeed. display which was usually two Alan Cooke is a sheet-anchor hours behind play. at No 3 in the England team, also I am sure Dennis George the new chairman of the ETTU Press as it happens No 3 on the com­ and Publicity will make sure that puter rankings. He is the man to does not happen again, anywhere. rely on when possibly his great rival Skylet Andrew is digging John Woodford holes and often escaping. Carl Prean - a true professional Daily Telegraph correspondent 4 I European Championships

Mens team Womens team First category First category Group A Group A

Pos FRA URS HUN BUl AUT Pos TCH FRA ENG YUG FIN 1st Sweden 5-0 5-3 5-1 5-1 5-0 1st Hungary 1-3 3-0 3-1 3-0 3-1 2nd France x 4-5 5-3 5-2 5-2 2nd Czechoslovakia X 1-3 3-0 3-1 3-0 3rd Soviet Union x 4-5 5-1 5-2 3rd France X 3-1 3-2 3-2 4th Hungary X 5-1 5-1 4th England X 3-2 3-0 5th Bulgaria x 5-0 5th Yugoslavia X 3-2 6th Austria X 6th Finland X

Group B Group B

Pos TCH YUG FRG ROM NOR Pos FRG HOl ROM BUl SWE 1st Poland 4-5 5-3 5-3 5-0 5-1 Ist Soviet Union 3-1 3-2 3-0 3-1 3-0 2nd Czechoslovakia X 4-5 5-2 5-3 5-1 2nd Fed. Germany X 2-3 3-0 3-1 3-0 3rd Yugoslavia x 5-1 5-3 5-1 3rd Netherlands X 1-3 3-2 3-1 4th Fed. Germany X 5-1 5-0 4th Romania X 3-0 3-1 5th Romania X 5-1 5th Bulgaria X 3-2 6th Norway X 6th Sweden X

Second Category

Group A

Pos DEN FIN SUI LUX GRE IRl Second Category 1st Italy 5-2 5-4 5-4 5-0 5-4 5-2 Group A 2nd Denmark X 5-4 5-2 5-0 5-0 5-0 3rd Finland X 5-4 5-2 5-0 5-2 Pos POL AUT SUI ESP WAl 4th Switzerland X 5-2 5-2 5-3 1st Belgium 3-2 2-3 3-0 3-1 3-0 5th luxembourg X 5-2 5-3 2nd Poland X 3-2 3-0 3-0 3-1 6th Greece X 5-4 3rd Austria X 3-1 2-3 3-0 7th Ireland X 4th Switzerland X 3-0 3-2 5th Spain X 3-2 Group B 6th Wales X

Pos .BEL TUR HOl SCO WAl ESP FAR Group B 1st England 5-1 5-0 5-0 5-0 5-0 5-0 5-0 2nd Belgium X 3-5 5-1 5-1 5-0 5-0 5-0 Pos DEN NOR SCO GRE TUR 3rd Turkey X 4-5 5-2 5-3 5-2 5-0 1st Italy 3-1 3-2 3-1 3-0 3-0 4th Netherlands X 5-1 5-2 5-0 5-0 2nd Denmark X 3-1 3-1 3-0 3-0 5th Scotland X 5-4 5-4 5-0 3rd Norway X 3-1 3-1 3-0 6th Wales X 5-4 5-0 4th Scotland X 3-1 3-0 7th Spain X 5-0 5th Greece X 3-2 8th Faroe Islands X 6th Turkey X

Mens team Final Round Womens team Final Round Semi-final Round Final: SWE 5 FRA O. Semi-final Round Final: HUN 3 URS 2. First category First category 1-4 Play-offs 3/4 Play-off: POL 5 TCH I. 3/4 Play-off: FRG 3 TCH I. 5/6 Play-off: HUN 5 URS 3. 1-4 Play-offs SWE 5 TCH I; FRA 5 POL 4. 5/6 Play-off: FRA 3 ENG I. 5-8 Play-offs 7/8 Play-off: YUG 5 FRG I. HUN 3 FRG I; URS 3 TCH O. URS 5 FRG I; HUN 5 YUG I. 9/10 Play-off: BUL 5 ROM 3. 5-8 Play-offs 7/8 Play-off: ROM 3 HOl O. 9-12 Play-offs FRA 3 ROM 0; ENG 3 HOL 1. 11/12 Play-off: AUT 5 NOR O. 9/10 Play-off: YUG 3 BUl 2. BUl 5 NOR 0; ROM 5 AUT 4. 9-12 Play-offs 13/14 Play-off: ENG 5 BEL 2. 11/ 12 Play-off: SWE 3 FIN O. YUG 3 SWE 2; BUL 3 FIN I. Second category 15/16 Play-off: DEN 5 ITA I. 13-16 Play-offs Second category 13/14 Play-off: POL 3 DEN 2. 17/18 Play-off: TUR 5 HOL 3. ENG 5 DEN 0; BEL 5 ITA 2. 13-16 Play-offs 15/16 Play-off: ITA 3 BEL I. 17-20 Play-offs 19/20 Play-off: FIN 5 SUI 2. DEN 3 BEL 0; POL 3 ITA I. 17/18 Play-off: AUT 3 SUI I. TUR 5 SUI 2; HOL 5 FIN 4. 21/22 Play-off: WAL 5 GRE I. 17-20 Play-offs 21-24 Play-offs 23/24 Play-off: SCO 5 LUX 2. 19/20 Play-off: NOR 3 SCO 2. GRE 5 SCO 3; WAL 5 LUX 4. AUT 3 SCO 0; SUI 3 NOR O. 25-27 Play-offs 25/26 Play-off: ESP 5 IRL 2. 21 -24 Play-offs 21/22 Play-off: GRE 3 ESP I. IRL 5 FAR O. 27th: FAR ESP 3 TUR I; GRE 3 WAl I. 23/24 Play-off: TUR 3 WAl I. ******************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * International Roll of Honour, see page 33 * * * ************************************* 5 European Championships

Mens team Womens team England results in detail England's results in detail First Round (Second category, Group B) First Round (First category, Group A) IIWell done England, but now ENG 5 TUR 0 (Douglas b Oktay Cimen ENG 3 YUG 2 (Gordon lost Branka 10, 14; Andrew b Ismael Ozcelik 15, 15; Batinic - 20, - 17; Bellinger b Vesna Prean b Gurhan Yaldiz 5, 12; Andrew b Ojstersek 16, -14, 19; Gordon/Grundy forward into the 20th Centuryl" Cimen 18, 13; Douglas b Yaldiz 18, 13); b Batinic/Gordana Perkucin 18, 16; Gor­ ENG 5 ESP 0 (Cooke b Sanchez Casares don lost Ojstersek - 11,20, - 18; Bell­ John Prean congratulates the England Team - 12,16,13; Prean b Marin Caymel; 15, inger b Batinic 18, -20, 10); 15; Douglas b Pon Pales 13,8; Prean b ENG 1 HUN 3 (Grundy b Edit Urban and its Captains Casares 14, 10; Cooke b Pales 17, 7); - 16, 18,20; Bellinger lost Csilla Batorfi ENG 5 FAR 0 (Souter b Eydun Luid 9, - 16, - 14; Bellinger/Grundy lost 9; Andrew b Birgir Carlsson 5, 7; Cooke Batinic/Urban - 12, 16, - 13; Grundy Whilst Moscow (1984) was an un­ b Peter Nidasen 7, 12; Andrew b Luid Back where they lost Batorfi - 15, - 12); mitigated disaster, Prague was an 10, 9; Nidasen 7, 8); ENG 0 TCH 3 (Bellinger lost Renata belong ENG 5 WAL 0 (Prean b Nigel Thomas Kasalova - 13, II, - 12; Grundy lost undoubted success. Our girls re­ 8, 16; Douglas b Alan Griffiths 17, 10; Marie Hrachova - 19, 20, - 10; Gor­ Andrew b Nigel Tyler 15, 14; Douglas b don/Grundy lost Hrachova/Kasalova tained sixth place in Category I. It showed how ridiculous and Thomas 12, 9; Prean b Tyler 13, 11); -13, -22); I heard some criticisms which I avoidable was the failure of ENG 5 BEL 1 (Andrew b Thierry ENG 3 FIN 0 (Grundy b Sonja Grefberg Cabrera - 12, 4, 20; Douglas b Jean­ -13, 12, 17; Bellinger b Sari find hard to understand. If sixth Moscow. Our men are back where Michel Saive -18, 10, 18; Prean bRemo Suomalainen 10, 21; Gordon/Grundy b De Prophetis 15, 12; Andrew lost Saive place was good in Moscow, why they belong. Friends who were Grefberg/Pia Malmberg 23, 15); 18, - 20, - 18; Prean b Cabrera - 12, is it bad in Prague? Lisa's semi­ there (I was not) tell me that they 16, 8; Douglas b De Prophetis - 16, 18, ENG 1 FRA 3 (Gordon lost Brigitte 7); Thiriet - 14, - 18; Grundy b Nadine final was a stupendous perfor­ played well enough not just for Daviaud 10, 20; Gordon/Grundy lost ENG 5 SCO 0 (Cooke b John Broe 16, Category 1, but for a medal. It 18; Douglas b David Hannah 12, 13; Daviaud/Thiriet - 19, - 14; Grundy lost mance after all 1hat hassle with Andrew b Jan McLean 15, 11; Cooke b Thiriet - 16, - 21). the rule change. was not to be. The sins of 1984 Hannah -16,14,11; Andrew b Broc 14, Semi-final Round had to be paid for. 15); 5-8 Play-offs The men did all that was asked ENG 3 HOL 1 (Elliot lost Patricia de ENG 5 HOL 0 (Douglas b Ron van of them and returned to Category Spanje 10, 15; Cooke b Henk van Span­ Groot - 19, - 15; Grundy b Ellen Bak­ Dreadful scheduling je 19, 17; Prean b Rob Turk 16, 16; ker 13, - 12, 18; Bellinger/Elliot b de 1in some style. Only Belgium, the Douglas b Henk 24, 9; Prean b Ron 13, Groot/Mirjam Kloppenberg 16, 15; 13). Grundy b de Groot 16, - 20, 12). surprise package in Category 2, The Douglas jinx continued and Semi-final Round Final Round held them to 5-1. The rest were 13-16 Play-offs 5/6 Play-off the title again eluded Europe's ENG 5 BEL 0 (Douglas b Jan Harkamp ENG 1 FRA 3 (Bellinger b Daviaud 9, beaten 5-0. I exclude the mean­ most consistent player of the last 10, 16; Cooke b Claus Pedersen 23, - 12, 14; Elliot lost Thiriet - IS, -12; Bell­ ingless place match, won 5-2. 18; Prean b Lars Hauth - IS, 13, 5; inger/Elliot lost Daviaud/Thiriet - 21, decade. After a 5 game epic Douglas b Pedersen 12, 9; Prean b 15, - 19; Bellinger lost Thiriet - 12, against a still magical Dragutin Harkamp 13, 15). - 17). Surbek he had to go on again Final Round 13/14 Play-off after quarter of an hour. For the ENG 5 BEL 2 (Andrew b Dany previous two days very little went Christophe 13, - 22, 14; Souter lost Cabrerea 15, - II, - 14; Cooke b Didier on. Then everything was rushed. Leroy 10, 13; Souter b Christophe II, 10; Administratively convenient no Andrew b Leroy 9, 14; Cooke lost Cabrera 15, -20, -19; Souter b Leroy doubt, but was it fair to the 19, 12). players? Do I hear the old parrot cry: "It's the same for everybody? " It certainly is not. It penalises Bronze for Bellinger ... the players who have fought the (Action images 01-822-8484) ,.. hardest in the previous round. Everybody is entitled to a reasonable rest and a minimum of Individual Events Results two hours is not much to ask in a championship that goes on for English results only for early rounds: more than a week. Mens singles Qualifying rounds Jimmy Stokes (ENG) b Daniel Wintersdorf (LUX) 12, 12. Stokes b Rob Womens singles Mens doubles Semi-finals: Hrachova/Vriesekoop b Turk (HOL) 18, 19. First round First round Alboiu/Badescu 8, 13; Bulatova/Elena First round: John Souter (ENG) b Karoly Joy Grundy (ENG) b Katja Nolten Kovtun (URS) b Svensson/Barbro Nemeth (HUN) 12, 16, 20; Alan Cooke Souter/Stokes lost Christian Ignat/Calin (FRG) - 19, 12, - 19, 13, 16; Fiona Toma (ROM) - 13, - 17; Douglas/ Wiktorsson (SWE) 12, 8. (ENG) b Thierry Miller (SUI) 9, - 15, Elliot (ENG) b Suzanne Wenzel (FRG) Prean b Thomas Busin/Thierry Miller Final: Bulatova/Kovtun b Hrachova/ 16, 16; Stokes lost Patrick Renverse 12,20, 19. Vriesekoop -13, 16, 12. (FRA) - 18, - 14, - 16; Skylet Andrew Second round: Fiona Elliot (ENG) b Bar­ (SUI) 20, 18. (ENG) lost Henk van Spanje (HOL) Second round: Andrew/Cooke lost Mixed doubles bara Wiltsche (AUT) 18, 16, - 19, 14; Qualifying rounds -18, - 18, 8, - 19. Lisa Bellinger (ENG) b Vera Kottek Tibor Klampar/Kriston (HUN) - 17, Second round: Alan Cooke (ENG) lost . Andrew/Elliot b Frank Boute/Patricia (AUT) 19, -18,20, 12; Alison Gordon - 8; Douglas/Prean b Parietti!Renverse Jan-Ove Waldner (SWE) 20, -14, -7, de Groot (HOL) 13, 16. (ENG) b Marie Svensson (SWE) - 18, (FRA) 22, -21,11; - 13; Souter lost Bela Mesaros (YUG) 19, - 13, 8, 18; Joy Grundy (ENG) lost First round: Cooke/Bellinger lost Vasile 17, -10, -22, -20; Desmond Douglas Third round: Douglas/Prean lost Milan Zsusza Olah (HUN) 20, - 12, - 20, Florea/Otilla Badescu (ROM) - 18, (ENG) b Bruno Parietti (FRA) 19, 16, Orlowski!Jindrich Pansky (TCH) :"'19, - 18; Douglas/Gordon b Konner! Fejer/ 13; Carl Prean (ENG) b Ron Pales (ESP) -12' Third round: Bellinger b Patricia de 21, -15. Maria Alboiu (ROM) IS, 12; An­ 15, 16, 13: Semi-finals: Lindh/Waldner b Zoran drew/Elliot lost Zsolt Kriston/Batorfi Third round: Doulgas b Erich Amplatz Groot (HOL) 8,9, 17; Elliot lost Bettine Vriesekoop (HOL) 21, -12, -14, - 12; Kalinic/Surbek IS, 16; Appelgren/ (HUN) -10, - 11. (AUT) 10, 10, 15; Prean b Vladimir Second round: Prean/Grundy lost Dvorak (URS) 13, IS, 15. Gordon lost Daniella Guergueltcheva Carlsson b Ilie Lupulescu/Zoran (BUL) -11, -16, -22. Primorac (YUG) 18, 19. Miller/Monika Frey (SUI) -17, -17; Fourth round: Douglas b Dragutin Douglas/Gordon b Jorgen Rebel! Surbek (YUG) 13, - 14, 23, - 19, 12; Fourth round: Bellinger b Branka Batinic Final: Lindh/Waldner b Appelgren/ Wenzel (FRG) IS, 15. Prean lost Erik Lindh (SWE) - 18, - 13, (YUG) 8, - 16, 8, 16. Carlsson 13, -13, 16. Quarter-finals: Otilla Badescu (ROM) b Third round: Douglas/Gordon b 22, 20, - 15. Womens doubles Miroslav Cecava/DAniela Davidkova Quarter-finals: Jorgen Presson (SWE) b Edit Urban (HUN) 19, - IS, 17, 20; Lindh -16, 18, - 17, 23, 17; Andrzej Fliura Bulatova (URS) b Olah 6, 20, Second round (TCH) 11, 13. Grubba (POL) b Mikael Appelgren -20, 12: Csilla Batorfi (HUN) b Gordon/Grundy b Fotini Galanou/ Quarter-finals: Douglas/Gordon lost (SWE) 17, 14, 18; Leszek Kucharski Vriesekoop 19, 13, - 12, 18; Bellinger b Maria Louka (GRE) 7, 10; Milan Orlowski!Alena Safora - 14, (POL) b Andrei Mazunov (URS) 19, 18, Olga Nemes (FRG) 22, 18, - 16, - 14, Third round: Gordon/Grundy b Margit -16. Semi-finals: Pansky/Hrachova b 19; Douglas lost Ulf Carlsson (SWE) 17, 17. Freiberg/Vanja Staleva (FRG/BUL) -10, -IS, -17. Semi-finals: Batorfi b Bellinger -19, IS, Surbek/Batinic 14, 19; Lupulescu/Gor­ Semi-finals: Persson b Grubba; Kuchar­ 18, 16; Bulatova b Badescu 12,23, - 18, -IS, 16, 15. dana Perkucin (YUG) b Orlowski/ ski b Carlsson. 18. Quarter-finals: . Gordon/Grundy lost Safarova (TCH) 18, 15. Final: Persson b Kucharski - 19, 10, 16, Final: Batorfi b Bulatova -11, IS, 14, Hrachova/Vriesekoop (TCH/HOL) Final: Pansky/Hrachova b Lupulescu/ 19. II. - 11, -16. Perkucin 18, 9. 6 European Championships

Des was not alone. Erik Lindh, ciency, because the teams, in the victor in 5 games over young Carl main essentials, picked Joy milks the Irish Prean (who led 11-7 in the 5th) themselves. There never was any was similarly disadvantaged. It is need for five people to travel the Joy for Joy Grundy, the Lan­ based Colum Slevin had taken out not a European problem. The country at some expense as a cashire Lass, is an understatement Mason in the quarters and Dut­ same thing happens here. Time prelude to selection debates. Let after her ravaging of the Wedgie chman Frank Boute in the semis. for officials to get their act us now do things in the rational Irish Open in Belfast in February In a thrilling final, Saive ended together. and modern manner. writes Alan Strong. A hat-trick of Slevin's run with an array of I have no doubt that Don titles in the individuals, after a Secretin-like lobs and Klampar­ Waldner would continue to seek advice gold in the team event, saw the like smashes. Saive's glory was Europe's Player of the Year went when he feels he needs it, but the World No 39 complete an complete when he partnered Dan­ earlier. Nobody can do it all the final responsibility must be his undefeated run in the Milk ny Christophe to the mens and he must stand and fall by his Marketing Board for Northern time. It seems almost impossible doubles title with a win over sur­ Ireland sponsored event which at­ to win the Top 12 and this title in own achievements and, if they prise finalists McIlroy/Wright tracted seven nations. (SCO). the same year. continue on this level, he must be recognised and rewarded. English domination of the The Wedgie Irish Open is well female honours was in no way and truly back on the table ten­ England's other hero repeated in the mens encounters, With honour and nis circuit, with fine organisation It was a triumph for England's with a dynamic young French side and a galaxy of satisfied interna­ captain Don Parker, who brought dignity taking the Maysfield Leisure Cen­ tional stars. the players to the table fit to play The proposal is not new. It draws tre mens team trophy, and an for their lives after two very good on the experience of other sports even more spectacular Jean­ WOMENS TEAM Michel Saive, 16, from Belgium Quarter Final training camps. When they ap­ and more on what was advocated taking the Wedgie singles title. ENG 3 rRL B 0 (Fiona Elliot b Nora pointed him, the ETTA did by Ron Crayden, one of McEvoy 12, 17; Joy Grundy b Ellen Grundy survived a tense three­ McManus IS, 18; Elliot/Grundy b something right for once. England's best captains, who, gamer against the diminutive McEvoy/McManus 11,13.); I was - some years ago, in when Chairman of Selectors in ef­ BEL 3 SCO 0; FRA 3 WAL I; HOL 3 Patricia de Groot (HOL) to take lRL A O. junior days - among his critics. I fect offered to make himself am very glad I was wrong. Don the Loughside Recreation Centre Semi-finals redundant, because he favoured ENG 3 BEL 0 (Grundy b Nathalie Higuet is now one of the top team womens team trophy after de the principle of one team manager Groot had levelled the final with 14, 6; Elliot b S. Thirion - 15, 14, 19; managers in the world. For a list Grundy/Elliot b Higuet/Thirion 19, 17); selector adopted by so many suc­ a 2-1 victory over Fiona Elliot HOL 3 FRA 1. of England achievements this cessful sports. (ENG). Grundy and Elliot, under season, see another space. 3rd/4th play-off Let's do it. There is plenty of npc David Fairholm, had easily FRA 3 BEL 1 work for the members of the eliminated Ireland B (3-0) and Final Time for a Supremo selection committee in other Belgium (3-0) before the 3-1 win ENG 3 HOL I (Grundy b E Noor 18, ~ 13,9; Elliot lost Patrice de Groot - 12, The time has come to give Don fields. Today they can depart with over the Netherlands. 17, -16; Grundy/Elliot b Noor/De dignity and honour. There will Elliot and Grundy accounted Groot 20, 18; Grundy b de Groot - 19, full powers exactly as enjoyed by 18, 17). never be a better opportunity to for the attractive French pair Em­ an American Football coach or MENS TEAM England's soccer team manager accept this historical inevitability. manuell Coubat and Isabelle Quarter final Delepine in the womens semis, Bobby Robson, because this is the I hope my proposal will be ENG 3 HOL 1 (John Souter b Frank with Grundy using her left­ Boute 19, 25; Nicky Mason b B Van only way to run a team in the 20th regarded as completely non­ Haren 16, - 19, 10; Souter/Mason lost Century. controversial as a step forward, handed guile and power to oust Boute/Van Haren - 18, - 16; N Mason the Wolverhampton girl in the b Boute 14, 17.) It is not a task remotely suited not as a slap in the face for selec­ BEL 3 SCO 0; WAL 3 IRL B 0; FRA 3 final. The English pair took the to the committee environment. In tors past and present, who should IRL A O. womens doubles and fought out Prague we may have been spared see this is an opportunity for Semi·final an all English mixed final for the consequences of. such ineffi- greater service to the sport. FRA 3 ENG I (Olivier Marmurek b John Souter to join Grundy on SOUler 18, - 13, 20; Didier Mommessin b Mason 10, 12; Marmurek/Mommessin her fourth trip to the winners lost Souter/Mason - 15, - 15; D Mom· rostrum. messin b Souter - 14, 16, 21); In contrast Saive's progress BEL 3 WAL 1. through the Wedgie Cheese Irish 3rd/4th play-off ENG 3 WAL 0 (Souter b Nigel Tyler 14, Open was less consistent. He - 16, 13; Mason b Alan Griffiths 19, allowed his spectacular'returns to - 20,9; Souter/Mason b Tyler/Griffiths rule his head in the mens team 19, - 20, 9). final such that Didier Mommessin Final FRA 3 BEL 2 had to win the all important rub­ Mens singles ber to give the French a 3-2 vic­ Semi-finals tory over Belgium. Saive b J Souter 15, 14; Slevin b F Boute The young Saive, under -19, 15, 17. criticism from Belgian coach Final Saive b Slevin 9, 19. Milan Stencel, left his opposition Womens singles in no doubt of his will to take the Final mens title. Grundy b Elliot 17, 17. He stormed past title holder Mens doubles Nigel Tyler (W AL) in the Final Saive/D Christophe b Darren Mcilroy/ quarters, and added to the dismay David Wright (SCO) 19, -17, 12. of John Souter in the semis Womens doubles (Souter and Nicky Mason had Final failed for England in the team Grundy/Elliott b Higeut/S Thirion (FRA) IS, 14. event, losing to France 3-1). Meanwhile, Irish eyes were Mixed doubles Jean-Michel Saive (Belgium) spectacular winner ofthe Wedgie Irish Open Final Men's title. (Photo· courtesy of Belfast Telegraph Newspapers Ltd). smiling for their own German- Grundy/Souter b Elliot/Mason 18, 19. 7 Beneficial Trust English Junior Open

a bright table tennis future for performance of England's young Second success for Stokes him. But Stokes, with the final in players can only be described as Fiona Brown his sights swept the young Dut­ mediocre, in view of the standard chman aside in convincing of competition which lacked any English Junior No 1, Jimmy fashion. Asian interest or that of most of Stokes, earned his second national By the time Stokes came to the the stronger European nations. title of the season and his second table to meet Boute in the Although it was Federal Ger­ successive Beneficial Trust Junior ultimate final of the day he could many who boasted the biggest Grand Prix title with victory in have been deemed to hold a dou­ trophy cache, with three titles, the boys singles of the 1986 ble advantage. While Stokes, Holland certainly deserve special Beneficial English Junior Open playing with Israel's Tal Mitrani mention for having provided a Championships at the Mountbat­ in the boys doubles and England finalist in all seven events. The ten Centre, Portsmouth on Sun­ teammate Juliet Houghton in the unlucky Boute played in four day 11th May. mixed doubles, had exited from finals but ended the weekend Although hopes of an English both events in the early stages without a single winners trophy. success in the ten nation team Boute had exerted himself to His teammate Patricia De events, held on Saturday, had been high, it was a story of 'nearly Stokes, a man for all seasons? reach both finals only to suffer Groot enjoyed somewhat greater but not quite'. the psychological damage of success in her four final ap­ England's boys team ofJimmy A narrow victory over Bart van defeat on each occasion. pearances. Having taken the girls Stokes and Bradley Billington Haren was followed by deft Ger­ Against Stokes he raced to a team title with Gerdie Keen she edged into the semi-final with a man teamwork in a two game 21-13 win in the first game - tak- proceeded to justify her European 3-2 victory over the French second doubles victory. Klein concluded team of Charles Bourget and the proceedings with a Nicholas Chatelan but a 2-0 semi­ businesslike demolition of the final deficit against Federal Ger­ demoralised Boute who could not many soon dampened their repeat his Houdini routine. aspirations. Success in the doubles In the girls team event England kept English hopes alive but the had two teams in the semi finals deceptively casual approach of the but neither could offer any effec­ quiet German No 1, Rudiger tive resistence to their continen­ Klein, proved totally effective as tal adversaries. England's first he swept back to take the last two team of Andrea Holt and Claire games against Jimmy Stokes to Potts lost out 3-0 to the ensure a 3-1 victory. Netherlands, whilst our second The Germans went on to win team of Juliet Houghton and the International Club Trophy in Debbie Soothill made their exit at an entertaining final against the the hands of Federal Germany. Netherlands; despite the latter's In the final the Netherlands 3-0 semi final defeat of the No 1 team of Patricia de Groot and seeds, France. Gerdie Keen were in a class of In the final, Dutch No 1 Frank their own as they advanced to a Boute, who had earlier been 3-0 victory without the loss of a elevated to the No 1 seeding in the - single game. boys singles event when Belgian In Sunday's boys singles Stokes Jean-Michel Saive failed to ap­ benefitted from the luck of a draw pear, made a spectacular recovery which brought Boute and Klein to claim the opening set from the together in a fierce semi-final bat­ astonished German, Peter tle whilst he faced the promising Auwarter. but less experienced Dutch cadet, Leading 19-11 in the final game Bart Van Haren. Frank Boute (HOL), four finals but no trophy. Auwarter was left standing as Van Haren had earlier despat­ All photos Stephen Line (0273) 453867 Boute smashed eleven consecutive ched Federal Germany's Peter winners to scrape home 21-19. Auwarter with a demonstration of ing full advantage of his massive junior ranking by adding the girls For the Netherlands this marked the natural flowing movements reach and power - but thankful­ singles crown and looked to be their solitary final success as and excellent anticipation which ly for Stokes and the eager well on her way to triumph in the Rudiger Klein took control of the led England's Chairman of Selec­ English supporters, Boute's ac­ girls doubles before the aggrava­ German challenge. tors, Peter Charters, to prophesise curacy deserted him in the second tion of an old injury to her left leg game and the score levelled with which forced the Dutch girls to a 21-15 Stokes victory. The final game started with a conceed to Belgian rivals Elke and point for point challenge but Els Billen. Stokes pulled away after the change of ends. As he stood pois­ ed to capture the title the crowd held its breath, half expecting a repeat of Boute's magnificent recovery against Auwarter - he could not do it and Stokes celebrated yet another magnifi­ cent victory in what has been his Beneficial winners Jimmy Stokes and Andrea Holt. Their prize includes most successful season to date. a training scholarship in Duisberg Despite this victory the overall Patricia de Groot 8 Beneficial Trust English Junior Open

18, 15; Els Billen b Lux 10, 12; Keen b GIRLS TEAM - Plate Competition Hall 6,15. Final Quarter-finals BEL 3 ENG IV 0 Struse b Houghton 15, 14; De Groot b POllS 17, -17, 17; Faltermeier b Holt -16, 10,9; Billen b Keen -13, 17, 12. Farewell Beneficial Semi-finals After three years and eighteen top De Groot b Struse 13, 20; Els Billen b Faltermeier 15, 18. class junior table tennis events a Final final farewell to sponsor's De Groot b Els Billen 17, 14. Beneficial Trust was bid in BOYS DOUBLES Portsmouth. Quarter-finals Boute/Van Haren b Hegenbarth/Franzel The sponsorship, covering 19, 13; Chatelain/Bourget b Saive/Son­ three Grand Prix series, has net 16, 12; Auwarter/Klein b brought £50,000 into junior table O'Driscoll/Oldfield -12, 12, 17; Eloi/Chila b Dennison/Anthony tennis in England - ensuring not Redmond. only substantial prizes but that Semi-finals our leading young players could Boute/Van Haren b Chatelain/Bourget -12, 11, 13; Auwarter/Klein b enjoy their competitions in prime Eloi/Chila 20, - 19, 13. venues throughout the country. Final As we have come to expect of Auwarter/Klein b Boute/Van Haren 18, -7, 18. Beneficial their parting gesture of a three week training scholarship GIRLS DOUBLES in Duisberg, awarded to Jimmy Quarter-finals De Groot/Keen b Toole/Hammond 16, Stokes and girls Grand Prix win­ Nicole Struse and Jurgen Hegenbarth - German winners of the mixed 16; Holt/Houghton b Lux/Praedel 10, ner Andrea Holt, marked the doubles 12.; Billen/Billen b Hayden/Knight 11, generous way in which they have 13; Billington/Hall b Struse/Faltermeier interpreted their sponsorship. As BOYS TEAM BOYS SINGLES 19, 12. First Round First Round Semi-finals they depart the table tennis scene FRA 3 ENG III 0; FRG II 3 IRL 0; Frank Boute (HOL) b Shai Preminger De Groot/Keen b Holt/Houghton 8, 14; it is with the good wishes of ENG II 3 NOR I 0; HOL I 3 SCO 0; (ISR) 14, 17; Nicholas Chatelain (FRA) Billen/Billen b Billington/Hall 12, 13. players, parents and ad­ FRG I 3 WAL 0; BEL I 3 ENG IV 1; b Bradley Billington (ENG) - 19, 16, 12; Final FRA II 3 NOR II 0; ENG I 3 ISR I O. Jurgen Hegenbarth (FRG) b Grant Billen/Billen b De Groot/Keen 12, ministrators nationwide. Second Round Solder (E) 12, 5; Philip Saive (BEL) b conceeded. HOL I 3 ENG II 1 (Van Haren b Dixon Espen Loland (NOR) 15, 11; Rudiger 19, -20,18; M Syed b Boute 11,12; Van Klein (FRG) b Michael Kidar (ISR) 12, MIXED DOUBLES Haren/Boute b Dixon/M Syed 20, 19; 12; Charles Bourget (FRA) b Per Irgens Quarter-finals Boute b Dixon 19, 8) (NOR) 13, 19; Michael O'Driscoll (ENG) Boute/De Groot b Sonnet/Billen 19, ENG I 3 FRA II 2 (Stokes b Bourget 9, bye; Matthew Syed (Bk) b Andrew Den­ - 21, 19; Dixon/Hall b Holland/Toole 15, Chatelain b Billington 12, - 16, 19; nison (IRL) 13, 10; Peter Auwarter 14, 12; Hegenbarth/Struse b Van Bourget/Chatelain b Stokes/Billington (FRG) b Anthony Jones (WAL) 14, 11; Haren/Keen 17, 15; FranzellFaltermeier 9, -15, 10; Stokes b Chatelain 21, 13; Frederic Sonnet (BEL) b Jan Bergersen b Saive/Billen 16, 13. Billington b Bourget 19, - 13, 10). (NOR) 12, 19; Patrick Chila (FRA) b Semi-finals Semi-finals Greg Barden (K) 9, - 17, 11; Bart Van Boute/De Groot b Dixon/Hall - 18,17, FRG I 3 ENG I 1 (Klein b Billington 19, Haren (HOL) b Sean Gibson (ENG) 18, 18; Auwarter b Stokes 17, 17; Bill­ 16; Hegenbarth/Struse b Franzell 13; Damien Eloi (FRA) b Chris Oldfield Faltermeier 16, - 14, 16. ington/Stokes b Klein/Auwarter 13, (ENG) 13, 13; Christian Franzel (FRG) -18,11; Klein b Stokes -17, 18, 14). Final b Heinrich Hognestad (NOR) - 19, 18, Hegenbarth/Struse b Boute/De Groot GIRLS TEAM 14; Adrian Dixon (ENG) b Damien 17, 19. First Round Holland (ENG) 15, 14; Jimmy Stokes ENG II 3 BEL 2; FRA I 3 IRL 0; (ENG) b Tal Mitrani (ISR) 9, 14. BOYS TEAM - Plate Competition ENG I 3 SCO 0; FRG II 3 FRA II 1; Second Round Final Gerdie Keen and Patricia De Groot ENG IV Bye Boute b Chatelain 14, 16; Hegenbarth b ENG II 3 ISR 1 (HOL) HOL Bye Saive 12, 12; Klein b Bourget 13, 13; Second Round O'Driscoll b Syed - 18, 13, 16; Auwarter FRG I 3 ENG III 0 (Struse b Billington b Sonnet 11,6; Van Haren b Chila IS, 10, -14,20; Fa1termeier b Hall -17,21, 14; Eloi b Franzel 20, 11; Stokes b Dixon Ex-Tournament Equipment 15; Struse/Faltermeier b Billington/Hall 18, -19, 12. 17, 13) Quarter-finals ENG II 3 FRA I 0 (Soothill b Gaubert Boute b Hegenbarth - 12, 19, 14; Klein 11, -16,12; Houghton bThill -18, 11, b O'Driscoll 11, 19; Van Haren b in excellent condition 14; Soothill/Houghton b Gaubert/Thill Auwarter 22, -20,15; Stokes b EIoi 13, 12, -15, 14) 17. ENG I 3 FRG II 1 (Potts b Lux 12, 20; Semi-finals Holt b Praedel 17, 14; Lux/Praedel b Boute b Klein 16, - 17,12; Stokes b Van Potts/Holt 15, -12,17; Holt b Lux 16, Haren 9, 15. Butterfly Europa tables £200 19) Final HOL 3 ENG IV 0 (Keen b Carey 10, 14; Stokes b Boute - 13, 15, 15. De Groot b Toole 16, 17; Keen/De Groot Joola 20005 tables (used once) £250 b Carey/Toole 7, 18) GIRLS SINGLES Semi-fi nals First Round FRG 3 ENG II 0 (Stuse b Houghton 18, Nicole Struse (FRG) b Kristina Cox (La) Butterfly surrounds £10 - 19, 20; Faltermeier b SOOlhill 8, 16; 5, 4; Debbie Soothill (ENG) b Ellen Struse/Faltermeier b Houghton/Soothill McManus (IRL) 7,13; Elke Billen (BEL) 14, I J) b Katrina Baker (Mi) 12, 8; Juliet Butterfly scoring machines £15 HOL 3 ENG I 0 (De Groot b Holt 17, Houghton (ENG) walkover; Claire Potts 19; Keen b Potts 12, 7; De Groot/Keen (ENG) b Claire Plumridge (Bk) 9, 19; b Holt/Potts 16, -13, 13). Lisa Hayden (E) b Julie Norman (Bk) 7, Lighting sets £35 13; Helen Lower (St) b Christane Praedel (FRG) 2, 16; Patricia De Groot (HOL) b Melonie Carey (ENG) 14, 17; Andrea Holt (ENG) b Lisa Crick (Bk) 10, 7; Light shades (new) £3.95 Sarah Hurry (SCO) b Nathalie Morgan (FRA) 15, 19; Helen Perrott (Av) b Julie Billington (ENG) 19, - 20,11; Cornelia Faltermeier (FRG) b Loraine Cullen (IRL) 20, 11; Els Billen (BEL) b Debbie Write or telephone Clive Oakman, Toole (ENG) 18, -19, 17; Gabriel Lux (FRG) b Emma Hurling (He) 13, 5; South East Table Tennis Equipment, Kerry Hall (ENG) b Marie-France Thill (FRA) 17, 17; Gerdie Keen (HOL) b 27 Damet Road, Tollesbury, Maldo", Nicola McGrath (La) 8, 15. Second Round Essex CM9 8HG (0621) 869761, Struse b Soothill 14, 17; Houghton b Elke Billen 17, 16; Potts b Hayden 11, and also for details of our hire service. 10; De Groot bLower 13, 16; Holt b Rudiger Klein and Peter Auwarter Hurry 19, 16; Faltermeier b Perrott - 17, 9

Official News Magazine Concern rEI Ever Tom Blunn, ETTA Chairman • thought of It would be useless not to I approached our friends in the I hope subscribers will unders­ acknowledge that many sub­ trade who have come to our tand the situation I have describ­ scribers are very dissatisfied with rescue on so many occasions in ed and will put it behind them. Sport the arrangements for the maga­ the past. The first agreement was With the new changes we can look zine this season. to sell the front cover for a full forward to stability once more awards? Whilst the question of content eight issues as an advertisement. next season. is not an important issue and in The next step was to secure There is no point in calling for The Ever thought ofSport? cam­ any event is a matter of opinion, regular advertisements for every the old days .... costs and lead paign was launched in 1985 to delays in publication are a mat­ issue rather than to wait and see times have increased. We cannot promote sport amongst the under ter of great concern, along with what turned up each month. This put back the clock but hope to 25s. the reduction in reading content. meant coming to arrangements make the best of present Now, the Sports Council have During the previous nineteen for special prices and to date the circumstances. announced the Sport for All years of George Yates' editorship position is looking good. A full report regarding the awards competition for schemes the magazine had been financial­ I am quite confident that the magazine finances and editorial that have successfully boosted ly viable except in the last year revenue from advertisements for problems was circulated to Na­ participation in the Ever thought 1984/85 when financial stability the eight issues commencing Oc­ tional Councillors in April. of Sport? age group. disappeared and the magazine lost tober 1986 will reach the target of Copies of the document NCS59 There will also be special £6,083. In fact, the last issue £15,000. may be obtained by members awards for projects which have before the change contained fifty­ These measures will allow the from the ETTA Office. had the best response from young six pages and alone lost £1,500. magazine to break even and women, coupled with a Drastic action was required, eliminate the large losses that photography award for the particularly as a further loss of would otherwise have accrued on Officers advertising was projected. The photograph that best depicts the an annual basis but the extra theme 'Ever thought of Sport for Management Committee there­ advertising will have to take up re-elected fore decided to increase the Girls' . some of the reading matter. subscription from 60p to 80p per All the Officers were re-elected at The competition is open to any I expect the magazine next the recent English Schools' Table project that is providing sporting issue for this season and to restrict season to be thirty-six or forty the content to thirty-six or, at the Tennis Association Annual opportunities and encouragement pages - of which advertising will most, forty pages, including General Meeting. for young people - so enter now. take up approximately one third, cover. ESTTA President Tom Mat­ Tell us about your initiative and leaving about 27 pages for reading For a long time the magazine thews was elected as the Associa­ hard work and your scheme may content. relied heavily upon the goodwill tion's fourth Life Member with receive the welcome boost of one If finances permit the Manage­ best wishes to him for a speedy of first Wallace's and then Sluggs of the many cash prizes! ment Committee to agree to an recovery from a recent major printers. It meant that when the Any organisation is eligible to last printers were invited to sub­ annual investment in the operation. magazine of £112,000 per annum, enter for the competition which mit a new quotation the estimated Arrangements are well advanc­ then additional pages for reading closes on 31st December, 1986. cost of production had risen con­ ed for the annual Dunlop Schools matter will be available. International Championships Details from: Jackie Warr­ siderably for this season and ington at The Sports Council much was reliant upon the new There is little alternative to (England v Ireland v Scotland) (Greater London and South East editor to reduce costs to a these proposals if the magazine is which are being staged at the· Region), P.O. Box 480, Crystal minimum by typesetting material to continue in its present form. I Broughton Recreation Centre, Palace National Sports Centre, personally. am not conducting an inquest or Salford on July 5th and 6th. Although the higher subscrip­ putting the blame onto anyone. Almost 100 players will be taking Ledrington Road, London SEI9 tion rate had brought in an addi­ Circumstances changed for the part. 2BQ. Tel: 01-778 8600. tional £3,000, each issue was los­ worse and action was needed to ing money and a potential loss put the matter right. even higher than in the previous On publication delays the new Douglas stays home editor, Rob Oldfield, has had a season was possible. Nine times English national The delays in publication were difficult job to do along with his causing complaints but the main other commitments and has champion, Desmond Douglas has problem was still a financial one fought a losing battle. Acknow­ confirmed that he will be playing and once again drastic action was ledging those commitments he regularly in England during the does not wish to continue beyond necessary. With the agreement of foreseeable future and has renew­ the editor and the treasurer, I the current season and a new ed his contract to play for therefore negotiated advan­ editor is being sought for next tageous terms with a new printer season - to commence with the Steelstock Wolverhampton in the - their first issue being the October 1986 issue. Anyone in­ Schildkrot British League. MarchiApril issue. The saving on terested should write to the ETTA Des has also agreed to extend office at 21, Claremont, production costs in a full year will his endorsement contract with be significant. HASTINGS. equipment manufacturers, But­ Meanwhile, the question of Rob Oldfield deserves our advertising was still a matter of thanks for offering to take on the terfly UK Ltd. great concern and in need of at­ job in the first place and I can Butterfly produce a range of tention. In 1984/85 the total sympathise with him in his disap­ Des Douglas bats for the mass pointment at not being able to revenue from advertising was only market priced between £15.99 and £9,000 and, even under the new meet publication dates at the high conditions, it was going to be level he sets himself. Reduction in £24.99. Their lone rollaway table necessary to raise at least £15,000 reading content inevitably brings which Des endorses is the com­ Desmond Douglas promotes But­ to break even. increased editorial effort. pany's biggest selling table. terfly equipment. II World Veteran Championships

(JAP) 14, - 20, - 19. Ron Bolton The Golden Oldies (Ng) also did well to reach the quarter final. Reviewed by Mike Watts Over' 70 mens singles The 3rd World Veterans table ten­ english which made communica­ Whilst no English player excelled nis championships were held in tion almost impossible. Other in the main event, Dick Satchell complaints centred around Rimini, Italy, from the 2nd to the (S) reached the final of the con­ 7th June 1986 a record entry of refreshments - almost non­ solation singles before losing to a over 1100 players from 38 coun­ existent and a free shuttle bus ser­ very useful Japanese player. tries competed. 87 players went vice that never arrived when you wanted it and did arrive when you from England but, with standards Over 40 mens doubles Over SO womens singles improving all the time, the tally didn't want it. However, the Also won by Yugoslavs. No Another ex World champion of medals for England was the organisers did manage to keep the Kazuko Ito (JPN) won this title. English successes beyond the last lowest yet. However there were tournament running reasonably The best english performance 32. Biggest hopes Ralph Gunnion many sterling performances from smoothly on 60 tables and finals came from Mary Symes (Mi) who (Wa) and Connie Warren beaten the English players particularly started to time on the last day. reached the quarters before losing Ron Etheridge (Kent) who fought Of the 38 countries present in the 3rd round by to Ito. so hard to hold onto his Over 60 Sweden proved to be the most Schreiber/Grasserbauer (AUS). mens singles title which he had successful followed by Federal Over 60 womens singles Over SO mens doubles won in both the previous cham­ Germany and Japan. This event was won by the pionships. Peter D'Arcy pulled a Derek Schofield (Ch) and Matt Japanese. No England successes. calf muscle in the opening en­ English successes Sheader were beaten in quarter counters of. the over 50 mens finals. David Jones and Brian Over 70 womens singles Over 40 mens singles Halliday (Bk) also did well to doubles final and struggled on Phyllis Lauder (Ex) just failed to with Henry Buist before finally Both Connie Warren (Sy) and reach the quarters before losing to make it three medals when she going down in a close third game. new VET Roger Hampson (Ch) Peter D'Arcy (Ch) and Henry went down at the quarter final This was the first champion­ reached the last 32. Warren lost Buist - 18, 16, - 15 who then stage. ships that I have attended but the 14, - 20, 19 to Valentin beat another English pair in the Lagehegermann from Luxem­ camaraderie from players of every semi finals Stan Battrick and Fred Over 40 womens doubles bourg and Hampson - 7, - 8 to Lockwood (E) 16 and 15. In the country made it a visit never to be Alexandru with Tegner (SWE) Austrian Anton Hold. Peter final D'Arcy pulled a calf muscle forgotten and already plans are won this event. Our main hopes early on and eventually they lost being made for the 4th World's Hubner (FRG) winner at both the Schofield and Connie Moran (Li) previous championships crashed in Zagreb, Yugoslavia in 1988 ­ to Mellstrom and Larsson (SWE) lost first time out. - 17, 10, - 15 to the eventual -29, 18, -15. but that is another story. winner Edo Vecko (YUG) in the What a pity that the organisa­ Over SO womens doubles semi final. Vecko went on to beat Over 60 mens doubles tion did not come up to the stan­ Eberhard Scholer (FRG) in the Pam Butcher and Joan Beadle (K) dard expected of a championships Ron Etheridge (second medal) fought their way through to the final. of this nature. On the first day we partnered Les D'Arcy (Y) only to quarter finals before losing. arrived - five days before the lose to Forsberg and Lanz 14, ItolOmari (JPN) being the even­ Over SO mens singles beginning of the World's - it took -12, -13 in the final. tual winners. six of us nearly two hours to book Chaos! Matt Sheader (Li) scrat­ in with the organisers and at 9.00 ched twice and reinstated twice, Over 70 mens doubles Over 60 womens doubles a.m. on the first morning of the played then replayed with dif­ No success here for England. Dolly Harmer (Bu) and Margaret championships there was a long ferent players. Matt eventually Event again won by Sweden. Jones (Ch) did well to qualify but queue of players most of whom reached the semi finals before los­ lost in the first round. had only arrived late the previous ing to Arne Persson (SWE). Over 40 womens singles evening trying also to book in. Henry Buist (K) reached the Ex world womens doubles cham­ Over 70 womens doubles The writing on the individual quarter finals before losing to pion Marie Alexandru was un­ Phyllis Lauder was paired with draw sheets was appalling and Persson. The eventual winner be­ touchable but what a perfor­ Lillie Dahlberg (SWE) but lost in Matt Sheader was scratched twice ing Ernst Gomolla (FRG). mance Gill Knightley (Bk) put up the quarter finals. when on friday morning he turn­ against her in the group before ed up at a table only to find that Over 60 mens singles losing - 26, - 12. Gill went on to Over 40 womens doubles the writing was so bad he should Third time unlucky for Ron reach the last 16 and Doreen Janet Hunt and Linda Reid (Wo) have been at another table. Hard­ Etheridge (K). Beaten on expedite Schofield (Ch) went one better, were delighted to win the Con­ ly any of the officials spoke in the final by Yujiro Tsujita reaching the quarter final. solation Doubles in this event.

MEDALS Gold Silver Bronze Total l. Sweden 6 3 13 22 2. Federal Germany 2 7 7 16 3. Japan 6 I 7 14 4. England 3 2 5 5. Yugoslavia 2 2 6. Rumania 2 2 7. Poland 2 2 8. Austria 2 2 9. France I 2 10. U.S.A. 1 II. Italy 1 12. Luxembourg I 13. Belgium I

Of the 1100 players competing the Federal Republic of Germany had 218 players Maria Alexandra in her younger days. in attendance, Sweden 216, England 87 and the hOSl country Italy 93. 12 National Leagues Finals

Results exception to the above fiasco and Mens Singles Quick fire finals will once again give their substan­ Over 40 Semi-finals tial support to the Championships E. Yecko (YUG) b P. Hubner (FRG) - 17, 10, 15. Reviewed by Mike Watts which will return to Mansfield E. Scholer (FRG) bY. Langehegermann Leisure Centre. (LUX) - 20, 14, 19. A strong Willesden League team 5-1 victory. The solitary Ipswich Final: E. Yecko (YUG) b E. Scholer consisting of England interna­ set came from Paul Gooding over Results (FRG) 9,14. Over 50: E. Gomolla (FRG) b A. Persson tionals Alan Cooke (I thought he Neil Simms. Wilmotl cup (SWE) 14, 12. came from Chesterfield!) Skylet Willesden 5 Leicesler 0 Alan Cooke b David Gannon 9, 12; Over 60: Y. Tsujta (JAP) b R. Etheridge Andrew and Nicky Mason com­ Fixture Fiasco (ENG) - 14, 20, 19. Skylet Andrew b Graeme Hall 13, 15; pletely whitewashed Leicester 5-0 Nicky Mason b Chris Rogers 12, 19; An­ Over 70: O. Blomkuist (SWE) b P. For the first time in many seasons Helzer (FRG) 6, 14. to claim the Wilmott Cup at the drew b Gannon II, 12; Cooke b Rogers the Bromfield Trophy final was 17, 19. Over 80: G. Heronymus (SWE) b G. Mansfield Leisure Centre on Sun­ Milden (SWE) - 18, 20, 19. not contested. Hull, whose best J M Rose Bowl Mens Doubles day 25th May 1986. players were away on holiday, Bradford 5 Newbury 0 Over 40: Yecko/Nisavic (YUG) b The Wilmott final lasted a lit­ Helen Shields b Julie Norman 15, - 16, elected to concede the title to the 18; Melody Hill b Jackie Godwin 9, 13; Martin/ tle under one and a half hours Bergmann (FRG) 14, -18, 15. Bridgwater girls team. Sally Shutt b Janet Parker 8, 16; Hill b Over 50: Mellstrom/Larsson (SWE) b with only Chris Rogers providing Just in case any of you are Norman 18, - 17, 10; Shields b Parker Buist / any real opposition from the about to book your summer 19,9. D'Arcy (ENG) 20, -18, 15. holidays for 1987 you may like to Carter Cup Over 60: Forsberg/Lanz (SWE) b Leicester camp. Chris went down Sheffield 5 Ipswich 1 Etheridge/ -12, -19 to Mason and -17, know that the National Leagues Neil Simms b Richard Hutchinson 16, D'Arcy (ENG) - 14, 12, 13. - 19 to Cooke. finals will take place on SUN­ 16; Mark Ward b Paul Gooding 14, Over 70: Larsson/Blomkuisl (SWE) b DAY 31st MAY 1987. Thankful­ - 17, 18; Chris Oldfield b Wayne Shaw Eguchi/ In the womens Rose Bowl, 13, 16; Simms It Gooding -19, -18; Ide (JPN) 14, 16. Bradford, cheered on by a ly the sponsors, Nottinghamshire Oldfield b Hutchinson 15, 19; Ward b Wornens singles coachload of supporters, storm­ County Council, have not taken Shaw 13, 10. Over 40 Semi-finals: M. Alexandru (ROM) b L. Borg (SWE) ed to a similarly impressive 5-0 12, 14. win over Newbury. Admittedly M. Trupkovic (FRG) b Y. Kanamura (JPN) 17, 15. Newbury were weakened by the Final: M. Alexandru (ROM) b M. absence of Mandy Sainsbury but Trupkovic (FRG) 13, II. the combined strength of Melody Over SO: K. Ito (J PN) b K. Skuralowicz (POL) 8, 17. Hill, Sally Shutt (nee Midgley) Over 60: K. Tasaka (JPN) b J. Delay and Helen Shields made them (FRA) IS, 12. worthy winners on the day. In Over 70: Y. Uchida (JPN) b F. Frauenkron (FRG) 18, 14. Mandy's absence it was Womens doubles Newbury's Julie Norman who of­ Over 40: Alexandra/Tegner (ROM/SWE) b Meyerblock/Kunstein fered the strongest challenge. (FRG) 18, 19. Yorkshire enjoyed its second Over 50: Omori/Ito (JPN) b Santifaller/ success of the day with the ac­ Skuratowicz (ITA/POL) 10, 16. quisition of the Carter Cup. The Over 60: Takeda/Naksuka (JPN) b Neumann/ young squad of Chris Oldfield, Bihl (USAlFRG) - 19, 16, 18. Neil Simms and Mark Ward over­ Over 70: Frauendron/Sammer (FRG) b Enguall/ coming a spirited effort by Engstrom (SWE) 17, 17. Ipswich as they progressed to a Alan Cooke. Photo: Alan Cozzi (0279) 39480

. challenge in the mens game in a ing services only for up to one Q'Driscoll triumphs In few years. hour every day and some of their The girls events were girls have developed exceptional La Roche-Sur-Yon Paul Day dominated by the Czechs services. Since the general stan­ Kasalova and Davidova although dard of serving is relatively poor Michael O'Driscoli was the star of Soothill and Claire Potts - all per­ challenged by Katja Nolten and in the European womens game, the England Team which won the formed creditably, with Matthew I1ka Bohning of Germany and this development has had a cadet boys singles in the French reaching the quarter final of the Timina and Komrachova of Junior Open held in the ice rink boys singles. The two girls achiev­ Russia. tremendous effect on their perfor­ at La Roche-Sur-Yon, 30th ed a good win over Yugoslavia in Although Hungary did not mances and resulted in them May/1st June 1986. the team event and reached the have their best junior girls com­ becoming the No 1 team in This was Michael's first inter­ semi-final of the doubles. peting in this tournament, they Europe. national tournament win and was Czechoslovakia'a Josef Braun unveiled another brilliant player We travelled to La Roche-Sur­ achieved in fine style. He won all and Renata Kasalova triumphed in the 13 year old girl, Wirth. She Yon, which is 50 miles south of was by far the best cadet and her seven of his matches, defeating in the junior singles but both had Nantes by ferry and car. We ar­ the French No. I Tran, the Ger­ service and topspin technique some very hard matches man No. I Hong, and Philip were the most advanced I have rived without problems but the throughout the tournament. The Saive of Belgium in the final, all ever seen from a girl so young. I car would not start on SatUrday French hope, Jean Phillipe Ga­ two straight. The semi-final win believe she will reach the stan­ evening and, on top of this, we tien, an exceptional player, was over Hong - a Chinese resident in dards set by Ottilia Badescu and lost the car keys, there were defeated by Josef Vimi, the Czech Germany who is coached by Csilla Batorfi and continue the several worried English people! No 5, who then went on to defeat Liang Ke Liang and whose man­ eastern European domination of However an announcement over nerisms and style resemble a Matthew Syed in a close but hard junior girls table tennis. fought quarter final. The stan­ the referee's microphone produc­ Chinese player - was particularly There is no doubt that Hungary ed our keys and a kind Fren­ impressive. The final itself was dard of the boys from Sweden, have shown tremendous improve­ chman recharged our car battery quite close but Michael always Czechoslovakia, Germany, ment in their female players and looked the better player and edg­ France and Russia was excep­ they have achieved this by concen­ - Vive L'ente.nte cordiale! ed home 21-18, 22-20. tional and, I believe, showed the trating even more time on There were no further mishaps The other three England rate of improvement that will be developing services. The and all the players benefitted players - Matthew Syed, Debbie necessary to maintain a strong Hungarian girls are now practis­ from this enjoyable trip. 13 Junior Top 12

Bradley and Andrea First among European League ENGLAND equals By Mike Watts v TURKEY The Junior and Cadet Top 12 DAY ONE ranking tournament took place in Saturday 27th Sept.• 1986 the majestic surroundings of the Junior boys at National Sports Centre at Matthew Syed headed the boys Mary Webb Comprehensive Lilleshall over the weekend of after the first day being un­ School, Pontesbury, 5th/6th April 1986. troubled in winning all his seven nr. Shrewsbury, Shropshire This was the third year the games for an impressive 14-0 commencing at 7.00 p.m. tournament has been held - twice games average. Adrian Dixon (St) Tickets: £2.50 available from before in Shotley - and on each came next with a single defeat to occasion the standard of play has Shaun Gibson (La), and he was JOHN MORRIS 0743 731340 Ih) been good. Tension, nerves and closely followed by Bradley Bill­ 0743 790303 Ib) tiredness all played a part in the Andrea Holt. ington (Dy) with five wins from endeavours of each of the con­ six matches; his only loss being Cadet girls Cadet boys testants but all gave of their very Chris Oldfield (Y). The tension continued to mount best and were a credit to Right from the beginning it was as Jeffries, Holland and Taylor themselves, their parents and obvious there would only be one Junior girls winner. Debbie Toole (Y) all produced their eighth win in coaches and to the sport in the first morning session but Julie Billington (Dy) caused the outplayed all her opponents for general. Taylor was the first to go, beaten From the original invitations first big shock beating top seed seven straight wins with a 14-0 games tally and only 158 points by Holland 21-14, 22-20 in the Jimmy Stokes (Bk) withdrew Andrea Holt (La) 21-19, 21-16 in next match. However Taylor im­ from the junior boys to go to the conceded. Anne Pashley (Cv) was session two but at the end of the mediately struck back after lunch European Championships in day there was a four-way tie with the best of the remainder with five wins and provided Toole with her downing Jeffries 21-17, 15-21, Prague and his replacement was Claire Potts (Ch), Debbie Soothill best match before going down 21-14 and Holland followed this Matthew Connell (Y). On the day (La), Juliet Houghton (K) and 21-18,21-17. up beating Jeffries 21-11, 22-20 to before the tournament Andrew Holt all level on six wins from clinch the top spot. Syed (Bk) withdrew through in­ seven games. Kerry HaU(Dy) and DAY 2 Taylor took the silver with ten jury but at that late stage it was Billington were close behind with wins whilst Jeffries had to content not possible to replace him. five wins. Junior boys himself with a bronze on nine In the junior girls Louise Syed started day two in the same wins. Fourth place went to Neil Davies (Wo) and Tanya Holland Cadet boys fashion winning two straight but Bevan (Co) with six wins just get­ (E) withdrew and were replaced ting the better of Neil Simms (Y) No real surprises on the first day then ran into trouble losing to by Julie Billington (Dy) and also with six wins. with the three top seeds ahead. Billington 22-20, 21-18 and then Nicola McGrath (La). And with Some consolation for last place Leigh Jeffries (Wa), Damian finally Dixon 21-14, 9-21, 21-19 the top two cadet boys and girls to finish third. The category Graham Cook (Y) who up to the Holland (E) and Jonathan Taylor opting to playin the junior events therefore rested on the confron­ very last session had lost all ten (Ch) all unbeaten with seven Andrew Eden (La), Graham tation between Billington and sets with a 3-20 games average but Cook (Y), Tina Sadler (So) and straight wins with Jeffries only Dixon which Billington won always smiling. In the last session, Alison Ledwitch (Wa) happily dropping three single games and 22-20,21-18 to round off a great to his great delight, he finally replaced them. Taylor two. weekend for the Derbyshire lad. broke the ice with a 23-21 17-21 Dixon took the silver medal with 21-14 win against Mark Bawde~ Syed and Gibson the two bronze (Co). medalists. Cadet girls Junior girls No doubt about the winner here; The morning session saw Soothill Toole continuing in her winning and Holt advancing their claims sequence with four more wins and with two wins each but Potts lost a final tally of eleven straight wins both, first to Hall 22-20, 21-17 and a 22-0 games average. A truly then to Soothill 11-21, 21-17, remarkable performance. 21-14. While Billington and Hall However. the remaining posi­ both remained close, Houghton tions were entirely different and lost ground after losing to Holt with two sessions to go any of but with two sessions left any of eight players could have clinched six girls could take the title. the seven places. Needless to say In the afternoon Holt made that the final results were too certain .of the top slot when close for comfort with the beating Soothill 21-14, 21-14 and calculator needed to sort out rounded this off with a 21-10 seventh and eighth places - the 15-21,22-20 win over Potts. ' difference being 0.005. Soothill finished second with For the record Pashley main­ nine wins ahead of Julia tained her consistency with eight Houghton; the second place be­ wins with Ellen Meddings (Y) ing decided by virtue of a 21-13, third on seven wins and Caroline 19-21, 21-11 win by Soothill over Buckley (Bd) fourth also on seven Houghton in the sixth session on wins. Four players tied for fifth The junior boys title slipped away from Matthew Syed. Saturday night. place on six wins. 14 '---Ju_n_i_of_To--"'p'---1_2 --:.­ l RESULTS

Junio~ Cadet boys boys 10 II 12 10 II 12 I SYED - 1-2 0-2 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 1 JEFFRIES 0-2 1-2 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-0 2-0 2-1 2-0 2-0 2-0 2 DIXON 2-1 - 1-2 - 2-0 1-2 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-1 2-0 2-0 2 HOLLAND 2-0 2-0 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-0 2-1 2-1 2-0 2-0 2-0 3 BILLINGTON 2-0 2-1 - - 2-1 2-0 1-2 2-1 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 3 TAYLOR 2-1 0-2 - 2-0 2-1 2-0 2-0 2-1 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-1 4 ------4 KNIGHTS 1-2 1-2 0-2 - 0-2 2-0 2-0 1-2 1-2 2-0 0-2 2-0 5 O'DRISCOLL 0-2 0-2 1-2 - - 1-2 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-1 2-0 5 SIMMS 1-2 1-2 1-2 2-0 - 2-0 0-2 1-2 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 6 GIBSON 0-2 2-1 0-2 - 2-1 - 2-0 1-2 2-1 2-1 2-0 2-0 6 RYDER 1-2 1-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 - 2-0 2-1 2-0 1-2 2-0 2-0 7 OLDFIELD 0-2 0-2 2-1 - 0-2 0-2 - 2-0 2-0 0-2 2-0 2-0 7 BAWDEN 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 2-0 0-2 - 1-2 2-0 0-2 0-2 1-2 ,. 8 8 AMOS 0-2 0-2 1-2 - 0-2 2-1 oe2 - 2-1 2-0 2-0 2-0 BEVAN 0-2 1-2 1-2 2-1 2-1 1-2 2-1 - )-2 2-1 2-1 2-0 9 GOODE 0-2 0-2 0-2 - 0-2 1-2 0-2 1-2 - 2-1 2-0 0-2 9 MILEHAM 1-2 1-2 0-2 2-1 0-2 0-2 0-2 2-1 - 1-2 0-2 2-1 10 CARSE 0-2 1-2 0-2 - 0-2 1-2 2-0 0-2 1-2 - 2-0 2-0 10 CONNOLLY 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 2-1 2-0 1-2 2-1 - 0-2 2-0 II MORRIS 0-2 0-2 0-2 - 1-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 - 0-2 II EDEN 0-2 0-2 0-2 2-0 0-2 0-2 2-0 1-2 2-0 2-0 - 2-1 12 CONNELL 0-2 0-2 Q.2 - 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 2-0 0-2 2-0 - 12 COOK 0-2 0-2 1-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 2-1 0-2 1-2 0-2 1-2 -

Junior girls 10 II 12 Cadet girls 10 I I 12' I HOLT - 2-1 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-1 2-0 2-0 0-2 2-0 I TOOLE - 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0

2 POTTS 1'2 - 1-2 0-2 1-2 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-0 2-1' 2-1 2-0 2 FORSTER 0-2 ~ 0-2 0-2 2-0 2-0 1-2 2-1 0-2 2-1 2-0 '2-0 3 SOOTHILL 0-2 '2-1 - 0-2 2-1 2-0 2-1 2-0 2-0 2-1 2-0 2-0 3 MEDDINGS 0-2 2-0 - 2-0 0-2 2-) 0-2 2-0 1-2 2-0 2-) 2-0 4 HALL 0-2 2-0 2-0 - 1-2 2-0 2-0 1-2 2-1 2-0 2-' 2-1 4 BUCKLEY 0-2 2-0 0-2 ..,. 2-' 2-0 0-2 0-2 2-0 2-1 2-0 2-0 5 HOUGHTON 0-2 2-1 1-2 2-1 - 2-1' 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-1 2-0 5 ROBERTS 0-2 0-2 2-0 1-2 - 2-0 2-1 0-2 2-0 1-2 2-0 2-0 6 CAREY 0-2 1-2 0-2 0-2 1-2 - 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-1 1-2 2-1 6 KEIGHLEY 0-2 0-2 1-2 0-2 0-2 - 0-2 1-2 0-2 0-2 1-2 1-2 7 HAYDON 0-2 1-2 1-2 0-2 0-2 1-2 - 2-0 2-0 2-1 2-0 2-0 7 PASHLEY 0-2 2-1 2-0 2-0 1-2 2-0 - 2-0 0-2 2-0 2-1 2-0 8 LOWER 1-2 1-2 0-2 2-1 0-2 1-2 0-2 2-0 0-2 0-2 2-) 8 POTTS 0-2 1-2 0-2 2-0 2-0 2-1 0-2 - 2-0 0-2 2-1 2-0 9 BRAY 0-2 0-2 0-2 1-2 0-2 1-2 0-2 0-2 1-2 1-2 2-1 9 PENGELLY 0-2 2-0 2-1 0-2 0-2 2-0 2-0 0-2 - 0-2 2-0 2-0 10 PERROTT 0-2 1-2 1-2 0-2 0-2 1-2 1-2 2-0 2-1 1-2 2-0 10 LAWTON 0-2 1-2 0-2 1-2 2-1 2-0 0-2 2-0 2-0 - 0-2 2-0 II BILLINGTON 2-0 1-2 0-2 1-2 1-2 2-1 0-2 2-0 2-) 2-1 2-0 II SADLER 0-2 0-2 1-2 0-2 0-2 2-1 1-2 1-2 0-2 2-0 - 2-0 12 McGRATH 0-2 0-2 0-2 1-2 0-2 1-2 0-2 1-2 1-2 0-2 0-2 12 LEDWITCH 0-2 0-2 0-2 Q-2 0-2 2-1 0~2 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 - I

L to R Chris Oldfield Kerry Hall Claire Potts

FINAL POSITIONS

Junior boys P W L F A Cadet boys P W L F A I. Bradley Billington (Dy) 10 9 1 19 5 I. Damian Holland (E) 11 11 0 22 5 2. Adrian Dixon (St) 10 8 2 18 6 2. Jonathan Taylor (Ch) 11 10 1 20 6 3. Matthew Syed (Bk) 10 8 2 17 4 3. Lee Jeffries (Wa) 11 9 2 19 8 4. Shaun Gibson (La) 10 7 3 15 10 4. Neil Bevan (Co) II 6 5 16 15 5. Michael O'Driscoll (Y) 10 6 5 14 9 5. Neil Simms (Y) 11 6 5 16 10 6. Chris Oldfield (Y) 10 5 6 II II 6. Nicholas Ryder (Y) 11 5 6 13 13 7. Paul Amos (K) 10 5 6 10 12 7. Andrew Eden (La) 11 5 6 11 13 8. David Carse (La) 10 3 7 9 14 8. Gary Knights (St) 11 4 7 12 14 9. Matthew Connell (Y) 10 2 8 4 16 9. Graeme Connolly (Sy) 11 4 7 9 16 (K) 10. Jonathan Goode (Mi) 10 2 8 6 17 10. Brian Mileham 11 3 8 9 19 11. Mark Bawden (Co) 11 2 9 6 18 11. David Morris (Sp) 10 0 10 1 20 12. Graham Cook (Y) 11 I 10 5 21 Junior girls P W L F A Cadet girls P W L F A I. Andrea Holt (La) II 10 1 20 4 I. Debbie Toole (Y) 11 11 0 22 0 2. Debbie Soothill (La) II 9 2 18 8 2. Anne Pashley (Cv) 11 8 3 17 8 3. Juliet Houghton (K) 11 9 2 19 8 3. Ellen Meddings (Y) 11 7 4 15 10 4. Kerry Hall (Dy) 11 8 3 18 9 4. Caroline Buckley (Bd) 11 7 4 14 10 5. Claire Potts (Ch) 11 7 4 17 13 5. Helen Potts (Ch) 11 6 5 13 12 6. Julie Billington (Dy) 11 6 5 15 13 6. Julie Forster (Le) II 6 5 13 12 7. Melonie Carey (So) 11 5 6 13 17 7. Sarah Pengelly (Dv) 11 6 5 12 11 8. Lisa Haydon (E) 11 5 6 13 13 8. Hoanne Roberts (Y) 11 6 5 14 11 9, Helen Perrott (Av) II 3 8 11 17 9. Susanne Lawton (C) 11 5 6 12 13 10. Helen Lower (St) 11 3 8 9 18 10. Tina Sadler (So) 11 3 8 9 17 11. Ruth Bray (Y) 11 1 10 6' 21 11. Alison Ledwitch (Wa) 11 1 10 2 21 12. Nicola McGrath (La) 11 0 11 4 22 12. Joanne Keighley (Y) 11 0 11 4 22 15 Tournaments Stokes flies high at Farnborough

The Stiga South Of England Graham Spicer Club in Surrey. In 3-Star championships held at the second round Barella faced Farnborough over the weekend of the awesome prospect of playing 15th/16th March produced some Alison Gordon (Bk). sensational upsets writes Michael Amazingly the Surrey player Green. was always in control. Well The mens singles sponsored by known for being of a nervous Lambeth Building Society disposition at times, she had the witnessed seed after seed fall to luxury of having five match unrated opponents. Fifth seed points in the second game and Graham Sandley (Mi) lost in the won 21-17, 21-18. Kent's Juliet first round to New Zealander Houghton put a stop to any Malcolm Temperley. Dave Wells thoughts of further glory comfor­ Sun Life promotions manager, Tony Lewis, presents Fiona Elliot, David Dodd and David Hannah with their prizes in Bristol. (Mi) seeded at three could not tably defeating her in the next overcome former European round. Champion John Hilton and also Top seed Lisa Bellinger (Bd) 1st for Bristol went out at the first hurdle. won the event with some con­ But the most sensational per­ siderable ease. Bristol's drive to attract visitors 6 Mandy Sainsbury in round two. formance of the season let alone to the city had a considerable But the greatest cheer was MENS SINGLES boost by 300 competitors entering reserved for local veterans finalist of the tournament was to come Final from the unseeded Berkshire Jimmy Stokes (Bk) b David Hannah (Sy) the first Sun Life Open Cham­ Tony Brown - a Bristol league youngster Jimmy Stokes. This 19, - 18, 23. pionships at Thornbury sports player of 30 years standing ­ centre on 17/18 May 1986. when he defeated Babs Adedayo Boris Becker of the table tennis WOMENS SINGLES Players from thirty counties to take the title. A victory that world cruised past Phil Bradbury Final Lisa Bellinger (Bd) b Jill Harris (St) 13, and three countries, including must rank as a career best for a (Bu) the sixth seed and Adrian 13. Dave Hannah, Scotland's No 1 very worthy competitor. Moore (Sx) seeded at sixteen on and England No 11 Kevin Satchell MENS DOUBLES RESULTS his way to the quarter-final. Final took part. With the England duo There, he amazingly tore the se-. David Wells/Philip Bradbury (Mi/Bu) b of Alison Gordon and Fiona MENS SINGLES Nigel Eckersley/Horatio Pintea Elliot - fresh from success in Semi-finals cond seed John Souter (Mi) apart (Ch/CAN) 15, -16, 17. Nicky Mason (Sx) b P Gunn (Wa); David winning 21-7, 21-16. Prague - they all enjoyed first Hannah (SCO) b Keven Satchell (Wi). class competition and conditions His semi-final opponent WOMENS DOUBLES Final Fiona Elliot/Harris (St) b Alison Gor­ in this tournament .organised by Mason b Hannah. Horatio Pintea from Canada don/Mandy Sainsbury (Bk) 14, 8. England's largest league and WOMENS SINGLES seeded at seven proved a tougher Semi-finals VETERANS SINGLES made possible by support from nut to crack. The Canadian mat­ Alison Gordon (Bk) b Jill Harris (Wa); Final . Bristol-based Sun Life Assurance. Fiona Elliot (St) b Carol Butler (Dv). ched Stokes point for point until Ralph Gunnion (Wa) b Ram Bhalla (Ha) In Saturday's junior events, II, 14. Final well into the third game but the West country girls excelled, pro­ Elliot b Gordon. determined Stokes held his nerves CLASS TWO SINGLES viding four of the last eight ..-MENS DOUBLES together triumphing 21-16. Final quarter-finalists in Jane Wright Final Percy Collino (Mi) b Bobby Brown (K) (Plymouth), Melanie Carey David Dodd/Hannah (K/SCO) b Steve The other half of the draw was 17, 17. (Bridgwater), Kirsty Withyman Dorking/Mason (E/Sx). much less complicated and seeds (West) and Helen Perrott WOMENS DOUBLES one and four reached the semi­ Final Cooke (Bristol). Elliott/Harris b Gordon/Mandy final. Top seed David Hannah But Carey and Perrott clashed Sainsbury (Bk). Scottish and Surrey No 1 was champion in the semis, preventing an all­ JUNIOR BOYS SINGLES much too good for Andrew Syed South West final and Semi-finals In the last of Lancashire's open Steve Slater (St) b Peter Harris (He); here. tournaments - the Donic Lan­ Wolverhampton's Helen Lower Jonathon Goode (Mx) b John Holland Could an unseeded player win cashire 2-Star Open at Lastock ­ won the final against Perrott. (Ng). a major 3-Star title... the final was Alan Cooke was the winner of the However, South West success Final came in the cadet finals with Tina Slater b Goode. absolutely gripping. Stokes nar­ mens singles with a final victory Sadler's (Yeovil) sparkling win JUNIOR GIRLS SINGLES over Jimmy Stokes, writes George rowly took the first game. Han­ against the Welsh No 4 Sian Semi-finals nah narrowly the second. The Yates. Evans and the boys final where Helen Lower (Dv) b Nicola McGrath Joy Grundy took the equivalent (La); Helen Perrott (Av) b Melanie Carey deciding game could not have Michael Auchterlonie (Wi) (So). womens title with a final win over been closer. disposed of Yorkshire's Gary Final Hannah saved two match. her Preston colleague Jean Knights in straight sets. Lower b Perrott. points having trailed 20-18. He Parker. The junior boys final was as JUNIOR BOYS DOUBLES much of a physical struggle as Final himself had two match points RESULTS Robert Fearn/Holland (Ng) b Vlendra before trailing 22-23. Then Han­ skilful. Early favourite Jonathan Chaunan/Darren Smith (Wo). MENS SINGLES Goode (Mi) appearing drained of nah had some luck. Trying a Alan Cooke (Dy) b Jimmy Stokes (Bk) JUNIOR GIRLS DOUBLES 18, 13. energy after his tough semi-final Final ferocious forehand loop the ball WOMENS SINGLES with John Holland (No) and Katrina Baker/McGrath (La) b Kristina hit his fingers and went in entire­ Joy Grundy (La) b Jean Parker (La) 18, could n9t produce the extra effort Cox/Lower (La/Wa). ly the opposite direction wrong 17. needed to penetrate Steve Slater's CADET BOYS SINGLES footing Stokes completely. MENS DOUBLES immaculate control. Final Cooke/Steven Mills (Dy/Y) b Steve Michael Auchterlonie (Wi) b Gary Hannah saluted the heavens. Dorking/Nicky Mason (E/Sy) 16, 19. Highlight of Sunday's senior Knights (Y). But Stokes would not be put off WOMENS DOUBLES events was the very high standard CADET GIRLS SINGLES and with some breathtaking play Grundy/Parker b Jane Barella/Jill Har­ of play maintained throughout. Final ris (Sy/St) 10, - 16, 12. Accurate seeding and tournament Tina Sadler (So) b Sian Evens (WAL). he took the next two points and VETERANS SINGLES organisation was shown in the U12 BOYS SINGLES the South of England singles title. Derek Schofield (Ch) b Matt Sheader (Li) Final 20, -22, 19. final rounds - despite hiccups G. Knights b B. Forster. There was also a major surprise caused by John Hilton's non ap­ CLASS 2 MIXED JUNIOR SINGLES un GIRLS SINGLES in the womens singles. This in­ Sean Gibson (La) b Brian Carney (La) pearance and Carol Butler's fine Final volved Jane Barella from the 20, 16. result in disposing of England No S. Hughes b H. Wright. 16 Tournaments

four more against her opponent's JUNIOR GIRLS SINGLES Essex Junior Semi-finals service advantage. Juliet Houghton (K) b Julie Billington Coaching Debbie Soothill (Ca) fought (Dy) 15,8; Debbie Soothill (La) b Claire Open hard but could not contain the Potts (La) 18, 12. handbooks An outstanding match caught the Kent left-hander in the second Final Houghton b Soothill 15, 13. The National Coaching Founda­ eye at the Beneficial Trust Essex game as she sped from 4-1 to JUNIOR BOYS DOUBLES tions have published a series of Junior Open O'Driscoll/Oldfield b Veerendra writes Laurie 11-4. Wearing her opponent down three coaching handbooks - for Darnell. It was a quarter-final by spreading her from wing to Chauhan/Steven Slater (Wa/St) 13, -17, 17. coaches who want the best for between the No 2 seed Matthew wing, Houghton maintained the JUNIOR GIRLS DOUBLES their performers. These handy Syed (Bk) and Chris Oldfield (Y). points difference between them to Andrea Holt/Houghton (La) b Lisa pocket-sized books link in with Hayden/Rachel Knight (E/Mi) 14, 16. Oldfield showed how a run out a worthy winner by 21-15, the NCF level 2 courses for defender should be played when CADET BOYS SINGLES 21-13. Oldfield b Nick Ryder (Y) 7, 16. coaches. he won the first 21-17 but I Paired up by the control table CADET GIRLS SINGLES The information is presented in suspect that the Berkshire lad the Veerendra Chauhan (Wa)/ Debbie Toole (Y) b Julie Forster (La) 17, a clear, lively style, complemented needed more spin-back. A II. Steven Slater (La) combination CADET BOYS DOUBLES by diagrams and cartoons. The challenging comeback with a faced the fourth seeds O'Driscoll Damien Holiand/O'Driscoli (E/Y) b three titles are The Coach at counter-hitting ploy from Mat­ and Oldfield in the final of the Leigh Jeffries/Gary Knights (Wa/St) 8, Work, Safety First for Coaches thew made spectators wonder and 14. and Physiology and Performance. junior boys doubles. CADET GIRLS DOUBLES hope for a third game. In the first game the Yorkshire Ellen Meddings/Toole (Y) b Bill­ The coaching handbooks cost But it was not to be. Oldfield pair let 5-0 and 7-3 leads erode to ington/Rebecca Fisher (Dy/Mi) 13, 15. £5.50 each, or £13.50 for the set took the set 21-19 although he 11-9 but then won ten points to Ul2 BOYS SINGLES of three. Neil Bevan (Co) b Knights (St) - 21, 16, Details from: The National later fell to his Yorkshire team­ four. 14. Coaching Foundation, 4 College mate Michael O'Driscoll 18-21, In the second, the unseeded Ul2 GIRLS SINGLES 15-21 in the semi-final. Meddings (Y) b Mellisa Muller (HOL) 6, Close, Beckett Park, Leeds LS6 partnership never lost the lead. - IS, 17. 3QH. Tel: 0532 744802. Neil Pickard (Nk) suffered The third game, however, turned from cramp during his semi-final at 10-9 when O'Driscoli and against Andrew Syed (Bk) who Oldfield cruised ahead to win Table Tennis in London won 11, 11. Pickard had a hard 21-13, 17-21,21-17. fought victory over Sean Gibson Working for the future In both games of the junior (La) - 20,20, 19 to earn the right girls doubles between Andrea A new association, the London accurately the number of to face Syed. Holt (La)/Houghton and Lisa Table Tennis Federation, has players actually competing in The finalists were not overaw­ Hayden (E)/Rachel Knight (Mi), been launched by Brentwood the area. We are all fully aware ed by the occasion and displayed the points were evenly shared until promoter Bernard Chatterley. that many players are registered their shots without any inhibitions in one, two, three, four and It was Houghton's turn to serve. In good standing with the ET­ in the staged arena. In the end the even more leagues, often in dif­ The advantage to the Lan­ TA it's hopeful aim is to re­ consistent play of Syed showed ferent counties - this gives a false cashire and Kent pair was im­ vitalise the sport in the capital spectators the value of maintain­ city which is currently a barren picture. Once we have fairly ac­ mediate and they won quite com­ ing composure and, by sticking to area. curate figures it will be much fortably 14, 16. a game plan, how to wear down "The LTT has no aims to easier to plan any marketing or The ECTTA wish to thank an opponent. The final started take over the functions of the recruitment strategy." Beneficial Trust Ltd. for sponsor­ with O'Driscoli tending to over­ . ETTA, Middlesex, Essex, Kent, "Then it is our intention to ing the Junior Grand Prix and hit too quickly when serving while Surrey, Hertfordshire associa­ hold a conference of all in­ regret that they are leaving the terested parties to ascertain the Syed looked relaxed and tions", "Nor those of the many table tennis scene. main problems and possible comfortable. local leagues and clubs within But in the second of this hard The Essex Junior Open will old~ methods of eliminating them the boundaries of the and considering promotional fought match Syed was under return next year on a different G.L.C. It has no aims to offer ideas." tremendous pressure and surviv­ date - 14th/15th February 1987 alternative competition" says . "If you live or play your table ed it well. Trailing early on he - we hope to see another tremen­ Chatterley. tennis in the London area make recovered to 15-15 and then serv­ dous entry! "But the LTT wishes to sure your club and league show ed himself to 18-17. Winning RESULTS harness the energies of all in the an interest in London Table against service he took the title sport within the area to the JUNIOR BOYS SINGLES Tennis," says Chatterley. 21-18, 21-18. Semi-finals mutual benefit of all sections of "Write now with your views In the junior girls singles Juliet Andrew Syed (Bk) b Neil Pickard (Nk) the community," he continues. and opinions to: London Table Houghton (K) lost the lead until, II. 11; Michael O'Driscoll (Y) b Chris "Initially we are writing to all Oldfield (Y) 18, 15. Tennis Federation, c/o S.D.L. at 13-14 down on her own serve, Final counties and leagues within the Ltd., P.O. Box 402, Brentwood, she gained three winners and then Syed b O'Driscoll 18, 18. area in an endeavour to assess Essex CMI4 4UQ."

UNBEATABLE OFFERS ....NOT TO BE REPEATED A few only available • • • subject to stock

NETS, RUBBERS, T.T. BALLS - ALL SOLD We now have Japanese Butterfly penholder bat blades reduced from £12.00 to £4.50 each Special commemorative medal struck for the World championships in Birmingham. In presentation box. Ideal for a trophy. £12.00 reduced to £2.50 each. Twelve only left.

Alec Brook ... ADB (London) Ltd., 49-55 Harrow Road, London W2 1JH. Tel: 4025671

17 1 Tournaments

quarters. They then overcame top Stokes powers seeds Damian Holland and £25,000 Schildkrot Michael O'Driscoll. In the final through they succumbed in three games to Chesterfield's Bradley Billington Chris Oldfield and Chris White. boost for British League was again amongst the medals in The tournament was the biggest the Beneficial Trust Derby Junior staged by the Derby Association Select on 26th127th April, writes and local players had probably Mike Payne. He beat Matthew their best performances since the Syed in a junior boys semi final start of the event 9 years ago. The which was a wonderful exhibition inclusion of an under 12 singles of attacking and defensive play. event played a great part in bring­ In the final the title holder Jim­ ing the total entry up to 355 and my Stokes powered through to forced a programmed earlier start win a match full of attacking on both days. play. The crowd particularly en­ joyed the angle shots from both RESULTS players and their sportsman-like JUNIOR BOYS SINGLES Jimmy Stokes (Bk) b Bradley Billington attitude to each other. (Dy) - 20, 15, 15. The girls singles saw a proces­ JUNIOR GIRLS SINGLES sion of seeds going out earlier Debbie Soothill (Cu) b Nicola McGrath (La) - 18, 11, 15. than expected. In the bottom half JUNIOR BOYS DOUBLES Claire Potts was beaten by Helen Chris Oldfield/Michael O'Driscoll (Y) b Perrott leaving Debbie Soothill a Adrian Thorp/Steve Slater (St) 14, 9. clear run to the fi nal. Schildkrot Managing Director Klaus Albrecht (L) joins English Table Ten-[ And in the top half Kerry Hall nis Association Chairman Tom Blunn (R) to finalise the £25;000 deal which lost to Katrina Baker in her group will give the Schildkrot British League a real boost over the next twelve while the unseeded Nicola months. (L-R) League Administrator Keith Ponting, ETTA Competitions Vice McGrath beat Andrea Holt (1), Chairman, Colin Clemett and Alan Ransome, Managing Director ofBut­ Melonie Carey (6) and Louise terfly Schildkrot's UK distributor, look on. Davis (7) before losing in the final to Debbie Soothill in three close games. Full details next issue In the. junior boys doubles Michael O'Driscoll partnered Lucky for some with Chris Oldfield came through to beat unseeded Adrian Thorp The 1986 Lincoln Handicap ETTA and Stephen Slater. Lottery achieved nearly £6,900 in Chesterfield's Kerry Hall and ticket sales and, of this, nearly Julie Billington had local success £3,500 was returned to participating in the cadet girls doubles with a leagues and counties to help their finances. fine final win over Ellen Med­ L-R ETTA Treasurer, Aubrey dings and Debbie Toole. They J)rapkin, Chris Oldfield, Chris The No 1 sales spot was retained were in action again on the Sun­ 'White and Derby President Jack Nichola 9, by the South West Middlesex day in the junior girls doubles Hughes. Stephen Booth League with a magnificent £617 or beating No 2 seeds Juliet wins Open title 2468 books or 12,340 tickets - con­ Houghton and Andrea Holt JUNIOR GIRLS DOUBLES gratulations to them and their band Claire Potts/Soothill (Ch/Cu) b Julie Malcolm Allsop before losing the final to Claire of dedicated and enthusiastic Billington/Kerry Hall (Dy) 15, -16, 19. Have Derbyshire produced the Potts and Debbie Soothill. CADET BOYS SINGLES helpers. Their rebate cheque for O'Driscoll b Oldfield 20, 20. smallest Open tournament cham­ £318 should prove very useful! The cadet boys singles was pion in the country following the CADET GIRLS SINGLES Second spot went to Norwich dominated by the two leading success of nine-year-old Nichola Sarah Hurry (Sco) b Billington 18, 17. with tremendous sales of £380, and cadets - Michael O'Driscoll re­ CADET BOYS DOUBLES Deaton in winning the V12 girls taining his title by beating the No Oldfield/Chris White (Y) b Robert Scott­ singles at the Devon and Exeter Reading again achieved over £300. 1 seed Chris Oldfield in two Birchall/Stephen Hanks (Dy). I-Star Open? Lady ,"uck smiled on 45 people straight games. CADET GIRLS DOUBLES Nichola was certainly the at the Draw, performed by Hastings Billington/Hall b Ellen Meddings/Deb­ youngest competitor in the tourna­ In the cadet girls Scotland's bie Toole (Y) 12, 23. league chairman Colin Hyiand, ment, according to her father Colin though only 26 horses actually ran Sarah Hurry extinguished local U12 BOYS SINGLES Deaton, and she did not drop a Gary Knights (St) b Brian Mileham (K) on the day. hopes by beating in turn Julie 11, 13. game during the event. Forster, Kerry Hall and then Julie Ul2 GIRLS SINGLES Nichola is already an experienc­ The winner was K-Battery and the Billington in the final. Helen Potts (Ch) b Meddings (Y) 18, 17. ed competitor having taken up the first prize of £500 went to Mr P Both under 12 singles justified sport two years ago whilst on a Smith of Bucks with the second the seedings as far as the finals. world cruise with her father, a prize of £250 going to Mr C former Derbyshire county player Downing-Waite of Sussex. Total Whilst top seed Gary Knights and England junior international. (Burton) won the boys event, it Nichola is the Derbyshire Schools prize money distributed was £1310. was No 2 seed Helen Potts who VII champion. As a method of fund-raising the beat top seed Ellen Meddings in Colin has coached many leading lottery could not be easier as: I) you two tight games in the girls. players during his career, and con­ risk no financial loss at all, 2) the The cadet boys doubles provid­ siders Nichola to be. the best pro­ ETTA provide the prize money and, ed the upset of the first day from spect Derbyshire has ever had. This 3) the ETTA pay all printing costs. is strong praise indeed since Alan local boys Robert Scott-Birchall Cooke is now ranked N03 in Full details are circulated each and Stephen Hanks. They beat England, whilst Julie Billington and September to member leagues. Brian Mileham and Andrew Eden Kerry Hall are 'ranked No 1 and 2 What could your league have done (seeded 4) after a tense start in the Nichola Deaton in the England cadet ranks. with that £318 rebate cheque? 18 Feature

Open womens singles final. Then it seems that the only remedy is Time and a place to fall back on the time wasting Geoff James of the National Umpires and Referees Committee provisions and warn the offen­ appeals to players and coaches to stop time-wasting. ding server in a quiet and unof­ ficious way. If it persists then Play is required to be 'continuous sport tennis, where the server cerned about this compared with report to the referee who has far during a match' - so says the frustratingly delays his service by 'in the old days', because com­ wider powers of dealing with of­ lTTF's "Handbook for Match continually bouncing the ball petition is much greater for the fenders than does the umpire. Officials". Umpires know all before launching his onslaught, small winnings available and the about this part of the good book, our own is now following suit, game is admittedly much more Players & Coaches but do the players? with the ball, prior to being serv­ difficult. But our public, albeit a However, it is the players with Surely this is not another 'them ed, being bounced from hand to small one, is important and must whom the main responsibility lies. and us' case although some um­ racket, hand to table or on to the be respected. Any mannerisms They need public support just as pires have been known to suggest floor. tending to distract or detract from much as officials and to alienate that players have sufficient But here there is a difference the spectacle have to be with this irritating and time knowledge of laws and regula­ between the two sports. In one the discouraged. wasting habit is in no-one's tions to stretch regulations to the size of the ball and area of the How does the poor umpire interests. ultimate and what they think are court might be said to allow the handle this? One can sympathise Surely we do not have to ape particular umpires' limits! conclusion that the server is 'com­ with those who call "fault" on the those from another sport where There are special regulations posing' himself and not seeking premise that the ball is in play money is in such abundance that about towelling. Unfortunately, an unfair tactical advantage by from the moment it leaves the little consideration needs to be they do not seem to cover the confusing the receiver as to when hand. And, of course, the umpire, given to those who provide it? escalation of apparent need for it the service will be made. Also, as sole judge of fact, decides when So, an appeal to the top players an action is a service and when it that others follow: please set the by the losing player at a critical with several balls being used is not. right example by removing at least stage. against our one, perhaps he is Also nothing seems to cover the But such judgements can one of· the frustrations of our assessing any variation. head start the bespectacled con­ become based on opinions which modern game. testant has, knowingly or unwit­ can vary and lead to inconsisten­ And an equally strong cry to tingly, breaking his opponent's Unsettling cies between different umpires. coaches who are vital to the pro­ concentration by delays for wip­ In our sport the margin of size Because of this, there is hesitan­ cess that turns the promising ing glasses - few players seem to and time factor are so small that cy to issue any official decree in junior into a top player and bear turn to contact lenses. however innocent the mannerism support of this interpretation. a heavy responsibility for the The responsibilities of the may be its effect must be uns~t1­ Obviously some actions cannot ultimate conduct of the finished leading players are obvious. Un­ ing to the receiver. Perhaps, possibly be said to be mistaken product. doubtedly lesser lights follow the however, more serious is the for a service, particularly the Please see that those most stars and a new delaying tactic frustrating effect it has on the bouncing of the ball on the table susceptible to the actions of the seems to have crept in. spectator. or even the floor - so evident by seniors are discouraged from im­ Following our older brother Few players appear to be con- the two Soviets in the English itating them.

Sponsors, Coca Cola, had no problem giving away their free samples.

"All the fun of the fair" was the mood surrounding the highly suc­ cessful 1986 Capital Radio Ven­ ture Day in London's Battersea Park on Sunday 15th June. Table tennis was one of 84 sports and pastimes on offer to over lOO,OOO londoners who turn­ ed out to 'Have a Go'. The day proved to be one of the finest of the summer, with hardly a breath of wind and the temperatue soar­ ing above 70°F. Mark Mitchell, Sarah Sandley and New Zealander Malcolm Temperley gave demonstrations, faced challenges and encouraged 19 ...~National • h ...... LEAGUE .... The China Syndrome Des does the trick By Fiona Brown The chance of a lifetime, an all ex­ penses paid trip to China, prov­ The long awaited return of Na­ *Final League Tables - Season 1985-86 ed too great a temptation for the tional No I Desmond Douglas to Byker Newcastle squad who regular competition in England Premier Division P W D L F A PIs. sacrificed the second division GKN Steelstock Wolv I 14 II 3 o 74 38 25 north title and certain promotion has certainly brought welcome Ormesby I 13 9 3 I 71 33 21 rewards to National League team Grove I 14 7 2 5 60 52 16 to Chan Construction. GKN Steelstock Wolverhampton. Thorn EMI Ellenborough 14 4 5 5 54 58 13 Knowing that the absence of Desmond took over the GKN Bath Toyota 14 3 6 5 54 58 12 the entire Byker first team would Omega Reading I 14 5 I 8 51 61 II jeopardize the chance of a win in helm which was vacated by the South Yorkshire I 13 3 2 8 44 60 8 the final match of the season an departure of fellow international Omega Reading II 14 o 4 10 32 80 4 Skylet Andrew. He has certainly appeal was made for permission led by example and the supreme First Division P W D L F A PIs to alter the date of the fixture. achievement of a 100% record BUllcrfly Cardiff 14 11 2 I 77 35 24 Alas, league rules make no Target Gold Salford 14 10 2 2 81 31 22 specific mention of such an in­ from his participation in the full Airmaster St. Neots I 14 7 3 4 62 50 17 set of fourteen matches makes W. Warwick/Birmingham 14 8 o 6 63 49 16 stance and whilst Committee sym­ him the National League Com­ Dagenham FC I 14 6 3 5 56 56 15 pathy swayed in favour of the mittee's choice as Halex National 'TCB Dolphins 14 3 4 7 42 70 10 Byker boys, common sense dic­ TSP Larkhall I 14 I 3 10 40 72 5 tated that the match must go League Player of the season. The Ormesby II 14 I 1 12 27 85 3 award carries with it a cash prize ahead as planned. of £100. Second Division Norlh P W D L F A PIs. Although this may appear Although controversy still sur­ Chan Construction I 14 II 2 1 78 34 24 harsh, consider the chaos which rounds the GKN v Thorn EMI Byker NewcastIe I 14 11 I 2 71 41 23 would have ensued if an exception GKN Sleeistock Wolv II 14 5 4 5 58 54 14 had been made. Avoidance of Ellenborough fixture the Unity Bradford 14 5 3 6 53 59 13 Wolverhampton side have been Sindl Lincoln 14 5 3 6 53 59 13 such a dangerous precedent has confirmed as premier division March 14 6 0 8 54 58 12 ensured the status quo which, for champions and their £2,000 prize Byron Roofing "Slute" 14 4 2 8 51 61 10 all but the very odd exception, will help to ensure that Douglas City of Leeds (Unity) 14 I I 12 30 82 3 serves us all quite nicely. and his team mates return to de­ Unity Bradford 129/155 Sindl Lincoln 113/142 fend their title in 1987. Going up again Second Division South P W D L F A PIS. Pengeley Torbay I 14 13 1 o 84 28 27 Top form from the two teams Welsh winning ways EAE Waveney 14 8 2 4 69 43 18 promoted in 1985 has lead them TSP Larkhall II 14 5 4 5 59 53 14 to success in their first season of The experience of Alan Griffiths Medway 14 4 4 6 53 59 12 ha~ undoubtedly played a signifi­ Jaques Fareham 14 5 2 7 48 64 12 second division north play. Both cant part in taking Butterfly Car­ Gunnersbury Triangle 14 5 I 8 49 63 11 Pengeley Sports Torbay, in the diff to the first division title a Norwich Fox\Vood 14 4 3 7 48 64 II shape of Malcolm Francis and mere twelve months after they Penge1ey Gwent 14 3 I 10 38 74 7 runner up, EAE Waveney in the wallowed in seventh place. Grif­ Third Division Norlh P W D L F A PIs. Shape of Trevor Bunn, provided fiths, who finished second in the Kingsbro' Insurance Servo 14 13 1 o 89 23 27 players who earned Halex Na­ first division averages with team Oldham 14 9 2 3 78 34 20 tional League player of the Month mate Nigel Tyler, will now have Crusaders Lincoln 14 8 3 3 68 44 19 awards. the opportunity to prove that his South Yorkshire II 14 8 I 5 65 47 17 Torbay manager Brian Ormesby IV 14 5 1 8 49 63 11 all Welsh squad is an even match Vickers Sports Barrow 14 3 3 8 45 67 9 Pengeley is naturally delighted for England's leading teams as Byker Newcastle II 14 3 I 10 36 76 7 with the success which has vaulted they enter the premier division Ormesby III 14 I o 13 18 94 2 his squad from 3rd to 1st division competition. status in 2 seasons. Plans are Third Division Soulh P W D L F A PIS. already underway to introduce Despite a valiant attempt by Ashford 14 13 o 1 89 23 26 John Hilton to take Target Gold C & L Nillaku Ruislip 14 12 o 2 89 23 24 local youngsters through the Salford in to the upper echelon Rejects 14 10 I 3 75 37 21 ranks in order to sustain the south the squad must take up the Abeng Warriors (Sliga) 14 7 1 6 57 55 15 western successes. In East Anglia, challenge once again. Whether Errey's Print '84 14 5 I 8 54 58 II Waveney captain Russell King is Deptford Rams 14 4 I 9 44 68 9 not too disappointed by his teams Hilton will stay faithful is yet to Omega Reading III 14 3 o 11 26 86 6 be seen for the former European Spicer New Malden 14 o o 14 14 98 0 second place which he feels was Champion remains a favourite an honourable finish to their first with the crowds and could un­ Third DivisIon Easl P W D L F A PIS. season in a higher division. Fellows Cranleigh 14 10 I 3 71 41 21 doubtedly justify his place in a AHW Pioneers 14 9 2 3 63 49 20 premier division side. Britannia Deepsure 14 7 5 2 65 47 19 Second bite of the Airmaster St. Neols II 14 6 2 6 60 52 14 cherry P1ayrite Northampton 14 3 6 5 51 61 12 Sobam 14 4 3 7 49 63 II Twelve months after completing Witham Town F.C. 14 3 2 9 46 66 8 what could only be described as Dagenham F.C. II 14 2 3 9 43 69 7 a fairly miserable season in the se­ Third Division West P W D L F A PIS. cond division north, Stockton side Global Sports Plymouth 14 13 I 0 85 27 27 Kingbro Insurance Services have Leominster 14 12 0 2 82 30 24 something to smile about. They Leicester 14 6 3 5 63 49 15 remained undefeated throughout Jolliffe Poole 14 6 2 6 59 53 14 the past season. Two timely Grove II 14 5 4 5 58 54 14 Chan Construction II 14 6 0 8 48 64 12 Kingbro defeats of young Duchy Launceslon 14 I I 12 34 78 3 pretenders, Oldham, dispelled the Will John 'the entertainer' Hi/ton PengeJey Torbay II 14 1 I 12 19 93 3 Lancastrians title hopes but a se­ stay with Salford Target Gold? 'The remier division table will be fioalised following an appeal. cond place finish in their opening 20 Halex National League season of national league play re­ Second North P W 'I. mains an achievement worthy of 1. Richard Tanner (CC) 18 15 83.3 2. Philip Gunn (CC) 28 23 82.1 note. 3. Bradley Billington (SL) 26 20 76.9 Recent match reports suggest 4. Craig Bakewell (GKN) 24 18 75.0 that Oldham veteran Derek 5. Neil McMaster (BN) 26 19 73.1 Schofield is improving with age, 6. Murray Jukes (CC) 28 20 71.4 an idea which gives the term 7. Michael O'Driscoll (UB) 20 14 70.0 8. Richard Jermyn (BR) 18 12 66.7 'seasoned campaigner' a whole 9. Steven Sharpe (UB) 26 17 65.4 new meaning. Joking aside 10. Sean Gibson (UB) 20 13 65.0 though Oldham may find it dif­ II. Thomas Blackman (BN) 18 11 61.1 ficult to retain Schofield's services Mark Evans (GKN) 18 11 61.1 in the coming season unless they 13. Graeme McKim (M) 28 17 60.7 can offer him the top half place Second South P W 'I. which his ability obviously I. Malcolm Francis (PT) 22 20 90.9 deserves. 2. Paul Whiting (PT) 28 25 89.3 3. Paul Giles (PT) 28 24 85.7 Ashford's firecracker 4. Philip Logsdon (EAEW) 24 20 83.3 Oldhams Phillip Aspinall, an award 5. Paul Amos (M) 26 21 80.8 The neck and neck battle of the 6. Steven Davis (TSPL) 24 17 70.8 in hisfirst National League season. bats between eventual 3rd division Photo courtesy of Oldham Evening Gazette. 7. Neil Pickard (NF) 26 18 69.2 south winners, Ashford, and run­ 8. Richard Darnell (EAEW) 26 16 61.5 ners up Nittaku Ruislip is ex­ Simon Proffitt (GT) 26 16 61.5 amplified by the domination Third North P W 'I. which their players displayed in see page 33 I. Derek Schofield (0) 16 16 100 capturing the first nine places in 2. Michael Emmerson (KIS) 18 17 94.4 the end of season averages. for March & April 3. Steven Cooper (K IS) 16 15 93.8 Ashford, strengthened mid 4. Terry Murphy (KIS) 20 18 90.0 awards. 5. Brian Hill (CL) 22 18 81.8 season by the arrival from Abeng 6. Graham Clarke (0) 26 20 76.9 Warriors Stiga of Glen Baker, 7. Malcolm Corking (KIS) 28 21 75.0 secured the title with the eleventh Mall Sheader (CL) 16 12 75.0 hour signing of former England Plymouth on top of 9. Jevon Chan (0) 14 10 71.4 international Kenny Jackson. Nicky Newton (SY) 14 10 71.4 the world II . David Blackburne (BN) 16 11 68.8 Whilst I have heard from one or It has been a high scoring season 12. Philip Aspinall (0) 26 17 65.4 two sceptics that Jackson, now a Glen Roberts (SY) 26 17 65.4 III the third division west as full-time fireman, will never again 14. Mark Hankey (0) 20 13 65.0 don an Ashford shirt, team Leominster will testify. Despite 15. Brian Allison (CL) 22 14 63.6 manager Ray Tucker assures me the accumulation of a hard earn­ John Healy (ORM) 22 14 63.6 17. Ian Plummer (KIS) 20 12 60.0 that this was not just a flash in the ed twenty-five points they find themselves beaten into second burning chip pan - he will return! Third South P W 'I. place by Global Sports Plymouth, I. David Goode (A) 28 26 92.9 First time lucky the team who took the only three 2. John Taylor (NR) 24 21 87.5 points which Leominster 3. Raymond Tilling (NR) 24 20 83.3 Newcomers, Fellows Cranleigh, 4. Dipak Topiwala (NR) 26 21 80.8 have tasted early success in the conceded. 5. Jonathan Goode (A) 14 II 78.6 third division east. Under the It has been a successful but, I Daryll Windsor (A) 14 11 78.6 leadership of Jeff Drew, would imagine, difficult season 7. Glen Baker (A)' 22 17 77.3 for the Plymouth team who com­ 8. John BurielOn (NR) 28 21 75.0 Cranleigh dished out a double David Weisman (A) 24 18 75.0 dose of trouble to rivals AHW pleted all but one of their fixtures 10. Michael O'Leary (R) 26 19 73.1 Pioneers in the form of two 6-2 with the same four man line up 11. Gordon Holmes (R) 18 13 72.2 defeats, the second of which from a five man squad - a tale to 12. Joseph Quansah (AWS) 16 10 62.5 demolished the Luton lads' title encourage the smaller clubs 13. Trevor Campbell (R) 26 16 61.5 14. Martin Shuttle (AWS) 20 12 60.0 challenge. amongst you. 'Played 8, won 5 for Abeng Warriors Stiga

Table Toppers Third East P W 'I. I. John Kitchener (BD) 28 26 92.9 2. Jeffrey Drew (FC) 24 22 91.7 Premier P W 'I. 3. Peter Taylor (A ST N) 24 17 70.8 I. Desmond Douglas (GKN) 28 28 100 4. David Sharpe (AHWP) 26 18 69.2 2. Alan Cooke (ORM) 26 23 88.5 5. Les Wooding (AHWP) 24 16 66.7 3. Nigel Eckersley (ORM) 26 22 84.6 Damien Holland (DFC) 18 12 66.7 7. Paul Gooding (BD) 26 17 65.4 4. Philip Bradbury (SY)' 22 15 68.2 Simon Griew (S) 26 17 65.4 Jimmy Stokes (OR) 22 15 68.2 9. Peter Norcott (FC) 20 13 65.0 6. Carl Morgan (GKN) 28 19 67.9 10. Paul Sayer (FC) 28 18 64.3 7. Chris Rogers (SY) 24 16 66.7 11. Helen Bardwell (A ST N) 18 II 61.1 8. Steve Turner (G) 28 17 61.7 Third West P W 'I. 9. David Dodd (OR) 28 17 60.7 I. Andrew Castle (LEO) 18 16 88.9 'Played 6, won 4 for Omega Reading 2. Tony Sweet (GSP) 28 24 85.7 Gary Wilson (GSP) 28 24 85.7 First P W 'I. 4. Michael Short (GSP) 28 23 82.1 5. John Robinson (JP) 28 21 75.0 I. Tony Taylor (TGS) 26 24 92.3 Steven Moreman (LEO) 24 18 75.0 2. Alan Griffiths (BC) 28 25 89.2 Jill Harris (LEO) 16 12 75.0 Nigel Tyler (BC) 28 25 89.2 8. Darren Griffin (LEO) 26 19 73.1 4. John Hilton (TGS) 28 24 85.7 9. Claire Potts (G) 14 10 71.4 10. Martin Pickles (LEI) 28 19 67.9 5. Stuart Palmer (A St N) 26 21 80.8 Jeremy Williams (OWL) 28 19 67.9 6. Nigel Thomas (BC) 25 18 72.0 12. John Ellis (G) 26 17 65.4 7. Adrian Dixon (W W/B) 24 17 70.8 Mark Owen (LEO) 26 17 65.4 8. Brian Jones (TGS) 28 17 60.7 14. Leigh Jeffries (CC) 14 9 64.3 21 Stiga County Championships

With the last round of matches championship went to Yorkshire Yorkshire triumph Staffs had to make up three sets by one event over Staffordshire. on Yorkshire. It went to the very There were just two drawn Doug Moss last set to decide the issue with matches of the 28 played, one Yorks leading 7-2 and Staffs at being that between Yorks and The second series of matches were well to win 13 of their 14 singles 9-0 against their opponents. Staffs. However a further 10 again played and well staged at St. matches. In boys doubles Michael The Yorks player lost the first matches ended at 6-4. The only Neots. I predicted there would be O'Driscoll and Chris Oldfield game. Across the hall, the Staffs players with 100010 wins over the a good deal of excitement with won 6 of their 7 matches. player won his first game. It was whole series of matches were Yorkshire or Staffordshire, who In the girls doubles Derbyshire touch and go. Yorks then went on Andrea Holt (La), playing as No had met in a drawn match in the did the best by winning 6 of the to win the next two games and the I girl, and Helen Lower (St), first series, likely to win the 7 events. Kerry Hall won four Staffs player lost his two. The playing as No 2 girl. championship. matches with Julie Billington and This was certainly how things two out of three with Julie The complete resulls were: worked out. There was a Forster. Derby Essex Kent Yorks tremendous atmosphere with Sussex and Middlesex, are the Derby. 4-6 4-6 4-6 matches well fought and a teams due for relegation. Ironic, Essex. 6-4 4-6 2-8 competitive spirit throughout; considering that Middlesex's Kent. 6-4 6-4 1-9 even from the teams not involved senior team won that Premier Lanes. 4-6 6-4 3-7 4-6 in the final outcome. Division! Nottinghamshire and M'sex. 5-5 4-6 2-8 1-9 Three boys - Bradley Billington Glamorgan are the teams destined Staffs. 6-4 9-1 7-3 5.5 (Dy), Adrian Dixon (St) and for promotion to the premier Sussex. 2-8 1-9 0-10 0-10 Matthew Connell (Y) did very division. Yorks. 6-4 8-2 9-1 1985/86 Final League Tables

SENIORS Division 3C P W D L F A PIs Gloucestershire 9 9 67 23 18 Division 2A P W D L F A PIS o o Norfolk 9 7 o 2 58 32 14 Derbyshire 7 7 o o 48 22 14 Hertfordshire 9 6 3 47 43 12 Yorkshire 2nd 7 5 I I 50 20 II o Northamptonshire 1st 9 4 2 3 49 41 10 Warwickshire 7 4 o 3 41 29 8 Bedfordshire 1st 9 5 o 4 49 41 10 Cambridgeshire 7 3 I 3 33 37 7 Worcestershire 2nd 9 3 2 4 47 43 8 Worcestershire 7 3 4 37 6 o 33 Oxfordshire 9 3 I 5 43 47 7 Cheshire 7 3 4 31 39 6 o Buckinghamshire 2nd 9 2 I 6 38 52 5 Lancashire 2nd 7 2 5 30 40 4 o Northamptonshire 2nd 9 I 2 6 28 62 4 Buckinghamshire 7 7 10 60 o o o Bedfordshire 2nd 9 o 2 7 24 66 2

Division 2B P W D L F A PIs Division 3D P W D L F A PIs Middlesex 2nd 7 6 o I 52 18 12 Surrey 2nd 9 6 2 I 65 25 14 Sussex 7 5 I I 45 25 II Cambridgeshire 2nd 9 6 I 2 59 31 13 Devonshire 7 5 o 2 43 27 10 Essex 2nd 9 6 o 3 59 31 12 Wiltshire 7 2 3 2 33 27 7 Suffolk 1st 9 5 2 2 55 35 12 Essex 7 3 I 3 29 41 7 Sussex 2nd 9 5 I 3 50 40 11 Dorset 7 I 2 4 29 41 4 Berkshire 2nd 9 5 o 4 53 37 10 Somerset 7 I I 5 30 40 3 Kent 2nd 9 4 o 5 36 54 8 Hampshire 7 I o 6 19 51 2 Essex 3rd 9 3 o 6 36 54 6. Kent 3rd 9 I o 8 25 64 2 Division 3A P W D L F A PIs Suffolk 2nd 9 I o 8 II 78 2 Northumberland 1st 8 8 o o 65 15 16 Warwickshire 2nd 8 5 2 I 55 25 12 JUNIORS Lincolnshire 8 5 I 2 47 33 11 Junior Premier Division P W D L F A PIs Cheshire 2nd 8 4 I 3 45 35 9 Yorkshire 7 6 I o 53 17 13 Clwyd 8 4 4 42 38 8 o Staffordshire 7 6 I o 52 18 13 Nottinghamshire 8 3 I 4 36 44 7 Kent 7 5 o 2 41 29 10 Durham 8 2 I 5 32 48 5 Lancashire 7 3 o 4 38 32 6 Northumberland 2nd 8 I o 7 22 58 2 EU9 7 3 o 4 32 38 6 Cumbria 8 I o 7 16 64 2 Derbyshire 7 2 I 4 35 35 5 Middlesex 7 1 1 5 25 45 3 Division 3B P W D L F A PIs Sussex 7 o o 7 4 66 0 Devonshire 2nd 9 9 o o 77 13 18 Avon 1st 9 7 I I 70 20 15 Division 2A P W D L F A PIs Somerset 2nd 9 5 I 3 53 37 II Yorkshire 2nd 7 7 o o 60 10 14 Cornwall 1st 9 5 I 3 52 38 II Nottinghamshire 7 4 2 I 42 28 10 Dorset 2nd 9 5 I 3 48 42 II Cheshire 7 5 o 2 37 33 10 Avon 2nd 9 5 o 4 46 44 10 Staffordshire 2nd 7 3 I 3 34 36 7 Glamorgan 9 4 o 5 45 45 8 Suffolk 7 2 2 3 34 36 6 Hereford 9 I I 7 26 64 3 Warwickshire 7 2 I 4 34 36 5 Cornwall 2nd 9 I I 7 25 65 3 Northamptonshire 7 o 2 5 22 48 2 Isle of Wight 9 o o 9 8 82 0 Lincolnshire 7 o 2 5 17 53 2 23 I Stiga County Championships

Division 28 P W D L F A PIs VETERANS Glamorgan 7 5 I 1 40 30 II Premier Division P W L F A PIs Surrey 7 5 o 2 44 26 10 Lincolnshire 7 6 I 42 21 12 Berkshire 7 4 34 36 8 o 3 Cheshire 7 6 I 41 22 12 Devonshire 7 3 1 3 38 32 7 Sussex 7 5 2 36 27 10 Cornwall 7 3 I 3 35 35 7 Kent 7 3 4 32 31 6 Hertfordshire 7 2 2 3 37 33 6 Middlesex 7 3 4 32 31 6 Middlesex 2nd 7 2 I 4 30 40 5 Essex 7 3 4 27 36 6 Wiltshire 7 o 2 5 22 48 2 Buckinghamshire 7 2 5 30 33 4 Nottinghamshire 7 o 7 12 51 o Division 3A P W D L F A PIs Derbyshire 2nd 6 6 o o 48 12 12 Division 2A P W L F A PIs Leicestershire 6 5 o I 46 14 10 Essex 2nd 7 5 2 39 24 10 Huntingdonshire 6 4 o 2 37 23 8 Worcestershire 7 5 2 36 27 10 Cheshire 2nd 6 2 o 4 25 35 4 Yorkshire 7 4 3 38 25 8 Cumbria 6 2 o 4 23 37 4 Hertfordshire 7 4 3 34 29 8 Warwickshire 2nd 6 1 o 5 19 41 2 Cheshire 2nd 7 4 3 32 31 8 Leicestershire 7 2 5 27 4 Clwyd 6 I 0, 5 12 48 2 36 Oxfordshire 7 2 5 26 27 4 Huntingdonshire 7 2 5 20 43 4 Division 38 P W D.'" L F A PIs Bedfordshire 1st 7 6 0·.: I 51 19 12 Division 28 P W L F A PIs Cambridgeshire 1st 7 6 o I 51 19 12 Kent 2nd 7 5 2 39 24 10 Oxfordshire 7 5 o 2 38 32 10 Middlesex 2nd 7 5 2 37 26 10 Worcestershire 7 4 I 2 44 26 9 Hampshire 7 4 3 34 29 8 Berkshire 2nd 7 3 I 3 39 31 7 Berkshire 7 4 3 32 31 8 Bedfordshire 2nd 7 1 o 6 20 50 2 Dorset 7 4 3 32 31 8 Buckinghamshire 7 1 o 6 19 51 2 Surrey 7 3 4 32 31 6 Cambridgeshire 2nd 7 1 o 6 18 52 2 Sussex 2nd 7 2 5 25 38 4 Avon 7 1 6 21 42 2 Division 3C P W D L F A PIS Gwent 6 5 1 o 43 17 II Division 3A P W L F A PIs Somerset 6 5 o 1 41 19 10 Yorkshire 2nd 6 6 o 47 7 12 Gloucestershire 6 3 I 2 31 29 7 Northumberland 6 4 2 30 24 8 Northamptonshire 6 3 3 26 28 6 Hampshire 6 3 o 3 31 29 6 Cheshire 3rd 6 3 3 26 28 6 Cornwall 2nd 6 I I 4 24 36 3 Hertfordshire 2nd 6 3 3 23 31 6 Dorset 6 1 I 4 41 3 19 Norfolk 6 1 5 24 30 2 Avon 6 o 2 4 21 39 2 Huntingdonshire 2nd 6 1 5 13 41 2

Division 3D P W D L F A PIs Division 38 P W L F A PIs Essex 3rd 6 6 o o 42 18 12 Essex 3rd 6 5 I 39 14 10 Kent 2nd 6 4 1 1 40 20 9 Berkshire 2nd 6 5 I 35 19 10 Essex 2nd 6 4 o 2 42 18 8 Buckinghamshire 2nd 6 4 2 31 23 8 Sussex 2nd 6 1 2 3 21 39 4 Bedfordshire 6 3 3 28 26 6 Surrey 2nd 6 I 1 4 23 37 3 Hertfordshire 3rd 6 3 3 27 27 6 Hertfordshire 2nd 6 I 1 4 22 38 3 Herefordshire 6 I 5 19 34 2 Norfolk 6 o 3 3 20 40 3 Huntingdonshire 3rd 6 o 6 9 45 o Division 3C P W L F A PIs Hampshire 2nd 6 5 I 38 16 10 Berkshire 2nd 6 5 I 34 20 10 A New Approach Wiltshire 1st 6 4 2 36 18 8 Sussex 3rd 6 4 2 31 23 8 Things are about to change says ETTA chairman Wiltshire 2nd 6 2 4 24 30 4 Dorset 2nd 6 1 5 16 38 2 Tom Blunn Hertfordshire 4th 6 o 6 10 44 0 "A three year plan is to be annum and the bulk of the submitted to tbe Sports Council activities are directed towards well under way, with around Council and without any call for hopefully for complete approval benefitting the members at league 3 ,DOD badges having been further funding by the members," and implementation - shortly", level", continued Blunn. "Some awarded in just over a year. The he said. "The Sports Council will says ETTA chairman Tom Blunn. leagues.. participate more than Director will be taking a very keen expect to see expansion of the ~ut "We are already starting to others there is ample evidence interest in developing this scheme game in the future, particularly implement the two most to show that the areas with good much further! when other aspects of the plan are coaching facilities produce the important aspects of the plan." The second exciting brought into operation." The first was the appointment best players." development will be the "The plan itself is to be of a fuH-time Director of "International players now appointment of a Chief Executive circulated to the leagues for Coaching David Fairholm who, come from all over the country information. It is not confined to in the first instance, will be based but essentially from those areas at head office in Hastings towards the end of the year. "The national affairs but puts great in Hastings and will be in full with good coaching schemes and emphasis on regional appointment will require a lot of control of the national coaching a league with a good player reaps administration and local re-thinking in the manner in scheme. benefits in media coverage, local priorities. Every member should which we currently conduct our His job is to see that the interest at player and spectator be able to benefit". members derive as much benefit levels and inevitably becomes business and some important as possible from the activities of larger and stronger. The Director decisions may have to be made the national and local coaches and will see that the leagues are given and some very necessary changes to assist all coaches to become every opportunity to benefit from accepted," says Blunn. more effective. the national coaching scheme." "Both these appointments are "The national coaching scheme "The new development in the expected to be made possible by at present costs about £75,000 per Dunlop Skills Award scheme is the financial su of h rts 24 County Notes

The junior side was weakened narrowest of margins in the third CUMBRIA somewhat by the senior inclusion of and deciding game of both. DEVON Karen Griffiths. Griffiths has done Jane combined with To Thuy The Barrow league once again Dot White well in the seniors but has been over­ Zung in the womens doubles and dominated the Cumbria closed shadowed by the performances of held three championship points in championships held at Kendal with At the time this issue goes to press, Karen Backhouse who has won four the third game of the final. Jane also Plymouth Headquarters should be nine winners out of the ten events out of her six singles matches and teamed up with husband, Philip, to completed. They are now ready to and also nine runners-up. is by far the best player in the team reach the final of the mixed doubles start work on their approved Man­ Honours were shared however on results alone. Backhouse has - the title they won last season. power Services Scheme for the pro­ between the senior and junior motion of table tennis. players in that the mens and made the transition from junior to MS: Bradley Billington b Maurice senior level look easy. Billington 11, 11. WS: Julie Bill­ The scheme is to consist of two womens singles titles went to well teams of three workers; each team established players, Neil Smith (B) Tim Pachul has battled hard in ington b Kerry Hall -16, 20, 8. the No I position on the male side MD: B Billington/Geoff Gill b will be made up of a coach, a pro­ and Clarice Rose (W) while juniors moter and a clerk. and has been rewarded with four Terry Bull/Phil Vickers 16, 19. WD: Karen Griffiths, John Backhouse The positions have already been and Jonathan Lowes (all B) showed wins out of ten singles. Andrew J Billington/K. Hall b To Thuy advertised and interviews are being their potential in taking seven titles Pachul also did well to register three Zung/Jane Vickers 12, -13, 20. arranged - I am told there has been between them. wins from six played. XD: B Billington/K. Hall b P & J a good response and a lot of interest Four titles, namely the mens Westmorland league leaders Vickers 16, -15,20. VS: Eric Hall has been created. dobies, junior boys singles, junior Queen Katherine A are virtually sure b Derek Marples 12, 13. The E.T.T.A. have agreed for the girls singles and womens doubles of the league title with a 100% JBS: B Billington b Robert Scott­ newly-appointed team coaches to be were retained by their previous record and just three matches to go. Birchall 12, 12. JGS: J Billington b trained by national coach, Bryan Merrett, to Club coach standard. holders. Natland A, Queen Katherine Band K Hall 14, -12,16. UI4BS Group: With Devon's first and second Smith beat Roger Stewart (C) by Melling are left to fight out the Winner - Scott-Birchall; Runner-up runners-up position. Dave Hillbeck - Stephen Plater. U14GS Group: senior teams in contention for pro­ the narrowest of margins in the motion in their respective divisions reigns supreme at the top of the Winner - Julie Billington; Runner­ mens singles final 22-24, 21-18, this season, spirits have been very 24-22. Stewart had an equally nar­ averages with 100070. Queen up - Kerry Hall. high in the senior squads. Co­ row win over Tim Pachul (B) in his Katherine A teammate Geoff Baines operative teamwork and practice is semi-final with the score 24-22, lies second on 91 % . Derbyshire Inter-League: the recipe for their success, along 16-21,22-20. Smith beat Ian Sharp Second division leaders Dallam A with the backing of Plymouth's The honours are being spread (B) 21-19, 21-18 in the other could well be pipped at the post by committee, who are making train­ around the county in the Derbyshire semi-final. Queen Katherine C who have mat­ ing facilities available to them. Inter-Towns League, with Matlock Clarice Rose proved she is still as ches in hand. Mike Ainsworth heads News from the junior team has looking certainties to win senior hard to beat in taking the wornens the averages for Dallam with 97%, not been so good, but, with Jane division one and the veterans titles. Wright back in the No 1 girls slot singles with victories over No 2 seed just keeping ahead of Roy Duckett Geoff Gill led Matlock 1st to an and Sarah Pengelly at No 2, they Karen Backhouse (B) and in the (90%) and David Lambert (89%) 8-2 victory over Burton Ist with have come back from their last two final beating Karen Grifiths 21-7, for Queen Katherine. nearest challengers, Eastwood 1st fixtures with a promising draw and 21-19. a well earned win. Griffiths got plenty of consola­ being held to a 5-5 draw by Derby 1st, despite Bill Fowkes winning tion however in taking the junior "alex National League girls title against Margo Lewis (B) three singles and combining with Tony Holland to win the doubles. Pengeley Sports Torbay One have 17-21,21-15,21-18 and sharing the DERBYSHIRE Matlock were idle in the veterans pulled off promotion in fine style. mixed doubles title with Smith, vic­ They are already sure of a position tors over brother and sister com­ Malcolm Alsop division allowing Eastwood to go to the top of the division with a 6-4 vic­ in the first division next season. bination of John and Karen Global Sports Plymouth are sit­ tory over Chesterfield. Chesterfield, Backhouse 21-17, 21-13. A Billington take-away ting top of the Third Division West The two Karen's combined to re­ despite their possible veteran and have also got an outstanding The Billington family dominated the tain their womens doubles title with strength, have not won a match in chance of promotion, thus keeping Derbyshire closed championships on a 2-18, 2-10 win over Paul Eddy (B) this division for three season (!) and Devon's flag flying in the second and Margo Lewis. Sunday 16th March, held at the Lea were quickly 0-4 down before stag­ division. Green Sports Centre near Matlock. Andrew Pachul (B) and Ian Sharp ing a comeback. Eastwood were Pengeley's second team have Julie Billington won the womens were rewarded for their efforts in denied victory until the ninth set signed on Somerset's No 1 Phillip singles, UI7 GS and U14 GS Payne and on his first appearance the mens singles with the retention when Colin Cheetham overcame defeating Kerry Hall in all three Geoff Levers 21-16, 10-21, 21-10. he notched up the only win of the of their mens doubles title beating day, against Leicester's No 2. youngsters. John Backhouse and events. Julie combined with Kerry Ron Rapley was in good form for to win the womens doubles. Buxton in a 7-3 victory over Derby In the team's previous match, Jonathan Lowes 21-15, 21-9. against their local rivals Global, Bradley Billington won the U17 which ended Derby's hopes of The final senior event, the Devon's junior No I, Richard BS, mens doubles with Geoff Gill, regaining .the veterans veterans singles, went to Stan Aitken took on Devon senior No 1 and mixed doubles with Kerry Hall. Halesworth (B) beating the perrenial championship. Gary Wilson. Eddie O'Hara (B) 21-13, 21-18. Bradley completed the day by re­ Burton have won the womens Richard played with great deter­ The remaining three junior events taining his mens singles title with division, but the support for this is mination and tenacity, to claim an were shared between John victory in the final over father, disappointing with only Burton (2 unexpected win against Gary in an Backhouse and Jonathan Lowes; Maurice. teams) and Matlock competing. exciting three-gamer. Backhouse beating Gavin Boyd (B) The shock of the day came in the in the junior boys singles 21-14, semi-finals of the veteran singles 13-21, 21-13; Lowes beating Boyd when Maurice Billington lost to in the U14 singles 21-19, 17-21, Derek Marples. Retribution came in 21-16; and Backhouse/Lowes the veteran singles final, when Derek beating the luckless Boyd and David lost to Eric Hall. Holmes (B) 21-15, 21-17 in the Eric Hall was the last player to re­ junior doubles. tain the mens singles title - in 1974. The county championship teams The only title to elude the Bill­ found the going very tough after a ington clan was the U 14 BS won by good start. The juniors fared the Robert Scott-Birchall in straight­ better of the two sides with two wins games sets. from the first five matches played. Robert also played very well to The .outstanding player of the reach the final of the U17 BS before season is John Backhouse who has losing to Bradley. won 7 singles out of 8 and is un­ Unluckiest player in the tourna­ doubtedly one of the leading players ment was Jane Vickers, who reach­ in his division. ed two finals before losing by the Bradley Billington Julie Billington 25 County Notes

Tournament Travel DURHAM GLOUCESTERSHIRE Devon girls were prominent in the closing stages of the Cornish 2-Star. by Harry Black by A/f Pepperd Twelve year old Helen Wright reached the semi-finals of both the Peter McQueen, won the mens As this report is actually being writ­ under 17 and under 14 events, be­ singles title at the Durham County ten at the end of yet another season ing put out by Melonie Carey and Closed championships sponsored by I am indeed pleased and proud to Tracey Logg respectively. the Sun Alliance Insurance Group mention that our sport is without Tracey then met Sarah Pengelly when he beat Philip Stafford in the question or doubt - ori the up and in the final of the under 14 event. final at Seaham Leisure Centre. up in Gloucestershire. Tracey went on to defeat Sarah in Number one seed McQueen beat Visiting the Glo'shire Schools three games. The star of the day, the holder Tony Gelder in the semi­ Championships a few weeks ago in however, was young Claire Penge­ finals while Stafford the seventh Cheltenham not only was I greatly impressed by the high entry but ly, who in her first season of com­ seed beat second seed Darren petitive play put up a fine perfor­ equally by the high standard of en­ McVitie. mance to win the under 12s. thusiasm and play shown by all of the youngsters that were taking part, Snowed up perhaps some of the Lads & Lassie's displayed certain elements not quite Devonian players in particular, look akin to the game, but the important forward to the T.S.B. Exeter I-Star Swift 14, who cleared the board in thing is that - "THEY WERE Junior Open tournament, so it was the three events. In both the UI5 THERE", enjoying themselves and most unfortunate that heavy snow Youth Singles and UI7 Youth above all keeping the game alive, stopped many of our promising Singles the No 2 seed beat the top . and that's what table tennis is all players from attending. seed 12 year old Ian Collier. about. But it was encouraging to hear Swift and his partner Ian Telford, A little under two years ago, The that the entry was up by 30070 on who were the top seeds defeated the Rudford & Highleadon T.T.C. in previous years and that the under II unseeded pairing of Ian Collier and entry had actually trebled. the City League took new playing Graeme Sanderson in the junior. Even without some of our top premises, prior to this the Sports doubles. players, we had four representatives Council had enough faith in the club in the finals. Sarah Pengelly lost to Durham won their first match of and its Administrators of the day to the season when they defeated Nor­ Tina Sadler in three. Richard Aitken advance a £2,000 cash grant, The made his second appearance runn­ thumberland II in the bottom of the E.T.T.A. Chairman - Tom Blunn came down and opened this old ing the under 17 final, only to lose Peter McQueen table local derby by six sets to four. to Phillip Payne, and Chris White Thanks again are recorded to the club, with a new building. Today this club sports eleven teams in the and Kevin Rowe lost to the Cornish Of the eight seeds only one fail­ ladies, Lynne Yarnell and Lynn pairing of Kevin Stevenson and ed to reach the quarter finals, Tom Bainbridge who were unbeaten and Gloucester City League, can also truthfully say that the County's No:­ Howard Williams in the junior Robson, the No 8 seed. His place accounted for three of the sets, the I - 2 & 3 ranked men all belong to doubles. was taken by Chris Blake after his others being Philip Stafford and Tom Robson's victories over it, this season alone Rudford have Results: 21-17, 21-15 victory over Robson. Malcolm Lusk plus a mens doubles won· the Providence Capitol County UIIBS: Ewan Finlayson b Mark Lynne Yarnell, last years runner­ to add to the total. Premier League completely Smith 10, II. UIIGS: Nicola up, went one better when she beat unbeaten, and where-as last year Deaton b Katherine Gent 10, 13. team mate Shirley Gelder in the they were Runner's-up in the City Durham County League CBS: NeilBevan b Stephen Bettison womens singles final. 1st Division this year they have won 19, 12. CGS: Tina Sadler b Sarah The mens doubles holders, No I As I write these notes it looks likely that also, quite a success story. Pengelly - 19, 14, 18. JBS: Phillip seeds Cliff Olsson and David God­ that a play-off is needed to decide Late in January Cirencester form­ Payne b Richard Aitken 10, 16. bold lost to second seeds Peter the junior division title as both ed a T.T. League after about 26 JGS: Andrea Wood b Tina Sadler McQueen and Tom Robson. Sunderland's A and B teams are years, Andrew Alridge was ap­ 19, 16. JBD: Kevin Steven­ In the womens doubles final - a level at the top with one match each pointed Chairman, Mike Savage son/Howard Williams b Kevin repeat of last year - holders Lynne to play. On paper both the sides Secretary and Bob Davis got the job Rowe/Chris White. JGD: Sarah Yarnell and Lynne Bainbridge lost should gain maximum points but of Chancellor of the Treasury. At Webb/Kirsty Withyman b Sarah their title to Linda Spensley and table tenhis can open up some the present time they have nine Kettle/Fiona Stuart. Shirley Gelder. surprises. teams taking part in one Division. I'm told that for next season plans New name The veterans singles final also in­ Peterlee are the new title holders volved last years finalists but this of the Senior Division. In their last are afoot for another Division ­ The North Devon league has now time Tom Bainbridge retained the match of the campaign they Cirencester at the moment are not adopted the title of 'North Devon title when he beat Gordon Bissett. defeated Sunderland C 7-3. Last affiliated to GI'shire, they are still fil}ding their way and treading Motors' in recognition of the spon­ The junior events were a personal seasons champions Sunderland A carefully - but hopefully well prior sorship gained from them. This triumph for Washington's Paul finished runners-up. season the league is running three to next seasons start, I for one divisions with thirty-one teams Sincerely hope that they will Af­ competing. filiate. To further improve their It is hoped that Devon will host Senior Division P W D L PIs status - quo, Cirencester simply can­ the popular team and individual Peterlee 7 7 0 0 28 not afford to remain OUTSIDE the event of the Western Counties Sunderland A 7 5 0 2 20 affiliation zone. Championships rather than let the Philadelphia A 7 5 0 2 19 Yes Gloucestershire is far from inter-regional tournament drop Darlington 7 4 0 3 17 being a dead table tennis County as from the calendar. The proposed Sunderland B 7 4 0 3 14 I think my previously mentioned date is the 31 st May. Philadelphia B 6 I 0 5 5 facts point out. Sunderland C 7 0 I 6 3 Closing note Bishop Auckland 6 0 I 5 2 County Teams

One five year old aspiring table ten­ Junior Division P W D L PIs The seniors at the moment are top nis player to her father during their Sunderland A 7 6 0 I 24 of their respective Division 3C and 'play session', Sunderland B 7 6 0 I 24 with Beds Ists and 2nds and Oxford "Daddy, we've played on top of Bishop Auckland 7 3 0 4 12 yet to play, are in with a very good the table, can we play underneath Peterlee 7 2 I 4 10 chance, but we must not count our now please?" Philadelphia 8 0 I 7 2 chickens before they are hatched. 26 County Notes

The juniors are not doing quite so The hard bat day attracted 43 Revelation Meanwhile the seconds troubles well and currently lie around fifth players and some most peculiar bats continued but the juniors showed place. They had a real disaster which the ITTF would have banned. A revelation in the mens doubles promise as they shared the spoils match with Dorset losing out 3-7 to Some of our younger players was the form displayed by Mark with Suffolk with Trott, Elliott and a team who had not won one game seemed quite at home with hard bats Nannery and Steve Brown who Raymond Jacobs all contributing to this season. Now, with one game left and 13 year old Mark Wilson got to ousted John Palmer and Graham a competent performance. to play against Avon, my guess is one of the finals but Doug Bennett Ball plus the Nicoll-Handshaw pair­ The veterans, too, have had a that they will finish up in fifth of was untouchable on the day and ing before falling at the final hurdle. good season for although they suf­ sixth position. won both events with ease. Nicoll however came out on top fered a heavy defeat against Craig Saunders and Lawrence Norwich Foxwood national in the mixed doubles, where he and Yorkshire it was sandwiched bet­ Symonds age-wise will be out of league in division 2 have picked Debbie Kimbell got the better of two ween narrow wins against Cheshire junior status next season and will some valuable points in their last deuce games against Edmonds and " and Norfolk, as Keith Jones, undoubtably be missed, whoever few matches. As Richard & Martyn Ann Woolston. Debbie featured in Joyce Porter and Geoff Atkinson takes their place will have to raise Stevenson have been out of action three finals, teaming up with Anne made the most of some newly-found sponsorship from the Cheltenham their game considerably to do for most of the season we expected Nicoll in the wornens doubles to and Gloucester Building Society. anything at all in this respective to be candidates for relegation but record a third successive victory; vic­ division. the re-vitalised Doug Bennett and timsthis time being Jackie Rowson continually improving Neil Pickard and Shirley Everard. But she failed Severn-Sound Independent are enabling us to pick up points. to hold on to the singles crown in Local Radio The county veterans team came which she was well beaten by Glen­ NORTHUMBERLAND I have once again enjoyed broad­ back from Northampton with a 5-4 nis Hooper who produced her best casting all aspects of our sport on form at the right time to collect her defeat and Frostbite! Pauline Long a regular weekly basis this season. first title. ETTA Deputy General Secretary The veterans singles also provid­ Peter McQueen and Clare Mouzon Mike Watts gave a 9Y, minute in­ ed highlights with Palmer and Dave retained their mens and womens terview during the Cotswold Junior Marsh locked in a titanic battle at singles titles in the Northumberland Select at the Gloucester Leisure Cen­ NORTHANTS the semi-final stage which went to county closed championships at tre in February, which, Severn­ expedite with Palmer leading 19-11 Scotswood Sports Centre. They also Sound played twice over the air in by Dennis Millman in the first. combined to win the mixed doubles, the sports programme. Palmer took this, Marsh the se­ and McQueen completed a notable Fourteen hours of play in the Ket­ cond, with Palmer getting away in hat-trick by also taking the tering Closed tournament ended the third to reach the final of an Premier/Div. I handicap title. with Graeme McKim clinching the event he won five times from 1978 Resuls mens singles for the fourth time in to 1982. NORFOLK MS: McQueen b Ian Robertson 20, succession. It was not to be another Palmer And he did it in style, to sustain­ 12. WS: Mouzon b Christine Burke Ray Hogg success story, for the in-form Geoff ed applause from an appreciative IS, 9. VS: Fred Short b Maurice Atkinson hit through his renowned Cheek II, 15. MD: Robertson/Neil crowd, after a first-ever tournament Between the Cleveland and the defence to retain the crown. McMaster b McQueen/Thomas confrontation with Keith Nicoll - the English Open we had the pleasure Over 350 matches were completed Blackman -11, 12, 18. WD: only other player ever to record four of entertaining the Japanese na­ during the event at Kettering Burke/Caron Guthrie b tional team in Norwich - and enter­ straight singles wins. Recreation Centre, a tribute to the Mouzon/Pauline Long 19, -13,21. taining it certainly was. It was Earlier, spectator acclaim had skill and durability of organiser Phil XD: McQueen/Mouzon b Robert­ decreed that only Norwich Foxwood been limited by the speed of the Slade who was stationed at the tour­ son/Guthrie 22, 18. players would play against the rallies and the eagerness of the par­ nament desk throughout the four­ H/Cap (Premier/Div. 1): McQueen Japanese, in other words no imports ticipants to gain the initiative. But teen hours. (scratch) b Robertson (+ 2) 15, 19. to artificially strenghen the team. in a contest which illustrated all that H/Cap (Div. 2, 3 & 4): Steven Rig­ Before a sell-out crowd of about Other results: - Consolation is best in the modern game, it was gins (+8) b Burke (+4) IS, 19. 600 we had the thrill of seeing some singles - Richard Ambrose; First McKim's slight edge in speed and In the Wilmott Cup the Nor­ of the world's best players in action division handicap - Richard Elliott; confidence which enabled him to thumberland League side of in a relaxed manner not needing to Second division handicap - Charlie maintain the upper hand. bring out some of their armoury of Hickman; Third division handicap McQueen, McMaster and Robert­ For once the winner's passage had services and shots against the Nor­ - Jackie .Rowson; Girls singles ­ son advanced to the quarter-finals wich players. not been such an easy one, and in Ruth McLaren; Mystery doubles ­ with a 5-1 win over the Bradford The result is not important - suf­ the quarter-final he had dropped an Glen Robertson & Matthew Pitts; League, and were next due to meet fice to say that an excellent evening's end to Steve Kendall, while, at an VIS singles - Neil Atkinson; V13 the Warrington League. The Rose Bowl and Carter Cup entertainment was had by all earlier stage, Nicoll was taken the singles - Rob Filik. finishing with an exhibition between full distance by Richard Elliott. In sides, however, both went down 4-5 to Bradford and Ormesby respec­ the top two Japanese men that had the semi-finals both big guns had Comfortable the audience asking for more. anxious moments against Andy tively, but not without a great fight. Apart from the match, it was Trott and Andy Edmonds respec­ The firsts warmed up for their Mouzon's two wins in the Rose good to see the cooperation between tively, before emerging to embark match with Hertfordshire with a Bowl match included an outstanding the city, county and national league upon their classic confrontation. comfortable win against the seconds performance to beat Melody Hill (9 Foxwood in staging the match. Also Edmonds and Tro:t who seem with Andy Edmonds, lain Randle, in the thrid!), while Darren Shaw a nice profit for all three. destined to join McKim and Nicoll Mandy Brown and Margaret Maltby scored a fine maximum in the junior match. It was unfortunate that in The Norwich league staged a as the country's top quartet of all unbeaten. both cases their efforts were not veterans day and a hard bat tourna­ Herts provided sterner opposition players also had their successes. Ed­ quite enough. ment at their Miller Hall recently to particularly in the shape of John monds joined McKim to take the The latest County ranking lists test the interest in such things and Taylor, who defended brilliantly mens doubles, while Trott retained show very little change, the only one also to make full use of this excellent the boys singles and also linked up and the highlight of the match came facility. of note being in the junior boys list, with Richard Ambrose to lift the when Edmond's rapier attack just 26 entered the veterans day in­ where Shaw has taken over the top doubles, an event which has fallen got the better of Taylor's masterly cluding some who had not lifted a position from Stephen Penman, defence. bat in anger for many years. Stan to Ambrose three times in a row who is pushed into second place. Honor won both the over 40 and with a different partner on each lain Randle also scaled the heights However, the top five men over 50 events but had a close call occasion. to beat Keith Samuels; Andy Trott (McQueen, McMaster, Robertson, in both finals from Ken Holl­ Trott also came through in the again made the transition from Smith and Blackman) and the top ingsworth and John Mansi who in premier division handicap where in junior to senior ranks; and Margaret three women (Mouzon, Guthrie and the semi finals beat Doug Ribbans the final he conceded one point to Maltby and Mandy Brown con­ Burke) were involved in the trip of in the best game of the day. I an­ Chris Hamdshaw and after losing tributed three wins in straight games a lifetime during April, when they ticipate a much bigger entry next the first end fought back to a hard­ as Northants won 8-2 for the second visited Newcastle's twin town of year. earned success. time in the month. Taiyuan in China. 7.7 • County Notes I

They spent two-and-a-half weeks Craig Bakewell repeated his suc­ Unfortunately, Fiona, and several ing drawn with everyone else. seeing the sights, playing tour­ cess at the County Closed with a others of our top players, were miss­ Absentees would be substituted by naments and receiving instruction straight sets win over Mark Evans ing from our County Closed due to these players. If everyone attended, from some of the world's top in the final of the mens singles. a clash of events, but we hope that the 'reserve' players would play coaches. Seeds Stan Deakin and Dave Han­ before long she will be able to enter themselves in groups in the normal The trip was linked with a civic ney failed to reach the quarter­ and gain a county title, something way and take their place in the first visit organised by Newcastle City finals, and unseeded John Hancock which has eluded her up to now. round, or in the place of byes. Ex­ Council, and officials included the had a good win over Tony Isaac to perienced organisers would know Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress as reach the semi-final. how many 'reserves' to allow for. well as some local councillors and There may be disadvantages to other officers. Nerves again prevented Andy this scheme that are not apparent to It is hoped that the journey will Rioch from achieving his ambition SATURDAY TREBLE have paid real dividends for North­ of taking the county title, Mark me but I feel there is an obligation East sport in general as well as table Evans coming back to win a close FOR SURREY to look after the interests of the tennis. While in China they hoped semi-final. Helen Lower took the main body of players who make up to persuade English-speaking junior girls title and then staged a Frank Hams the tournaments. Alun Garraway coaches to come back to Newcastle recovery to win the womens singles (Essex) Dave Harding (S of In March three Surrey teams played with them, and possibly even final against holder, Janet Dunning. England) Ron Wilde (S of England­ at home in important games and all establish this as an annual Juniors Adrian Thorp and Vets) a1lgained maximum points for arrangement. won. good wins in these events, but pride Stephen Slater dominated the junior The second team in their top of Unfortunately the trip means that of place goes to Jane Barella who and intermediate events, with Thorp the table clash with Essex won em­ Mouzon (DHSS) and Burke (Inland got a sackful of points when beating getting the better of Slater, playing phatically 7-3. For Dave Harding, Revenue) missed both their Depart­ Alison Gordon! with an injured shoulder, in both Rasul Farhat, Rue Bole, Michele ment and the Civil Service National In a national league match recent­ finals. Most other events went ac­ Hams and Debbie Simmonds their competitions. Nevertheless it is ly Martin Shuttle after losing a cording to expectations, although remaining games were most signifi­ hoped that the experience will stand match playing for Abeng, threw his Bakewell and Isaac prevented Evans cant in their fight for promotion. them in good stead for next year. bat at a wall. (I assume he was aim­ and Hancock from taking the mens This was Michele's first game of the ing for his bag!) He missed, and hit doubles for the third time in a row. season and her appearance at the end of any table tennis table these a window - what you might call a Results: days is as rare as her father's loop. smash hit. STAFFORDSHIRE MS: Bakewell (P) b Evans (P) 12, After a good closed tournament, Alun Garroway, in Germany to 19. WS: Lower (W) b Dunning (W) Mike Pearson also made a rare ap­ watch the German open, was allow­ by Jack Chalkley -12,21, 15. IS: Thorp (W) b Slater pearance for the vets team in their ed to enter the tournament when (P) 15, 18. 18S: Thorp b Slater 19, relegation battle with Avon. He won another English player, Chris Bar­ Our junior second team ensured 15. JGS: Lower b Angela Sanders two in the 5-4 win, with eases relega­ tram, was injured and unable to their survival in Division 2A of the (W) 16,7. CBS: Gary Knights (WB) tion fears. play. He lost his first round match county championships with an away b Steve hanks (L) 16, 14. CGS: The juniors (1st team) beat Mid­ which was officiated by two English win over Warwickshire. Although Louise Flaherty (Ws) b Joanne Fox­ dlesex II 6-4. But however well Mat­ umpires who faulted him on his ser­ not at full strength, the home side all (P) 17,17. VS: John Riley (P) b thew Pernett, Richard Jones, Simon vices - they have vays of making you was a first team selection so the 6-4 Philips, Tracy Pritchett, Catherine serve correctly! But I wonder why victory was very creditable. Peter Smith (P) 13, 16. MD: Isaac/ Binks and Cheryl Bateman (who they are not as strict over here? Once again, Adrian Thorp scored Bakewell bEvans/Hancock 21, didn't play against Middlesex), play two singles successes and earned the -20, 14.·WD: Dunning/Sanders b Garbet fit for comeback? trip with our first team to the second Rachel Roberts (S)/Tracey Spencer in their next match, the best they can (W) 18, 19. XD: Dunning/Greg do is to finish second in the division. premier weekend at which we had Lorraine Garbet has been seen Hallam (P) b Bakewell/Roberts 14, But for a team with at least one fur­ great hopes of gaining our first ma­ recently helping with coaching, and - 20, 17. JD: Thorp/Slater b ther year in the juniors this is most jor title in the championships. at Surrey tournaments. So long one Matthew Harvey also had two Knights/Hanks 19, -18, 11. encouraging. of our leading players, she played good wins, and, but for his absence (P-Potteries, W-Wolverhampton, with immense determination. Can during part of the year, he might Ham-fisted Ws-Walsall, WB-West Bromwich, she be persuaded to make a also have been considered a first S-Stafford, L-Lichfield). Spare a thought for Mike Ham­ team possibility. comeback? In the county league, with the mond. In the Essex 3-Star he arriv­ Anyway, it was good to see her Louise Sherratt gained our other programme nearing completion, ed at Harlow for a 9 am start only looking so fit. Jayne Packington wins in her singles and, with Jane West Bromwich are the unexpected to find his group opponents had Winter, in the doubles. Robert Till also looked fit and well at the South winners of the first division, with failed to arrive. He returned was brought in as No 3 to give him of England tournament. Jayne is last year's top team, Potteries A, homeward took a wrong turn and experience, and he showed up well, another 'old' player who has given runners-up. ended up near Maidstone. taking both his singles to three sets. Surrey many valuable playing Next morning, just after 9 am he This year, the Potteries Closed Potteries B head Division 2 with hours. Mike Kercher was noticed lost his first set. acted as a curtain raiser to the Coun­ Walsall B in second place, and down speaking to her; was he thinking she In the Kent 2-Star Dave Harding tyClosed. Craig Bakewell retained in Division 4, Stafford D take first may be needed for another County travelled early to Gillingham only to his mens title (Finney Cup) with a place above Potteries C. game? find his group opponents absent. 21-8,12-21,21-15. win over Eddie Final positions in Division 3 are During the national league match Other players in the South of Wilkes and Trish Brookes took the not to hand, but Tamworth A, so between Graham Spicer and Nittaku England tournament suffered the womens title (Baker Cup) again with far unbeaten, look likely winners. Ruislip, Jimmy Cartwright had an same galling experience. a 21-14,21-17 win over Cara Rowe. The success of Fiona Elliot over unusual decision to make when Craig had two further victories in the last few years in reaching the top The entry forms for all these events state that play will commence Frank Hams served to John the mens doubles (Leeding Cup) flight of the national rankirig list in groups. Organizers, of course, Burleton. with Stephen Slater and mixed (Pro­ and gaining representative honours The return hit the net and drop­ ctor Cup) with Carrie Filmer, and cannot guarantee that players turn for England has not received men­ ped immediately onto the net sup­ Trish had her second title with a win up. But they should take steps to en­ tion so far in this column. port which grips the edge of the in the womens doubles (Upton Cup) sure that no one leaves without their Like all her Wolverhampton col­ table and richocheted away without with Anne Williamson. full quota of matches (unless they leagues, her friends around the touching the actual playing surface. Stephen Slater took the junior do not want to) particularly as the county are extremely proud of her title (Beryl Broad Cup), beating cost of entering tournaments is so The incident happened at the achievements. We extend to her our Martin Riley 21-13, 21-18, but the high. beginning of the third game and Riley family collected two honours, congratulations and best wishes for One way to give everyone all their both players agreed, after a short Natalie winning the junior girls and her continued success, and, of games is to have 'reserve' players. discussion, with the decision of the father John retaining the veterans course, we are grateful for her con­ They would become an accepted referee. But, without checking your Beryl Thorpe trophy. Matthew Parr tribution which helped our county part of the draw and would attend rule book first, what decision would beat Richard Clark in the cadets, side retain their place in the premier at the same timings of the groups. you have made if it had been 20-20 21-19,11-21,21-18. division. They would not be late entries, be­ in the third? 28 SUSSEX WARWICKSHIRE

John Woodford Mary Rose If only junior talent was emerging A commemoration award was made at the same rate as star players are Ranking list amendments Player Focus suddenly appearing in the ranks of to George Halversen after the Boys Midland Open in appreciation of his After last months feature on a the veterans, Sussex would have few I Jeffries veteran player, Anne Lloyd of Bir­ problems. valuable work as chairman of the 2 Chauhan mingham, I will this time look at There are one or two hopeful executive committee of the War­ 3 Smith one of our junior talents. signs for the young ones. Scott wickshire Association. 4 Thomas Kate Ryan of Leamington pro­ Greenbrook and his brother Marcus Congratulations to Mrs Veronica 5 Todd duced a fine performance in the na­ are at last emerging as powerful Jackson (Birmingham) Stan Lenton 6 Singh tional Under 14 cadet girls trials at Luton: The talented 13 year old won and Jack Elliott (Coventry) whose 7 Felton players at Crawley, the town where four of eight singles in her group no-one can be found willing to run nominations for the Merit Award Girls which should give her a place in the their closed championships, so there have been approved by the ETTA's national top 20 ranking lists. will not be one this season. National Council in recognition of 1 A Ledwitch Kate also enjoyed a notable Over at Hastings and Bexhill two their hard work in promoting table 2 T Green achievement on reaching the cadet girls are emerging as fine prospects tennis in the Warwickshire Area. 3 L Spilsbury girl (Under 14) final at the Cardiff Rosemary Rainton, the Hastings 4 K Ryan Open. In the final she took No 1 ladies champion at 16 and Bexhill­ County Defeats 5 N Meddings seed Tina Sadler from Wales to based Julie Lawrence, the Sussex No 6 C Woodward three games before losing 21-17, 31-21, 21-23 in a well contested All three matches were lost 6-4 on 7 Hollihan 1 junior and victor at the recent final. Hastings Youth Championships. March 1st due, in the main, to the inability to field the strongest teams; Twelve boys and five girls par­ It was the first time that a War­ I have lost count of the number wickshire cadet had reached a ma­ ticipated in a junior trial at Coven­ of veterans teams Sussex is running one reason being Closed tournament jor final outside the county area in the county championships, events clashing with county fixtures. try. Missing were Leigh Jeffries, which suggests well for the future. possibly it is three. The first team The senior A side lost to Williams, Rashid, Liza Spilsbury is running up with three other Worcester, junior A to Staffs, and and Alison Ledwitch. Junior Coaching Rallies The finishing order was: leading teams and can now call the junior B to Clwyd. After the success of the first Rally upon such skilled newcomers as As both junior sides have had to Boys - Chauhan, Smith, Tod, on 22nd December when 50 players Robin Stace (who recently up-ended play reserve players making their Singh, Felton, Thomas, Ameghino, took part, comments from players Henry Buist), Keith Horton and first county appearances, they per­ John, J Perry. and coaches alike seemed to indicate Roger Chandler should he elect to formed very creditably. Girls - Green, Meddings, Wood­ that it should be a regular event. be available. Not to mention the The reluctance of some players to ward, Hollihan, R Ledwitch. A second rally was organised for men with a fine record over the past play for the county has caused A feature of the trial was the 2nd March and it was hoped to hold ten years as a Sussex veteran Alan others on April 20th, June 1st, June disappointment and it is apparent tremendous improvement of Nicola 29th and August 31st. Rowden and of course Mike Watts from the latest results that there is Meddings (Birmingham) who at 10 It is hoped that at least one of the the intrepid ETTA Deputy General little hope of any teams winning years old should have a very bright sessions could be used for the begin­ Secretary whose admin duties fre­ their division. future. ner l)lore than the advanced player. quently interfere with his playing ambitions. Phil Smith has finally gained his reward for a great campaign by be­ WILTSHIRE ing awarded the Sussed No 2 rank­ ing under Adrian Moore, a move Laurie Selby that should have taken him to the final of the all-Sussex champion­ It was all change at the Swindon Claire Hunter was quick to take same hands in the junior ships at Lancing on 16th April. senior closed table tennis her chance to grab the womens tournament. Stephen Moore is now No 3 so the championships. singles title in the absence of Claire That was the under 13 champion­ Smith wedge operates between the The absence of last year's mens Maisey - winner of the previous ship which Nathan Pickett kept and womens champions signalled firmly in his grasp. brothers for the first time. three years. changes in every name on the Claire's greater control and pa­ He grabbed the title for the se­ trophies - the first time for years this tience put her in the driving seat cond year in a good, sporting, final has happened. against Brenda Lee in the final. against Stuart Fry. And two players steamed in to Brian Powell, the top seed, took Raymond Powell, runner-up last year, stepped up to take the major Rankings: line-up a couple of trophies each. the veterans singles with Howell Ray Hughes and Claire Hunter both prize in the under 17 singles. 1 Adrian Moore (2) again the runner-up. He was much too sharp for scored double tops. And it was third time unlucky for 2 Phil smith (3) Hughes became the new mens Jasvinder Singh, the improving left­ 3 Stephen Moore (1) Howell in the mens doubles final. hander who ended the chances of champion when he defeated Steve He and Brian Powell went down to 4 Ritchie Venner (4) Davies in the final. last year's winner Paul Tuck Hughes and Graham Oxley. repeating his success. 5 Malcolm Francis (5) But it was Hughes's semi-final The mixed doubles went unex­ Singh had the consolation of tak­ against Ernie Howell which will be 6 Roger Chandler (6) pectedly to the young pairing of ing home the boys doubles trophy remembered as the match of the 7 Keith Horton (8) Raymond Powell and Jenny Neale with Steve Ely. 8 Jon Green (-) championships. Colin Worgan sneaked out in two Howell, who last won the title who beat veterans Brian Powell ­ 9 Paul Elphic (13) Ray's dad - and Sylvia Morse. deuce games against Paul Timmis to 10 Andy Walker (15) more than 20 years ago, shed the take the under 15 singles. years to take the opening game. Claire Hunter picked up her se­ cond title when she teamed with Sarah Devine snapped up the I Teresa Moore (I) And it looked as if the·fairytale under 13 singles which was played was to come true for the veteran Helen Wilson to win the wornens 2 Sally Weston (2) doubles which was played on a on a round-robin basis. 3 Sheila King (3) who was out of the game for years The most exciting final was bet­ through injury. He held a match group basis. 4 Clare Hewett (-) ween Peter Fry and Peter Collar for point with the second game only to The divisional singles final, for 5 Sally Haffenden (4) the junior divisional trophy. Fry just see Hughes snatch it away from him players in the second, third and collared it in a three game thriller. 6 Claire Wicks (8) with some searching forehands. fourth divisions, turned out to be an Raymond Powell has been fin­ 7 Z. Hussein-Ellis (6) Howell battled back to 2-all in the all-junior battle between Paul Tim­ ding out about the ups and downs 8 Sally Lucas (12) deciding game - and then served a mis and Neil Everden. Paul won in of the Wiltshire rankings which, like 9 Lynn Trussel (9) fault. It was a shattering qlow and straight games. the national rankings, are now done 10 Angela Maskell (-) Howell never recovered. Only one trophy stayed in the on a points basis. 29 County Notes

He races up the senior list to And that was a bitter defeat for number three after winning the the home side who were neck-and­ SPORTING SCHOLARSHIPS AT SWANSEA latest ranking tournament. neck with Berkshire in the race for The University College of Swansea But he is toppled from number their championship. Neither had those who have already reached a one spot in the under 18 section by previously lost. have established six cultural and high national standards of ex­ Michael Auchterlonie who won the Ironically Berkshire sneaked sporting scholarships (worth £500 cellence, allow students to pursue home with the help of former Swin­ and develop their natural talents junior tournament. per term for up to three years) (for Satchell and Miss Maisey show no don player Mike Harris who won while reading for a degree. both of his singles for the visitors. undergraduate students entering in­ sign of releasing their grip at the top Bath University and Edinburgh of the senior sections. Brian Powell, Swindon's veterans to the college during 1986). already have similar schemes for champion, was the only undefeated The scholarships, available to leading sports men and women. Getting there Wiltshire player in the match which was played at Churchfields School. Dad was chuffed and his son was The seniors travelled to Essex Fairholm family favourite puffed when the British Rail where they were made to battle hard Western Region All-Line table ten­ for a point. nis championships were decided. Kevin Satchell - now a full-time Dad, Brian Powell of Swindon, table tennis player - was in superb beat his son Raymond in the finals form, snapping up his two singles to get the trophy back again. matches with a class display. Claire Hunter, playing in her first It was sweet revenge for Brian county match of the season, also did who saw Raymond take the cup well to finish the day undefeated. after beating dad in last year's final. There was little between the two Brian reached the final by beating sides throughout the match and Oxfordshire's Gerry Collins and Wiltshire snatched a point when Raymond scored a narrow win over Kevin Edwards won the last with a Berkshire veterans' champion cliff-hanging 22-20 win in the Johnny Morris. deciding game against Stuart Gibbs. This set the scene for a family And it took a tremendous last­ confrontation between the Swindon ditch effort from Wiltshire juniors veteran champion and the town's to get them out of a hole in their junior champion. game against Cornwall in Swindon. This time dad's steady play and The home team were 3-5 down wise head tamed the brilliant but but Lorraine Cox and Ray Powell patchy hitting of Raymond. chalked up wins ifi the last two mat­ But Raymond was on the winn­ ches to pinch a point. ing side when he teamed up with his Powell had a good day, winning father and Maurice Neate to take his other singles and partnering Paul the team title. Tuck to victory in the doubles. Director ofcoaching, Dave Fairholm and wife Cheryl with daughter Elisha The Swindon side beat the home team, Didcot, 5-2 in the final.

Gwen clocks another honour MARK'S DAY AT HALIFAX There was an honour for another Yorkshire's Rea Balmford Swindon player at the tournament. Gwen Hazell, eight times winner Halifax are the first of the county's Robertshaw added the womens Grass Roots enthusiasm at Leeds of the Swindon singles champion­ leagues to report in with the results doubles with Hayley Gillespie and of their closed championships, held the mixed doubles with Stansfield to In a national magazine bouquets ship, was presented with a pen­ usually find their way in the direc­ at the North Bridge Leisure Centre a singles success in which she beat dulum clock to make her 25 years' tion of the top players, whether it and sponsored by chemical giants Barbara Gee. playing for the Western Region. be at national, county, league or Hoechst (UK) Ltd. VS: Brian Cadman Div 2/3 Gwen has also played for Great The tournament proved to be a even club level. But table tennis is singles: N Blackburn Div 4/5 Britain in the railways world cham­ joy day for rapidly rising 13 year old played just as enthusiastically at the singles: S crowther Div 6/7 singles: pionship. She first played in York Mark Stephenson. With still another grassroots, and a story of dedication in 1964 and was in the teams which season to go at cadet level, he was D Crossley. comes from division 8 of the Leeds played in Yugoslavia in 1970 and in good enough [0 reach five finals, The signing of England's top cadet league. Czechoslovakia in 1978. finishing on the winning side in both Michael O'Driscoll from Mirfield by Alison Hardy, Ray Wildman and She has competed in the inter­ cadet and junior events, as well as Unity only emphasizes that the Graham Spackman, representing county championships for Wiltshire in the handicap singles, which had Bradford league is the Mecca for the TSB No 2, returned to competitive for 26 consecutive years. attracted an entry of more than 100 play at the beginning of the 1982/3 players. top playrs in Yorkshire. Unity, who In that time Gwen, who now currently lead the race in the top season and, midway through that plays for the veterans' team, has Final victim in the junior singles season earned their first draw. division, can now call upon Tim chalked up 12 county titles, in­ was 17 year old Simon Pugh, but the That one minor success apart, the older lad had his revenge in the Dyson (Huddersfield), Steve Sharpe cluding the singles championship side played some 73 matches youth singles and the division I (Wakefield), and Matthew Connell three times. without a win to their credit, but the singles, the two which escaped from (Leeds), in addition to O'Driscoll. She was also in the Wiltshire side enthusiasm of the players never Mark's grasp. Their closest challengers - the two waned as they continued their fix­ which won the South West cham­ The mens singles went to Dave teams of Clayton Heights - field tures in a true spirit of pionship in 1964. Bottomley, who dismissed Julian more native Bradfordians, but also sportsmanship. Taliku - earlier conqueror of the number Harrogate's Mick Emmer­ Bitter defeat An unenviable record after 3!/, fancied Barry Snowden in a shock son in their ranks. Round 2 win - before moving to a years came to an end recently when Top players playing outside their Wiltshire table tennis teams salvag­ comfortable straight sets win over TSB ran out winners for the first home league has long been a bone ed only two points in their latest Paul Stansfield, who had come past time. round of county championship Alan Dickinson. of contention, but every credit must The Leeds league are rightly matches. Bottomley added the mens go to Bradford. They have the razor proud of the Bankers' trio and, in The senior and junior teams each doubles title in partnership with keen competition to offer which at­ these days of diminishing leagues picked up points with 5-5 draws but Snowden, while, for the women, the tracts players to the city from as far and decreased commitment, the veterans went down 4-5 to 'triple crown' went the way of the afield as Harrogate in the North and Yorkshire add their warm Berkshire. all-conquering Tracy Robertshaw. Sheffield in the opposite direction. congratulations. 30 Coaching

Horses for courses Tony Russe explains the trainers role

The close proximity of the dates three straight. Not so on table 3. first comfortably. In the second, of the English senior closed and Brian Johns whether or not he Adrian falters at a vital stage and the Cheltenham national hunt knew of Colin's indisposition or, its one all. I remind him again of festival may be accidental but it dare I say, really cared, was giv­ his tactics and Adrian is back in did remind me of the similarity of ing him one hell of a roasting. business to be 2-1 up at the break. the job of the table tennis coach Colin was unable to apply himself As his coach I did not want the and the racehorse trainer. The ob­ and was punished to the extent of break but it is not up to me. Both ject of the exercise being to get being 2 games down. Certain ex- Andy and Adrian are highly in­ one's charges to the races fit hortations on my part before the telligent young men. Andy has, or enought to do themselves justice third carried Colin through to the appears to have, excellent com­ and to ensure that final prepara­ five minute rest. posure. Adrian can easily go over Stephen Scowcroft...never say die tion before the off has them ready Now this is the period where the top by trying too hard. I try to win. So it was with a heart full the coach must work really hard. to work on this during the inter­ hell, what's all that noise? of hope and no little confidence The danger is to over talk, to val but Adrian has dreamed up Alarms, excursions, doors flung that this coach set off for Oldham make too many points. It has to some tactic of playing into Andy's open, people rushing about, have on 7th March, 1986. My runners, be resisted. Anyway, Colin back backhand. I advise against it ­ the Russians invaded? No, false Adrian Moore, Colin Wilson and on table to win fourth and con- remember the 'knee'. The fourth alarm. I don't know if Paul's sup­ John Souter travelled in separate fidence is back. The cold is almost starts to become a porters set it off, heaven forbid boxes. forgotten and blood lust has backhand to backhand exercise that I should think it, but now The first indications were good. taken its place. Brian continues to and Adrian pays the penalty. I try he's a new man. John has a fight The journey was uneventful, the put up a great fight but Colin runs to get Adrian settled and compos­ on his hands but manages to win "stabling" arrangements at the out the winner. So far so good. ed for the fifth - switch the angles, on 'deuce' to save the coach fur­ Belgrade Hotel were excellent ­ 'John' on table at 10.00 a.m. remember the 'knee'. Off we go ther discomforture. Break for one up to the admin. team, who Nothing has been said between he backhand to backhand. Have I lunch and to gather up the resources. Find Ladbroke's to no only get remembered when things and I and we did not have to read "~ lost the power of speech? Do I go wrong! The venue at Oldham the programme notes to know think one thing and say another? avail. I must remember to buy sports centre was well chosen ­ that the fifth place in the Men's No, the player's stress can undo their shares instead of trying" to chalk up another plus. The team for the European" Cham- all the plans that the coach lays. break them! lighting was good, arena well laid pionships is up for grabs. John is Adrian pays the penalty, he is full Afternoon, 2.40 p.m. John and out, comfortable seating for spec­ sharp, well motivated and does of self deprecation - "I'm a bot- Steve Scowcroft, Colin and Des tators and resting players, solid his job three straight, getting it all tier!" No he's not, he's a good Douglas. I wish Colin well, hav­ Dunlop tables and the advance working. player who tries too hard. He still ing been in his corner three times already this season when he has going on the floor good to firm. The hour of 11.00 a.m. brings has improvement in him and played Des. Des is in no mood to I hope I am not getting deaf as the a choice again. This time I opt for hopefully will come to terms with years advance but I heard no Adrian who is up against Andy himself in due course. One down, dally and it was a three straight adverse comments at all on these Syed. Now Andy has had a pain- two to go. death. Des is sharp. John and matters. So far so good. ful knee problem and is not in full "Good grief its 11.30 a.m. and Steve cause the coaches more con­ One of the problems for a practice. A real opportunity for its John and Paul Whiting. No cern. I have admiration for any player who 'plays his socks off' coach with a number of players Adrian. The plan is set, good ser­ time for coffee, on with the job. at a tournament is that you can­ vice and power follow up, where Paul is an excellent quick hitter and Steve certainly can do that. His efforts at the English top not be in two places at the same a rally threatens to switch wings who can trouble some of the best twelve this year were Homeric. I time, you do have to make a on him and remind him of his men. John will have none of it. need not have worried. Steve was choice if you are going to give knee. All goes well, for Andy is We agree, power, power, power. below his best and John used his your full attention to a game. You naturally tentative and Adrian At two games up and Paul wilting power and speed to good effect. have to decide whether a player gives it a 'whack' and takes the the third looks a formality. Oh can get through his round with the Another three games straight win, broad brush strokes of tactics and and singles are over for the day. motivation ringing in his ears and Time to reminisce on games not pray that he remembers them directly involved in. Jimmy under pressure. Stokes and Nicky Mason deuce in So Saturday dawned bright and the fifth to Nicky. Matthew Syed early and I girded up my loins for and Chris Rogers, another a working day. Careful study of desperately close in the fifth to the programme overnight gave me Chris but not before the 'Danc­ my indications where I expected ing Destroyer' had made him my runners to finish. Off to the sweat for every point. Two races! marvellous juniors, young Immediate problem! At 9.00 Michael O'Driscoll and Chris a.m. Adrian is on table 7 and Col­ Oldfield putting in some sterling in is on 3. Colin has a cold, is feel­ work against hardened seniors. ing sorry for himself and has Leave the lads to their doubles Brian Johns to contend with. and back to the hotel for feet up Adrian is happy and goes off and contemplation of a fiery In­ armed with his little sister to en­ dian Curry for the evening repast. sure that no evil befalls him. The So far so good. Everyone has odd glance across to him from done what I had expected of time to time satisfies me that he them. Only John left for tomor­ is doing the business and he wins Andrew Syed ... plagued by injury row and Skylet Andrew looming 31 Coaching in the quarters. Worry about that a worthy three straight winner. tomorrow! John has done well, I am proud Sunday brings another good of him and I tell him so. Later I Positive play breakfast and a certain reluctance spot Peter Charters shaking hands Ken Muhr Coaching Officer ofthe Milton Keynes to pack the bags and leave the and guess the good news. He's off league takes a personal view comfort of the hotel. Could this to the Europeans. My job is done but go on for ever, etc., etc.. - for a while, John's begins. Whilst thoroughly agreeing with success, as Paul himself notes. If Anyway, 10.40 a.m. seems a Time to relax and enjoy the Paul Day (Table Tennis News, you play safe at cadet or local civilised time for John to play finals. Good crowd and well stag­ January 1986) about the need for league level you are more likely Skylet. John has already had a ed. Joy Grundy and Jean Parker young players to develop stronger (initially) to win and, if you win, warm up winning the quarter final turn a first game loss into victory backhands and a two wing power you are more likely to continue doubles with Colin over Adrian in the ladies doubles and Des attack, and to play point winning playing safe. Moreover, suc­ and Steve Moore. Stayed well Douglas and Carl Prean take the shots rather than relying on safe­ cessful players around you will be away from all parties and let them men's doubles. The ladies final is ty first, I don't think that he takes seen doing the same thing. get on with it. Lisa Bellinger and Joy Grundy. enough account of the practical But the player's horizons will Now Sky has matured into a Lisa settles in the first and takes difficulties inherent in this. The be limited. A player has to have hardened campaigner, naturally the game as Joy struggles mental­ influences towards negative play a positive attitude to go far and, talented, able to deliver the goods ly with her tactics and her touch. should not be underestimated. if her/she is talented and positive, in a five setter. He is now a Lisa is coasting steadily in the se­ How often under pressure players it won't be long before there are business player and consequent­ cond and then somehow lets her revert back to it! few in the local league to stop ly must be respected as such. Re­ lead slip away. Assurance The emphasis of English table him/her. becomes not so certain, accurate mind John that Sky is prepared tennis at league level and, to a However, although not snap hitting turns to "I've got to to take the long view and that he lesser extent, at inter-league, theoretically affecting future pro­ break her rhythm, hell I missed must not burn himself out over county and minor tournaments' spects adversely, frequent losses another!" Joy takes the second. the first two. We decide that 80 level, is on playing safe. A young are discouraging for the player I wonder if her resolution can last percent effort for a couple of player who 'goes for his shots' in and those associated with for five games. It can and it does, games might be beneficial. John the local league is more likely as him/her. It may be no good an for she takes the next two to win wins the first reasonably comfor­ not advised by an experienced enlightened coach saying to that comfortably. All praise to Joy. tably but is suitably chastened team mate to "push more", "just individual "keep on playing Lisa has done much already and push", "take your time", "wait positively, even though you are when Sky replies by winning the we tend to forget yer youth. second. Now urge John to step up for the right ball", "work for the now losing, and you will be much Another three to four years point", "don't rush", "don't his work rate, which he prefers before we see the complete player. better in the long run", if success smash", "slow down", etc etc, anyhow, and he takes the third Meantime she must continue to never appears to come. The particularly if the player in ques­ and the break. Time for straight work on her game - chop and youngster may even rely on this tion is losing. talking, remind him to stay sharp, float from preferably middle advice as an excuse. "You told me play the previously discussed The difficulty in criticising this it doesn't matter if I lose". distance, maximising spin varia­ kind of advice which comes from percentages and above all, that he tion and keeping in touch with the The dilemma for coaches, team mates, coaches and parents has earned the right to win. John table to launch counter attack. therefore, is whether the con­ etc., is that it is sound advice to is a 100 per cent man. Sky is It'll come, she works. fidence and encouragement a some extent. Clearly a player similarly revived and, no doubt, The mens final after an initial child gains by winning playing the advised and the two lads play a spurt by Carl Prean was all Des­ should not charge wildly into a 'wrong way' is more important blinder with Sky winning the leg mond Douglas. Des is in no mood game trying to crash a winner off for him/her than losing playing on 'deuce'. to be dethroned and he will ab­ every ball. (Being positive does the 'right way'. The youngster So its all down to the fifth. Re­ dicate when he's ready, not not mean that). may also be confused and torn But it is a matter of emphasis mind John again of the 'plan' and before. Carl's turn will come, but between a coach who advises his right to win. Sky serves and all honour to Des for being the or degree. Too often the balance positive play and, for example, a John goes 5-0 down. I am aware true professional, setting an ex­ veers towards stifling a player's locally respected player who, not now how much depends on the ample to all who care to learn aggressiveness, risk taking and having been on the open tourna­ corner feedback. If I mistime my from him. flair and, therefore, his/her ment circuit for many years to exhortations disaster will envelope So a happy coach's farewell to future development. know any different, says this is him. John keeps his cool despite Oldham. Thinks, must thank the Secondly, the encouragement nonsense. Parents and players his deficit, all the time beavering umpires for their forebearance of of negative play often does lead who want instant success may to get on terms. He achieves it at a noisy corner man. Now let my to short term (and short lived) quickly see that the latter is 'pro­ 18-18 with the serve. Sky pulls out thoughts turn to Cheltenham. ved' to be correct. a big one 18-19, then its 19-19, I have been considering the 20-19. Sky has the hunted look kind of youngsters who have the and the game goes to John on an Simpson succeeds in East Anglia potential to make at least a mark unforced error. He is delighted, writes Club Coach, David Holland on the national scene. Realistical­ his coach is over the moon, but Iy, however, most young players Lowestoft Table Tennis Centre The enthusiasm that Peter spare a thought for Sky. He con­ will not/cannot make this grade. was a hive of activity on 7th-9th generated all through the weekend ducts him&elf in a perfect manner, Perhaps, for some of these, a March 1986. This was the result has hopefully given Lowestoft a a true professional and honour to more negative style of play would of senior National Coach Peter foundation to build on and to him. be more suitable so that they can Simpson's first visit to the town. enable the town to put forward John is immediately called for Eighteen enthusiastic players were go on enjoying the game at a doubles. Leave them be, I need more of these or other selected more local level. instructed on advance techniques types of weekend courses. the rest. Doubles lost and after a within the game, also a video was This has all sorts of implica­ Note: As a matter of interest, five minute break he is called for shown and throughout the course tions for coaches. Should a dif­ the semi-final with Carl Prean. general discussions on stroke play in a local cadet league match a ferent playing approach be instill­ John's tactics are agreed, his took place. Peter had the game was played up to a score of ed in players not so much accor­ motivation is good but the legs are assistance of Lowestoft's own 45-43 under genuine competitive ding to their natural inclinations, going. He plays well, gives club coaches Bill Sissons, Trevor circumstances. Could this be the but according to their ultimate everything he's got but his tank Pull, Bob Peek, Cindy Peek and longest ever duce recorded or has potential? Can we spot this runs out of petrol. Carl emerges David Holland. anyone recorded higher? potential? 32 Coaching

I believe that somehow coaches Halex Players of the Month have to try to achieve for each in­ Boost for dividual an appropriate balance The selections agreed by the national league committee are between aggression and patience, womens JOHN ELLIS recognising and taking into ac­ table tennis John Ellis of Grove second team who plays at No I in the third divi­ count both the player's tempera­ sion west was nominated Halex National League Player of the Month ment and potential. They should for March. John showed great improvement in winning all four sets The National Federation of in Groves fixtures against Chan Construction and Duchy Windows also avoid putting on pressure to Women's Institutes is to organise win every time. It is not easy. Launceston. and promote a national table ten­ ANDY RICH Finally, there are all sorts of nis event for its membership, I Andy Rich of first division team West Warwickshire/Binningham was side issues to this debate. For ex­ commencing in September 1986. awarded the Halex National League Player of the Month for April. ample, the quick and easy success Many Institutes have their own sometimes still to be achieved by Andy was voted man of the match for gritty performances and calm facilities but it is hoped that en­ temperament in all sets against Dagenham FC and Tibhar Larkhall. using combination bats is a con­ tries will also be forthcoming cern. And positive play is not just from those who do not. Copies of for attackers - defensive players the ETTA address book are to be Join the professionals also need to play positively. circulated to the participating In­ by Derek Baddeley, A TTP coordinator Even the push shot should be stitutes and members advised to aggressive and/or varied. Girls contact their local league for ad­ A very successful and constructive probably incorporating changes will still tend to push more. vice on possible venues and meeting was held with principal in the scoring system and an in­ Positive play means, to me, do­ coaching opportunities. officers of the ETTA at the crease in net height as an evalua­ ing whatever is necessary to win "Nationally, the Womens In­ English Closed Championships tion experiment. ATTP printed the point as opposed to waiting stitute is becoming increasingly and the .. ATTP Committee were sweatshirts and T shirts are now for an opponent to lose it. It prominent in the area of sports pleased with the positive response in stock and can be obtained from given to several of our proposals. means taking the initiative. It does promotion" , says ETTA Colin Wilson or Keir Donaldson. not mean recklessly blasting The discussions were felt by These are royal blue with our Development Officer Fiona both sides to be so helpful that it everything in sight. table tennis ball logo central on Brown. "Indeed this table tennis was agreed to arrange further the chest in white, approximate­ The prospects for positive play event is one which has been made meetings on a regular basis in are not too bleak in this country. possible by their sporting spon­ order to make continuous pro­ ly 6" in diameter, and our slogan I have merely tried to identify dif­ sorship from the Milk Marketing gress on a number of initiatives, "we are on the ball" beneath in ficulties. Coaches should play Board. It is most encouraging that particularly the proposed new J;4" white lettering. their part in trying to ensure that table tennis has been selected as County Championships format, All members are now entitled to a free box of new type "Halex" the forces of change permeate a part of this programme and Stiga sponsored 3 Star tour­ balls - see Colin or Keir or ask even the most reactionary enclave. naturally we hope that this naments (scheduling of matches, When, in the local league, positive 1986/87 season will be the first in prize money distribution, adver­ them to post to you. Our Presi­ tising etc) and general develop­ dent Johnny Leach would be play is the accepted norm, we will a long partnership between our ment of the game. pleased to have your comments have won the battle! two organisations." Our AGM was held earlier at when you've tried them. the same venue, the past year's Our membership is steadily in­ progress reports were given by the creasing, and in view of the Chairman, Secretary and Coor­ benefits we are now to give, this Roll of honour dinator, various aspects of our isn't surprising. More important­ work and future efforts were ly, we hope our members (and all discussed. There were no new 1985/86 you non-members!) can see from nominations for the officers posts the actions we are pushing on a or to the committee and all were \ Belgian Open number of fronts that we really ~ Gold MS: Carl Prean therefore elected to serve for the next year. Keir Donaldson was are determined to live up to our l Silver WD: Alison GordonlJoy Grundy slogan! Silver XD: Grundy/Prean' appointed as assistant to Secretary t So why don't you join us and ~ Bronze Mens Team: Prean/Alan Cooke Colin Wilson, and assistants to the Chairman and Coordinator show your support even if you're tHungarian Open will be appointed shortly. not prepared to take an active ~ Bronze MS: Desmond Douglas The ATTP intends to run its part - remember we are always own inaugural tournaments pleased to receive constructive f Finlandia Open towards the end of this summer, suggestions and ideas! " Silver MD: Prean/Cooke Silver Mens Team: Prean/Cooke -- '.'------­ ATTP MEMBERSHIP FORM English Open 1 Gold XD: Gordon/Douglas Gold WD: Gordon/Grundy I Enclose £2.00 cheque or postal order made payable to"ATTP" Silver Mens Team: Douglas/Prean and post to: Colin Wilson, Hon Sec ATTP, 25 Brookside Bronze WS: Lisa Bellinger Crescent, CUFFLEY, Herts. Bronze XD: Grundy/Prean I Name . European Top 12 I Silver Mens event: Desmond Douglas I Address . European Championships J Postcode Tel. .. Bronze WS: Lisa Bellinger Club . Promotion to category 1: Mens team t League Signed . ------1 You will be issued with a numbered membership card. 33 • Rubberneck

Sky rise Aggressive play Make that call TV coverage George Bohm from West Ger­ Another riddle for readers: Two days after the start of the Dear Rubberneck many found himself sent home in What's the difference between European championships in I personally think that your col­ the middle of the Prague tourna­ ESTTA public relations officer Prague Rubberneck was collaps­ umn is good for table-tennis ment after being accused and ad­ David Lomas and ETTA vice ed with laughter at the predica­ because it adds a bit of spice and chairman Peter Charters? interest to the sport. But honest­ mitting "violence of the tongue" ment of top journalist Richard ly; although I expect to get more to the top German coach. One makes sixty calls in one Eaton. stick than anyone-else, your arti­ The former Rumanian was in­ minute. Eaton had jetted in from the cle in the MarchiApril issue was vited to withdraw the remark ap­ European badminton champion­ not fair. plied to the gentleman in question ships in Sweden, dumped his lug­ You said in that article that I but declined. Indeed, Rubberneck gage at the Hotel Olympic and had got ranked in Europe and had understands he went further by then rushed to the stadium to join not had an international result of repeating the offence. fellow press correspondent John any note to warrant it. Well I'm No doubt Bohm will soon face Wood ford already at the afraid that your informant is a disciplinary inquiry. tournament. manipulating your ignorance of Hours later, arriving back at the international circuit because the hotel around 1.30 a.m., he to get ranked I beat a fair player opened his case to find piles of called Boris Rozenberg of Russia ladies underwear. Worse still, in the Hungarian Open who was they were not even the right size! ranked at No 15 in Europe at the Frantic phone calls and the time. caseful of knickers was on its way You may have seen him at the back to the airport where a English Open; he was the one that distraught Czech lady was waiting beat Des Douglas 3-0. And on top almost in tears. of that I beat another European But in a country where lingerie ranked player Bruno Parietti of opens doors faster than the local France in the English Open, I also lucre, it was debatable who was beat Englebert Huging of Ger­ the more upset. many (who was ranked 22 in Europe) in the World Championships. So, as you can see I ac­ Professional cumulated quite a few points and photographer contrary to what I was supposed to have said, deserved my The British contingent and indeed ranking. the whole tournament had the It makes me laugh to think that pleasure of the intrepid Scottish there are certain people who photographer from Dundee, would do anything to try and bring me down but, anyway, your Brian Webster, a man who once column like I said before is seen is never forgotten. generally good. But don't be Webster took some 400 photos scared to write about everybody at the tournament but a plot to although you know as well as I do keep him out of the finals night that most people can't take it. party did not succeed. He eventually got in resplen­ Good luck with the column, dent in tuxedo on the ticket of Skylet Andrew Alan Griffiths the Welsh national 30 Ranelagh Road coach. Stratford The deputy prime minister of London EI5 3DP Czechoslovakia was presenting some of the prizes at the finals party. But he was under-dressed Marathon man compared with our Scottish Stuck up friend! Webster is always good value Success is the key to new vice chairman public relations Brian England international Fiona Heathrow, John Souter was for a laugh - well-known for his Spicer's appointment. Working in Elliot got stuck at Manchester able to keep his glue. But only penchant for kissing attractive sales and marketing, he has a Airport on her way to the Wedgie after he had shown air staff the ladies. Swedish eye-witnesses saw track record second to none as he Irish Open earlier this year. And tin was clearly labelled "non­ him doing just that in a Prague clocks up the miles on table ten­ all because of some table tennis flammable" . nightspot during the champion­ nis admin in his spare moments. rubber glue. Meanwhile, table tennis players ships. England players make Despite Fiona's explanation are waiting anxiously to see But his companions were not themselves scarce at training that it helped her play better, air whether inhalation of the glue interested in a photo-modelling camps when "Brian" turns up. officials refused to allow it on the fumes while changing rubbers bet­ career it seemed. The photo­ The Sussex fitness fanatic was Belfast British Airways' flight ween matches might cause them grapher took his leave when seen crossing the line at the recent believing it to represent a fire problems under the new drug and friends advised that the ladies at­ Mars London marathon in just hazard. doping regulations to be introduc­ tentions were neither voluntary under three hours! Earlier in the week, at ed by the English association. nor honorary! 34 I· School Report Few upsets at schools championships David Lomas Upsets were few and far between as places for the Dunlop Schools as the seeded players shared the International Championships honours at the Dunlop English teams (Salford, July 5th and 6th) Schools Individual Champion­ were "up for grabs". ships which took place at Mansfield Leisure Centre on RESULTS Saturday, May 3rd. UI9 BOYS SINGLES Only one of the eight titles was Semi-finals Jonathan Bult (Humb) b Martin Stanley successfully defended. Bradley 12, 13; Andrew Ball (WY) b Peter Har­ Billington retained his UI6 crown ris (Bu) 22, II. Final in a close-fought final against a Bult b Ball 7, - 15, 15 Girls' UJ9 (I to r): Louise Davis, Debbie Soothill (Winner), Mr. Paul Birch rare finalist in local Nottingham­ UI6 BOYS SINGLES (ESTTA Competition Sec), Helen Perrott (2nd), Susan Butler (Devon). Semi-finals shire player, John Holland, with . John Holland (Ng) b Gavin Black (Bd) a score of 22-20 in the third game. 19, 15; Bradley Billington (Dy) b Mat­ thew Pernett (Surrey County) 7, 12. John - No 5 seed - had seized Final his chance when No 2 seed, his Billington b Holland 15, -18, 20 un BOYS SINGLES cousin Damian Holland from Semi-finals Essex, had been forced to Michael Auchterlonie (Wi) b Gary Knights (St) 18, 19; Neil Bevan (Co) b withdraw because of an injury Andrew Eden (La) - 18, 10, 12. sustained a few days earlier. Final Auchterlonie b Bevan - 16, 12, 20 The other seven winners are all Ull BOYS SINGLES new names on the list of honours Semi-finals Darren Blake (S Met) b Rod Manwaring gained since the championships (La) 13, 18; David Baker (Mi) b Martin began in 1974. Dawson (Oy) 17, 17. The established format of the Final Blake b Baker 18, 19 championships was again UI9 GIRLS employed - contestants being Semi-finals Helen Perrott (Av) b Louise Oavis (Sp) county champions from a possi­ - 18, 20, 19; Debbie Soothill (La) b ble 50 ESTTA county association Susan Butler (Ov) 16, 12. Final Girs' UJ6 (I to r): Melonie Carey, Helen Lower (lsI), Mr John Arnold areas playing in a straight knock­ Soothill b Perrott 16, - 17, 13 (ESTTA Chairman), Nicola McGrath (2nd), Julie Billington. out competition. Ul6 GIRLS Semi-finals The biggest upset came in the Nicola McGrath (La) b Melonie Carey senior (U19) boys event where No (So) 19,18; Helen Lower (W Mid) b Julie Billington (Oy) 21, - 17, 10. Spelman the I seed, Mark Randle (Wa) was Final eliminated by Martin Stanley (Co) Lower b McGrath -17,13,15 Irish wizard un GIRLS in the quarter-final. St;wley then Semi-finals went out to eventual winner Caroline Buckley (Bd) b Samantha Marl­ IS year old Sean Spelman, last ing (Humb) 17, 18; Joanne Roberts season's Irish No I cadet, has Jonathon BuIt (Humb) in the (WY) b Sarah Pengelly (Ov) 18, 20. semi-final. Final been selected in the Irish junior Buckley b Roberts 15, 13 team for the forthcoming Euro­ The withdrawal of No I seed, Ull GIRLS Joanne Shaw (WY) left the way Semi-finals pean Youth Championships in Sally Marling (Humb) b Caroline Watt Belgium, 20th-27th July. clear for No 2 seed, Debbie (Ch) 12, 11; Katharine Goodall (WY) b Soothill (La) to lift the girls U19 Nicola Meddings (W Mid) 19, 15. The other junior boys are Final Andrew Dennison (Ulster) and title. Goodall b Marling - 20, 19, 10 Another Lancashire player, Anthony Redmond (Leinster). Consolation event winners: Nicola McGrath, had a good day The junior girls are Ellen Ull BOYS Girls' UJI. Katherine Goodall but lost to Helen Lower (W Mid) Owen Sherborne (WY) McManus and Lorraine Cullen un BOYS (West Yorkshire) receives con­ in the girls U16 event. Caroline Paul Carter (Sy Met) gratulationsfrom the Referee, Tony (both Leinster) and the cadet boys Buckley (Bd) confirmed her No 1 UI6 BOYS Chatwin. are James Mullan and Gary Scott Greenbrook (W Sx) .--- ...J Nielson (both Leinster). status in the U 13 event. And in UI9 BOYS the boys U13 category a west Paul Smith (W Mid) Sean's selection is somewhat Ull GIRLS country final between Michael Kiersty Shaw (E Cty) special however, as he comes Auchterlonie (Wi) and Neil Bevan un GIRLS from a Connacht club, almost a Sally Hughes (Ox) (Co) went Wiltshire's way. Dar­ UI6 GIRLS "backwoods" as far as success at ren Blake of Croydon - at the Jane Wright (Ov) table tennis is concerned. And UI9 GIRLS tender age of nine - took over the Karen Backhouse (Cu) also for the fact that, of all five U I1 boys title held by brother juniors, he is the only one who Jason, without losing a game. will be a junior again in 1987, and Organiser Paul Birch looked back in 1988! with some satisfaction in seeing He was bitterly disappointed the four seeded players in each of last season, when after totally the U 11 events reach the dominating Irish cadet boys tour­ semi-finals. naments, it was decided not to There was keen competition send any team to the Europeans. amongst the 250 players involved, Sean Spelman. This year he has his just reward! 35 Mailbox

cessively long rallies of defensive 1,2,3 testing play'. This may be due to creating Pointer for Protest a mental attitude that each game, We used the experimental scoring by itself, does not have that 'at­ success? Yet again I feel I must protest system for our hard bat tourna­ all-costs' level of importance. about the so called official ment in May. But, on the other hand, there were We have been carrying out ex­ magazine of the ETTA. Your In a brief survey of the players' still many good, skillful and ex­ periments with the 11 point game editorial in the MarchiApril edi­ views 900/0 expressed a definite citing rallies with the hard bats. similar to Mike Prior's thoughts tion complains bitterly about the One other point made was the view and 85% were in favour of on the scoring system in Table lack of coverage in the national the system of playing up to 11 advantage that would be given to Tennis News (MarchiApril) and press - agreed. But what about the points, best of seven games. There a player with a strong service ser­ recently staged a full 'German coverage in our own magazine ­ was some confusion as to whether ving first. I am not sure that this style' national league match to to put it mildly it's disgusting. we were just refering to the hard is significant, it is not often that test fully player and spectator the server goes into a 5-0 lead. But Reports that are months out of bat event, but on rechecking only reaction. it does prompt some thought on date ie. Europe Top 12, Des. a few changed their minds! It cer­ Seventy-five spectators, good tainly is a system which should be a change in the serving pattern, Douglas great achievement we such as serving alternatively, or in for a sunny Sunday at the end of tried out on a wider scale. read about in May - over three threes, or the first server serving April, watched Ashford's Na­ As to the more general impres­ months after the event. Hardly twice and then five apiece. Some tional League team, strengthened sions - it also keeps a match any tournament results, just the of these ideas present problems of by Jon Green of Errey's Print, barest county championship more lively in the spectators' eyes. take on a specially formed team mental arithmetic! results, no match reports, so far There seems to be a lot more hap­ I think this scoring system has called Surrey Internationals. The not a single result from this pening, and, even in a one-sided some merit in moving table ten­ latter consisted of three current seasons Rose Bowl and Wilmott match, the weaker player has an nis towards becoming more of a playres: Dave Hannah, Nicky occasional purple patch to take a cup competitions. Surely these are spectator sport. In this tourna­ Mason and Max Crimmins, and game. more important than a half page ment we had the double interest three past players: Dave When the match goes to the spread about a 14 year old acting of using hard bats which in itself WeIsman, Connie Warren and seventh game it's almost as an umpire! many believe is anot,her move in Emile Emecz. equivalent to a drawn out deuce­ the right direction. No wonder county secretaries This was deliberate to see how in-the-third game and it becomes Perhaps others might like to try are reluctant to forward copy as the views of current tournament very tense and exciting. Matches out the system. they just do not know as and players compared with those of were very entertaining - but of when the next issue will be com­ Yours sincerely, the past. In fact we have to report course this was partly due to use ing out. Look at this latest issue Jack Chalkey that the message received from all of hard bats and perhaps a slight­ Chairman & Tournament (MarchiApril) copy for the June the players and the spectators was ly more good humoured approach Secretary edition is required by the 30th to the tournament. Staffordshire CTTA an unreserved "yes", and "when will it come into general use". The April, yet, my copy was not The scoring system seemed to Chumleigh, Cross Street, delivered until the second week in discourage players from ex- Gnosall, Stafford ST20 OBX games were certainly more ex­ citing to watch and the players May. had to concentrate throughout. Articles such as International News, and Official News from a bat standardised by having the In the first half of the match, played on two tables, the sets were ETTA have been dropped in Colour Crazy same type of covering on either preference of comments by Rub­ side of the blade. Players would the best of five games of 11 points berneck - nothing but rubbish. ! Multicoloured equipment to then be obliged to rely on their and in the second half the best of replace the traditional dark own ability instead of switching 7 games. Players and spectators With the hap-hazard issuing of i green and white colour scheme from one side of the bat to the agreed that the best of 7 games our magazine the subscriptions , and a new system of scoring to other to vary pace and spin I will be the minimum required at will fall and keep on falling. i limit games to a target of 11 artificially . whatever standard of play. The season is now over and : points vice 21 - that's the crazy I've just returned from the As to the result Ashford, led by done with, yet we do not yet know , pattern some English officials highly successful and enjoyable new No 1 Kenny Jackson, did half of what has gone on - a : have dreamed up to try and at- Veteran World Championships well, losing 6-9 in the end after thoroughly disgusting state of af­ tract interest in the Stiga Na­ in Rimini, Italy where the ma­ fairs. Bring back the old style of tional Top 12 tournament holding Surrey 4-4 at the half-way jority of us 'golden oldies' us­ the magazine and lets have an scheduled to take place at the stage. ed old-fashioned standard bats issue on the 10th of each month Soham Sports Centre from It is now most likely that the to produce a taste of table ten­ October to Mayas in the old days. 10-12 October. II-point game will be played in nis the way it was. We made This new move has failed Frankly, it's a load of rubbish spectators bubble and squeak the coming season of the Playrite miserably to awake new interest, smacking of desperation. with enthusiasm at the spec­ Premier League. Presumably we in fact you have put us back twen­ There's nothing whatever wrong tacular rallies which ensued. will be the first league to in­ ty years or more. with our traditional scoring Imagine the scope for such troduce it. system and dressing up players modern magicians as Des. Our, now extensive, 'market' I am sorry to be so critical at and their equipment in all col­ Douglas and Carl Prean, Lisa research indicates that it will be your first efforts but this is what ours of the rainbow won't make Bellinger and Alison Gordon welcomed and warranted. We the grassroots of our sport are a scrap of difference to the under similar conditions ­ firmly believe that it could just saying especially when we receive skills, thrills and entertainment believe me, TV, the press, the possibly be a turning point in the the draw for the English Open on­ , value of the play - which is what crowds and the players would history of table tennis. ly when the tournament has been , the fans come to see. love it. And the Stiga Top 12 played. , There is a far superior and would set an example the rest of , simpler formula for selling the Ray Tucker the world might soon be per­ Secretary Yours behind the times, Top 12 to the crowds, the media suaded to follow. and hopefully to the rulemakers Ashford Table Tennis Club Frank Jackson , for the benefit of our sport as Johnny Leach MBE The Centre 8 Cruxby Grove a whole. You do it by insisting 15 Manor Links Woodthorpe Road Scartho that all those selected to contest Bishops Stortford Ashford Grimsby the £2,100 Stiga tournament use CM235RA TWI53JX South Humberside DN33 2NP 36 Mailbox A Thank You to Beneficial Trust Stop the knQck With the successful conclusion of I found it interesting to read the the third Beneficial Trust Select watches articles by Mike Prior and Keith Davies under the "Grassroots" Yorkshire Junior Select cham­ People leave all sorts of things pionships and the severing of the section of the March/April edi­ behind - 1have two watches from tion of the magazine, if only to sponsor's links with our sport at the Beneficial Trust Derby Junior realise that their articles express­ the end of an agreed three-year select tournament that could be ing concern over the future of term, I feel that it is appropriate returned to their owners if they the game were similar but view­ to summarize the impact which would care to contact me. 2-man option ed from a different angle. Beneficial Trust have made on Reading on further one notes table tennis at junior level. Mike Payne I was interested to read in Table Mr John Prean, yet again, felt With the six-tournament link­ 534 Duffield Road Tennis News (March/April) that the need to write a destructive up including the national 'Closed' Allestree the Bournemouth super league article in what he obviously feels and 'Open' championships - the Derby "has been more of a replacement is in a constructive form. circuit for ambitious and talented DE32DL to the usual league matches rather 1 think there is a saying that juniors has been mapped out. than a supplement to them". if you tell people something. These major events have been a This was one of the areas of often enough and loud enough 'must', augmented by a number CLASSIFIED concern when we at Ashford were they will begin to believe what of Junior I-Star and 2-Star events discussing the formation of a they hear and it saddens me to in a player's own geographical ADS Premier League. Our concept of read the number of articles that continually appear in this area. a two man team playing alternate magazine which appear to do Looking at our own county of weeks, eleven matches in all, not For Sale nothing less but criticise the Yorkshire, the Beneficial Trust only proved extremely popular state of the game. Grand Prix has played a major ITTF BOOKS. Official Handbook but meant that the league was not I can appreciate that the ar-' part in the development of a (constitution. laws in fuU and inter­ national regulations)· £3.00; Hand­seen as a straight replacement. ticles submitted are written for number of youngsters - unheard book for Malch Officials - 65p: It achieved what it set out to do the best of intentions but I do of three years ago - but now a ma­ Rules Booklet (laws and inter­ and that was to strengthen the nalional regulations) - 50p. not consider this magazine jor influence in the junior game. Prices (c. w.0) include p&p from: ET­standard of play in the area which should be used as a platform to To name but a few, Michael TA. 21 Claremont. Hastings TNJ4 had never been particularly high. continually destroy and present IHF. O'Driscoli and Chris Oldfield Of the 32 players who par­ an image which.in a number of. have come through from obscuri­ ticipated in its first season 18 still cases is completely untrue. I am ty to the county's premier division played in one or both of the local sure that other sPOr.tS'ffiiiY have. squad, with the former meriting JACKMATE leagues on a regular basis and 10 similar problems but I would a No 3 European ranking at cadet for were from outside the area. hope that they do not, through level. With Matthew Connell, An­ PRICE QUALITY QUICK One of the local leagues is now their own publica­ drew Ball, Neil Simms and John SERVICE VALUE seriously considering introducing tiohs/magazines, take the op­ SUPPLIES its own premier division because portunity tp continually depress Bult also in the top twenty na­ CUP MEDALS etc of the demand from players who their interested readers with tionally, the future is in good QUALITY ENGRAVING - very want shorter matches of a consis­ what I can only suggest is hands. loll' cost destructive material. tent standard. Debbie Toole, Ruth Bray and CLUB BADGES The downward slippery slope ALL UNBEA TABLE PRICES I hope this experience will pro­ Helen Broomhead occupy the is a difficult one to climb back 01-546 or wrile for catalogue: vide further encouragement to 15-17 slots with the junior girls, up and if you continually knock 56 Staunton Road. others to rethink current formats. while, moving across to the cadets Kingston-upon-Thames. the sport you will find that those we can add Nicky Ryder, Graham Surrey. who give their time, dedication Cook, Mark Stephenson, Simon Ray Tucker and enthusiasm may much Secretary Holmes, Ellen Meddings, Joanna E1TA TIES. Blue or Maroon (single prefer to quietly fade away. Roberts and Joanne Keighley. motif) (100010 polyester) 4" blade ­ Ashford Table Tennis Club If people outside the game All dedicated and talented £2.95 each. The Centre wish to criticise then so be it, but Woodthorpe Road I would suggest that much mOre players, I am sure that they would Prices (c.w.o) include p&p from: wish to be associated with the ETTA, 21 Claremont. Hastings. Ashford can be gained by promoting ar­ members of the Yorkshire tour­ TNJ4IHF. TWI53JX ticles which inform their readers nament committee in saying to of the various initiatives which are continually taking place in Beneficial Trust at the end of their the hope that they too may wish connection with table tennis: What IS going on? to be involved. 'Thank you very much for the According to "Rubberneck" a generous help you have given and "Rubberneck" writes is true or M. Sweeting former ETTA Staff Coach was the professional way in which you false. 54 Paradise Road have worked with us to further known as "The Invisible Man", If true, further questions re­ Writtle another was in line for that title our sport.' quire asking about management, Chelmsford and a third had let down a local 'We in the game will do our about supervision, because the league or someone felt or said that Officer, staffand contributors best to see that the input is not bJck stops at the top, not at the will be aware of my editorial he had. If true, disturbing wasted, and we wish Beneficial bottom. If false, a very handsome commitment 10 innovative ideas revelations. Trust every success in their future apology will be due. I trust it will which will stimulate the Clearly this cannot go on. The business ventures as our ways be given unreservedly. development ofthe sport. /11 the part. ' full-time professional coaches are fulllless of time, ifpc.o(1uction part of the department of which John Prean difficulties are forgotten, Rea Balmford Peter Charters is the head (Vice­ 12 Marlborough Road, perhaps some of the construc­ Hon Tournament Secretary, Chairman Selection/Coaching). I RYDE, tive ideas proposed during this Yorkshire Table Tennis cannot understand his silence. Let Isle of Wight brieftenure may be introduced Association. him state now whether what P033IAA - Ed. 37