IEditorial

Four "gems" to remember • • • ENGLISH table tennis players, administrators, fans will not easily forget this campaign now drawing to a close. It was the season when we entered the Olympic Games in Seoul, England finally bounced back into the Super Division of the European League, when Sweden slayed the Chinese dragon, (at least in the men's game) by winning the Swaythling Cup and Jan-ave Waldner became the new world champion. A year ago we failed to win promotion again and then found that Hungary were a new barrier. As it happened, Belgium and Austria were the two nations we had to beat and this we did principally by the strength of our two young men Alan Cooke and Carl Prean. Both have had a season they can lookback on with pride - Alan captured the Commonwealth title in Cardiff and it was Carl who raised his game in Dortmund in the memorable match with Waldner when he reached 19-19 in all four games against the exquisite talent of the man who two days later, became the new champion of the world. Don Parker summed it all up in Dortmund when he said, "We are now in all the competitions amongst the top nations including the new men's world team cup as we finished ninth here in Germany. I am more than pleased with the group of teenagers now bidding for a place in the England squad headed by Michael O'Driscoll, Bradley Billington and Matthew Syed. They demonstrated in Cardiff that they are improving all the time. Win of the year for the women's squad was by Alison Gordon over Olga Nemes, the European Top-12 champion" he said. Over 200 British fans in Dortmund personally witnessed how well the sport is supported there - thousands there - hundreds here; the roar of the German crowd - polite clapping or even silence here, at least, most of the time. Leadership challenge still receding As the magnificent sponsorship by the Leeds Permanent Building Society continues to expand into the Women's British League, John Prean remains the undisputed chairman of the ETTA. The prospect of any serious challenge to his leadership seems to have receded even further into the background. Political upheavals as we have seen over the past three years might sell newspapers but they do not help the sport in the long run. Looking ahead I see three objectives, although there are other targets as well ... first to establish ourselves as a power that could win the Super Division rather than survive, secondly to reach the final of the team event at the European Championships in Gothenburg and to improve communications by getting even more publicity on television and in the newspapers and to produce a professional magazine. . As "Table Tennis News" went to press, it became known that the ETTA have decided that next season this magazine will be edited by the staff at Hastings ... to which I can only add my best wishes! JOHN WOODFORD In this issue Page IJ Courtside 1 European League, George Yates 3 9th Commonwealth Championships 4-5 The official magazine of the The 40th World Championships 6-9 English Tabl,e Tennis The Leeds National Championships Association. Published 10 eight times a year. Richard Eaton 11 John Prean in Dortmund 12-13 Editor The Leeds County Championships, Doug Moss 14-15 JOHN WOODFORD VETIS go West, Mike Watts 17 Essex 2-star junior open, Ron Mackenzie 18 Advertisements: The Leeds British League, Mike Loveder 20-21 JIM BECKLEY Sports PR, PO Box 8, News from 23 Counties 22-28 Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, Mailbox 29,31 Cheshire SK8 7RG The English senior ranking list 32 Tel: 061 488 4002 The first East Sussex schools event, David Lomas 33 Presentations in Cardiff 34 Subscriptions and distribution: Women's Leeds British League launch, Jose Ransome 35 Beth Davies, Picture Parade 36 ETTA, Third Floor, Tamasu and Butterfly fly on 37 Queensbury House, Havelock Jose in Dortmund 38 Rd, Hastings TN34 1HE Tel: 0424 722525 Natwest Derbyshire 2-star Open, Mike Payne 40 News from the regions 41 COPY DATE National Cadet Events, Bernard Rowley 42 Sept 1 . Bradley Billington story, John Woodford 43 Issue 184, October 1989 A new tournament system, Brian Burn 44

Printed by: JAN-OVE WALDNER of Sweden is the most talented player in the world. It BELMONT PRESS LTD COVER is therefore fitting that his genius has been rewarded with the world singles 409 Harlestone Road crown in Dortmund. Aspiring youngsters will have noted that he is the * Northampton * PICTURE coolest player around when the heat is on and his victory marks the end of NN56PB the domination of the men's game by China. Well done, Sweden. Tel: 0604 56511 1 The rush for food in the early Scholer after the whole tourna­ End of the French bid is stages of the party had to be seen ment had ended confirmed what to be believed. Over a thousand we were thinking - on the line in withdrawn popIe, apparently starving, strength of the television stormed to the serving tables coverage of the mens doubles Dusseldorf! THE French seem to be occupying amid scenes of chaos. final, table tennis in Germany has a low profile in European table A number of people left the been elevated to the middle range RICHARD EATON ("The Times") tennis at this time. Their bid to mass catering mayhem to seek of sports. It is no longer a minor and Morley Myers (United Press run the 1993 world champion­ more peaceful surroundings at sport in that country. International) came to a shudder­ ships in several cities ending in the adjacent Park Hotel restaurant 1111II111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 ing halt on a dark and rainy night Paris was withdrawn in Dort­ including our Leeds executive in Dusseldorf during the world mund without coming under Mrs Wendy Cunningham and championships. starter's orders. It will be Mexico APA account executive Betty The new Approaching a huge junction City instead. Maitland. in his Escort Ghia, Richard fol­ Another French bid, by Didier IImixed" zone lowed the silver arrows ahead Mommessin to 'get into the A NEW arrangement at Dort­ into an area where work had French squad in Dortmund did mund that was appreciated by the taken place on the tramlines. not materialise, although Didier 500 journalists was the provision Holes dug around the lines (later did turn up in time for the last of a "mixed zone" in the main to be replaced with tarmac) had night party to meet his friend in 10,000 seater stadium where been left exposed. the English squad Fiona Elliot, the newsmen were free to talk to the Travelling at only 10 m.p.h the new English No. 2 from players as they left the arena. English duo hit the obstruction Staffordshire. It is accepted that for TV pur­ splitting a front axle and knock­ poses alone, journalists cannot be ing off a wheel! Ace one-line joker allowed access to the floor at all Morley commented dryly "We times, the spectators and the TV seem to have come to the end of Wendy Cunningham, the Leeds cameras would not be able to see the line Richard!" executive, was in Dortmund for the the play for people. Happily, neither journalist was final week-end. This was extremely successful injured. Unhappily, the car was as we were able to talk with the taken away on a transporter and Both ladies enjoyed the short England captains and the players the battle with the insurance stay in Dortmund and were per­ regularly, an essential ingredient began. Meanwhile, after a £50 taxi haps envious of the enormous fol­ to producing good copy for ride back to Dortmund, the bad lowing that the sport has in West newspapers. news was that the car would take Germany. It is hoped that the same a long time to repair so the 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 "mixed" zone arrangements will English newsmen had to return to be created on Gothenburg and at England by air instead of ferry. Andrei Mazunav, USSR all future world events. Before we left Dusseldorf I took A television photos of the accident junction, A friendship seems to be 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 where of course the obstruction blossoming between our modest triumph for been rapidly repaired, but the young England No.5 Andrea Holt Olympic road signs were still arrowed at and the Russian superstar Andrei the Germans the point of the collision. Mazunov. The couple were spot­ involvement • Footnote: Immediately after the ted by newsmen having quiet THE organising committees of incident the police put barriers chats away from the chaos at the the world championships gave round the accident area. last night shindig. absolute priority to television and for Morley it paid off. LONDON based Morley Myers is German viewers imd many a journalist seldom seen at UK abroad on worldwide Sky satellite events but is becoming TV saw German patriotism in increasingly involved in the EVENTS COMING UP ... sport raised to new heights as Jorg sport. 20 May Grove Cadets 2-star Rosskopf and Stefan Fetzner At present UK Sports Editor for 27-28 May VETIS Nationals, Bracknell emerged victorious from the mens UPI, he was with Reuter for seven 26-28 May Tunbridge Wells Junior 2-star doubles final. years and is a very experienced 3-4 June The Leeds English Junior Open, Bridlington. I have never witnessed a scene journalist in many sports, with quite like that in person. We have lawn tennis a speciality sport. NEXT SEASON all seen it at the Wembley Cup He is a co-opted member in an 27 Aug The Leeds British League (1) Final, not this time perhaps, but advisory capacity of the ITIF 2-3 Sept City of London 2-star always previously. German fans publicity committee. George 2-3 Sept Kirklees Junior 2-star by the thousand literally shouted Yates is also on that committee 9 Sept Milton Keynes Under-21 their men to victory. I almost felt which among other things will 10 Sept Coventry 1-star junior sorry for the two giants Kalinic have considerable work ahead on 10 Sept The Leeds British League (2) and Kucharski - how they man­ the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. 15-16 Sept The Leeds Masters aged to get the scoreline so close I Morley is an expert Olympian on 30 Sept The Leeds County Championships (1) do not know. media matters and will shortly be 1 Oct The Leeds British League (3) As at Wurzburg, the Germans travelling abroad to Olympic 3-5 Oct England v Germany, Women's series persisted in clapping whilst play­ meetings. 7-8 Oct Sussex 2-star ers were poised to serve, but it He is well-known to both the 7-8 Oct Grove 2-star was a scene to gladden all Geman ITIF president Ichiro Ogimura 14 Oct VETIS Eastern hearts especially the sponsors. and the IOC president Juan­ 15 Oct The Leeds British League (4) A conversation with Ebby antonio Samaranch.

? IEuropean League

EUROPEAN TABLE EUROPEAN TABLE TENNIS UNION TENNIS UNION EUROPEAN LEAGUE DATE CHANGE DECEMBER FIXTURES 1989 The date of next season's Stiga Europe Top 12 for seniors has AN AGREEMENT has been reached between the European Table Ten­ been brought forward to january nis Union and the Asian Table Tennis Union to proceed with the 5th in 19/21, 1990 the venue remaining the series of Euro/Asia contests. in Hannover. A clash with the The proposed dates are from Monday, December 11 (day of travel) to Constructa Trade Fair on the orig­ Thursday, December 21 (day of departure) with the following pro­ inal date of February 2/4 is the gramme envisaged:­ cause when hotel accommodation Sunday Dec 10 Finish of Swedish Open (SOC) would be at a premium. Monday Dec 11 Travel ex Stockholm to Athens Tuesday Dec 12 Team matches in Athens OTHER DATES Wednesday Dec 13 Travel to Rome Thursday Dec 14 Team matches in Rome IN EUROPE Friday Dec 15 Travel to Barcelona Bolton-based George Yates 19 years Saturday Dec 16 Team matches in Barcelona 1989 Editor of TTN is the secretan) of the Sunday Dec 17 Travel to Paris Oct 19/22 Polish Open (Poznan) ETTU. Monday Dec 18 Free Day Nov 2/5 Austrian Open (Linz) Tuesday Dec 19 Individual Events in Paris Nov 16/19 Hungarian Open FINAL Wednesday Dec 20 Individual Events in Paris (Budapest) TABLES Thursday Dec 21 Return Home Dec 2/3 Finlandia Open (Helsinki) European League matches arranged for the month of December may, Dec 7/10 Swedish Open as a consequence, have to be re-arranged dependent on selection of European (SOC)(Jonk6ping) players from the Associations concerned. The matches in question are:­ 1990 Super Division Yugoslavia v Sweden League jan 4/7 English Open England v France (Manchester) Poland v Czechoslovakia Super Division Mar 3/4 Federal German Open F.R. Germany v Netherlands PWLFAPts (Saarbriicken) Division* *1 Austria v Finland SWEDEN 7 7 0 37 12 7 F.R. Germany Api 8/16 17th European Italy v Belgium 7 5 2 27 22 5 Championships Denmark v Hungary Poland 7 5 2 26 23 5 (Gothenburg, Sweden) Turkey v Bulgaria Czechoslovakia 7 4 3 30 19 4 * Netherlands 7 3 4 22 27 3 Yugoslavia 7 2 5 23 26 2 • LANCASHIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS. France 7 2 5 16 33 2 KElTH WILLIAMS of Liverpool took the men's singles title in the STOP PRESS Bulgaria 7 0 7 15 34 0 resurrected Lancashire Championships played at the West View Leisure Centre, Ribbleton, Preston beating Paul Hutchings, also of Division 1 Liverpool, 13 and 16 in the final. Essex get P W L F A Pts The women's singles title and championships in 1972 when it ENGLAND 761 36 13 6 the newly-donated Baxi Cup went was run in conjunction with the their star Austria 761 36 13 6 also to a Liverpool player in the Preston Guild tournament which Hungary 752 35 14 5 person of Brenda Buoey who nar­ occurs every 20 years, the Preston Belgium 743 30 19 4 rowly beat Preston's Nicola Guild Trophy being presented by returned Finland 734 16 33 3 McGrath 24-22 in the decider. It the Borough Council of Preston. Italy 725 17 32 2 was disappointing for Nicola who THE ETTA Tournaments Com­ Turkey 716 15 34 1 mittee have now reversed their Switzerland 716 11 38 1 had ousted the No. 1 seed, RESULTS Amanda Goodwin of Oldham. decision on demoting Essex from But Preston players did make Men Singles a 3-star to a 2-star event. Division 2 their mark when Tony Rigby took Semi-Fillals The problem has been solved P W L F A Pts P. Hutchings (Liverpoot) bt H. by allowing seven 3-star events DENMARK 770 43 6 7 the veterans title beating jack Whewell (Burnley) 8, -18,8; next season, all the six regulars Spain 761 35 14 6 Evans of Warrington in the final K. Williams (Liverpoot) bt G. Clarke while, in the girls' singles, Maria (Blackburn) 16, 18 with Wiltshire as the additional Norway 752 32 17 5 Thornley beat joanne Filial one. Scotland 743 25 24 4 Williams bt Hutchings 13, 16 Luxembourg 725 23 26 2 Wooldridge. Disagreement Andrew Eden of Southport was Womens Singles Wales 725 21 28 2 the winner of the boys' singles Filial The U-turn followed com­ Greece 7'2 5 16 33 2 B. Buoey (Liverpool) bt N. McGrath plaints from Essex and some early Iceland 707 1 48 0 accounting for Burnley's Howard (Preston) -19, 12,22 Whewell in the final, Andrew disagreement on the committee. going on to take the men's Boys Singles Chairman Mr Richard Scruton Division 3 doubles title, with Hutchings, Filial said, "I feel the matter has now P W L F A Pts A. Eden (Southport) bt Whewell -1'7, 'been resolved to everyone's IRELAND 1 1 0 6 1 1 against Bolton challengers David 12,14. Carse and Nigel Hallows. Girls Singles satisfaction." Isle of Man 1 0 1 160 Brenda Buoey and Amanda Filial M. Thornley (Preston) bt J. Wooldridge Goodwin won the women's (Preston 12, 9 doubles title beating Nicola SWEDISH MOVE BLOCKED McGrath and julie Clegg in the Veterans Singles Filial A MOVE by Sweden to drastically change the format of the European final. The prizes were presented A. Rigby (Preston) bt D. Evons (War­ by the Managing Director of the rington) -17, 14,18 League was stopped in Dortmund. The Swedes wanted a complicated SSS Sports Group, Mr. Mike programme what would involve splitting the Super Division in two, Robinson, the sponsors, the prize Mens Doubles with the stronger sides playing each other twice and the weaker sides Filial fund being £225. Eden/Hutchings bl D. ClrSl'/N. 11,11­ doing the same, depending on the results of the first round of matches. It was 12 years ago when last lows (Bolton) 5, 19 john Prean spoke well against the move, voicing the opinion of a large this tournament was held, in majority of the ETTU meeting, but in doing so of course, the Swedish Fleetwood, when Blackpool's Womens Doubles view of England was not improved in any way. Filial Brian Carney took the men's Buoey/A. Goodwin (Oldholll) bt J. They will try again in Gothenburg next April, but how they can hope singles title. Preston last ran the Clegg/McGrath (Preston) t7, 10. for victory without visible support is a mystery.

3 19th Commonwealth Championships

CARDIFF RESULTS CARDIFF RESULTS CARDIFF RESULTS Mens singles 3rd round Satchell/Whiting (ENG) v Williams/Lewis A. Gordon (ENG) v B. Kaffo (NGR) 16, -19, -16, L. Tsung (HKG) v E. Kasser (Aus) 11, 16, 13 (WAL) 14, 15 12, 10 J. Taylor (~NG) v M. O'Driscoll (ENG) -8, -14, Musa/Omotar (NGR) v O'Driscoll/Oldfield M. Sainsbury (ENG) v So Hung Hui (HKG) -13, -17 (ENG) 18,20 -13, -11 N. Mason (ENG) v T. Omotara (NGR) -16, 15, Walker/Wright (SCO) v Pintea/J. Ng (CAN) Womens Singles Quarter Final 14, -10, 11 -12, -4 K. Mok (HKG) v F. Elliot (ENG) 11, 17, 18 P. Lewis (WAL) v H. Pintea (CAN) -15, -17, -17 Mens Doubles Quarter Finals T. Chan (HKG) v L. Lomas (ENG) 12, 12, 19 S. Andrew (ENG) v C. Morgan (JAM) 10, 18, 16 Tsung/Lui (HKG) v Billington/Sandley (ENG) P. Chai (HKG) v B. Ch'en (CAN) 9, 13, 9 M. Syed (ENG) v S. Ghorpade (IND) 19, 6 19 -19, -14 A. Gordon (ENG) v S. Hui (HKG) 20, 14, 14 F. Saif (PAK) v J. Proe (SCO) 17, 14, -13, -17, 17 Andrew/Mason (ENG) v Mehta/Ghorpade Womens Singles Semi Finals H. Meneely (N. IRE) v A. Musa (NGR) -10, -13, (IND) 12, 18 K. Mok v T. Chan -19, -15, -15 -17 Dorking/Hilton (ENG) v Satchell/Whiting P. Chai v A. Gordon 11, 17, 12 F. Liu (HKG) v L. Thomas (WAL) 7, 4, 4 (ENG) -14, -18 Mens Singles Quarter Finals T. Taylor (ENG) v B. Billington (ENG) -20, -14, Musa/Omotora (NGR) v Pintea/Ng (Can) 19, 19 C. Lo (HKG) v N. Mason (ENG) 12, 16,20 -17 Mens Doubles Semi Finals M. Syed (ENG) v A. Musa (NGR) -19, -16, -13 D. Hannah (SCO) v W. Ahmed (NGR) -19, -19, Billington/Sandley (ENG) v Andrew/Mason B. Billington (ENG) v W. Ahmed (NGR) -15, -9, -18 (ENG) -10, -22 -16 S. Dorking (ENG) v J. Ng (CAN) -12, -15, 8, -10 Satchell/Whiting (ENG) v Musa/Omotara K. Mehta (IND) v A. Cooke (ENG) -19, -13, -12 K. Mehta (IND) v A. Cooke (ENG) -6, -11, -15 (NGR) -11, -12 Mens Singles Semi Finals 4th round Mixed Doubles Quarter Finals C. Lo (HKG) v A. Musa (NGR) 19, -12, -16, -16 L. Tsung (HKG) v M. O'Driscoll (ENG) 11, 14, Tsung/Wa (HKG) v J. Ng/Chen (CAN) 17, 19 W. Ahmed (NGR) v A. Cooke (ENG) -10, -18, 13 Bourbonnais/Desjardins (CAN) v Andrew/ -16 N. Mason (ENG) v H. Pintea (CAN) 6, -17, 14, 6 Elliot (ENG) -11, -20 S. Andrew (ENG) M. Syed (ENG) -17, -5, 16,-13 Pintea/Domonkos (CAN) v Liu/Chan (HKG) THE FINALS F. Saif (PAK) v A. Musa (NGR) -13, -15, -16 -14, -19 Womens Doubles F. 'Liu (HKG) v B. Billington (ENG) -18, -17, -15 Mason/Gordon (ENG) v Musa/Owolabi (NGR) Kerry Tepper/Wendy Hughes (AUS) v Chai Po W. Ahmed (NGR) v J. Ng (CAN) 11, -15, 17, -11, -13,11, -16 Wa/Chan Tan Lui (HKG) -18, -8 9 Semi Finals Mens Singles K. Mehta (IND) v A. Bourbonnais (CAN) 16, 10, Tsung/Chai (HKG) v Andrew/Elliot 16, -19, -21 Alan Cooke (ENG) v Atanda Musa (NIG) 13, 11, 11 Liu/Chan (HKG) v Musa/Owolabi 17,8 13 P. Pinkewich (AUS) v A. Cooke (ENG) -9, -9, Women's Doubles Semi Finals Womens Singles -12 Sainsbury/Harris (ENG) v Tepper/Hughes Chan Tan Lui (HKG) v Chai Po Wa (HKG) -16, Men's Doubles 3rd Round (AUS) -10, 19, -13 -15, -8 Tsung/Lui (HKG) v Jones/Hyatt (JAM) 14, 7 Chai/Chan (HKG) v Lomas/Elliot 13, 11 Mens Doubles Billington/Sandley (ENG) v Makhuda/Ullah Womens Singles 3rd Round Sklet Andrew/Nicky Mason (ENG) v Atanda (PAK) 17, 14 K. Mok (HKG) v J. Barton (CAN) 10, 10, 6 Musa/Titus Omotara (NIG) 14, 18 Andrew/Mason (ENG) v Ahmed/Olaleye K. Owolabi (NGR) v F. Elliot (ENG) 20, -9, -19, Mixed Doubles (NGR) -18, 20, 11 -16 Skylet Andrew/Fiona Elliot (ENG) v Liu Fuk Anaxagorou/Anaxagorou v Mehta/Ghorade K. Tepper (AUS) v T. Chan (HKG) -20, -14, -15 Man/Chan Tan Lui (HKG) -12, -19 (IND) -11, -8 L. Keast (WAL) v L. Lomas (ENG) -6, -11, -16 Dorking/Hilton (ENG) v Broe/Hannah (SCO) P. Chai (HKG) v N. Roy (IND) 11, 10, 5 -15,18,20 B. Chen (CAN) v A. Holt (ENG) 14,20, 14

ENGLISH TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION ~'fT IJ.. NATIONAL COACHING SCHEME COACHING COURSES at The Jamaica womens team finished eleventh in Cardiff, but Miami-based Nadine Senn Yuen was first on the list for the photographers. She is see II her CRYSTAL PALACE receiving advice from her coach. Picture: Hideki Chiba, Tamasu, Tokyo.

The following courses take place at Crystal Palace, Lon­ don SE19 in September and November 1989. Prices are STOP PRESS £64 (residential) and £38 (non residential). Details and application forms from ETTA office. Cooke wins Tour IN THE European club cup of A THREE match tour of England WEEKEND COURSES PROGRAMME champions final in Duisburg, by the West German women's Borussia Dusseldorf beat Falken­ team is currently being finalised No. 89-1 September 8-10 Personal burg (Sweden) 5-3. Alan Cooke for September or October. The (non residential) beat Stefan Fetzner -16, 13, 19 but German team to play England will No. 89-2 September 8-10 Performance lost to Jorgen Rosskopf and Ralph include Top 12 champion Olga (residential) Course Wosik. Nemes, defeated by Alison Gor­ don in the World Champion­ No. 89-3 November 17-19 Assistant RESULTS ships. Host venues and (non residential) Carter Cup (Boys) organisers are not being sought­ No. 89-4 November 17-19 (Club) Coach Quarter finals interested parties should apply to (residential) Course Crawley bt Norwich 5-4 Diccon Gray at Hastings. Bristol bt North Middlesex 5-0 No. 89-5 November 17-19 Coaches Ormesby bt Burnley 5-1 (non residential) Nottingham bt Milton Keynes 5-3 Bromfield Trophy (Girls) No. 89-6 November 17-19 Advancement Semi finals Semi finals (residential) Course Crawley bt Bristol 5-2 Plymouth bt Brentwood 5-1 Nottingham bt Ormesby 5-4 Pontefract bt Birmingham w/o

4 ICardiff 2 First Common\Nealth crown for Cooke

by JOHN WOODFORD in Cardiff THE ALAN COOKE, celebrated his 23rd birthday in Cardiff by winning comfortably the coveted FINAL singles title, after Carl Prean and Desmond Douglas decided to reserve their energy for Dort­ PLACINGS mund. In a lack-lustre final round Cooke stiflzd the challenge of the hard-hitting Nigerian Atanda Musa, an object lesson in tactics. In some of the earlier rounds Men Musa gave the impression that !':~ 1. ENGLAND was the hardest striker of the ball 2. Nigeria in the hall and on some occasions 3. Hong Kong he certainly was. However, power 4. India is not everything. The ability to 5. Canada dictate the angles proved decisive 6. Pakistan for the England and Top-12 cham­ 7. New Zealand pion as he completed his hat-trick 8. Jamaica - he pinned Musa down on his 9. Australia backhand, piling on the top-spin 10. Wales crosscourt and down the line until 11. Scotland Musa was subdued to the point of 12. N Ireland despair. Some will say the less said the Women better about the winner of the 1. Hong Kong womens singles Chai Po Wa and 2. ENGLAND the runner-up Chan Tan Lui. The 3. Canada Hong Kong girls it was confirmed 4. Scotland in several quarters were not eli­ 5. Australia gible - "everyone in Hong Kong 6. Wales I knew that they had not resided 7. Nigeria there for two years", said 8. India spokespersons in that city. But so 9. New Zealand thick is the smokescreen sur­ 10. N. Ireland rounding the immigration laws and administration, it was clearly decided not to enter them in the Presentations Olympics but to go for the Com­ monwealth and the world for Brian championships. However, nothing could be Webster in proved in either Cardiff or Dort­ mund. At least in Dortmund after Cardiff ITTF president Ochiro Ogimura had had his photograph taken Roy Williams a Vice President with the Hong Kong girls, he of the Table Tennis Associ­ admitted "that the rules needed ation for Wales and Jean Beer tightening up" and an Eligibility the Secretary of Glamorgan Commission would be set up and County Table Tennis Associ­ ETTA chairman John Prean was ation on behalf of the Umpires invited to participate. Alan Cooke, crowned a wonderful seaSOIl of illternatiollal play to become of the Commonwealth Cham­ England's haul of trophies was Commonwealth champion for the first time. He will hold the title ulltil April pionships presented Brian three, the men's team event, the 1991 and it is expected he will defelld it 6,000 feet above sea level ill Nairobi, Webster of Dundee with a mens singles, the mens doubles Kenya. medal for his services as the by Skylet Andrew and Nicky Press Liaison of the Mason. ently occupied by Skylet. A week teams some magnificent play was championships. Young England players struck later in Dortmund however, Sky seen from India, Canada and Brian Webster's services hard at Cardiff and left a trail of hit back with four fabulous wins Pakistan and especially from were also appreciated with a scalps. Michael O'Driscoll (Mir­ over European players all ranl>ed Atanda Musa the Nigerian No.1 presentation by the national field) eased out the Indian cham­ above him, so the pressure in the who a week later in Dortmund journalists. pion Manmeet Singh and last stages of this season and dur­ was only beaten by an extremely Jonathan Taylor of Manchester, ing the summer for Nicky Mason narrow margin by the Swedish but O'Driscoll finally met his to consolidate his place in the aces Appelgren and Waldner. match losing to the top-seeded Lo squad against the teenage As expected Hong Kong and ONTHEWAY from Hong Kong, who also onslaught. England dominated the womens NEXT SEASON! accounted for Nicky Mason. event, meeting in the final and as Bradley Billington also reached Team Events expected the winners were Hong SEPTEMBER or the quarters after whipping out England, Hong Kong and Nigeria Kong over England 3-1. Lisa OCTOBER Lui Fuk Man, a magnificent win, were the dominating teams in the Lomas pulled off one of her sur­ England v Germany mens competition. Hong Kong prise wins 19, 18 over Chai Po Wa, Women's tour Invitation have won the men's title four . before both of the controversial THE LEEDS MASTERS but Bradley was finally subdued times against England's five in girls Chai Po Wa and Chan Tan September 15-16 by but only in five games by the nine championships held Lui overcame Alison Gordon Ahmed of Nigeria. since 1971. without a struggle. Jan: 4-7 The fourth round contained a England's strongest mens team It was Canada and Scotland LEEDS ENGLISH OPEN, major shock for Skylet Andrew, in 30 years made few mistakes in who finished third and fourth Manchester when he went down in four to the final with Douglas and Cooke with Barbara Chen prominent for WATCH THEM ALL­ Matthew Syed, one of the group unbeaten and Carl Prean nar­ the Canadians and for Scotland, of three teenagers looking for a rowly losing -15, 21, -19 to Liu Fuk Janet Smith and Carol Dalrymple read about them in place in the England squad pres- Man. Amongst the other men's played major roles. TABLE TENNIS NEWS 5 IDortmund 1

Corbillon Cup DORTMUND RESULTS THE 1. China MS: Round 3: Jiang bt Lo 18, 18,17; Chu bt Wang -17, -19, 22, 20, 19;'yu FINAL bt Ahn 18,23,20; Lindh bt Ding -18, 14, 19, 13; Persson bt Chen -15, 16, 2. South Korea -15,15,13; Xie bt Li -11, -12, 7, 18, 20; Xu bt Carlsson 18, 12, 19; Yoo bt PLACINGS 3. Hong Kong 4. Hungary Ceceva 18, -16, 11, 13, 18; Kim bt Chen 17, 14, 12; Kim bt Woo 14, 17, -15, Swaythling Cup 13; Ma bt Appelgren -25, 16, -16, 10, 14; Grubba bt Rosskopf 18,20,12; 5. North Korea 1. Sweden Primorac bt Grman 8, -17, 17, 14; Klampar bt Kim -17,20,12,12; Saitoh 6. Japan 2. China bt Hui 9,16,16; Waldner bt Prean -21, 20, 19, 19. Round 4: Jiang bt Chu 7. Czechoslovakia 3. North Korea 12,20, -18, 18; Yu bt Lindh 13, -18, 19, 13; Persson bt Xie 17, -18, 16, -16, 8. Swed'en 4. Russia 14; Xu bt Yoo -17, 10, 17, 19; Klampar bt Primorac -18, 16, 11, 19; 9. Russia Waldner bt Saitoh 17,8,15; Kim bt Kim 13, -20, 13, 17; Grubba bt Ma 18, 5. South Korea 10. ENGLAND 20,12. Quarter final: Yu bt Jiang 20, -18, 16, 18; Persson bt Xu 11, 16, -17, 6. Japan 11. Holland -1518; Grubba bt Kim 18, 19, 15; Waldner bt Klampar 19, -11, 18, 20. 7. West Germany 12. United States Semi final: Persson bt Yu -11, 10, 9, 11; Waldner bt Grubba -16, 1619, 17. 8. Poland FINAL: WALDNER bt Persson 17, 18, -20, -18, 10. 13. Yugoslavia 9. ENGLAND WS: Quarter final: Chen bt Badescu 16, -15, 5, 16; Uchiyama bt Gao -20, 14. Rumania 10. Hungary 19,17, -19, 21; Li bt Guergueltecheva -24, 13, 18, 16; Li bt Deng 17, 13, 15. Bulgaria 11. Belgium -22, -14, 15. Semi final: Li bt Chen 17,20,13; Qiao bt Hyun 13, 15, 17; 16. Chinese Tapei 12. Holland FINAL: QIAO bt Li 15, 12, -11, 16. MO: Quarter final: RosskopfiFetzner 17. France bt Grubba/Gatien 16, -19, 18; Chen/Wei bt Janci/Ceceva 10, 10; Teng/ 13. Yugoslavia 18. Denmark Hui bt Shibutanti/Matshushita 19, -13, 10; Kucharski/Kalinic bt 14. Czechoslovakia 19. West Germany Cooke/Prean 15, 17. Semi final: Rosskopf/Fetzner bt Chen/Wei -11, 12, 15. Chinese Tapei 20. Austria 17; Kucharski/Kalinic bt Teng/Hui 15, 17. FINAL: ROSSKOPF­ 16. Nigeria FETZNER bt Kucharski/Kalinic -18, 17, 19. WO: Quarter final: 21. Canada 17. France Chen/Hu bt Guergueltcheva/Wang 6,17; LilDing bt Kwon/llyun 20, 15; 22. Finland 18. Bulgaria Liu/Gao bt Li/Chen -15, 17, 16; Qiao/Deng bt Chan/Chai 14, 11. Semi 23. Belgium 19. Brazil final: Chen/Hu bt LilDing 14, -22, 10; QiaolDeng btGao/Lui -23, 13, 21. 24. Poland 20. United States FINAL: QIAO/DENG bt Chen/Hu 18, 19. 25. Indonesia XO: Quarter final: Yoo/Hyun bt Teng/Hu 15,9; Chen/Chen bt Chu/Yu 21. Hong Kong 26. Italy 12, -19, 22; KaliniclPerkucin bt Kim/Li -13, 15, 19; Chen/Gao bt Wei/Li 22. Finland 27. Luxembourg 21, -18, 12. Semi final: Yoo-Hun 'bt Chen/Chen -16, 18, 12; Kalinicl 23. Austria 28. Macao Perkucin bt Chen/Gao 12, 14. FINAL: YOO-HYUN bt KaliniclPerkucin 24. Denmark 7,13. 29. Australia 25. Italy 30. Malaysia 26. Israel 31. India 27. Canada 32. Brazil Our Women in Dortmund 28. Turkey 33. Cuba 29. Norway 34. Nigeria by JOSE RANSOME 30. Pakistan 35. Greece 31. Australia AS EXPECTED, China won most of the women's medals at the Worlds. 36. Nepal 32. India (disqual.) However, believe it or not, the team that did remarkably well was 37. Scotland 33. Indonesia England. Hardly rated at all at the start of the event, at home or abroad, 38. Columbia 34. Switzerland the England girls finished 10th overall, notching up some exciting 39. Norway 35. Spain individual peformances too. 40. Peru 36. Luxembourg Immediately prior to the World of the tournament from a women's 41. Spain 37. Malaysia Championships, the England viewpoint when she beat Olga 42. Wales 38. Ireland women's team won the silver Nemes current Europe Top 12 43. New Zealand medals at the Butterfly 9th Com­ Champ and German No.1 in an 39. Scotland monwealth Championships in absolutely fantastic match in front 40. Wales 44. Turkey Cardiff, losing narrowly 3-1 to a of an adoring West German 41. Iraq 45. Israel very strong Hong Kong team in crowd. This must have been a 42. New Zealand 46. Malta the final. In that match Lisa great climax to a successful 43. Jamaica 47. Ireland Lomas excelled to beat Chai Po season for Ali, and her smile of 48. Jordan Wa in straight games and the true joy at the end said it all. 44. Greece strength of the Hong Kong team At the same time Lisa Lomas 45. Nepal became apparent in Dortmund came desperately close to provid­ 46. San Marino when they took the bronze ing another major upset against 47. Macao medals and finished in third Ding of China, after leading 2-1, 48. Saudi Arabia On the air place. she lost -18, -16 in the 4th and 5th 49. Trinidad, Tobago In Dortmund, England had games. 50. Jordan LISTENERS to the BBC World some excellent performances in Fiona went out to the finalist, Li 51. Tunisia Service interested in table ten­ the Corbillon Cup. Against Hun­ Bun Hui of North Korea. Andrea nis received regular live gary in the second stage, our girls Holt survived two rounds of the 52. Barbados again lost narrowly by the score of qualifications before going out to 53. Guatemala broadcasts by Richard Eaton 3-1, and Hungary placed 4th over­ Kim of Korea R. 54. Bangladesh on both the Commonwealth all. In this match Fiona Elliot lost a and the World Champion­ close encounter to the famous The finals ships from Cardiff and Batorfi in three, Alison Gordon My last thoughts about the German Series Dortmund. beat Gabriella Wirth, the doubles women's game were obviously at Before the next Worlds, several The interest in th~ rising went to Hungary, and then Alison the Finals on Sunday afternoon. things come to mind. Although stars amongst the African lost in three games to Batorfi. Although the players, Qiao of not highly rated before the event, countries led BBC's "Focus on The doubles continued to be China (who did not play in the the England girls did well in Dort­ England's stumbling block ... team events at all), and Li Bun mund. We must build on that Africa" programme to call for against the USSR the girls were an Hui of North Korea, were quickly with a good series against three live broadcasts from incredible 2-0 in the lead, Alison obviously very skilful ... and West Germany in September, fol­ Cardiff and three from Dort­ having beaten Irina Palina 12, -19, how are we going to get our girls lowed by as many more inter­ mund, mainly on the Nigerian 19, Lisa having a great 18, 19 win to that standard? ... I felt that the nationals as possible to provide players and their star Atanda over Valentina Popova a former match would do nothing to the extra experience and con­ Musa, who reached the final in EurQp'.ean Champion before Lisa encourage people to promote the fidence the players need ·to win Cardiff, a task undertaken by and Fiona lost the next vital set of women's game. On the other instead of narrowly losing. Con­ John Woodford. doubles and the initiative slipped hand, of course, this was the centration on doubles, including away, a great pity because it World Championships where the the national women's doubles By a strange coincidence, would have been a real break­ intention is to win the title, not tournament we have been talking Alan Shepherd reports on the through for the girls. necessarily to project the sport as about, plus a programme of sudden appearance of 15 year­ exciting for the general uniniti­ intense training for the young old Nigerian boy James Great climax ated public. I don't know the potentials of the future to carryon Uyekunli who claimed a lot of However, in the individual answer for accomplishing both and improve the position Alison, scalps at the Essex Junior events a few days later, Alison goals. Lisa, Fiona and Andrea have 2-star tournament. bounced back to score the upset (cont ~) established this year.

6 !Oortmund2 Waldner homes in to \Norld cro\Nn! by JOHN WOODFORD in DORTMUND

JAN-OVE WALDNER, as if guided by an invisible beam, stormed through with clinical precision to win the world singles crown at the Westfalenhalle Stadium in Dortmund on April 9, the first European to win since Istvan Jonyer in 1975 at Calcutta and the first Swede to win since Stellan Bengtsson at Nagoya in 1971. There will be those who will argue that he had a fortunate draw ­ he did not meet a Chinese player, but many of those who have watched his progress over the last two or three years, I am one of them, have felt that here is the best player in the world, aggressive strokes of sheer maj­ esty, an almost perfectly groomed temperment - it was not always the case - and the ability to dig himself out of trouble when all seemed lost. The final round, against his compatriot and best friend in table tennis, Jorgen Persson was not a real classic. It was strange to see the splendid Swedish captain Glenn Ost leave the two players on court and to see the coaching benches empty. Waldner took the first two games calmly, smoothly making it look as though Persson's unprece­ dented run of success throughout the tournament was easily beaten. But Persson came back to the next two. Waldner's impec­ The four men who dominated the mens singles event in Dortmund 0/1 the victory rostrum, left to right Jorgen Persson cable reputation was about to be (Sweden), Jan-Ove Waldner (Sweden) the new world champion, Yu Shentong (Chi/w) a/ld the crowd's favourite re-examined in the fifth. Showing character Andrzej Grubba of Poland. the authority of a world cham­ pion, Waldner confidently won West German in the arena have to stormed through five games to the last game 21-10 and that was be heard to be believed. As a Ger­ win at 21-18 in the fifth. After her it! man crowd of 2,000 shouted and fabulous victory, which will As pandemonium broke loose clapped, unfairly at times, surely bring her nearer to the Top as it always does when a new England to defeat at Wurzburg Twelve women in Europe, she champion has been born, Persson two years ago in the European said 'The pressure was all on her, sat with a towel covering his face League, Kucharski and Kalinic the crowd chanting did not help for several minutes in disbelief at were similarly shouted out of the her. I have lost to her on every his defeat. gold medal in the mens doubles occasion before, but this time, I finaL won of course by a superb decided to keep swinging away Tumult performances from Jorgen and it worked." Alison later lost When the tumult began to die Rosskopf and Stefan Fetzner, but I 3-0 to China's Gao Jun. down Waldner said, "I am have strong doubts if they would pleased to have won, but I am have achieved the same result Absurd sorry for my best friend Jorgen. abroad. They are very good play­ Alan Cooke, fresh from win­ When he fought back in the third ers who combine well, but not ning the Commonwealth title in and fourth there was a chance I that well. Cardiff, never reached his best was going to lose my rhythm, but On the night that Rosskopf and form in Dortmund. Absurd happily for me, I regained my Fetzner triumphed the crowd was scheduelling in the team events confidence." estimated at around 8,000. On did not help ­ in bed at 1 a.m. and One of Waldner's hardest finals day, nearly 10,000 people up again at 6.30 a.m. is not matches was in Round 3 when he were there, but contrary to Cookie's best recipe for success. came through a really thrilling reports before the event started, However, he managed to beat off battle with Carl Prean who was there were always seats available Andras Podpinka, the Hungarian beaten 3-1, but in all four games somewhere. who played for Belgium in five the score of 19-19 was on the There were two outstanding games before losing to Ma Wenge board, this surely is some indi­ performances by English players one of the best of the young Chi­ cation that Prean, one year youn­ in the singles, Carl Prean's gallant nese players. ger than Waldner, is a true defeat by Waldner and Alison Near to medal professionaL more experienced Gordon's best-ever career-win Cooke and Prean were the men than anyone in his age-group in over Olga Nemes, the West Ger­ who kept the English flag flying Europe and able to cope with the man No.1 and winner of the last longest. In the mens doubles they pressure of playing regularly in European Top-12 in Charleroi in heaved out a string of pairs front of crowds of thousands of February. including the then world cham­ people in West Germany. Waldner pion Jian Jialiang and Yu Shen­ Ranked No. 51 in the world China's beat Prean 21-23, 22-20, 21-19, Swinging Ali tong, before losing one step away Qjao Hong lifted the wome/1S singles 21-19. Alison, sensing that the former from a medal to the finalists world crown with a four-gallle win The roars of the crowds in Ger­ Rumanian girl was getting ner­ Kucharski and Kalinic, the two in the final over Li Bun Hui of North many, especially when there is a vous in front of her 5,000 fans, six-foot "giants", 21-15, 21-17. Korea. 7 IDortmund 3

The Dortmund exhibitors Final DORTMUND by DAVID LOMAS For Adri van Drielen it was his QUOTES Rumpus! first display at a World event. He PANDEMONIUM broke out AMONGST the exhibitors at the collects table tennis balls - hun­ Torben Wosik in the final of the Swaythling World Table Tennis Champion­ dreds of them! His first catalogue, "My goal for these World Cham­ Cup when Jiang Jialiang was ships in the V\'estfalenhalle in published in 1984, listed 268 balls pionship,s was to get through the faulted by a German umpire Dortmund were Gerald Gurney - all different, and attracted great qualifications. Against a Euro­ Fritz Eigler for apparently ser­ (England) and Adri van Drielen interest. His huge collection is the pean top player like Carl Prean I ving from below the level of (Holland). outcome of 20 years' collecting. only hoped to win a game. His the table when losing to Wal­ Gerald is no stranger to table His tenth catalogue lists, details funny backhand surface posed a dner 8-5 in the final game. tennis afficianados in this and illustrates 1550 balls. He told problem for me at first. It was· a The match was suspended country. He was the founder-Sec­ me in Dortmund that his latest fantastic experience to play in for 16 minutes whilst com­ retary of the English Schools' total is 1598. His 116 page cata­ front of such a great audience mittees argued with the ref­ Table Tennis Association in May, logue is available for only £1.50 supporting me", said 15-year-old eree who should have been 1968, and went on to become from: Adri van Drielen, Thomas a Torben Wosik (FRG) after his 3-2 the sole arbiter. Then, in Chairman, President and Life Kempisstraat 5, NL -8021 BG defeat by England's Carl Prean in another weak decision, the Member. His collection of table Zwolle. Tel: (0) 38537600. the second round of the men's umpire was replaced as Jiang tennis memorabilia has been dis­ singles. had refused to continue under played at many world events, not Carl Prean Eigler, but later the Techical only in England (at the English "I knew it would be difficult, but I Committee had agreed that Open in Brighton in January had not thought it would be that the Eigler decision on Jiang's 1988), but also in Holland, Mal­ difficult. I tried to avoid Torben service was upheld. aysia, Norway, Sweden and taking the lead because then the Another side-step in order Switzerland. audience would have gone mad. to avoid the China team walk­ He has been "signed-up" to Torben adjusted very well to my ing out, a threat that was later display his fascinating collection style of play." confirmed. at the European Championships Xu Zhao Fu Denis George (Scotland) in Gothenburg in 1990, the World China's head coach Xu Zhao Fu: came up with a gem from his Championships in Chiba City, "I already warned a few years ago memory box - 30 years ago at Japan, in 1991 and the Olympic that we could get into a backlog the same venue, lchiro Games in Barcelona in 1992. with our technique compared to Ogimura refused to play on His latest book "Table Tennis­ the Europeans. when it was alleged he moved the Early Years" has just been Jan-Ove Waldner the table while striking the published by the International Waldner said: "I am very happy ball. That took 45 minutes to Table Tennis Federation. It is but so sad for my friend Jorgen. sort out and chalk marks were available from: G. N. Gurney, After the third game I lost my placed round the table legs to Guildhall Orchard, Great Brom­ rhythm but I came back strongly." ley, Colchester, Essex C07 ?TU prove any further table Don Parker (0206230330), price £3:50 includ­ movement! "Our mens team finishing ninth ing postage. means we qualify for the new world team event. Alison Gor­ don's win over European Top-12 champion Olga Nemes was her best ever and we only just missed Swaythling CUp: a medal in the mens doubles when Alan Cooke and Carl Prean The new reached the quarter-finals after beating the former world cham­ pion Jiang Jialiang. "We are now All change format in the top grade of all the world events" he said. ENGLAND voted against the surprise change in format for the world John Prean team event the Swaythling Cup at the ITTF final meeting in Dortmund, on Ecuador failing to arrive­ but the extra votes carried by the smaller third world countries, pushed "The reputation of the World the proposal through by 56 to 32 against. Championships is at stake. It George Yates, the secretary of the ETTA said, "I was surprised by the should not be like a free-for-all voting result. It seemed that this brand new format should be tried out Jan-Ove Waldner where everyone comes when they first in the new world team cup, but it was not to be." feel like it", he said. The major alteration is the first for over 60 years in the competition, Stefen Fetzner and will stop five hour matches. A maximum of five games will be on the new system of no qualify­ played i~stead of nine, involving three men, none of whom can play ing rounds­ more than twice. Press cover "These sort of games are not The brand new concept is: A v X, Bv Y, doubles - Band C v X and Z, A interesting either for us or the v Y and C v Z, a pattern that will puzzle many players and excellent spectators," said Fetzner, the West administrators. German No.2, after helping the THE national press gave unprece­ hosts defeat lowly lceland 5-0 in dented coverage to events in just 70 minutes. "Qualification Dortmund. The four "heavies" ­ rounds must be introduced." NO NONSENSE! "The Times", "Daily Telegraph", "Guardian" and the "Indepen­ THERE was no trouble with Press accreditation in Dortmund; none dent" gave prominent coverage, a of the problems experienced in Paris last year when only full-time mass of results and some excel­ writers were admitted without hassle. Even "fringe" journalists lent large photographs of players. were accommodated - Brian Spicer wrote daily for the "Daily The tabloid papers were not so Express", David Lomas managed to get accredited and so did video­ keen, but the "Mail", "Express" fanatic Syd Fryer (Manchester) - "my cup runneth over" when he and "Today" carried a few stories, held the Swaythling Cup and met Glenn Osth and Istvan Jonyer. especially of course, when there was friction.

8 IDortmund 4 The rout of the China men's team - Sweden win the Swaythling Cup! THE END of the Ping Dynasty! The Great Wall of China has crumbled! Those phrases and many others tumbled out of the Dortmund Press Centre by telephone, typewriter, computer, radio, television throughout the event from the moment the Chinese men's team were destroyed 5-0 by Sweden in the Swaythling Cup final. The Chinese women with the defeat of Cooke by Li saw Koreans still dominate the world, England's chances slipping away but the Chinese men are going to in a battle that lasted five hours. be No.2 to Sweden at least for two England men's challenge for the years until we all meet again in Swaythling cup ended when they Chiba City, Tokyo for the next lost 5-2 to Poland, but in the third (41st) world championships. stage, they beat Holland, Belgium China's head coach Xu Zhao Fu and Hungary to finish ninth. said in Dortmund "I already Don Parker said, "I was very warned a few years ago that we pleased to beat those three countries in the third stage could get into a backlog with our Sweden celebrates an historic victory technique compared to the Euro­ matches. The match against peans. This result (Sweden 5, North Korea was the turning versy over the allegations of non­ 19th-20th: Brazil 5, United States China 0) is therefore not too sur­ point. One slice of luck there, one eligibility for the Hong Kong pair 3. 21st-22nd: Hong Kong 5, Fin­ edge ball in our favour and we Chai Po Wa' and Chan Tan Lui, land 1. 23rd-24th: Austria 5, Den­ prising for me. My players gave mark 4. 25th-26th: Italy 5, IsraelI. their best possible performances could have beaten them and gone which continued in Dortmund 27th: Canada (no play-off). 28th­ within their capabilities. We will through." after a rumpus in Cardiff. 29th:Turkey 5, Norway 3. 30th­ certainly need four to five years to But shortly after ITTF President 31st: Pakistan 5, Australia 4. 32nfi' win the Swaythling Cup again." Defiant Sky Ichiro Ogimura had his photo India (no play-off). 33rd-34th: Sweden's captain Glenn Ost Skylet Andrew finished his taken with some womens teams Indonesia 5, Switzerland 1. 35th­ said "I knew we could beat the Swaythling cup run in great form. that included Hong Kong, it 36th: Spain 5, Luxembourg 1. Chinese, even the 5-0 result is not In the 5-4 victory over Belgium, became clear that even the ITTF 37th-38th: Malaysia 5, Ireland 4. 39th-450th: Scotland 5, Wales 4. a surprise, although we were the East Londoner protected his were side-stepping the issue, 41st-42nd: Iraq 5, New Zealand 4. lucky with the order of the place in the England squad although agreeing that the rules 43rd-44th: Jamaica 5, Greece 2. matches." defiantly as he beat Thierry needed tightening and suggest­ 45th-46th: Nepal 5, San Marino 1. Waldner said, "A wonderful Cabrera the Belgian No. 2 and ing that ETTA chairman John 47th-48th: Macao 5, Saudi Arabia moment for us, we believed we Phillipe Saive when the score Prean might like to sit on a new 1. 49th-50th: Trinidad and Tobago could win, but not by 5-0". stood at 4-4. ITTF Eligibility Commission. 5, Jordan 3. 51st-52nd: Tunisia 5, In the final of the Corbillon Barbados 1. 53rd-54th:Guatemala England move up to No, 9 England one up Cup, Chen Jing and Li Huifen 5, Bangladesh 4. 55th-56th: Madagascar 5, North Yemen 4. England mens team had a rough England womens team, losing 3-0 beat South Korea 3-0, winning 57th-58th: Mexico 5, Lebanon 1. ride in the Swaythling Cup, but to Russia in their last match the women's team title for the 59th-60th: Sri Lanka 5, Kenya 2. they finished in ninth spot, three finished in tenth position, one eighth time in a row. 61st-62nd: Colombia 5, Cyprus 2. better than in Delhi, where at better than in Delhi in 1987. Cap­ 63rd-64th: Iceland 5, Palestine O. times replacing toilet paper was tain Jill Parker said "Our girls, 65th-66th: Togo 5, Netherlands more important than replacing Alison Gordon, Lisa Lomas and SWAYTHLING CUP Antilles O. 67th-68th: Liechtens­ bat rubber! Fiona Elliot have put in an excel­ tein 5, Guernsey 1. lent team performance." MEN: Final: Sweden bt China, Ecuador threw the first spanner 5-0 (M Appelgren bt Jiang Jia­ CORBILLON CUP in the England works by not turn­ On the schedules, Jill said "I liang, 21-10, 18-21, 21-15, J-O ing up, a fact which was not com­ have never known it happen like Waldner bt Teng Ji 22-24, 21-19, WOMEN: Final: China 3, South municated to Don Parker at the this before. Players need to know 21-17; J Persson bt Chen Longcan, Korea O. Play-offs: 3rd-4th: Hong team hotel some 15 miles away, so who and when they are playing. 22-24, 21-16, 21-13; Waldner bt Kong 3, Hungary O. 5th-6th: the team had to rise at 6 a.m. For a world championship, it is Jiang, 21-16, 17-21, 21-16; North Korea 3, Japan O. 7th-8th: whereas they could have rested ridiculous." . Appelgren bt Chen, 21-17, 21-16). Czechoslovakia 3, Sweden 1. 9th­ until mid-day. England women's most crucial Play-offs: 3rd-4th: North Korea 5, 10th: Soviet Union 3, England O. 11th-12th: Netherlands 3, United loss was by 3-1 to Hungary, when Soviet Union 3 (Kim Song Hui bt One commentator described V Dvorak, 21-17, 21-18; Chu John States 0; 13th-14th: Yugoslavia 3, the situation as "scandalous" both Alison and Fiona took Csilla Choi lost to A Mazunov, 21-17, Romania O. 15th-16th: Bulgaria 3, when the England men played Batorfi to three games and Alison 21-19; Li Gun Sang bt D Taiwan 1. 17th-18th: France 3, three games in 24 hours and had lifted her game to beat Gabriella Mazunov, 21-13, 16-21, 21-16; Denmark O. 19th-20th: West Ger­ to rise at 6 a.m. after reaching Wirth, a revenge win for her Euro- . Kim lost to A Mazunov, 19-21, many 3, Austria O. 21st-22nd: their beds after 1 a.m. the pre­ pean League defeat. Defeats by 21-18, 23-25; Li bt Dvorak, 22-2, Canada 3, Finland O. 23rd-24th: vious night, four hours sleep. Russia and Hong Kong followed, 21-9; Chu lost to D Mazunov, Belgium 3, Poland 1. 25th-26th: Desmond Douglas summed it but overall a sound performance 17-21, 21-17, 18-21; Li bt A Indonesia 3, Italy 2. 27th-28th: Mazunov, 21-18, 21-15; Kim bt D Luxembourg 3, Macao 1. 29th­ up "They wait until the matches by our girls - all European players Mazunov, 24-22, 13-21, 21-13). 30th: Australia 3, Malaysia 2. 31st­ are finished and then make the were finally overshadowed by the 5th-6th: South Korea 5, Japan 4. 32nd: India 3, Brazil 2. 33rd-34th: draw, which is too late. It is Asian girls. 7th-8th: West Germany 5, Poland Cuba 3, Nigeria 2. 35th36th: unusual for the Germans, every­ 2. 9th-10th: England 5,Hungary 0 Greece 3, NepalI. 37th-38th: thing is first class, except a ter­ (S Andrew bt Z Kriston, 21-17, Scotland 3, Colombia 2. 39th­ rible schedule." China wins 14-21, 21-10; D Douglas bt K 40th: Norway 3, Peru O. 41st-42nd: However, England cruised Nemeth, 21-15, 21-14; A Cooke bt Spain 3, Wales 1. 43rd-44th: New through to the third stage but Corbillon Z Harczi, 21-12, 19-21, 21-13; Zeland 3, Turkey 1. 45th-46th: there lost to North Korea and Pol­ Douglas bt Kriston, 21-14, 21-18; Israel 3, Malta O. 47th-48th: Ire7 IN THE semi finals of the Cor­ Andrew bt Harczi, 21-18, 16-21, land 3, Jordan O. 49th-50th: and. The match against Korea was billon Cup China beat Hong 23-21). 11th-12th: Belgium 5, Jamaica 3, EI Salvador 2. 51st­ a thriller with England delighting Kong 3-0, in a match where one of Netherlands 1. 13th-14th: 52nd: Kenya 3, Guatemala O. its 200 supporters by taking a 2-0 the Hongkong girls purposely Yugoslavia 5, Czechoslovakia 4. 53rd-54th: Lebanon 3, Cyprus O. lead 'as Douglas beat Kim and appeared to use the wrong side of 15th-16th: Taiwan 5, Nigeria 2. 55th (no play-off) Netherlands Prean overpowered Chu, but the her bat. This followed the contro- 17th-18th: France 5, Bulgaria O. Antilles. 9 IThe Leeds National Championships Ice-cool Cooke does it the hard \Nay! by JOHN WOODFORD in Portsmouth

ALAN COOKE, 23 from Chesterfield, Derbyshire is now firmly entrenched as the undisputed No.1 star of English table tennis. In the Leeds National championships at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth on May 6, he once again displayed true professionalism overcoming all the hurdles placed in this path with spirit, courage and ice-cool temperment to retain the title, winning for the second time. He did it the hard way, adding fulfil those roles, but things are the coveted English crown to his not looking so rosy for Skylet Commonwealth title earned in Andrew who lost to Jimmy Stokes Cardiff and his Top 12 title won at in Round 3, but Syed and Mason Clacton. The only place he could had the last laugh when they not hit peak form was in the world retained the mens doubles title, championships in Dortmund, but beating Cooke and Carl Preanfor as the saying goes "you cannot at least the third time this season, win them all". proving Parker's point that are his Stunning performances by best doubles pair. teenagers Chris Oldfield and I hinted in the Daily Telegraph Lisa Lomas Alan Cooke Matthew Syed against Cooke in that I thought Carl Prean had an the later rounds enriched the excellent chance of winning his tators on Saturday by winning the 21-4; C Prean (loW) bt S Dorking occasion. Oldfield is now being first England crown. My mixed doubles final. They were (Essex) 21-10, 21-10, 21-14, D Douglas (Warwicks) bt B Billington (Derbys) looked upon in a new light as he suggestion that he could well Julie Billington and John Holland 21-19,21-18,21-17. Semi-fillals: Cooke came within two plOnts of claim his first win over Desmond both from Derbyshire. They bt Syed 21-12, 21-23, 21-15, 16-21, beating Cooke in the fifth game. Douglas was dismissed in several whipped out the second seeds 21-13; Prean bt Douglas 21-16,15-21, In the semi-finals, Syed, quarters, but my hunch proved Mason and Alison Gordon in the 21-16,21-17. FIlial: A Cooke (Derbys) recently honed to some degree of correct up to the final where semis and then dumped Skylet bt C Prean (loW) 21-18, 21-19, 21-15. perfection by Chen Xinhua is now Cookie once again regained total Andrew and Fiona Elliot in the Men's doubles. Semi-fillals: Mason & S lining up for re-admission to the control of all his assets and dis­ final 21-16, 25-23, a magnificent Andrew (Essex) bt G Sandley & P England elite squad after knock­ posed of Carl 21-18, 21-19, 21-15. achievement. Possibly, they are Bradbury (Bucks) 21-17, 21-18; Cooke & Prean bt C Oldfield (Yorks) & M ing out Nicky Mason in the quar­ That win appeared to place the first unseeded pair to win the O'Driscoll (Yorks) 21-10, 21-19. Filial: ter-finals and taking the new Prean in a theoretical England 2 title. Mason & Andrew bt Cooke & Prean champion to five games before ranking position, which will I Lisa Lomas has come in from 21-15,22-20. cramp took its toll in the final hope, give us a situation next the cold. She has fought hard over Women's singles. Qlr-fillals: A Gor­ game, leaving Cookie to race season where Desmond Douglas the last twelve months to regain don (Berks) bt J Harris (Staffs) 21-18, nome 21-13. will give England when they need her form. Results of her efforts 21-17,21-11; A Holt (Lanes) bt J Shaw Don Parker will relish a big it, the finest No. 3 player in against adversity began to show (Yorks) 21-9, 21-11,21-13; L Lomas squad bursting with talent and Europe with the exception of (Beds) bt C Giles (Devon) 21-10, 21-4, in Dortmund when she beat the 21-6i F Elliot (Staffs) bt M Sainsbury containing some fine defenders­ world champions Sweaen. former European champion Val­ (BerkS) 21-17, 17-21, 18-21, 21-14, Lisa Lomas the new womens However, back to Portsmouth, entina Popova. 21-13. Semi-fillals: Gordon bt Holt champion, Syed and Andrea Holt two more teenagers startled spec- Chen Xinhua has been present 22-18, 21-17, 21-19. Lomas bt Elliot at a number of England training 21-12,21-17,15-21,21-19. camps this season. It cold be his Women's doubles. Semi-fillals: Elliot & influence that is helping Lomas bt J Billington (Derbys) & D England's defensive experts Syed, Toole (Yorks) 21-17, 21-16; Gordon & Sainsbury bt Shaw & Holt 21-11,21-8. Media Facilities in Dortmund Lomas and Andrea Holt, note Filial: Elliot & Lomas bt Gordon & they all did well at Portsmouth. Sainsbury 21-18,21-16. MOST of the facilities for the 500 journalists were good. The rooms Lisa's return to glory Was more provided were spacious although overflowing at peak periods with notable because she had to beat • Footnote: The tournament writers sharing desks and German-keyboarded (QUERTZ) both her major rivals Alison Gor­ schedule for the final hours of the typewriters. don in the final and Fiona Elliot in tournament was blown off course On the plus side, the computer service from the 36 courtsides was the semi-finals. The results of the by long drawn out five-game womens singles left no doubts in singles matches involving three brilliant. We were able to get an up-to-the-minute print-out on any Don Parker's mind that we have match during the Swaythling and Corbillon Cups and results within defensive playes. The promise of four outstanding players at the a finish of the singles by 7 p.m. seconds. top of the tree - Lomas, Gordon, led to extra orders from national The second major plus was a system of quotes from players in major Elliot and (from Ramsbottom) newspapers, but the delays and matches that arrived on our desks within minutes, saving us precious Andrea Holt whose almost the single-table staging of the time chasing players or going to the official press conferences. unique blend of attack and semi-finals led to journalists Missing was a large wall display, especially valuable during the defence looks so promising. orders being cancelled. Amongst individual events so that scribes can see at a glance what is happening. the casualties (words were Instead, we had to scrabble through mountains of paper. After an RESULTS ordered but could not be appeal by Morley Myers (UPI) certain improvements were made on the Men's singles. Qter-fillats: A Cooke delivered in time) were the "Daily Mail" and "The Times". Other wall display - the results sheets (A4) were pinned up, so there were (Derbys) bt J Stokes (Berks) 21-9. 21-16, 21-14; M Syed (Berks) bt N papers cut down our space crowds of newsmen peering to read tiny scorelines at 5ft away. Mason (Surrey) 21-18, 21-12, 12-21, dramatically. The whole system was to some extent bogged down in new tech­ nology, fast computers, fast copying. In general, everyone did their best to help when almost everything of course, was geared to give top priority to television requirements ... very important we all agree .. ORMESBY CUP RESULTS - QUARTER FINALS but not to the discomfort of other sections of the international and national media who come not on holiday, but to work hard. Blackburn (Postal I) beat Stockton (ICI Cassr-ls) 5-3 Top rating for assistance went to Manfred Schafer, the deputy press Ipswich (Britannia) beat Brighton (Pavilion TIC) 5-1 officer. His help got us out of several scrapes with deadlines. Willesden (Apollo) beat Birmingham (Handsworth Victoria) 5-2 The refreshment area for the media provided free beer and soft drinks N Middlesex (Thorn Ellenborough) beat Bracknell (KiJ;lgfisher) 6-0 but everything else had to be paid for. The players representing these teams in the matches mentioned On the telephone communication side, there were 25 outside lines above were: Stockton M Corkillg, M Nesbitt, S Brunskill. IpswiCh R with four switchboards and teams of cheery operators. There were no Tanner, J Kitchener, R. Nelharris. Brighton P Elphick, R Cosens, R collect (transfer charge) calls, so money had to be paid for all calls Venner. Willesden S Andrew, ~ Mason, M McCarthy. Birmingham I although the link-line (freephone) calls to London newspapers cost only Gunn, P Gunn, B Johnson. N Middlesex N Tyler, G Sandley, T Stark. pfennigs each time. Bracknell G Kemp, K Hodder, P Savins. 10 IRichard Eaton Which way table tennis?

by RICHARD EATON of the "Sunday Times"

MANY of the weeks of preparation and thousands of pounds five-hour Korean marathon, spent in getting England's players into the best shape for the which effectively ended World Championships were wasted. Captain Donald Parker England's hopes of reaching the Richard Ealon could have been forgiven for blowing his top at the disgraceful last eight, could never happen dissipation of resources and talent caused by the scheduling in again. Scheduling problems will be alleviated. Perhaps ironically by computer. No more midnight Dortmund in March and April. however, England voted against calls, girls. Donald didn't, partly I suspect successful world championships the new format, which was also These and other difficulties because he had already called the in the history of the game. There looked upon with displeasure by illustrate the paradoxical organisers "boy scouts" for ask­ were 69 nations, more than 500 many of the leading nations. crossroads at which the game ing England to give Ecuador players, 32 tables, and sometimes They apparently feel that exists. The defeat of China by another chance for not turning up as many as 10,000 spectators. The plunging straight into the first Sweden in the men's final was on time; but also because by the scale of it all was breathtaking, major change in the 60-year his­ high drama tinged with absolute time the exact draw for the second the presentation was often mag­ tory of the Swaythling Cup is not farce. Fully fifteen minutes it took stage became known it was too nificent, and the noisy involve­ the right way to go about things. for China's protest at an umpiring late to do anything about it. ment of the crowd in the main So great a transformation, some of decision to be considered. The arena raised the roof and uplifted them think, should be tried and referee pondered the point with Damage to moral? the emotions. But we should seek tested before being put into oper­ the heads of two committees and Complaints at that stage would to see such blemishes never occur ation - for instance in the forth­ meanwhile the game's greatest have led to negative thinking and again. Fortunately, they may not coming inaugural World Team nation was threatening to walk risked damage to morale. do so. Cup. out and cause a major incident. England's men were already brac­ That is because the ITTF has Maybe they are right. I can't ing themselves to face Poland voted in favour of a new format for help a sneaking feeling however Quick decisions only a few hours after a titanic the Swaythling Cup. This will be that when it comes to it the new Down which road will table tussle against North Korea. As for similar to that used in the Cor­ format will help ease quite a few tennis go? Onwards to a carefully the women they had been billon Cup women's competition. problems. It may also improve the planned professionalism, quicker required to cope with midnight Two singles players will play up to presentation of the game. Oh, and decision making and a slicker phone calls to tell them who they four singles between them. There by the way, the ITTF has decided shop-window? Or will it be side­ were due to play in the morning. will also be one doubles. The only that in future the draw - which tracked by clinging to its cumber­ England's captain has, however, difference with the women's for­ took an absolute age at each stage some, outmoded and occasionally made known his criticisms to the mat is that a third player must be in Dortmund - will at last be done comic administrative structures? ITTF technical committee now used in the doubles. A team that it is all over. therefore has a minimum of three What happened marred what players, not two. was otherwise one of the most This will at least ensure that the A big 'Thank~you'to MALCOLM FRANCIS! CALENDAR OF WORLD EVENTS from the ITTF ... • Multi-sport events England's leading and most 1989 successful young coach May 18 May 21 China Open Championships Shanghai CHN May 25 MJy 28 Hong Kong Open Championships Hong Kong HKG Jun 1 Jun 4 Japan Open Championships Tottori JPN Jun 7 Jun 11 US Open Championships Miami USA Jun 16 Jun 18 8th Youth French Open Championships Cherbourg FRA May 30 Jun 5 Brazlian Open Championships Brasilia BRA From all the players in his coaching squad, who wish Jun 16 Jun 18 8th French Youth Open Championships Cherbourg FRA him happy birthday with many thanks. Jul14 Jul23 31st Caribbean Championships Curacao AHO ALEX PERRY: England NO.2 Cadet, winner of 6 opens this Jul 22 Jul30 32nd European Youth Championships Luxembourg LUX season including the top 12. Jul 22 Aug 6 World Masters Games (all sporls, for veleral1s)' DEN NICKY BRADFIELD: England NO.3 Cadet, Winner of 3 opens this Jul31 Aug 4 European Championships for the Disabled Vienna AUT season. Jul 31 Aug 4 Kenya Open National Championships Nairobi KEN DAVID HEATH: In the England Top 4 UI12's, winner of open Sept 6 Sep 9 555 World Cup 10 Nairobi KEN tournaments. Sep 16 Sep 17 Samaranch Trophy Seoul KOR JOANNE BARHAM: In her first season under Malcolm, now Kent Oct 19 Oct 22 Polish Open Championships Poznan POL champion for her age & now one of Englands Nov 2 Nov 5 Austrian Open Championships Linz AUT top U/11 players. Nov 16 Nov 19 Hungarian Open Championships Budapest HUN PAUL CICCHELI: In his first season playing at 13 years of age. Nov 23 Nov 26 Stiga World Grand Prix Masters (to be announced) Has become sussex UI14 champion rep­ Nov 30 Dec 3 Swedish Open Championships (SOC) Jonkoping SWE resented Sussex U/l7's, obtained an England Dec 8 Dec 10 Finnish Open Championships Helsinki FIN Cadet ranking. PAUL BUTCHER: In only 6 months has become Sussex public 1990 schools champion, and is the Sussex U/12 Jan 5 Jan 14 4th Central American Games' Tegucigalpa HON champion. Mar 1 Mar 4 F.R. Germany Open Championships Saarbriiken FRG Final/y, last but not least Birthday wishes from Jun 2 Jun 34th Deutschland-Cup (In!. Chs. ofTrier) Trier FRG JANET SMITH: Scotland & Sussex Number one, Sussex August 16th Den. Am. & Caribbean Games' Guatemala City GUA Champion Aug 23 Aug 26 Japan Open Osaka JPN Once again a big vote of thanks to Malcolm, to whom we all are Aug 29 Sep 2 555 World Cup 11 Chiba City JPN very grateful and proud to have as our coach,

11 IChairman in Dortmund 1 Good results, good fortune? PERHAPS FATE had given us our full ration of good fortune for the season. Perhaps a very good Commonwealth and promotion to the European Super League was all we could expect. Both our teams improved their position compared with the previous World Championship in New Delhi. Our girls came 10th, our men 9th. In the latter case we had expected more. .

We had performed honourably Yoo Nam Kyu played like an guess is that a well balanced against Sweden and China in our angel. His impact there reminded squad will emerge in two years home friendlies. We have a very me in some ways of that of time, but that most current play­ good team and we entertained Ogimura in London in 1954. A ers will disappear into Coaching some hopes of a medal. However, new dimension seemed to have or to European Clubs. under all the circumstances, per­ appeared. With Kim Ki Taek Among such giants England is haps 9th place was not too bad. It almost as good and a new star in now very near to greatness. The gained us a place in the World Kim Taek 500, who had won the door is open, but we have yet to Team Cup next year which is of Euro-Asia, how could one look walk through it. We nearly did in some importance. further? What I had overlooked Paris, where we won the Euro­ was that the South Koreans have pean Silver Medal, but in Dort­ A shift in power never travelled well and they did mund the door never opened. Whilst the Chinese dominance not do so this time. Yoo looked of the Ladies' Game remained in some way off peak fitness on English Players Seoul, the writing was on the wall which his game so much There was much to admire in for China's men. Just as the South depends. the play of most English competi­ Korean men proved the Masters tors. Alison Gordon's win against .. I Olga Nemes as well as a very par­ in the Olympics, so the Swedes .t~··- John Prean proved superior in Dortmund. I .,.h ., 0 tisan crowd was quite stunning. was surprised to see the Chinese This was, after all, the winner of the various problems of transport line up with players who had ~, the European Top 12. Alison now (great throughout) and finding a failed before and the World t"" knows she can do it and nothing meal (the canteen had shut) it Champion Jiang in particular was is more important than that. Lisa meant that our team played Pol­ a shadow of his former self. ·The Bellinger lost an epic battle to a and the following morning after 4 Chinese in the main continued to very good Chinese (their ladies or so hours sleep, which is no way place excessive faith in players are always good) in five. She was to prepare for Grubba and with short pimples and very close to winning and that Kucharski. That match, too, was ,.ft/ ~' would have been really some­ penholders. lit \ lost, though not without hopeful ~ ~ thing. Our men had rough draws. moments, which in the event did The Day of Glue Yoo Nam Kyu, Korea Nicky Mason again lost to his not last. We won Qur remaining 4 Alone among leading nations, Bogeyman Nemeth from Hung­ matches, but that was only they appear to have overlooked Curiously, South Korea and ary, unfortunately in the qualify­ enough to finish 9th, a poor the attractions of 'Bike Glue' a Sweden met in a group match. ing rounds. Des Douglas and reward for 4 wins from 6 matches substance which makes sponge Sweden won 5-4 in a 6 hour epic Alan Cooke lost to Chinese, but in Category 1. bouncier and faster. It is not a in which Lindh lost three and his looked to have chances at times. Germany with two wins from 6 trend I welcomed when I first place to the rampant Persson and Skylet Andrew and Carl Prean finished 7th and Japan with a wrote about this development he never got it back. Persson did met the eventual finalists Waldner similar tally finished 6th, but that some years ago, but I have not lose another match till the and Persson. Carl lost to the was the way the Dortmund cookie changed my mind and now Final where he fell to Waldner in Champion 21, -21, -19, -19 in an crumbled. regard it as no bad thing. It 5. Waldner played like "A man excellent if nerve-wracking con­ enables players to play a little born to be king". The Cup had his test and so went out our last sur­ First opponents: further away from the table. The name of it - or so it seemed. vivor. As the score indicates, Carl The invisible men. ball stays in the air longer and this had his chances, but it was not to Before entering Category 1 a is more interesting than both The Rise of Sweden be. group had to be won, which in the players playing from close to the The Swedes got better and bet­ I have mentioned our place in end we did via two 5-0 wins table, as was often the case in the ter as the tournament progressed. the top 10 for both men's and against Finland and Ireland. past. That is not to say thaY the Two men in the Final and a 5-0 ladies' teams. Both had relatively However,our first opponents modern player is anchored in one victory in the Team Final, such comfortable passages to the Ecuador did not turn up in a spot. Waldner, Persson and facts speak for themselves. Super~ round of the Last 16, but rough match scheduled for 9 o'clock in Appelgren, particularly the latter, latives are hard to find, ·but draws from then on. The men had the morning, a favourite time for are quite superb far away from the deserved. They have four stars of to win their match against North matches involving England. I table where they produce very absolute world class. To the ques­ Korea, but a 2-0 lead disappeared don't know who decided this, good lobs and even counter hits. tion of why it took so long, i.e. and their defender Li Gunsang but, when Ecuador had not The Chinese in the main stayed what happened in Delhi, the proved the joker in the pack, win­ appeared, a decision was made to close, which had served them well Swedish Coach, Glen Ost is ning three. We lost three 19 or postpone that match till the eve­ in the past. This time they seemed reported to have said that it was a deuce in the third, but we won ning. Deep concern' was armed with old fashioned weap­ different event in which his play­ two that way as well. We could obviously felt for those who had ons and they had no answer to ers had played with a bat in one have won 5-0, but so could our neither turned up nor sent a 'glue'. I think their European style hand and a toilet roll in the other! opponents. In the end we lost 5-3 message, little for those who had players Xu Cencai and Chen One hopes that glue was attached to the eventual third placed come and had had to get up at 5 in Shibin (who toured here) were to the right weapon' nation. It was a five hour epic, an the morning to be there. We pro­ their best and with glue might We await with interest what the astonishing match. Nothing I can tested and eventually the match have been a match for the Swedes. future will bring, how China will write can convey the quite incred­ was re-scheduled for 2 o'clock Neither was given a chance in the react to the shift which has taken ible tension and the constant fluc­ when the Ecuadorians again did team event. place, whether the response will tuations of fortunes. It was an not turn up. The incident received be a greater emphasis on top spin evening match and meant a late much publicity during the first The Eclipse of South Korea players and acceptance of 'glue' finish. The next morning we were two days when little goes on I must confess that I made or whether China will continue expected to be on the table again under the new playing system South Korea favourites. How with more traditional Chinese at 9 o'clock (what other spectator which followed to destruction of could one do otherwise after their methods based on short pimples sport has such ridiculous starts?). the old Category system which superb display in Seoul where and penholder techniques. My Without boring readers with was an infinitely better way of 12 IChairman in Dortmund 2

doing things. This did not make would then contest the final matches ended at .5-0) has been the sport look good, but journal­ stages, as they do in the Soccer replaced by a best of 5 format, still ists could not be blamed if they World Cup. Even the Olympics contested by three players, turned their attraction to other need a qualifying process, big as though somewhat under­ matters when there was so little to they are. employed ones. If the match goes report about what went on in the Table Tennis sees virtues in the full distance (i.e. a 3-2 score playing arenas. quantity at the expense of quality, line) one player will play two in 30 or more tables played on at singles, the other two will only A midnight awakening. the same time, in the 9 o'clock play one and a doubles. If the It has been my view for some start and ultimately the ideals of match ends early at, say, 3-0 two time that scheduling was one of the youth club rally rather than players will play one singles and TAble Tennis' great problem those of a spectator sport. Each one will play only one doubles ­ areas. The 9 o'clock starts, which I year new nations appear, often at not much for which to travel half regard as ludicrously amateurish a very early stage of development way round the world. I can imag­ (except, of course, in partici­ in table tennis terms. It does them ine little which is more tepid or pation events) are one aspect, but few favours to play against China less attractive for players and Jan-Ove Waldner, World Champion the lack ofconsideration shown to or other nations who have been spectators alike. I cannot think players is another chapter in this playing much longer and are what possessed delegates to vote about, who really do not like the very unhappy table tennis saga. therefore stronger. Local works for something so destructive and the game, whose heart is in the I was awakened one night well teams do not play Manchester sad. I can think of no other reasor, hard bat era or in off table after midnight to be given the United, to quote the example of than the thought of little nations activities. I cannot explain in any time of the next match of the soccer, a highly successful sport that a 3-0 defeat is better that a 5-0 other way the surgery on" the England ladies. No apology was and it is right that ladders should one, if the contest with China Swaythling Cup which has made ever received for this ridiculous exist on which you climb to the really, materializes. The Swaythl­ one of great institutions into a inefficiency. That apart, there is top. Only in Table Tennis is it ing Cup has been responsible for cripple. no question that all our pre­ thought virtuous and desirable so many great moments in our parations and hopes were shot to for Liechtenstein to play China, at sport, so many glorious hours. In Europe's influence still pieces by a bungled schedule of any rate without any qualifying Dortmund all that was destroyed diminishing quite grotesque inefficiency. No process which establishes that and something very luke-warm There were further signs that doubt, the sport is full of 'Mr Nice right, other than payment of an was substituted, without trial, Europe's influence is now insig­ Guys' who have endured this sort ITTF membership fee. without credentials. It is difficult nificant and still diminishing, of thing for 50 years and maybe to resist the conclusion that more that a great deal ofexperience and that is why the world champion­ A Moloch and more officials are surfacing long traditions count for little. ships are conducted like a youth The result is that the World who do not like the sport very Nearer home, the sport has club rally. My hopes that anything Championships have become a much and therefore that the less undoubtedly made a lot of pro­ will change are not high, but it is moloch which is beginning to of it that is seen, the better. We gress. Dortmund was a sharp time someone spoke up. devour itself, too large to be fair to seem to drift more and more into reminder that we must continue everyone and therefore unfair to an era in which administrators to rely mainly on our efforts and all, some perhaps more than matter more than players. There on the sound base we have others. It is not the intention of seem too many administrators created. these notes to indicate that the German organisers did a bad job. In some respects they did a very good one against a generally unsatisfactory background. There were too many nations, too many competitors. World Champion­ ABRAND NEW ships are about excellence, about spectators, about spectacle and showmanship. I do not see how you can serve the twin interests of all the above AND mass partici­ TABLE FOR pation. The contradiction is total, Alison Gordon beat Nemes the achievement impossible. Liechtenstein vs China Swaythling Cup destroyed It was tragic that the old Cate­ One consequence of mass partici­ £80? gory system was abandoned. pation is the search for shorter Nations divided into categories matches and formats, so that more An initial payment of £80 followed by three then and promotion and relega­ players still can be accommo­ tion were important issues. I was dated. In that cause (I can think of identical annual payments will have a brand new not around when these changes no other reason) the Swaythling top quality table from a leading manufacturer came about. I have no doubt that cup has been destroyed and I can­ delivered to your door this was the result of democratic not put it in any other way. The votes, but how democratic is it, if best of 9 format (many poor a nation with a handful of players or you can pay £250 (inc VAT & delivery) has as many votes as one with thousands? Supporters of the new for outright purchase system argued that now Liechtenstein not only has a Sports Council grant aid of up to 50% of the cost chance of playing China, but can may be available to help your club. become world champions. Under the old system only a place in Cat­ egory 3 beckoned. All small Details from: nations must have the chance of ENGLAND TABLE TENNIS winning the world title. If such highly theoretical criteria really ASSOCIATION are regarded as important, then Queensbury House, Havelock Road, surely they could be satisfied by HastirYgs, East Sussex TN34 1HF continental or group qualifying events and the top 16 or 24 nations Carl Prean tested Waldner • 13 IThe Leeds County Championships 1,300 players competed during the season by DOUG MOSS

AT THE beginning of April most of the 640 match programme is complete - a very few matches JUNR2C: outstanding. In the biggest competition yet 1300 players have taken part and the largest number Avon 2. . 1 Gwent 9 came from the Junior Section. . Devon 2. 5 Cornwall 1. 5 SENR lA: over Kevin Satchell/Terry Bruce. JUNR IB: Devon 2. 10 Cornwall 2. 0 Cambs 4 Warwicks 6 SENR 2C: Berks 5 Surrey 5 Devon 3. 2 Cornwall 1. 8 Herts 0 N'berland 10 Cambs 2. 3 Suffolk 2. 7 Herts 6 Sussex 4 Devon 3. 9 Cornwall 2. 1 Norfolk 6 Worcs. 4 Herts 2. 3 Lines 7 Kent 5 Avon 5 Devon 3. 1 Devon 2. 8 Yorks 2. 5 Essex 5 Northants 4 Beds 1. 6 It was very close in this Section Glam. 8 Avon 2 Essex struggled to get a point Beds. 1 7 Beds 2. 3 with just 2 points separating the . Glamorgan have finished their against York 2, with Ruth Bray Northants lost their first match top 5 teams. Kent took the title programme with 13 points. But, at and Helen Broomhead (Y) win­ to Beds - so Lines win over Herts 2 with a 1 point lead over Herts, the time of writing, Cornwall 1 ning their 3 events. Des Charlery gave them the title. Lines were who went from 5th to runners-up have 10 points and Gwent 11 (E) beat Lee Hewitt 17 and 19 in well served by Jane Strawson, position by their win over Sussex. points with both having 2 the last singles to secure the draw. who won all her singles and Nicola Cracknell and Lisa Crick matches to play. Gwent and Corn­ But Essex finished well clear of doubles events. played well for Berks to win all wall have to meet. Glam may well rivals to earn an immediate return SENR 2D: their doubles and 11 of 14 singles be overhauled and it could be to Premier Div. Norfolk and Herts Kent 2. 3 Bucks 7 events. Gwent, the other Welsh team, to are the demotees. axon 4 Essex 3. 6 take the title. These 3 top teams Sandra Roden (Wo) was the Sussex 2. 7 Surrey 2. 3 JUNR 2A: have unbeaten girls Diane Elward only player to win 100% singles Essex 2. 10 Berks 2. 0 Ches 2. 4 N'berland 6 (Gn), Sian Evans (Gw) and Rachel in this Section. Steve Dorking (E) Essex 2 take the title, and with Cumbria 6 Lanes 3. 4 Boon (Co). Five matches were and Phil Gunn (Wa) were the their first team going back to Derbys 2. 3 N'berland 7 played at Plymouth. The most most successful men. Premier, they will compete in Div. Derbys 2. 10 Cumbria 0 exciting, and one which may SENR IB: 1 next season. Essex 3 were run­ Lanes 3. 5 Ches. 5 influence the championshp, was Dorset 1 Kent 9 ners-up just 1 point behind. Northants 9 Leics 1 the Devon 2/Cornwall 1 match Middx 2. 6 Somerset 4 Bucks left it to the end of the Warwicks 2. 8 Clwyd 2 which ended in a draw. Surrey 6 Avon 4 season to get a win but finish level Northants had a very good 9-1 JUNR 2D: Sussex 7 Devon 2. 3 with Kent 2 at the foot of the win over Leics and top of the Essex 3. 7 Kent 2. 3 Surrey, with a win over'Avon, Table. Table with 15 points. But, at the Suffolk 1. 1 Essex 2. 9 completed their programme Linda Radford (E3) was the time of writing, N'berland have 2 Surrey 2. 9 Suffolk 2. 1 unbeaten. So both teams only singles player to go through matches to play needing 4 points, Sussex 2. 2 Norfolk 1. 8 demoted last season regain Prem­ the season unbeaten - and also with 17 events for, to draw level. Sussex 2. 4 Norfolk 2. 6 ier status. Somerset are demoted ­ with Alison Gower had 100% in Stephen Coverdale (Nd) has Essex 2 take the title, after joined by Dorset, who return to doubles. 100% in singles. In this section demotion last season. The team Div 2 after one season. Tom Cutler JUNIOR PREMIER: Yorkshire both Natasha Williams (Cw) and dropped only 1 point - to the (Mx) played well to be unbeaten were invincilbe and again take Sally Russell (Np) were unbeaten Essex 3 team, which finished as in singles and Glen Baker (Sy) got the title. In the 7 matches the team in singles and Cerie Tierney/ runners-up with just 1 point less. 100% in singles and doubles. Sue dropped only 8 events. It was a Suzie Sorrention (Ch) had 100% VETERANS PREMIER: Cheshire Butler (Dv), by virtue of a deuce great team performance with in doubles. again won all their matches and in third win over Sally Weston Michael O'Driscoll, Chris retain the Championship title. (Sx), retained her unbeaten Oldfield and Debbie Toole being JUNR 2B: Kent, getting three 5-4 wins in singles record. unbeaten and Mark Stephenson Cambs 0 Hants 10 this second series, were again the SENR 2A: and Joanne Roberts losing only 1 Glos 3 Middx 2. 7 runners-up. Ches 1. 10 Ches 2 0 singles. Essex had 5 wins, includ­ Glos 1 Hants 9 Lines, usually featuring high in Ches 2 2 Lanes 2. 8 ing a 6-4 win over Lanes, and got Hunts 2. 0 Berks 2. 10 the Table, won only 1 match and Leices 2. 10 Ches 2. 0 the runners-up spot. Middlesex Hunts 2. 0 Worcs 10 are relegated. Middlesex will join Notts 6 Leics 2. 4 make an immediate return to Div. Middx 2. 9 Cambs 1 Lines - the team got a win in their Warwicks 2. 7 Cumbria 3 1 and are joined by Staffs. axon 8 Herts 2. 2 last match (v. Surrey). Ches 1 and Lanes 2 teams both Worcs 3 axon 7. No singles player went through had convincing wins. But the RESULTS 8 matches were played at St. the series unbeaten and just 1 championship is still not decided Neots to complete this Section. It doubles pair -. Derek Holman/ until these teams meet. Lanes are Dy 6 Dv 4 Y 10 Dv 0 was down to the Oxon/Worcs Connie Warren (Sy) - achieved 1 point ahead and Ches. will need E 1 Y 9 Dy 3 La 7 match to decide the Champs. this. The matches were hard to win to get the title. Amanda Mi 1 La 9 E 9 Bd 1 With Gavin Yates (Ox) playing fought with 9 of the 16 matches in Goodwin and Marjorie Riddle St' 4 Bd 6 Mi 4 St 6 well to beat both Lee Horton and this second weekend ending at have performed well for Lanes La 4 E 6 La 1 Y 9 Jason Thompson - and the axon 5-4. winning all singles and doubles Y 9 Dy 1 St 3 E 7 girls (Dawn Barnett and Sally events - and Keith Williams (La) Bd 6 Mi 4 Bd 7 Dy 3 Hughes) maintaining their 100% RESULTS also hilS a clean sheet. Dv 6 St 4 Dv 5 Mi 5 records in singles and winning SENR 2B: the doubles, axon got a con­ Ch 5 Sy 4 Ch 9 Bu 0 Avon 2. 9 Dorset 2. 1 JUNR lA: vincing 7-3 win. Joanne Hill (Wo) K 8 Mi 1 K 5 Li 4 Dorset 2. 6 Cornwall 2. 4 Ches. 3 Yorks 2. 7 lost her first singles of the season. Bu 7 Li 2 Y 4 Sy 5 Wilts 7 Herefords 3 Durham 10 Hunts 0 Hants go 10-0 and 9-1 wins and Sx 4 Y 5 Mi 4 Sx 5 Worcs 2. 1 Glos 9 Lanes 2. 6 Lines 4 came from behind to take the run­ Mi 2 Y 7 Sx 4 Ch 5 Hants had already completed Warwicks 7 Notts 3 ners-up spot and leave Worcs in Sy 4 K 5 Bu 4 K 5 their fixtures and won promotion. Yorks 2 take the title but only by 3rd place. Li 3 Ch 6 Li 4 Y 5 With the services of Sarah Ham­ a superior sets average ov",r War­ Jeff Giles (Ha) and Gavin Yates Bu 6 Sx 3 Sy 3 Mi 6 mond, Sarah Turner and Cheryl wicks. But the Midlanders will be (Ox) were the most successful VETSIA: Buttery Hants went through the back to· Premier Div after 1 boys in the Section each losing Ches 2. 10 Norfolk 0 season winning 23 of the 24 ladies season. Ches and Hunts are the just 1 singles. And Giles, with Leics 5 Warwicks 4 eventsI The 3 events for Hereford demoted teams. No player got Mark Thorne, was unbeaten in Northants 1 Yorks 2. 8 v. Wilts were won by Mark Owen 100% in singles but Rajinder doubles. Emise Kottasz and Liz Worcs 1 Essex 8 and Michael Owens, which SinghlDavid Clarke (Wa) won all Blanch (Mi) also won their included a 17 in 3rd doubles win their doubles events. doubles events. Continued on paxe 42

14 IThe Leeds County Championships 2

SENIORS Premier Division PW L F A P THE FINAL TABLES Compiled by Les Smith Middlesex 7 6 1 45 18 12 OF THE CAMPAIGN From Gloucestershire Lancashire 7 6 1 43 20 12 Berkshire 7 4 332 31 8 Leicestershire 7 3 430 33 6 Division lA P WD L F A P Derbyshire 7 3 428 35 6 Yorkshire 2nd 7 6 1 054 16 13 Devonshire 7 3 424 39 6 Warwickshire 7 5 1 1 42 28 11 Yorkshire 7 2 528 35 4 Lancashire 2nd 7 5 0 2 41 29 10 Suffolk 7 1 622 41 2 Lincolnshire 7 3 2 238 32 8 Durham 7 2 2 338 32 6 Division lA P W D L F A P Nottinghamshire 7 2 0 532 38 4 Essex 7 5 2 o 51 19 12 Cheshire 7 2 0 527 43 4 Northumberland 7 4 1 242 28 9 Huntingdonshire 7 0 0 7 8 62 0 Warwickshire 7 4 1 232 38 9 Yorkshire 2nd 7 3 2 241 29 8 Division IB P WD L F A P Worcesters\1ire 7 2 2 336 34 6 Kent 7 4 3 044 26 11 Cambridgeshire 7 2 2 334 36 6 Hertfordshire 7 4 2 1 38 31 10 Norfolk 7 2 0 527 43 4 Surrey 7 3 3 1 40 30 9 John Souter, No.1 in Middlesex Hertfordshire 7 1 0 617 53 2 Sussex 7 4 1 239 31 9 Berkshire 7 3 3 1 39 31 9 Division lA PW L F A P Division IB P WD L F A P Avon 7 2 2 335 35 6 Essex 7 7 o 53 10 14 7 7 54 16 14 Surrey 0 o Buckinghamshire 7 1 0 630 40 2 Cheshire 2nd 7 6 1 45 18 12 Kent 7 5 1 1 46 24 11 Somerset 7 00 714 56 0 Yorkshire 2nd 7 5 2 35 28 10 Sussex 7 4 2 1 46 24 10 Norfolk 7 4 331 32 8 Middlesex 2nd 7 4 1 240 30 9 Division 2A PWD L F A P Worcestershire 7 3 430 33 6 7 3 0 433 37 6 Avon Northamptonshire 8 7 1 057 23 15 Warwickshire 7 1 622 41 2 Devonshire 2nd 7 2 0 533 37 4 Northumberland 8 6 2 o 52 28 14 Leicestershire 7 1 620 43 2 Dorset 7 1 0 615 55 2 Derbyshire 2nd 8 4 0 443 37 8 Northamptonshire 7 1 6 16 47 2 7 713 57 0 Somerset 0 0 Warwickshire 2nd 8 3 2 342 38 8 Division 2A P W D L F A P Leicestershire 8 4 0 435 45 8 Division IB PW L F A P Lancashire 2nd 7 6 1 054 16 13 Lancashire 3rd 8 2 2 438 42 6 Hertfordshire 7 6 1 43 20 12 Cheshire 7 5 2 o50 20 12 Cheshire 2nd 8 2 2 438 42 6 Sussex 2nd 7 5 235 28 10 Nottinghamshire 7 5 0 242 28 10 Cumbria 8 2 1 531 49 5 Oxfordshire 7 4 332 31 8 Leicestershire 2nd 7 4 0 345 25 8 Clwyd 8 1 0 724 56 2 Kent 2nd 7 3 431 32 6 Warwickshire 2nd 7 3 1 340 30 7 Surrey 2nd 7 3 431 32 6 Cumbria 7 2 0 524 46 4 Division 2B P W D L F A P Middlesex 2nd 7 3 430 33 6 Cheshire 2nd 7 1 0 613 57 2 Oxfordshire 8 7 1 o 62 18 15 Dorset 7 3 428 35 6 Clwyd 7 0 0 712 58 0 Hampshire 8 6 1 160 20 13 Hampshire 7 ] 622 41 2 Worcestershire 8 6 1 059 21 13 Division 2B PWD L F A P Middlesex 2nd 8 5 ] 254 26 11 Division 2A PW L F A P Hampshire 8 7 1 058 22 15 Cambridgeshire 8 3 1 431 49 7 Lancashire 1st 7 7 o 51 12 14 Cornwall 1st 8 7 0 1 62 18 14 Gloucestershire 8 2 1 534 46 5 Yorkshire 3rd 7 6 1 41 22 12 Wilfshire 8 6 0 2 55 25 12 Hertfordshire 2nd 8 2 0 632 48 4 Nottinghamshire 7 5 240 23 10 Gloucestershire 8 5 1 251 29 11 Berkshire 2nd 8 2 0 626 54 4 Cheshire 3rd 7 4 332 31 8 Herefordshire 8 3 1 44040 7 Huntingdonshire 2nd 8 0 0 8 2 78 0 Northumberland 7 3 433 30 6 Avon 2nd 8 2 1 532 48 5 Lancashire 2nd 7 2 520 43 4 Worcestershite 2nd 8 1 3 428 52 5 Division 2C PWD L F A P Lincolnshire 2nd 7 1 621 42 2 Dorset 2nd 8 1 0 714 66 2 Cornwall 1st 8 6 2 058 22 14 Clwyd 7 0 714 49 0 Cornwall 2nd 8 0 1 720 60 1 Glamorgan 8 6 1 160 20 13 Gwent 8 6 1 153 27 13 Division 2B PW L F A P Division 2C PW D L F A P Devonshire 2nd 8 4 3 1 56 24 11 Essex 2nd 8 8 069 3 16 Lincolnshire 7 6 1 050 20 13 Devonshire 3rd 8 3 1 439 41 7 Essex 3rd 8 7 1 50 22 14 Bedfordshire 1st 7 5 1 1 41 29 11 Dorset 8 2 2 438 42 6 Hertfordshire 3rd 8 5 342 30 10 Northamptonshire 7 4 1 243 27 9 Avon 2nd 8 2 2 526 54 5 Huntingdonshire 1st 8 5 3 38 34 10 Suffolk 2nd 7 4 0 336 34 8 Cornwall 2nd 8 1 1 618 62 3 Northamptonshire 2nd 8 5 3 31 41 10 Bedfordshire2nd 7 2 1 431 39 5 Wiltshire 8 0 0 8 12 68 0 Norfolk 2nd 8 2 628 44 4 Cambridgeshire 2nd 7 2 0 533 37 4 Huntingdonshire 2nd 8 2 623 49 4 Hertfordshire 2nd 7 0 3 426 44 3 Division 20 PWD L F A P Bedfordshire 8 ] 72250 2 Huntingdonshire 7 1 1 520 50 3 Essex 2nd 8 7 1 o 64 16 15 Berkshire 4th 8 1 721 51 2 Essex 3rd 8 6 2 o 58 22 14 Division 20 PWD L F A P Surrey 2nd 8 5 1 246 34 11 Division 2C PW L F A P Essex 2nd 1 56 14 12 7 6 0 Norfolk 1st 8 5 0 346 34 10 Berkshire 1st 8 7 1 53 19 14 Essex 3rd 7 1 1 47 23 11 5 Suffolk 1st 8 4 0 442 38 8 Gloucestershire 8 7 1 51 21 14 Sussex 2nd 1 43 27 11 7 5 1 Norfolk 2nd 8 3 0 532 48 6 Buckinghamshire 2nd 8 6 2 53 19 12 Berkshire 2nd 0 328 42 8 7 4 Kent 2nd 8 2 1 533 47 5 Hertfordshire 4th 8 5 335 37 10 Surrey 2nd 0 437 33 6 7 3 Sussex 2nd 8 1 1 625 55 3 Surrey 3rd 8 4 440 32 8 Oxfordshire 7 2 0 525 45 4 Suffolk 2nd 8 0 0 8 14 66 0 Berkshire 3rd 8 3 534 38 6 Kent 2nd 7 1 0 623 47 2 Wiltshire 2nd 8 2 630 42 4 Buckinghamshire 7 1 0 621 49 2 Herefordshire 8 1 716 56 2 Wiltshire 3rd 8 1 712 60 2 JUNIORS VETERANS Premier Division PWD L F A P Premier Division PW L F A P Division 20 PW L F A P Yorkshire 7 7 0 062 8 14 Cheshire 7 7 o 45 18 14 Wiltshire 1st 7 5 238 25 10 Essex 7 5 0 240 30 10 Kent 7 6 1 39 24 12 Hampshire 2nd 7 5 238 25 10 Lancashire 7 4 1 240 30 9 Yorkshire 7 4 332 31 8 Hertfordshire 2nd 7 5 238 25 10 Derbyshire 7 4 0 333 37 8 Sussex 7 3 432 31 6 Berkshire 2nd 7 4 334 29 8 Bedfordshire 7 3 1 330 40 7 Buckinghamshire 7 3 431 32 6 Dorset 2nd 7 3 428 35 6 Devonshire 7 1 3 328 42 5 Surrey 7 3 431 32 6 Sussex 4th 7 3 428 35 6 Staff0rdshire 7 1 0 624 46 2 Lincolnshire 7 1 626 37 2 Sussex 3rd 7 2 524 39 4 Middlesex 7 0 1 62347 1 Middlesex 7 1 6 16 47 2 Somerset· 7 1 624 39 2 15 ISuperb organisation in Wiltshire

Another record entry as FINAL SCORES Over 40 Mens Singles D. Holman (Surrey) bt D. Schofield (Chesh) 19,11 Over 40 Womens ingles D. Schofield (Ches) bt C. Judson (Yorks) 12,14 VETTS go West Over SO Mens Singles H. Buist (Kent) bl M. Sheader (Lincs) 10,19 Over SO Womens Singles J. Coop (Dorset) bt J. Hunt (Worcs) 13, -9, 19 by MIKE WATTS Over 60 Mens Singles R. Etheridge (Kent) bt L. D'Arcy (Yorks) 17,11 Over 60 Womens Singles J. Beadle (Kent) bt M. Jones (Chesh) 19,10 THE inaugural WESTERN Masters superbly organised by Bill Over 70 Mens Singles R. Satchell (Sussex) bt T. Jenkins (Bucks) 9,18 Willson and his Wiltshire colleagues attracted the biggest entry Over 40 Mens Doubles D. Schofield (Chesh)! bt A. Timewell! ever for a YETIS tournament with 198 entries. M. Sheader (Lincs) K. Powell (Chesh) 15,-11,14 Played at the Link Sports Centre in Swindon over the weekend of the Over 40 Womens Doubles: D Schofield (Chesh)! C. Judson! C. Moran (Lincs) bt P. Bassano (Yorks) 15,20 4th/5th March 1989, the tournament allracted almost all of the top Vet­ Over SO Mens Doubles : H. Buist (Kent)! F. Lockwood! erans players in the country. M. Watts (Sussex) bt S. Battrick (Essex) -20,12,18 In the Over 40 Mens Singles, the winner was Derek Holman (Surrey) Over SO Womens Doubles: C. Moran (Lincs)! bt S. Coombes (Bucks)! but all the glory was taken by VETIS Chairman Derek Schofield P. Butcher (Kent) K. Fisher (Lincs) -17,16,16 (Cheshire) who in successive rounds first put out Stuart Gibbs (Essex) Over 60 Mens Doubles . A. Davies (axon)! J. Husband (Bucks)! A. Hartshorn (Lancs) bt A. Gould (Lancs) 9,9 two straight, then beat Malcolm Corking (Yorkshire) in a close three Mixed Doubles : C. Judson! D. Holman (Surrey)! setter. Holman himself had to stop both danger man Henry Buist (Kent) P. Bassano (Bucks) bt M. Dignum (Kent) -14,17, IS and then Clive Morris also from Kent. Maybe the effect was to much for Restricted (Men) : A Hartshorn (Lancs) bl L. D'Arcy (Yorks) -6,19,19 Schofield who then went down two straight in the final. Restricted (Women) : M. Maltby (Northants) bl J. White (Herts) -15,21,15 The Over 40 Womens Singles went by seedings with the two top seeds meeting in the final. Doreen Schofield (Cheshire) finally winning two straight against Carol Judson (Yorkshire). True to form Henry Buist added another VETIS Over 50 title to his collection when beating Lincolnshire's Matt Sheader in an absorbing final whilst the Over 50 Womens Singles was won by Joyce Coop (Dorset) who beat Janet Hunt (Worcs) at 21-19 in the third on expedite. Shocks in the Over 40 Mens Doubles were count­ less as top seeds Holman/Morris crashed to the all Leicestershire pairing of John I1iffe and John Hughes and second seeds Robin Stace and Keith Horton (Sussex) lost to Stan Ballrick (Essex) and Ramish Bhalla (Hants). Final winners were fourth seeds Schofield/Sheader who beat unseeded Alan Timewell and Keith Powell from Cheshire.

\ ,

, - . .'. -' ... CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HCllry Buist, KCllt DONIC SPONSORED PLAYERS ON Henry Buist picked up a second title THEIR EXCELLENT when in partnership with Mike Walls - PERFORMANCES OVER THE PAST (Sussex) they just got home in the Over Used by CHAMPIONS TWELVE MONTHS. 50 Mens Doubles final 21-18 in the third over the Essex partnership of Fred Lock­ MIKAEl APPELGREN World Champion - Team wood and Stan Ballrick. European Champion - Team, Singles & Doubles Derek Holman just failed to add a second title as he and partner Margaret JORGEN PERSSON World Champion - Team World Silver Medalist ­ Singles Dignum (Kent) lost to the all Yorkshire European Champion - Team pairing of Cleve Judson and Pat Bassano KATHERINE GOODALL English Cadet Champion, English Junior Top 12 Champion, in the Mixed Doubles. (plus numerous open singles titles) EDWARD HATLEY English Cadet National Ranking Champion GRANT SOLDER Essex Junior Select Champion JOANNA ROBERTS Tameside Junior Champion All of these players use Vario rubber and Donic blades.

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Solder victory on home territory Olympic money pouring in­ by RON MACKENZIE £600,000,000 GRANT SOLDER on home ground at Harlow Sports Centre was in THE television rights for the Bar­ magnificient form to win the final of the junior boys singles. After celona Olympic Games in 1992 winning an extremely tough and hard-hitting semi-final against Corn­ have been sold for around wall's Neil Bevan, Solder marched to beat in the final the top-seeded £600,000,000, a substantial Andrew Eden from Lancashire. amount of that sum will go to the The event attracted a huge entry of 350. The cadets played on the various sports, in due course. Saturday and the juniors on the Sunday and the table tennis of both Meanwhile, it is understood days was of a very high standard. that the ETTA are not very happy The boys U.12 singles was won by Darren Blake (SY) who had no with the amount of money trouble in any of his matches. received by table tennis from the Likewise, in the girls U.12 Nicola Deaton (Derby) was not extended Seoul Olympics in general and in in any of her matches and won the final comfortably. The Cadet Boys particular that the ETTA received singles was won by Barry Forster beating Nicky Bradfield in the final a sum of around £5,000. following a very hard semi against qualifier Richard Hyacinth of Middlesex. Steven Meddings RESULTS U.12 Boys singles final Darren Blake bt Steven Meddings 11, 10 U.12 Girls singles final Nicola Deaton bt Sally Marling 10, 17 Cadet Boys singles final Barry Forster bt Nicky Bradfield 10, -23, 9 Cadet Girls singles final Katherine Goodall bt Sally Maling B. Forster John Blasco -6, 8, 11 Cadet Boys doubles final Philip Robson bt D. Blake K. Goodall Linda Radford -19, 10, 18 Cadet Boys singles final S. Marling bt Nicola Meddings 10, 16 Junior Boys singles semi finals Andrew Eden bt Gary Knights 17, 16 The British Olympic Associ­ Grant Solder bt Neil Bevan 19, -20, 16 ation will publish a report shortly Junior Boys singles finals G. Solder bt A. Eden 12, 14. outlining the vital role played by Junior Girls singles semi Finals Katherine Goodall bt Debbie Toole funding from the Sports Council's Sally Marling bt Ellen Meddings Junior Girls singles K. Goodall bt S. Marling 8-12 Olympic Review Group - headed Junior Boys doubles final A. Eden bt G. Solder by Sebastian Coe - in maintain­ B. Mileham L. Jeffries 9, 20 ing Britain's status in Seoul. Junior Girls doubles final J. Roberts bt E Meddings National Olympic Committee K. Goodall A. Gower 10, 22 Sally Marling members were presented recently with the Report's interim con­ clusions on British performance in Seoul and the changes to be made before 1992. Those con­ West Midland Regional Club League clusions were based on a month­ long series of meetings earlier TEN TEAMS from all parts of the West Midlands contested this year's The final league table was: this year with all the governing Regional Club League, played on six sessions at Grove School in Market PWDlPts bodies of Olympic Sports. Drayton. Three matches were played each time, following the British Bryan & Knott (Telford) 16 13 3 0 29 "Britain was able, in Seoul, to League format and playing on two tables, starting at 1pm and finishing Thorns 1611 4 1 26 maintain its position in the world at 5.30 pm - a packed afternoon of play to justify the distances travelled. leckie 16 10 5 1 26 sporting hierarchy in what was There was an air of intense activity, but also a social undercurrent as Bryan & Knott (Wrekin) 16 8 4 4 20 the first true test, because of boy­ players renewed old acquaintances and relived past glories' orton 16 8 2 6 18 cotts, since 1976", explained BOA General Secretary Richard Palmer. Four Pools from Evesham regis­ Shelfield fell by the wayside in West Warwickshire 16 6 1 9 13 tered but never mobilised the mid-season, having failed to live Four Pools 16 4 1 11 9 "In discussions with the govern­ ing bodies it became clearer that strongest squad of players, and it up to their initial expectations, Grove V 16 1 1 14 3 without the extra preparation was Paul Harmer's six-man squad allowing Potteries-based Norton Grove VI 16 1 1 14 3 monies received from the Coe from Telford who dominated the and West Warwickshire to domi­ season. Bryan and Knott (Telford) nate the middle ranks. Mean­ Committee, through Minet spon­ sorship, we would have been proved a very competitive unit, while Four Pools registered more incapable of performing to such a 'O'venly matched in standard and and more players in the quest for high level. ringing the changes well. They elusive success, finishing the STOP PRESS had several very close tussles with season with half of Wor­ Thorns and Leckie in particular, cestershire on their books! Only emerging with draws where all the two very young Grove squads Fast exit Canary had seemed lost at the half-way were outclassed, but they tackled stage. opponents many times their age for Perrin Islands with determination and unflag­ The challenge ging optimism; they should now NICKY MASON and Skylet Chirping! The fight for 2nd and 3rd places have learned that accuracy and Andrew's fine mens doubles win lasted right up to the final guile have their place too beside at Portsmouth was not seen by THE ETTA have received a letter matches, with Dudley-based vigour and youthful directness. Mason's manager Ray Perrin. He from a group of keen table tennis Thorns holding off the challenge Ken Walton of Thorns seemed caught the fast train back to players in the Canary Islands who from close neighbours Leckie. destined for the Player of the Year Wimbledon after Mason's exit in would love to play a match Results against the weaker teams award although regretting an the mens singles to Matthew against a team from England. proved all-important, sets dif­ early defeat at the hands of Paul Syed. Anyone wishing to combine an ference alone separating the two Harmer, but Bryan and Knott's Before he left Mr Perrin told exotic holiday with a friendly teams for most of the season. Malcolm Langford had kept an national journalists that he did game should contact direct: Mr. Telford's second squad, playing as unbeaten record and just man­ not think that his man had what it Ramon, Excell Traders, PO Box Bryan and Knott (Wrekin) were aged to fit in sufficient matches to takes to reach the top! Mason 2028, La Naval, 126 -1, 35008 Las always close on their heels. beat the 70% qualifying limit. declined to comment. Palmas, Canary Islands

18 British League Promoted by the English Table Tennis Association

ference is now critical and it Ashford stop champions Bath appears Ashford need only beat Bayer Bra,dford by any scoreline by MIKE LOVEDER to lift the title. Indeed a 5-3 win HIGH FLYING Ashford I now look set to relieve Bathwick Tyres of the League Championship. should be enough unless Ashford are poised to take their fourth trophy in four seasons having taken 3 points from Bath. Ormesby can beat Armada 400 and Bath 8-0! When these two sides met on 15 test Saive overpowered Douglas' gained revenge over Syed who Kettler Sport take Division 1 April Glenn Baker was injured lightning blocking blasting also lost to Peter Jackson. Rogers North with a 7-1 win over Grove and Peter Jackson was dropped! numerous shots down the line to took some consolation beating II, and Britainnia Ipswich The match started, after the pres­ win vital points and take the Jackson in the last game to leave snatched third place away from entation of a £2,500 cheque to the game at 21-15 in the third. Syed the score standing at 6-2 to City of Leeds, crushing them a Meningitis Trust in memory of then carved up a nervous looking Ashford. surprising 8-0. Burslem go down, Mark Sayer, with Jean-Michel Mason 15 & 14 and this was fol­ Butterfly Cardiff were also beaten 5-3 by Ruston Marconi Saive beating Kevin Satchell 16 & lowed by another long tussle as beaten 6-2 by Ashford while Bath Lincoln. West Warwickshire 10. Nicky Mason made little Dorking took on a fired up Sat­ were busily whitewashing Chan finished just one game behind impact on Des Douglas. From chell. At one game each it was Construction. Bayer Bradford City of Leeds after drawing away eleven all in the first game Doug­ Dorking who took a 15-10 lead in went down 3-5 to Ormesby and to MBS St Neots. las came through to win 21-15. In the third but had to fight all the Armada 400 lost 0-8 to Bath Relegated Plymouth Bulldogs the second game he took an irre­ way for a 21-19 victory. Hannah although Alison Gordon lost in beat promoted C&L Ruislip 6-2 in trievable 13-3 lead and won 21-8. performed much better against three to both Satchell and Rogers. Div. 1 South. Horsham Dolphins Steve Dorking was at No 3 to face Rogers· winning the first game Bayer Bradford could still survive. beat Rejects 7-1 to push them the much improved Chris Rogers. under 10. Rogers then came back down to 5th place. Had this single borking lost the first 21-23 and with his third deuce win of the Bradley Upset result been reversed Rejects went 0-4 down in the second. A day, but the determined Scot won On April 23 Bath beat Cardiff 7-1 would have finished 2nd! spirited fightback saw him take a the third 21-13 for a hard-fought and Ashford beat Armada 400 by Dagenham FC beat Doleq Car­ 12-8 lead which was sufficient to draw. A disappointing result for the same score. Ormesby, playing pets 7-1 to move up from fifth to win 21-13. The reverse occurred the favourites Ashford, but they at home to Grove L produced a third place as they never got to in the deciding game as Dorking made up for it just 6 days later. slightly surprising 6-2 victory use Dave Wells this season. took a 7-3 lead only to find him­ Playing on home ground Doug­ with Horatio Pintea and Nigel Vymura International finished self trailing 9-13. Rogers then won las scraped through against Eckersley beating Bradley Bill­ 2nd in Div 2 North despite losing again at deuce. Dave Hannah Mason at 25-23 in the third. ington. Chen Xinhua of course 1-7 to Oldham. March beat Chan looked less than impressive Having adjusted the bottom half won his two including a 12 & 6 Construction II to hold on to third against Matthew Syed losing -12, of their team, Ashford rattled off victory over Jimmy Stokes. Grove place. Royal Mail Leicester's 6-2 -10 for Bath to take a 3-1 lead at the next six games. Saive beat Sat­ had to consol.e themselves by win over Grove III changed half-time. chell and Douglas again, the latter winning the last two games with nothing as did Well Connected One of the highlights of the at deuce in the third. Glenn Baker John Souter beating John Broe Wellinbro's result with Ormesby match was Saive's battle against made miraculous recovery to beat and Graham Sandley beating with the former having about 6 Douglas. In a fast and furious con- Rogers and Satchell. Mason Nigel Eckersley. Games dif­ points to spare. Ashford II took no gambles with Victory Sports Tonbridge beating them 6-2 to win Div. 2 South while the main challengers Chelmsford OC's drew with rele­ gated Fellows Cranleigh. Deptford Rams drew with But­ terfly Cardiff II too'

Liverpool win liverpool lift the Div 3 North title as they beat the Hartlepool People's Centre 6-2. Birmingham SC drew with Bri-Bar Byker while Vymura International crunched 19 Crusaders Lincoln 7-1 to move up ••~••••• Midla . a place. t : Bank P In Div. 3 South Horsham Dol­ ••••••• phins II win by two points beating Ashford III 6-2 to leave the latter in bottom place. Rejects II gained revenge over Lambeth 4 \~\ Tops with a 6-2 win to finish in 2nd place with just one loss but five draws. Marley Ashford sur­ vived their first year in the div­ ision together with Gunnersbury Triangle. Mr 'Taft Hughes, Sports Sales Manager of Kettler (CB), presents a sponsorship cheque to members of Kettler Sport Div 3 West waits for Bathwick table tennis team, winners of Division One (North) of the Leeds British League. As a result, they will now be promoted Tyres II who are most likely to win to the prestigious Premier Division of the League for the '/989-'90 season. Former European Champion lohn Hilton the division ahead of Specsavers leads the squad, one of five teams from the Kettler Wulstans Club, Stoke-on- Trent. The team has had a rapid rise to the Barry who finished with a 6-2 win Premier Division, playing in Division Three just over a year ago. Kettler's sponsorship also extends to the club's four over Kingfisher Reading. Grove other teams which play in the Potteries and District League under the joint Kettler-Ansells banner. IV took a point from Doleq Car­ Pictured left to right are: Stephen Scowcroft, 'Taft Hughes, Stephen Slater, lohn Hilton, Stan Deakin, Adrian pets to leave Leckie as favourites Moore and loe Deakin. for the propping up spot. 20 IThe Leeds British League 2

RESULTS STOP PRESS Premier the LEEDS Ashford 4 4 Bath Ashford 6 2 Cardiff BRITISH Bath 8 0 Chan Cons Congratulations to Ormesby 5 3 Bradford LEAGUE - Bath 2 6 Ashford TABLES Armada 400 o 8 Bath Ashford Cardiff 1 7 Bath Armada 400 1 7 Ashford THREE draws at the end of April gave Ashford I the Pr~mier Armada 400 1 70rmesby Championship and Ormesby the runner-up spot. Former p W D LF A P Bradford 2 6 Ashford champions Bath are currently 4th with one outstanding Ashford 14 10 4 o 85 27 24 Bath 4 40rmesbJ fixture against Bradford. Bath must win this to take 3rd Ormesby I 14 9 5 o 79 33 23 14 4 2 77 35 20 Cardiff 4 4 Bradfor place from Grove. Bradford must draw to avoid relegation. Grove I 8 Bath 4 4 Grove Bathwick Tyres I 13 7 5 1 69 35 19 With £1,500 at stake on this one match I back Bath' Jean­ Butterfly Cardiff I 14 4 2 8 49 63 10 Michel Saive returns to Belgium for the summer and is Armada 400 14 2 1 11 30 82 5 Div 1 North: looking forward to another season of Ashford's excellent Chan Construction I 14 2 1 11 23 89 5 Leeds 4 4 Grove" B Bradford 13 1 2 10 28 76 4 Kettler 7 1 St Neots team spirit. Grove will now need to recruit if they are to Lincoln 6 2 Ipswich make an impact on the Premier next year. Armada must Diy 1 North Warwicks 5 3 Burslem be grateful to Cardiff. A well deserved title to Ashford Kettler 14 11 1 2 75 37 23 Burslem 3 5 Lincoln who are a fine example to the League - hard work justly Grove II 14 8 4 2 66 46 20 8 0 Leeds Br Ipswich 14 6 5 3 66 46 17 g'swich rewarded. 4 61 51 16 rove" 1 7 Kettler City Leeds 14 6 4 St Neots 4 4 Warwicks W Warwicks 14 6 4 4 60 52 16 RM Lincoln 14 4 0 10 35 77 8 St Neots 14 2 3 9 48 64 7 Div 1 South: Burslem 14 2 1 11 37 75 5 RUislip 8 0 Horsham Diy 1 South Dagenham 5 3 Plymouth C&L Ruislip 14 11 2 1 80 32 24 Rejects 5 3 Ramlosa Horsham D 14 7 3 4 63 49 17 Larkhall 2 6 Doleq Dagenham FC 14 6 2 6 57 55 14 Doleq 1 7 Dagenham T Ramlosa E 14 4 5 5 55 57 13 Horsham 7 1 Rejects Rejects I 14 5 3 6 52 60 13 Plymouth 6 2 Ruislip Larkhall 14 5 3 6 47 65 13 Ramlosa 4 4 Larkhall Doleq 14 3 5 6 48 6411 Plymouth 14 2 3 9 46 66 7 Div 2 North: Div 2 North Leicester 6 2 Oldham Wellingbro 1313 0 o 89 15 26 March 5 30rmesby Vymura Int 13 10 0 3 67 37 20 Vymura Int 8 0 Chan Co March TIC 14 8 1 5 61 51 17 Grove III 2 6 Leicester Leicester 14 7 1 6 60 52 15 Chan Cons 3 5 March Oldham 14 5 0 9 51 61 10 7 1 Vymura Int Ormesby II 13 5 0 8 43 61 10 Oldham Grove 1lI 13 4 0 9 39 65 8 Wellingbro 5 3 Grove III Chan Con II 12 0 0 12 14 82 0 Diy 2 South Div 2 South: Ashford II 14 12 1 86 26 25 Ashford 6 2 Chelmsford Chelmsford 14 11 1 2 80 32 23 Cheltenham 5 3 Cranleigh Cheltenham 13 7 2 4 50 54 16 Poole 3 5 Deptford Deptford R 14 7 2 5 58 50 16 Chelmsford 4 4 Cranleigh VS Tonbridge 14 4 3 7 49 63 11 Deptford 4 4 Cardiff J Poole 13 4 1 8 42 62 9 Tonbridge 2 6 Ashford B Cardiff 14 2 3 9 43 69 7 Cardiff 4 4 Tonbridge F Cranleigh 14 1 1 12 32 80 3 Diy 3 East Div 3 East: Ellenbro 14 11 3 o 80 32 25 Ipswich 3 5 Cranleigh Tony Stark (Armada 400), victor over Hannah & Eckersley Norwich F 14 9 5 o 81 31 23 CM Keynes 4 4 Westfield Dunstable 13 7 2 4 59 45 16 Dunstable 6 2 AHW Comets AHW Comets 14 6 4 4 55 57 16 Norwich 4 4 Ellenbro Cranleigh 13 5 5 3 54 50 15 AHW Comets 4 4 Norwich Westfield 14 1 4 9 37 75 6 Westfield 4 4 Ipswich CM Keynes 14 1 3 10 37 75 5 Ellenbro 7 1 CM Keynes B IpswiCh 14 1 2 11 37 75 4 Div 3 North Div 3 North: Liverpool 14 12 0 2 82 30 24 Hartlepool 14 10 2 2 74 38 22 Byker 5 30rmesby Birmingham 14 7 4 3 64 48 18 Hartlepool 6 2 Lincoln Vymura Int 14 6 1 7 58 54 13 Peterbro 1 7 Liverpool BB Byker 14 4 5 5 55 57 13 Vymura IntI 5 3 Birmingham Lincoln 14 4 2 8 44 68 10 Birmingham 4 4 Byker Peterbro 13 3 2 8 41 63 8 Lincoln 1 7 Vymura Inti Ormesby II 13 0 2 11 22 82 2 Liverpool 6 2 Hartlepool Diy 3 South Horsham D 14 10 3 76 36 23 Div 3 South: Rejects II 14 8 5 1 73 39 21 Ashford 4 4 Pillinger Larkhall 12 7 1 4 51 45 15 Lambeth 2 6 Horsham Lambeth 4T 14 7 1 6 57 55 15 Marley Ash o 8 Rejects Pillinger 14 3 4 7 49 63 10 Larkhall 5 3 G Triangle G Triangle 12 3 3 6 44 52 9 Horsham 6 2 Ashford Marley Ash 12 3 2 7 35 61 8 Rejects 6 2 Lambeth Ashford 14 2 1 11 39 73 5 Div 3 West S Barry 14 9 3 2 78 34 21 Div 3 West: Launc'ton 14 7 5 2 65 47 19 Fareham 4 4 Reading Bath II 11 8 2 1 59 29 18 Grove IV 1 7 Launceston K Reading 13 6 3 4 59 45 15 Leckie 3 5 Doleq AG Fareham 13 2 7 4 50 54 11 Doleq 4 4 Grove IV Doleq Carp 13 3 5 5 43 61 11 Reading 2 6 Barry Grove IV 13 0 5 8 28 76 5 Barry 4 4 Bath II Andrew Eden, from Liverpool Leckie 13 1 2 10 34 70 4 21 ICounties 1

and going down in the last one regained his appetite for the BERKSHIRE CUMBRIA 16-21. game. The standard of play was Bob Adams Gordon Brown The other lady, Lynne Hadfield good with Bawden a worthy win­ (Whitehaven YMCA Cobras) ner. The girls events were com­ NEWBURY Ladies again take BARROW maintained its pos­ fought back from 8-0 down i.n the pletely dominated by the prime spot in this column by con­ ition as one of the strongest first game of her set with Lesley Camborne pair of Rachel Boon tinuing in their winning ways in schools table tennis areas in the Smith to lead 20-19 before being and Anna Cahill. In fact it was a the Rose Bowl by beating country when Parkview and defeated 21-23. Lesley won the successful day for Camborne Willesden by a convincing 5-1 Yarlside schools collected titles at second 21-17. whose new crop of youngsters scoreline to move into the the Dunlop National Schools' Cumbria have finished the made their school the most suc­ National semi-finals. Bracknell team championships at Lea season with two wins and five cessfulon the day:- U19BS: Mark League Champions Kingfisher Green Sports Centre, Matlock, defeats and have finished fifth in Bawden (Launceston) bt johnny having reached the same national Derbyshire, on March 11. the eight-team division. Last Maggs (Bude) U19GS: Rachel quarter final stage as the New­ Parkview, who won the boys' season they ended. fifth in a Boon (Pool) bt Anna Cahill (Cam­ bury ladies were hopeful of simi­ under-13 title last year, this time seven-county division 3a. borne) U16BS: Mark Bawden bt lar glories but found themselves gained the boys' under-16s, Matthew Rushton (Camborne) up against North Middlesex who beating Salesian College, Farn­ CORNWALL U16GS: Rachel Boon bt Anna included a trio of characters who borough, 5-3 and Hellesdon Cahill U13BS: jonathon Pocock rumour has it can play a bit, High, Norwich, 5-3. Jeremy Williams (Camborne) bt David Menzel namely former England No. 2 The diminutive jonathan THURSDAY March 9th 1989 was a (Camborne) U13GS: Anna Cahill Graham Sandley, current Wales Lowes won all his four sets, two in strange evening for Cornish Table bt Sarah Richardson (Launceston) No. 1 Nigel Tyler and England each match, justin Brunton won Tennis. Because it was the eve­ U11BS: Kevin Worth (La un­ No. 45 Tony Stark as their number one against Hellesdon, Gareth ning that Cornwall said farewell ceston) bt Graham Worth (La un­ 3. Small wonder that the Bracknell Brunton two against Salesian and to Tom Honey stalwart of the ceston) U11GS: Overall Winner­ squad of Graham Kemp, Keith one against Hellesdon and Cornwall Association and West Heide Warden-Lovell (Falmouth). Hodder and Paul Savins found life Andrew Reynolds one in each Cornwall League since the early a bit tough and succumbed, but match. 1950's. The Old Quay House Inn not without a struggle. Neverthe­ YarIside Primary won the boys' near his SI. Ives home was full to DERBYSHIRE less reaching the last eight of a under-11 competition, beating capacity for the farewell dinner Martin Kinsella national competition is thought to Holymead junior, Bristol, 6-2 in with dozens of applicants having DERBYSHIRE live to fight again be best performance ever of a the final after disposing of Cum­ to be turned away. A measure of in the Senior County Premier Bracknell team in the League's 30 nor House, Croydon, 5-2. Chris­ the respect that Tom Honey car­ Division. Needing two wins to be year history. Perhaps Kingfisher tian Lidstone won all his four ried. During the evening tributes safe Derbyshire first beat Suffolk will be able to put in a repeat per­ matches, Jonathan Wright three, were paid by County Chairman 5-4 wi th two good wins from John formance next year as they are Ian Edwards (two) and james David Blackford, County Secre­ Holland and then in a northern already assured of the Bracknell Holywell (two). tary and West Cornwall League relegation battle Derbyshire con­ title for the 1988/89 season. Parkview girls were runners-up chairman Roger jacobs and also demned Yorkshire to the drop in in the under-16s, beating Thomas by ETTA General Secretary Albert another 5-4 nail-biter with Peacocke, Rye, 5-3, but losing 8-0 Shipley who was a special guest Bradley Billington beating Chris to winners Grove, Market Dray­ for the evening. Tom Honey Oldfield -17, 19, 19 and Martin ton. The Parkview team was Car­ served Cornish table tennis for Kinsella beating Steve Mills 20, oline Watt, Fiona Harris, Carrie more than 38 years, during which -19, 20 that~s how close it was. Lowes and Rebecca Holland. time he was secretary. to the Parkview, however, came County Association and more unstuck in the girls' under-13s, recently the West Cornwall going down 6-2 to Bristol Bris­ League. He became one of an elite lington and 7-1 to Peniel Acad­ number of English Table Tennis emy, Brentwood. But they had Association Vice-Presidents and, done well in winning the north­ until his recent departure to Scot­ ern title in their age group which land to live, was Cornwall's had qualified them for Matlock. National Councillor. No fewer Mandy Sainsbury (Berkshire) wilt" Congratulations to Diccon than ten former county singles coach this summer but is retiring Gray, who was in six Millom champions were also present at from some competitive play includ­ School national schools title win­ the dinner including the first one ing the Bundesliga. See her letter and ning teams up to 1980, on being Geoffrey Cornelius who was Don Parker's reply on Page 29. appointed the ETTA's develop­ County Champion in 1952 and Nicola Deaton (Derbyshire) still ment officer. He presented prizes the most successful one John playing with Dad's old bat keeps the I happen to know that a slightly at Matlock. Bassett the Cornish table tennis flag flying for her county. different set of Kingfisher players CUMBRIA put up a brave fight legend. So, with Tom Honey mov­ are currently holding top place in in their final Leeds County Table ing to Scotland to live, a large hole Another successful Derby the Leeds Southern Regional Tennis Championship Division is left in Cornwall's administra­ junior Open sponsored by the League Premier division and 2a match of the season' on Satur­ tive network - a hole that will take Nat West Bank was ably run by with only one team left to play day March 18th, but went down some time to fill in. Mike Payne. Julie Billington and from a somewhat controversial 7-3 to Warwickshire 2nds in Sunday March 12th was the Nicola Deaton who is still playing earlier postponement should be Birmingham. Cornwall Schools Individual with her dad's old bat both raised in possession of the title well Ian Reed, of Millom Former Championships at Launceston the Derbyshire flag high in front before publication of this column. Pupils, was the visitors' star, win­ College. In the absence of Neil of their home crowd. This squad again features Keith ning both his singles against Bevan, the boys events were very Congratulations to Bradley Bill­ Hodder, currently poised for both number one Ian Gunn 22-20, open this year and there were cer­ ington on his European League qualification inthe Reading Mas­ 21-15, and Peter Machin 17-21, tainly some surprises. Top seed in debut and his England No.6 ters and the coveted Maidenhead 22-20,21-17. the under'19 and under 16 boys ranking. Wilkinson Sword, and unlikely to Acting captain Roger Stewart, event John Menzel jnrfound him­ Congratulations are also due to be toppled from top place in the of Carlisle Sports Centre Free self below par and found himself Alan Cooke who on the week of Bracknell League with' an Traders, won Cumbria's otLer set eliminated in the semis of both his 23rd birthday won'his biggest unbeaten 100%. Will he make the with 16-21,21-13,21-19 win over events by Johnny Maggs in the title yet, the Commonwealth treble? My predication says not Machin. former and Matthew Rushton in Championship. We are all proud but I cannot think of any previous Back from having a baby, Bar­ the latter. Both boys played well of you Alan. Just keep the form occasion when anyone has even row's Karen Backhouse took for­ to reach their respective finals going and I think you can do been in the running. Altogether a mer England ranked Fiona Sutton where they were both beaten by something a bit special in the fine performance from a to three games, losing the first the number two seed Mark Worlds before coming back to thoroughly nice guy. 11-21, winning the second 21-17 Bawden who seems to have retain your English title. 22 ICounties 2

Then I bumped into the legen­ points in a row to take the set DEVONSHIRE ESSEX dary Bert "Doc" Levinge, who 22-20, this took place versus Fel­ Val Heath Alan Shepherd was one of my good friends in the lows Cranleigh in Saracens pen­ Hford League 30 years ago, but ultimate match of the season. who now lives in Ireland. It was Cheltenham Saracens should fall SAVING the best until last means THE outstanding news of the great to see him. Unfortunately I into third or fourth place in the this is the issue I must report our month is that our three teams will formed the view that I am too old final table. greatest youth success of the all be in their respective County for this sort of playas I felt quite A tribute to former County season:­ Premier Divisions next season. shattered after losing to a 70 year Chairman Jack Reeves - the posi­ Alex Perry from Crediton. Alex Pride of place obviously goes to old gentleman named Trevor tive structural mainstay (once (who has another year in Cadets) the Seniors, who drew their. final 25-23 in the third and then being again) of this years Cotswold started the season well by win­ game away to Yorkshire II, but spattered all round the court by Junior (Select) Championships in ning the U14 boys in 2"s at Bude, still won Division 1A by a clear Matt Sheader. Gloucester, although even no Torbay and Wiltshire. These wins four points. longer on the County Committee, paved the way to his ·first peak of where indeed would we be with­ the season at the Leeds English GLOUCESTERSHIRE out you Jack? On behalf of the Junior where he gained R. Up County Committee Many position against B. Forster and Alf Peppard Thanks. won the doubles title alongside THE END of the season - this final N. Bradfield. report hopefully outlines some of Gloucestershire County Council To follow Alex came R.Up at the the most important matters that School of Sport Tameside 2' U14 before taking have occured during 1988/89 in Three years ago the above with part in an England Senior camp. Gloucestershire. the co-operation of the Forest of Alex thoroughly enjoyed this It is always a feather in any Dean D.C. and the Tewkesbury camp and although it was Counties cap to attain another B.C. plus the Cotswold District extremely hard work he felt it was affiliated League, Cirencester did Council set up what was then very valuable prior to the Derby 2' just that last Autumn - and as known as "The 1st Glo'shire select there Alex in fine form beat Grant Solder, Essex expected from any newly formed School of Sport", not only was N. Bradfield (semi's) and R. Association are going great guns table tennis included in their Powell (final) to win the Cadet Our all conquering Veterans - Well done Cirencester keep it sporting curriculum, but many title. ended with a 100% record by up. other sports as well, Athletics, Sheer determination and love beating Worcs. 8-1 after another Gloucestershire Schools Annual Hockey, Netball, Soccer and of the game has strengthened him gruelling journey. They too will Championships: These champion­ Cricket to name but a few, I am physically and his unending be playing at top level in 1989/90. ships were again successfully delighted to mention that for the energy along with his strong I am best pleased by the per­ held at St Benedicts School in 3rd year (1989) Table Tennis is in mental attitude never ceases to formance of the Junior second and Cheltenham - played on 9 tables the very capable hands of Kevin astound those watching. third teams. Both played in Div­ under the watchful eyes of Peter Satchell the Wiltshire Coach, our ,..-,-----, ision 2D and remained unbeaten, Cruwys (Hon Refereee) and Steve selected youngsters couldn't have champions and runners-up. So Taylor (Secretary Glo'shire a better qualified tutor than the the second team will return to Schools T. T. Assoc.) 10th ranked all England Player Division 1 and I think I am right from Melksham. in saying that all its opponents Results of all Final's will be first teams. Boys Under 11, Jamie Day Coaching A pleasing note of the final (Hempsted) beat Peter Dupree Throughout the County coaching round of matches is that we are (Hempstead) 10, 19. Girls Under has taken top priority - in able to introduce one of our best 11, Kerry Hogarth (Picklenash Cheltenham Peter Cruwys our youngsters, Ryan Savill (12) into Newent) Group Winner. Boys County Coaching Secretary is the third team where he won one Under 13, Paul Morley (Crypt) never very far away from Steve of his singles. We also turned out beat Peter Hayward (Marling) 24, Cox's coaching sessions where a fourth team against our friends 9. Girls Under 13, Beth Walker Steve is greatly helped by from Kent in a friendly which (Archway) beat Janet Lathem Graham Slack and Dave Harvey. gave chances to Wayne Mitchell (Denmark H.5.) 8, 17. Boys Under Steve Cox has applied to Val (Harlow) and Peter Worthington, 16, Jeremy Hyatt (Newent) beat Clack (S.w.R. Coaching Officer) Karl Grant, Anna Weil and Cathy Lawrence Simpson (Kings Glos) to have Cheltenham recognised Sibbald (Brentwood). A very 10,20. Girls Under 16, Alison Cox as ail advanced Coaching Centre. enjoyable match resulted in an (Bournside) Group Winner, R.U. In Stroud Coaching comes 8-2 win. Elain Bassett (Archway). Boys under the control of Bob Brown ­ Alex Perry, Devon Under 19, Ray Powell (Crypt) beat Bobs helpers are Alan Giles and Congratulations Adrian Stailey (Pates Grammar) Trevor Golding at the Stroud Winning the V17 Singles at the Congratulations to our six rep­ 15, -20, 19. Girls Under 19, Leisure Centre on Saturday N. Bournemouth r as well as the resentatives at the Junior Top Wendy Nicholls (Maidenhill) mornings. mens doubles with Malcolm Twelve at Milton Keynes, namely Group Winner, R.U. Penny Wyatt Cirencester, I know that Peter Francis added a further feather to Damian Holland, Grant Solder, (Maidenhall). Cruwys and Kevin Satchell have his cap leading up to his most Alison Gower, Linda Radford, done a considerable amount of recent peak of the year at the Chris Siadden and Sarah Leeds British League good solid coaching - but this is a England Cadet Top 12 Gardner, and in particular to Gloucestershire have only one new league finding their way and Winning all eleven games with Damian, who finished 4th. team in this league - thats I must confess that I do not know brilliant tactical play gained Alex Finally, may I record my visit to Cheltenham Saracens team of: at present if they have their own his worthy first place. the Veterans' Tournament at Dave Harvey, Mark Owen, Darren permanent Coaching Officer. This lad who at the same time is Swindon, to see what our people Griffin and Graham Slack, pro­ In Gloucester coaching is in the excelling at School, could give us got up to at these notorious moted from last seasons Division very capable and experienced all a few lessons in determination events. I saw the likes of Stuart 3 (West) into this seasons Div­ hands of Paddy Jackson and and we wish him all the best in Gibbs, Stan "the Bat" Battrick, ision 2 (South), Highlights of the George Novoth and as a result of the future. Fred Lockwood etc. but, what was season - 39 year old No. 1 Dave their combined efforts the emer­ more amazing, I actually played Harveys defeat of Phil Bradbury gance of Raymond Powell and Coaching thanks against two ex-Southend League (Depford Rams) and Bradburys Jeremy Hyatt as future stars has P.5. He asks me to convey his luminaries, namely, Alan Time­ 1st loss of the season and Harvey indeed been very evident for thanks to Malcolm Francis his well and Alan Cooke. The latter again went down 14-20 against some considerable time, but there coach through the magazine for turned out to be not quite so good Alex Abbott in their third game, are others in the coaching pipe his constant support and making as his namesake, although he was Dave did the seemingly imposs­ line who could be rocking their his year such a success. too good for me. ible - by winning the next 8 boat in a few years time.

23 ICounties 3

LANCASHIRE ISLE OF WIGHT LEICESTERSHIRE George R. Yates Brian Lamerton Tony Li/icrapp THE Veterans of Leicestershire PAUL SHIRLEY, the brother of Rigby in what was considered the ROGER HOOKEY capped an out­ finally discovered the secret of best final of the day. 15-year-old Jill Parker, made the headlines in standing season when taking the success when they scraped home the Lancashire Evening Post Ron Pennington won the junior Islands championship with an 5-4 against bottom of the table when, in the Alliance Leicester singles beating Rod Manwaring emphatic 21-18, 21-9 final defeat Warwickshire in their most recent 16 and 17 in the final. championships of the Preston of Mike Turner; last years cham­ Division lA fixture. League, he not only beat last The new youth singles cham­ pion Chris Angus and Dave Hill­ Architeet of Leicestershire's season's champion, Dave Bunt­ pion is Willie Berkeley with a final iam were defeated semi-finalists. long awaited first victory was ing, but went on to take the title win over Sam Valentine -10, 16, 17 Sharon Urry is the new ladies Graham 'dizzy' Hughes who beat with a final victory over Barry but, in the youth doubles, it was champion and for good measure Brian Belcher in the opening Cook. the turn of Micky Malcolm and she also shared the mixed singles game of the match and Valentine to mount the rostrum, The winning line for Shirley doubles title with Martin later on in the evening slugged it against Cook was 18, -14, 16 and the beaten finalists being Mitchell. Peter Urry and Paul out with Graham Hoskins to Berkeley and Pankash Parek. the pair joined forces to take the Morton surprised everybody emerge 21-17 winner in the third mens' doubles beating Tony Prizes were presented by Mr. (themselves included) by defeat­ thus putting Leicestershire into John Daglish the local manager of Rigby and Andrew Gray -20, 13, ing Roger Hookey and Mike an unbeatable 5-2 lead. Other the Alliance Leicester Building 14 in the final. Turner in the mens doubles final Leicestershire winners were John Society. Nicola McGrath won the whilst the successful ladies part­ I1iffe and Eileen Shaler with one women's singles title for the third Lancashire and Cheshire League nership was Joy Batten and win apiece and these two then successive season with a final 14, Congratulations to Liverpool Amanda Will. combined to take the mixed on their retention of the Division 20 victory over Joanna Wool­ Hookey's other accomplish­ doubles. dridge and, in partnership with 1 championship title and to the ments this season were to lead This win, however, still leaves capture of the women's first div­ Julie Clegg, also won the women's Sandown (ably assisted by the them bottom but one of the Div­ doubles beating Carey Delaney ision title taking over from Pres­ aforementioned Turner and Ian ision and relegation is looking and Allison Hitchen in the final. ton. Oldham won the Junior Div. 1 Smith) to another Island first div­ more a probability than a And, to complete a hatrick of and Stockport, who else ofcourse, ision title and also to act as Cap­ possibility. successes, Nicola clocked up a retained the vets title top tain, Secretary, Baggage Man and After easily whitewashing an third final victory in the company division. No. 1 player to the Regional out of sorts Cheshire II side in of Martin Ireland by beating In the final of the Bolton's League team - not the most suc­ early March the Leicestershire League's closed the men's singles Chris Spedding and Julie Clegg cessful of seasons on the table but Senior II side slid to only their 16, 17 in the final of the mixed. crown was won by David Carse, at the time of writing we are second defeat of the season away Barry Crook lost his veterans' his final victim being Graham 'hanging on' to our premier div­ to middle of the table Not­ crown when beaten by Tony Clark. ision place. In the Ladies Regional tinghamshire. Maurice Newman league our girls finished third made the scoreline respectable for (out of 3) - come on Hampshire, the away side winning both of his HERTFORDSHIRE Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and singles games against John Ellis John Wood Oxfordshire lets have some more and Robert Yong but unfor­ opposition next season. tunately for Leicester he received Five of our youngsters Duncan little in the way of support from Watson, Marcus Gorman, Alister either Martin Pickles or Keith Fel­ Hulburt, Mathew Roberts and lows and it was left to Julie Revill Mathew Hobley journeyed to to win the only other singles rub­ Southampton to participate in the ber for Leicestershire, when she Leeds Youth Cup - they didn't set accounted for Anna Clague. the World on fire but all enjoyed Any realistic hopes the their excursion into the 'big time'. Leicestershire Juniors had of lift­ Three more youngsters, rep­ ing the Division 2A title were vir­ resenting Newport Vies. Richard tually laid to rest when they were Gower, Andy Westhoppe and well and truly beaten by leaders Graham Chiverton lifted the Northamptonshire at Well­ handicap Knowles Cup with a 5 ingborough in mid March. Sarah Sea holme, Watford, Herts. sets to 2 win over Cowes High Leicestershire's only success, as School (comprising 2 pupils plus they went down 1-9, came when HERTFORDSHIRE'S young stars record, Glen Wilkes with 92%, 1 staff member). John Gayton and Darren Branhall were on display at the Junior Top Rob Liquorish with 70% and John My drive for umpires (Yes, I beat the home pairing of Kieran 12, at the Stantonbury Campus, Wood with 50%. double as Umpires Sec.) has so far Dabbs and David Evans in the Milton Keynes, on Easter Satur­ Hemel Hempstead's crunch produced one completed test mens doubles. This apart day and Sunday. match was with runners-up paper - again a junior - if he Leicestershire will certainly wish Shining brightest for the Barnet, whom they beat 5-2, passes next time I'll name him! to forget this match in a hurry. county was Watford's Sarah Sea­ where Barnet's two games were (he wasn't far off first time). The 1989 Rose Johnson Memo­ hoi me who won four of her won by super defender John And Congratulations to an old rial Trophy, a handicap compe­ singles and came 9th in the Cadet Taylor. youngster - Carl Prean, still only tition open to ladies playing in Girls. The quarter-final stages of the 21 and his team gold from the any of the Leagues affiliated to the Ian Black, from St. Albans, Alpha Herts and Beds Cup have Commonwealth championships Leicestershire Table Tennis Asso­ came 11th in the Junior Boys win­ now been completed with the cup in Cardiff was his fourth Com­ ciation, was won by Sue Capewell ning two, where he beat the No.2 holders Hiretech-Adeyfield A monwealth medal. who beat veteran Glenys adams seed Neil Bevan from Cornwall. beating Neeld 7-2, to move into P W Pts 21-13, 16-21, 21-14 in an absorb­ Whilst Hemel Hempstead's the semi-finals where they will Sandown '/\ 20 20 80 ing and entertaining final. Emma Hurling also cam 11th, meet Bedford Modern, who over­ Shanklin '/\ 20 18 67 Organiser Audrey Watson was, winning one of her singles in the came the challenge of St. Albans Newport Vies. '/\ 20 14 57 I know, disappointed by one of Junior Girls section. 6-3. Wroxall '/\ 20 11 48 the lowest turnouts for the com­ Meanwhile back on the County In the other half of the draw Rookley'B' 20 10 46 petition in recent years with only Inter-League Senior tournament Motorola beat Hiretech-Adey­ Newport Vies T 20 9 43 16 players contesting the first scene, where last year's winners field B 5-3 and AHW Comets won Rookley'/\ 20 8 39 round. It was pleasing to note, Hemel Hempstead have gone and at home 5-3 against Bedwell A. Wroxall 'B' 20 4 21 however, that the County Ladies won it once again, when on Sun­ with Jackie North stealing the Sandown Boys Brigade 20 4 20 No.1 Karen Smith took time out day 12th March they completed limelight with a personal 100% Haven Street '/\ 20 4 14 from her busy playing schedule to their matches with a 100% record, Ryde '/\ 20 0 5 compete. 24 ICounties 4

Sara Williams beat Amanda John teen straight wins to date, the MIDDLESEX & Lesley Souter -16,12,14. Mixed best achievement of any British NORTHUMBERLAND Doubles: Tom Cutler & Rachel League side. However this suc­ Iris Moss Aubrey Drapkin Knight beat Ian Svenson & Mar­ cess may have detracted from a THE MIDDLESEX Closed Cham­ ilyn Sangster 18, -16, 18. Veterans county championship bid which AT THE beginning of the season I pionships were played at the Singles: Babs Adedayo beat Tony faltered against Lincolnshire mentioned that the future looked Brent Junior Table Tennis Club Taylor. before finally being extinguished bright for the County with a good (Aylestone School) over the week­ We are most grateful to Tony in an undistinguished defeat at crop of youngsters coming end of 11th/12th March, with the Pacitto for helping us to get the the hands of neighbouring through., This certainly has Junior events on the Saturday and venue (for the last time?) and for Bedfordshire. proved to be the case and I'm the Senior events on the Sunday. supplying everyone with On the league front, Well Con­ pleased to report that the young The entry to the Cadet Boys and refreshments. nected, without Pilgrim and players have made their mark as I Junior Boys events was quite Middlesex youngsters did not rarely with Randle, repeated their expected that they would. good, but as so often happens, the do too badly in the London and now customary hat-trick of Prem­ number of girls entering was very South East Region of the Leeds ier titles at Northampton, Well­ poor. We were unable to run Youth Cup. They lost at the semi­ ingborough and Kettering. The Cadet Girls events and even the final stage in 6 events and in rapid emergence of Richard Junior Girls Singles had only 10 addition Sara Williams won the Elliott and the persistence of Rafe entries. The Junior Girls Doubles Junior Girls and Cadet Girls Miller, who strangely represent started with 3 pairs although a Singles, Kitti and Emese Kottasz Levi's Westfield in the British further scratch pairenteredon the won the Junior Girls Doubles, League, did much to assist day. It was a shame that Simon Emese won the Class " Junior Edmonds, McKim and supremo Rockall, our No.1, was under the Girls and Richard Hyacinth was Chris Handshaw to a haul of titles weather and did not do himself runner-up in the Class" Junior likely to be boosted by both the justice, but he still managed to Boys. Borough and the Evening Tele­ Barry Forster partner David Baker in winning Although the Kottasz sisters graph Trophies as the Kettering the Junior Boys Doubles. David are only "loaned" to Middlesex League season unfolds. At the time of writing the Baker and Sara Williams were from Hungary, I must comment County Junior team is unbeaten undoubtedly the most successful on their dedication. There would in the second division of the players on the Saturday, with Sara appear to be no event in or around Leeds County Championships taking the Junior Girls Singles London, from the London Junior where the boys have lost only and Junior Mixed Doubles (with Table Tennis Scheme to the three sets all season. Barry Forster David) titles, and David winning Middlesex 3-Star that these girls has, as previously reported, won the Cadet Boys Singles, the Junior do not enter. No opposition is too the English Cadet title and he will Boys Doubles (with Simon Rock­ high or too low for them as long as be playing in the Junior Top 12. all), the Junior Mixed Doubles they are playing table tennis. Do Blaydon Youth Club, who reg­ (with Sara), and finishing run­ we have something to learn from ularly play youngsters in their ner-up in the Junior Boys Singles. them? teams, have had seven teams in The entry on the Sunday was the Northumberland League this affected by our clash with the season and their A team look Cleveland 3-Star and the con­ NORTHANTS likely to finish as runners up in sequent loss of all our top players, the top division. The recent Tyne Dennis Millman but one wonders whether they Graeme McKim and Wear Office Supplies tourna­ would have entered anyway. With ALTHOUGH some of the loose ment, the Northumberland the very full Calendar it is difficult ends remain to be tied, the season The year has been enlivened closed, had more than it's fair not to clash with something, but fast approaches its end, and hope­ too by Gerald Finney's generous share of youngsters taking part. perhaps with hindsight it would fully one can reflect on the suc­ sponsorship of the Pennine/ Young David Venus won the have been better not to clash with cesses, while forgetting the NCTTA Computer Ranking handicap competition with his such a prestigous event. Once failures, of what has proved an scheme which has certainly team mate Colin Harris getting to again Sara Williams did very welL absorbing period of time. attracted both its devotees and its the semis. taking the Womens Singles title The individual success story detractors. Currently hard work In the mens singles Stephen and the Womens Doubles with must belong to twelve-year-old and enthusiasm from Gwil and Coverdale was a losing quarter Sally Prowen. Taking into con­ Sally Russell, who won every David Evans have won the day, finalist whilst Blaydon Youth sideration that Sara is still a match in her first Leeds County with the father and son combi­ Club A and B were the losing Cadet, she must be regarded as Championship campaign, and in nation providing the backing to a semi finalists in the team event. one of the brightest stars in the doing so almost certainly helped system which has added a new Andrew Wilkinson of North Middlesex firmament. Keep it up Kieron Dabbs, David Evans, Neil dimension to local table tennis. Shields won the Class 3 singles. Sara. Atkinson and Tracey Marriott to Despite Gerald having an I'm sure that all of these players Cadet Boys Singles: David Baker promotion, although Northum­ unfortunate season through ill­ will make even more progress beat Richard Hyacinth 14, 14 berland still have several Junior ness and injury he still main­ next season. Junior Boys Singles: Joel Roodyn Division 2A fixtures to be played. tained enough genuine feeling for The Tyne and Wear Office Sup­ beat David Baker -18, 13, 13. Not content with this, she also the game to increase his sponsor­ plies tournament was played at Junior Girls Singles: Sara won the Wellingborough Ladies ship by underwriting a Top Wallsend Sports Centre and Williams beat Kitti Kottasz 19, 13. Singles title against that experi­ Twelve Tournament to feature the attracted a good entry. Twelve Junior Boys Doubles: David Baker enced campaigner Muriel Cox leading dozen players on the Pen­ tables were well used during the & Simon Rockall beat Damian and suitably encouraged she sal­ nine list at the close of the season course of the day when 266 Abrahams & Nigel Keedy 12, 18. lied forth into the Leeds senior and this should provide a suitable matches were played. Junior Girls Doubles: Emese & ranks to win on her first ever finale. Eddie Smith retained the men's Kitti Kottasz beat Elizabeth appearance at this level. Her Another unsung heroine in title, took the doubles with Ian Blanch & Caroline Walsh -19, 10, father John, who was always diffi­ county circles is secretary Barbara Robertson and helped Gateshead 6. Junior Mixed Doubles: David cult to beat in his Kettering Gibbs. She too has not enjoyed to win the team event. He was also Baker and Sara Williams beat League days, must be well the best of health during her term runner up in the Handicap and in Richard Hyacinth and Kitti Kot­ pleased. of office, but this has not pre­ the mixed doubles with Christine tasz 8, 17. Mens Singles: David Once again the club of the vented her from fulfilling her Burke. Clare Mouzon retained the Tan beat Costas Papantoniou -16, season must be Well Connected. duties cheerfully and con­ ladies title and also won the Class 15, 14. Womens Singles: Sara Suitably re-inforced by Adrian scientiously at all times. Let us 2 singles. Robertson won the Williams beat Rachel Knight 19, Pilgrim, that well-travelled trio of hope that the year ahead will be mixed doubles partnered by 12. Mens Doubles: David Tab & Graeme McKim, Andy Edmonds one that she and Northamp­ Caron Guthrie who also helped Costas Papantonious beat Viv and Mark Randle, have carried all tonshire can enjoy to the full, and Christine Burke to success in the McCarthy & Tom Cutler 19, 17. before them in Division 2 North that both will reap the rewards Ladies Doubles. As expected Fred Womens Doubles: Sally Prowen & of Leeds British League with thir­ they genuinely deserve. Short gained the veterans title. 25 ICounties 5

Worcestershire was well must have patience and gather OXFORDSHIRE SHROPSHIRE rewarded in the Movefast Grade together what experienced play­ ers we have into a squad who will Steve Joyner Ian Marshall A3 event Leominster duo Chris Haynes and Damon Fenton work and practice together to THE 1988-89 county champion­ GROVE'S ever faithful duo of fought a splendid final with the improve the overall standard, and ships were held in March and Mark Turner and Keith Sillitoe former the victor whilst further to also give the youngsters that I again the entry was disappoint­ gave clear notice of their intent to success came for the Leominster spoke of earlier a pinnacle to ing. Banbury provided the bulk of retain their title in the Shropshire camp as David Johnson beat reach. the attendance with a small sub­ Star First Division of the county Grove's consistent Sarah Pigram. These comments are my own urb of the county known as table tennis league when they There was further success for thoughts readers which I am sure Oxford also contributing a dozen completed their matches at the Pontesbury with Neil Morris the may not be endorsed by all of you, or so entries. Despite the low start of the final series of play victor in the Shrewsbury Built-Up but which I hope will be con­ numbers the quality of table ten­ without the loss of a set. Felt Roofing Grade B event over sidered and discussed as a broad nis was high. Top seed Peter Jones However, the men from the Leominster's Andrew Jackson base from which to start our arriving late from the previous North Shropshire market town with Grove's sporting Paul Hack­ recovery. nights school disco soon found will need to be at their best to ing the consolation winner over This recovery starts next season going sticky. maintain pole position with the yet another Leominster player when both our Senior and Junior Jones game appeared patchy as Wrexham duo of David Wyn Mor­ Roy Robinson. Meanwhile young teams will be in a lower division did his eyes, and in his opening ris and Alan Harris alongside Gareth Forbar emulated c1ubmate and will have different teams to game against drinking partner M. Pontesbury pair of John Lumley Neil Morris to add further gold to play and venues to visit. Our Haycock Jones showed little con­ and Martin Williams, also the Pontesbury camp as he gained hosts or visitors will, I am sure, fidence. Eventually the star took unbeaten after the matches the Roofrite Grade C title over find that we will not let the disap­ control and moved slowly on to played on March 12th at Grove Grove's young Martin Bailey pointments of this season shackle the next stage. Second seed Carl School. Meanwhile the young whilst Newcastle-under-Lyme's our drive to win. This drive spar­ Bushell still shaken from an Grove side of Philip Edge and Gary Chadwick ousted Martin kled and shone at brief periods unfortunate incident with a con­ Richard Sutton head the Con­ Twiss for success in the conso­ during our Senior team's match crete wall managed to scrape past corde Trophies Division Two lation event. against Kent at Yeovil, a perform­ the cagey George Pullen. having returned a clean sheet The Wrexham camp gained ance worthy of a televised pro­ The next few rounds threw up against Pontesbury III and the success in the R.S. Bratton Build­ duction. With the return of Lee some good contests. Ray Powell two Grove reserve teams but the ing Contractors Grade 0 event Sadler to the team for the first time undisturbed following his warn­ crunch could come against Wrex­ with Danny Harris victorious this season coupled with the ing from tournament referee ham B for whom veteran Les Mor­ over Grove's Simon Nilski whilst glowing reports we heard of his Barry Yates for blatantly holding ris proves the most amiable tower Robert Pollard of Grove beat performance in the National hands with his girl friend during of strength. Newcastle's Paul Radcliffe to win League for Bathwick Tyres II, we each point, still managed to brush the consolation event. had high hopes of securing a aside the challenge of gentleman Meanwhile Bryan and Knott of point from this match. The other Arthur Chilvers. The four semi Telford in the guise of Ian Baker, members of the team being Brian final places were again occupied Terry Jones, Mike Beamon, Mal­ Reeves, captain courageous, who by the top four seeds. The first colm Langford, Paul Harmer and was prepared to sweat blood in semi saw a furious counter hit­ Julian Wootton duly won the the pursuit of victory with ting game between Bushell and Leeds West Midland Regional whoever he is pitted against, Phi­ Joyner. Club League in fine style whilst lip Payne who was at one time Joyner it was that stood firm in the Leeds British League both looking to be a star in the senior and won through to his fourth Grove I and Grove II press for ranks. Our ladies being Melonie consecutive final. The mouth honours. Carey and Tina Sadler, a quite watering prospect of Jones Finally congratulations to useful doubles combination as against Morris in the second semi Grove School Under 16 Girls who was proved in this match when did not live up to expectation and retained their National School they overcame their nerves in a Jones managed to reverse the pre­ Team title with the squad of Sarah tense third game to win against a vious weeks outcome to win com­ Keith SiIIitoe, Shropshire. Creasey, Liz Creasey, Gail good experienced partnership of fortably in two sets. Ottolini and Claire Marshall in Teresa Moore and Sally Weston. Jones after his shaky start was The March Graded Singles the express lane. Grove's Under Although our men fought gal­ now glowing brighter than his tournament proved as hard 13 Boys team finished in third lantly they were unable to reap white socks under the ultra violet fought as ever with the Talbot place thanks to the efforts of the rewards due to them for their light at the school disco. He Hotel Grade E event typifying the Adam Twiss, Philip Edge, efforts, our only other win being played positively and confidently spirit of the competition as eleven Richard Sutton and Martin Bailey. that of Melonie against Teresa. to beat old friend/enemy Steve year old Amy Cowan of Grove Our fortunes were slightly bet­ Joyner. overcame a much improved Sarah ter in the next match away to The glamour section saw seed Horton of Stafford to gain the title SOMERSET Middlesex when our ladies Eleanor Harrison go out to team whilst Pontesbury's Daniel For­ Tony Carey doubles combination won against mate Kathy Singleton. Dawn bar gained success in the conso­ SINCE my last sermon and pro­ Rachel Knight and Gillian Barnett stormed to the final from lation event over Grove's David gress report on the state of Table Blanche, and Melonie won the other half of the draw to set up Bishton. Meanwhile the H&E Tennis in the County, I have wit­ against Rachel, the bonus being a an interesting encounter with Scaffolding Grade A1 event saw nessed various encouraging signs well deserved win by Brian. Kathy. Dawn took the initiative success at the first attempt for of a revival of interest in our sport In conclusion I would like to say and was soon in control taking Hereford's Lincoln Franklin over and the best of these being the that it was very encouraging for her first county title. Pontesbury's John Lumley with large entry of youngsters who West Country fans to see four of As expected Gavin Yates was Grove veteran Maurice Alcock entered the recent Bridgwater our Region's finest players com­ set to clutter the mantelpiece beating Wrexham's Alan Harris League Championships at peting in the Commonwealth with more silver ware as he raced in the consolation event. Chilton Trinity School on 5th Championships at Cardiff. Con­ to the junior and restricted The defeat of Lumley in Grade March, with the greater percent­ gratulations Carol Giles, Paul singles titles. He then teamed up Al was avenged in Grade A2 by age of them being under 12 years Whiting, Paul Lewis and Kevin with Dawn to take the mixed Pontesbury c1ubmate Jonathan of age. I am sure that from what I Satchell. By your performances doubles. The lure of bigger tro­ Day who beat Mary Webb school­ saw, and others would agree, that you demonstrated in a practical phies elsewhere was too great for mate Matthew Alexander for the if these youngsters continue to way all that I have been saying Oxfords top veterans including title whilst experience in the form show the same competitiveness about the world of Table Tennis in our loyal chairman Aif Davies. of Wrexham's Les Morris over­ each time they play coupled with our Region, showing that our This rather depleted entry meant came Grove's hard hitting Clare a willingness to learn, then the sport is truly countrywide and an earlier finish and an unex­ Hand for the consolation award. County can be assured of a bright that true skill is born dedication pected victory for outsider Arthur The increasing support for the future again. and practice whereever you may Chilvers. tournament from neighbouring In the meantime though we live. 26 ICounties 6

The 3-way final began with a would like to record our thanks to SURREY SUSSEX very close match between the the Sports Centre and staff for the Yorkshire champions Selby Col­ Terry Vance John Woodford and Graham Carter excellent facilities and support lege and Prince William School which they provide. CONGRATULATIONS to Nicky JANET Smith and Ritchie Venner from Oundle (Northants) - Selby In the women's and girls' Mason on his continued inclusion are the new Sussex champions. At winning 5-3. events, cadet Nicola Meddings in the England Squad and to Southwick, Venner took the title Ifield then played Prince achieved a clean sweep of her four David Hannah on his return to for the second time top-spinning William. Comprising of Scott events, taking the cadet and fitness and the Scotland team. out Adrian Moore in the final Greenbrook, Mayur Majithia, junior girls, the women's singles I have been asked the where­ 21-19, 8-21, 21-17. Since then Keith Newell and Manish and the doubles (with Michelle abouts of Paul Brook who played Adrian Moore has gone up to No. Majithia, lfield played excep­ Martin). Clearly, Nicola is des­ in the Central League in the 19 on the England list. tionally well to win 8-0. tined to join in a few years' time 1960's. I gather it is nothing to do Miss Smith from Wooding­ lfield therefore needed only a our three other ladies in the upper with owing money! If anyone dean, who is clinging to her Scot­ 4-4 draw to win the Champion­ reaches of the national ranking­ does know of him please give me tish No.1, ratir.g under pressure ship. They started confidently list. Garry Knights dominated the a ring. from rivals, had no trouble dis, with Greenbrook showing why junior boys' events and also At least one person has com­ posing of Teresa Moore 21-14; he has been playing for the Sussex played well to take the intermedi­ plained about my not mentioning 21-11 in the womens singles final. Senior 1st team recently, with an ates in a close fought final with his Club. If he would only send The Woodingdean girl took three impressive 21-9, 21-5 demolition Martin Riley. the information I would endeav­ titles. of Selby's No.2 Chris Hewitt. The Only two titles went to the our to have it printed. On this There were several upsets in Selby No. 1 Craig Smith proved north of the county this year, the topic I would like to ask the the mens singles. Paul Elphick 100 good for Mayur Majithia, and men's and mixed doubles. Mark League Secretaries to send me a took out the Crawley rising star Ifield's next win came when Keith Evans was on the winning side in copy of their Handbooks each Scott Greenbrook and Chris Newell comfortaby beat Robert both, retaining the men's with year and maybe I could gain some Munday, also from Crawley, Carle. John Hancock in a close final snippets of information when I accounted for the No. 4 seed Meanwhile, Manish Majithia against Andy Rich and Tony Isaac am stuck for articles. Stephen Moore. was losing a close fought game and partnering Michelle Holland John Fairweather of Thames 21-19, 21-19 with Selby's No.3 in a straight sets win over Paul Valley League regularly sends me Coles sweep Gary Horsefield. With the match Barnett and Tracey Nigh. a copy of his Division 2 Report Crawley's Cole family totally score at 2-2, Mayur Majithia over­ but I would also like to mention dominated proceedings at the powered Horsefield 21-3, 21-3. Staffordshire Closed the other divisions. With 2 weeks Sussex Junior Table Tennis lfield were looking to Greenbrook Men's Singles Semi finals: A. Rich left it appears that Elmbridge 2 Championships. They amazed to clinch the title with his next (W'ton) bt E. Wilkes (Pott) 17, 15. will win Division 2 closely fol­ everyone by winning all five match against Selby's star-player G. Hallam (Pott) bt P. Barnett lowed by anyone of eight other events. Smith. Scott won the 1st game (Pott) -17, 18, 13. final: Rich bt teams. Heading for relegation is Alan and Tracey Cole from Gos­ 21-9, but Smith fought back well Hallam 19, 16. Teddington 2 with either Alex­ sops Green won every title on to take the 2nd 21-19. In a tense Women's Singles final: N. Med­ andra or Racal joining them. offer in an outstanding display of nail-biting 3rd game, Smith ben­ dings (w. Brom) bt T. Nigh (Staff) John Llewellyn of the talent and determination. efitted from a net win 21-19 and 16,13 Wandsworth League informs me AI<1n, 16, won the under 17 boys level the match score at 3-3. Intermediate Singles final: G. that they are now running 8 div­ singles, beating fellow Crawley Keith Newell showed all the Knights (w. Brom) bt M. Riley isions, the first signific<1nt lad M<1yur Majithia 22-20, 21-13 determination needed as he (Pott) 14, -18, 17 increase for decades. Lambeth are in the final. The two then teamed edged home 21-19 in the 1st game Junior Boys' Singles final: G. leading Division 1 but have up to win the Boys' Doubles title with Selby's No.2 Hewitt. With Knights bt P. Malkin (pott) 11, 18 played 1 more game than Earls­ against the promising Haywards the crowd's tenseness affecting Junior Girls' Singles final: N. field who are only a point behind. Heath duo Trevor Brown and the players, Keith fought back Meddings bt J. Bickerton (pott) 19, S. Holloway leads the averages. In Martin Roberts. from a 16-19 2nd game deficit to Div 2 4 teams are tying for top 5 Tracey, 15, was not to be out­ win 24-22 and give Ifield a Cham­ Cadet Boy's Singles final: S. honours:- Earlsfied B; Crescent done by her elder brother. She pionship winning 4-3 lead. Claire (W'ton) bt P. Tomlinson A; 24A; 24B. Joint top of the aver­ promptly won a hat-trick of titles, (W'ton) 20, 14 ages are G. Carter; R. Clark and N. showing that she's the hottest STAFFORDSHIRE Cadet Girls' Singles final: N. Sutton. property in Sussex Girls' Table Jack Chalkley Meddings bt M. Martin (Burton Tennis. She easily beat Hastings' THE clash with the Cleveland 18, 18 Lian Wilson 21-14, 21-15 to win 3-Star meant that several of the Veterans' Singles final: M. Pickles the Girls' under 17 singles. She top county players were absent (Staff) bt J. Taylor (Staff) 13, 13 then teamed up with schoolmate from the County Closed, but this Men's Doubles final: M. Evans &J. Nicola Mundy to win the Girls' had the effect of producing some Hancock (Pott) bt A. Rich & A. Doubles, beating Lian and very competitive table tennis as Isaac (W'ton) 23, -16, 13 Natasha Wilson in the final. the opportunity of gaining Women's Doubles final: N. Med­ Beaming Tracey then rounded honours became a possibility for dings & M. Martin bt T. Nigh & L. off the successful dav for the Coles several top class players normally Sherratt (Staff) 19, 15 by beating Alan in the final of the overshadowed by our nationally­ Mixed Doubles final: M. Evans & Mixed Doubles. ranked squad. M. Holland (Pott) bt P. Barnett & Tr<1cey was partnered by Mayur Andy Rich has been runner-up T. Nigh 16, 13 Majithia, whilst Alan played with in the men's singles five times Junior Doubles final: G. Knights Nicola Mundy. over the last ten years without a & B. Chell (Burton) bt P. Malkin & SUSSEX schools are the best in win so his victory on this occasion M. Parr 14, 13 England at Table Tennis - and was well-deserved on that I am saddened to report the Nicky Mason, England No.4 that's official. Representing the account alone. His emaculate and death of Maureen Sherratt, the County in the Final at Lea Green, accurate retrieving against the wife of our hard-working secre­ I am inthe process of compiling Derbyshire on Saturday 11th consistent loop and drive of Greg tary. A keen follower of table ten­ an address list of those people March 1989, Crawley's Ifield Hallam provided an excellent nis, Maureen accompanied her who would like to receive entry Community College shook off final for the spectators, rounding husband on most of his umpiring forms for the v<1rious Surrey some very strong oppos.ition to off a long day of enjoyable table engagements. Her regular sup­ Ch<1mpionships in the future. If win the Dunlop Under '19 English tennis played in good spirit port in and around the Stafford you entered l<1st ye<1r your name Schools Championships for the throughout. table tennis scene will be greatly has alre<1dy gone on this list. But 2nd year running. An entry of over 120, 12% up on missed and our deepest sympa­ please let me know on 01 3904068 Keith Newell was the star of last year, with most of the increase thy goes to Derek and to the fam­ if you wish you name included. Ifield. He remained unbeaten all coming in the junior events, pro­ ily - Louise, Wendy and Philip, all The list will only be used for Table day before clinching the deciding vided a full day's play on 10 tables of whom are keenly involved in Tennis purposes. set against Selby to win the title. in the Ford Hall at Lilleshall and I local table tennis. 27 ICounties 7

Miss Fry 13, 8. Mixed doubles: S. Clifford Trophy as the outstand­ WORCESTER WILTSHIRE Fry and Miss K. Palmer beat P. Fry ing player of the Championships. Dave Roden and Miss M. Potter -7, 13,15. Maureen Gott claimed the CONGRATULATIONS this CLAIRE HUNTER made a happy Ladies title for the ninth succes­ month go to Sandra Roden on return to Wiltshire table tennis sive time and the eleventh in reaching No. 10 on the National when she snapped up three titles twelve years, and the Junior Ranking List, Lee Horton on in the county closed Singles went to a girl for the first finishing third in the Cadet Top championships. time since Janette Richardson Twelve event held recently, and Claire, who is studying for a won it in 1974 when Adele Lobley Oxfordshire County Junior Team, degree in sports studies at beat Neil Snodgrass in the final. who beat Worcs Juniors 7-3 in the Chichester, beat Swindon cham­ Other results were: MD - Tim match which decided the Junior pion Brenda Lee in straight Rei\d. and Graham Hatfield; LD­ DIV2B championship. games. Gott and Lisa Clifford; VS ­ The final round of County She partnered Carolyn Gale, Wadsworth; VD - Bartle and Stan match results were disappointing playing in the tournament for the Ryd~r; Hard Bat Singles - Charles for our teams. An under-strength first time to a straight games to Allenby. 1st team visited Norfolk and lost the women's doubles title and Down the road at Selby it was 6-4. Sandra Roden and Mandy then teamed with Alan Duke to teenagers to the fore with 15 year House won their three sets, and take the mixed doubles. The Adrian Metcalfe, Wilts. old Selby High School boy Gareth Trevor Washington won one, but major upsets came in the men's Jones, the second seed, ending Jeremy Duffield and Eric Hard­ singles when the top-seeded A piece of tennis history was the seven year monopoly exer­ man, making his County debut Terry Bruce went out to Ian Neate made in Swindon championships cised by the Sturge club on the failed to record a win. Sandra's (Swindon) and second seed when a girl of 11 became the Fasprint Selby Closed Mens singles win ensured her of a 100% Trevor Lloyd (Melksham) was town's junior champion. Singles. singles record for the county this ousted by Andrew Metcalfe, the Tracy Youldon, who has been Chris Nicholls cleared holder season. unseeded former Yorkshire playing only two years, won the and top seed Craig Smith out of The 2nd team were beaten 9-1 player now living in Swindon. under 18 and under 15 singles. the way in the semi-final battle of by Gloucestershire, Sue Meredith Metcalfe, back in the game after Alexander Collar retained both the 17 year olds, only to find Jones preventing a white-wash; the a layoff, fought back after losing his under 18 and under 15 singles too hot in a straight sets final, but Veterans lost 8-1 to a strong Essex the opening game to beat Jas­ titles and then teamed up with there was consolation for Smith ­ team, Mervyn Wood beating Stan vinder Singh in the final. Peter Fry to take the boy's Nicholls in the Open Doubles, Battrick for Worcs win, and the doubles. where they took the title for the Juniors lost their vital champion­ Results of finals Under 17 boys' singles final: A. third year running, with Smith ship decider with Oxfordshire Men's Singles: A. Metcalfe beat Collar beat P. Fry 18, 10. Under 17 adding the Junior Singles as he 7-3, after looking promotion can­ J. Singh -21, 14, 10 Women's girls' singles: Miss T. Youldon got the better of - yes - Jones! didates all season. Lee Horton singles: Miss Hunter beat Miss beat Miss M. Potter 19,14. Under Debbie Newman (LS) and and Jason Thompson won one Lee 12, 11. Veterans' singles: E. 15 boys' singles: A. Collar beat S. Andrew Nicholls (Cadets) com­ each and the doubles. The Juniors Howell beat A. Duke -17, 12, 20. White 18, 13. pleted teenage representation final match with Hunts was won Men's doubles: T. Bruce and W. Under 15 girls' singles: Miss T. which must have given a big 10-0. Moulding beat B. Powell and R. Youldon beat Miss M. Potter 13, boost to Mick Wilcockson and his The Worcester and Malvern Powell 13, -20, 15. Women's -18,19. Under 13 boys' singles: N team ofcoaches who have done so Leagues held their individual Doubles: Miss C. Hunter and Ngo beat M. Thompson 10, 15. much to improve standards in the tournaments recently. At Worces­ Miss C. Gale beat Mrs S. Morse Under 13 girls': Miss H. Fry beat town and its surrounding ter, Mark Fiddian did well to beat and Miss T. Youldon 10, 10. Mixed Miss K. Sampson 14, -13, 10. villages. Nicky Mytton -17,9,13 in the final doubles: A. Duke and Miss C. singles title in 1972 and went on Represented by the Sixth Form of the Mens singles, having Hunter beat T. Bruce and Mrs M. to win it three more times. He College, SELBY also carried the beaten Alex Westwood in the Potter 14, 17. played for the county 85 times. County flag in the ESTAA's semi. In the junior tournament Swin­ Bill took his first Wiltshire title National Team Finals, where they The Ladies singles was don's young stars showed their more than 20 years ago when he were just shaded into second retained by Alison Westwood, dominance of Wiltshire table ten­ won the junior boys' singles. He place by Sussex side !field Com­ who beat Lynda Reid 16, 17 in the nis when they won all but one of went on to chalk up four senior munity College in the Boys Under final. Other main results: the titles. titles. 19 event despite an excellent win Intermediate Singles: Mark Jones Stuart Fry led the Swindon by Smith over Scott Greenbrook. bt Dean Kloos 15, 17. Veteran charge by chalking up a hat-trick Popular Tournament Referee Singles: Malcolm Dicks bt David of victories. YORKSHIRE Bevan Walker is the man behind a Frost -10,16,18. Mixed Doubles: He justified his number one new Kirklees Summer League to Alison and Alex Westwood bt seeding in the Cadet (under 14) Rea Balmford be launched at the Batley Sports Lynda Reid and Nick Mytton 14, singles where he inched out in a THE SEASON of Closed Cham­ Centre over a fourteen week 9. Mens Doubles: Ron Butterton three game thriller against Hue pionships is already upon us, and period. and Alex Westwood bt Alan Salis­ Ngo (correct). at YORK the top names in the By bringing all the teams bury and Dave Woodyatt 8, -18, Then he and Simon White won mens Singles fell like ninepins as together at one venue, Bevan 13. the boys' doubles and partnered 21 year old Mark Bond, who had hopes to encourage the social side Karenza Palmer of Aldbourne to already put the Intermediate of the sport, and he is also encour­ Superb entry the mixed title. Singles title under his belt, lined aging the Ladies' game by the At Malvern, a superb entry of up against another 'outsider' in stipulation that each team - not 75 players assembled at the Win­ Results of finals Keith Dodd in the final. squad - must field one female ter Gardens for their tournament. Boys' singles: A. Collar beat P. Dodd, admittedly the title player. Ex County Junior Richard Pratley Fry 20, -14, 11. Girls' singles: Miss holder three years ago, but now The match format is not yet retained the Mens Singles when T. Youldon beat Miss M. Potter 16, playing in Division 2 after a lay­ finalized, but it could well be four he defeated Steve Meredith 14, 19 18. Cadet boys' singles: S. Fry off, dismissed seeds Ian MS, one LS and two XD, and the in the final, and Janet Hunt beat Hue Ngo -11, 18, 21. Cadet Stansfield (4) and John Elliott (1), venture will be watched with retained the Ladies title with an 8, girls': Miss Y. Dowd beat Miss E. while Doug Bartle (3) and Mick interest as a pointer to the future 14 final victory over Carol Milnes. Stephens 19, -15, 11. Under 12 Wadsworth (2) fell to the of the game. Veteran singles: Neville Meredith boys' singles: S. Elwick beat J. unseeded Bond, who took the In LEEDS Division 1 has bt Malcolm Dicks -23, 11, 20. Evans -13, 18, 12. Under 12 girls' final in straight sets. become a three horse race Open Doubles: Paul Ashcroft and singles (group): winner Tracy He also beat Chris Dale in the between Yorkshire Bank A, Tas­ Richard Pratley bt Neville and Youldon. Boy's doubles final: S. Intermediate final, as well as step­ cus and Waddingtons A with the Steve Meredith 11, 13. Junior Fry and S. White beat P. Fry and ping up for the finals of the Mens last named, two points behind, singles winner: Neil Couston. H. Ngo -20, 17, 14. Girls' doubles Doubles (with Tim Bean) and but with a game in hand on The finals were watched by final: Miss M. Potter and Miss K Mixed (with Betty Norman) and leaders Yorkshire Bank, the cur­ over 80 spectators. Palmer beat Miss Youldon and well deserved to receive the rent favorites. 28 IMailbox 1

over, Katja Nolten, Nicole Struse or indeed a sole selector can never Denis is Retiring (both representing Germany in be right in everybody's eyes, all it the Worlds at Dortmund last can do is its best for its Country accurate Mandy not month), and Yan Qun Yang (an and that is certainly what I shall ex~Chinese player). be doing over the next few years. I FOUND Rea Balmford's article I know there will be people who It is a great pity that what is best on Denis Neale most interesting, picked since will say, 'Ah - she was just is not always the same as what is and Denis's observations on the unlucky', saying it with a little fair and unjust. I shall never ·win present state of the game very 1980 sympathy - but it's too late now­ but maybe a few 'draws' are accurate. There are a great many FIRSTLY I would like to announce it's not going to give me those possible! of us around the country who are that I will be retiring from com­ opportunities I have tried so long Finally, I would like to express decent club players (and coaches petitive table tennis at the end of and hard to get. (Or even one my best wishes to Mandy in her sometimes) who find the present this season (14 May), I have had a opportunity in nine years). I retirement. She was an excellent trend is towards equipment good innings and feel happy to should have made more of a fuss ambassador for the Sport and I am rather than player. still be playing at 27, and stop­ at the time, but thought my delighted that she will be staying There is a bewildering variety ping through choice, which has chance would come, and think to involved in coaching. of rubbers available and we are been swayed by the chance of myself, I still need to prove myself DON PARKER Sole Selector now treated to the "bicycle glue having a holiday in New Zealand more. boys" as well. The enjoyment is in the middle of next season. I have no regrets but perhaps slipping away as the game is no Therefore, I have turned down an explanation on the above Mainly on the longer a contest to see which playing in the Bundesliga next would be forthcoming from the . player is the best but which bat season. England Selectors. service has the more unusual combi­ Even now, people ask me 'Why Unfortunately, people who read DISCUSSIONS by letter can go on nation of rubbers. aren't you picked for England?' this, will not appreciate this letter, too long, and at the risk of not On being asked this again the as much as those who know me, having the last word on the sub­ other day I was staggered to real­ or experienced a similar deal. ject of 'fair' services I make my ise that the last time I had rep­ I have no doubts that I will miss final contribution to the debate resented England in a major Table Tennis as it has always been with this letter. InternationaL (besides playing such a big part of my life, and I The Laws of table tennis have twice in the Quadrangular, which will continue coaching this sum­ for a long time been modified at most people know is regarded as mer. I would like to take this intervals when some practice or one of the less important Inter­ opportunity of wishing everyone style or type of equipment pro­ nationals, in which I never lost a in Table Tennis - ALL THE VERY duced such an advantage to a user singles match), was in 1980, nine BEST. that it detracted from the game. years ago, in the German Senior MANDY SAINSBURY Officers from the various associ­ Open. During that time England ations in the International Federa­ have selected over 20 girls for Don Parker's Reply tion had to get together to agree a Senior Internationals. UP UNTIL September 1987 the wording of the appropriate Law In those nine years I have won selection committee was respon­ to get over the difficulty. several 2-star tournaments, and sible for selection and after myself For example, when servers Denis Neale is no longer mine host at three 3-star tournaments, came as sole selector. For the season began to hide the serving action Northallerton, Yorkshire. He is off to runner-up in the National Cham­ 1988-89 Mandy chose to play in from the receiver, as exemplified South Africa for three months, pionships last year, and have for the Bundesliga which immedi­ by Carl Prean whose ingenuity I mission undisclosed. several years been in the Top 5 in ately eliminated her from selec­ much admired at the time, it was the England Ranking and got as tion as current international felt necessary to modify the ser­ A few years ago I played a high as number 3. Disappoin­ players are banned from this vice law. Personally, I think that promising County junior with tingly I was not picked for any­ league except of course the Ger­ the resulting wording has turned "funny" rubbers and had plenty thing (except the Quad) after mans. I am therefore surprised out to be over elaborate, and diffi­ of trouble. I then suggested a getting a bronze medal at the 1985 Mandy mentions her perform­ cult to apply. Also, as John Prean game with Mark 'V' for both of us Commonwealth Championships. ance in the English Open and points out, it has not necessarily and had very little problem. This I played in the individual Closed last season as she auto­ achieved the desired result. junior had only changed from events, after paying my own way matically eliminated herself from In generaL the officers of the Mark 'V' to his new rubbers dur­ to go out with the team to prac­ subsequent selection by playing ITTF whose job it is to revise the ing that season. The rubbers tise, having to stay on my own for in Germany. Indeed I have been Laws would be persons actively made all the difference. a week in a Guest House, down criticised quite strongly in certain engaged in, and closely associ­ Table Tennis must be the only the road from the players' Hotel. I quarters for offering one of the ated with the players of, the sport racquet sport that gets itself into think the preparation paid off for extra places at the recent Com­ so as to be well aware of the desir­ such a mess. Tennis, Badminton me, as I played well to reach the monwealth Championships to ability of introducing new and Squash don't have the same semi-finals, and a bronze medal, Mandy as she was unavailable for measures. It is a great pity to problems. Ivan Lendl wins although I received no recogni­ England. propagate an atmosphere of because he's the best player not tion from England, as I was given With regards the period prior to 'them' officials and 'us' players. because he has stringing that NO OPPORTUNITIES to play for sole selection it would be totally However, I have never known throws the ball off unpredicata­ England at a major International. unprofessional to reveal selection John Prean to be 100% wrong in bly. Jahangir Khan and Morten Although I have attended many committee disQ.lssions. However anything he says or does. There­ Frost are top players on ability England Training Camps, and I can assure everyone that the fore, it would as well to note his alone. Can you imagine Hockey if find it strange that selection has committee very diligently con­ proposition that the drafters of players were allowed to put a not followed. sidered all the players taking the amendments are insuffi­ stickly solution on the stick to aid In January of last season I numerous factors into account ciently in touch with the possible adhesion? played in the individuals of the such as results, potentiaL ability outcome to be sure that they get Denis Neale is dead right. The English Open in Brighton I beat under pressure, age, style, dedi­ the wording correct. over development of equipment Carol Giles and then played a Jap­ cation etc and also took into So, we are all agreed that it is killing Table Tennis as a specta­ anese player, to reach the 3rd account. the long term future as would be better if the receiver can tor sport in this Country, and is round, where I lost to Bulatova well as the short term before they see what the server is doing when doing nothing whatsoever to from Russia, and in the English selected players they thought he strikes that ball in service, and encourage individual ability and Nationals later in the season I good enough. what side of the racket he is using development. reached the final. Mandy is of course quite right at the time. The umpire or his COLIN WESTNEY This season I have played for when she mentions that other assistant should also be able to 45 High St. TuS Glane in the Bundesliga, Ger­ players have experienced a simi­ see that the service is legal. All we Long Melford many against some fine players, lar deal. Players with an equal rec­ have to do is devise suitable Sunbury, Suffolk although I have not felt outclassed ord have received similar wording to ensure that this hap- COlO 900 and have had some good wins treatment. A selection committee Continued on. page 31 29 IMailbox 2

(cont from page 29) acknowledgement that England should be the referee's duty to ticularly youngsters, sometimes pens, and make it easy to under­ had a Cadet Girls' team present. make up the numbers to the turning 'certain' defeat into bril­ stand and easy to be positive For the record our team consisted required level. Indeed with entry liant victory. However, in the whether it is legal or not. This is of Katie Goodall and Ellen Med­ and travelling costs (and dis­ December 1981 edition of the now evidently easier said than done. dings and they finished 12th in tances) so high there's surely a defunct 'Table Tennis' magazine, You may have seen a possible new the team event. case for all tournaments to com­ I wrote of some of the pitfalls for wording of the Service Law by Similar non-attention was mence with groups of four. This parents (and coaches) who act as Colin C1emett, Chairman of the given to the Cadet 6-Nations would guarantee, (as it does in the 'Cornermen' for their own chil­ IITF Rules Committee, in the tournament held last summer in Middlesex 3 Star) the vast dren (pupils). March issue of Table Tennis Bletchley. News that our team of majority of players who make up Another worry is that juniors Digest published by the lITE Ellen Meddings, Katie Goodall, the tournament, a minimum of 3 can develop a dependency on the He points out the 23 things that Maria Thornley and Helen Wright matches. With groups of 4 there adviser, not being able to think under the current Laws the were runners-up, losing only to would be less change over times, things out for themselves, or umpire may have to consider in West Germany on sets difference, more continuous T.T., less empty blaming loss on his absence. "He/ the fraction of a second occupied made one national daily news­ tables and possibly an improve­ She had someone to help him/her by the service, and asks for paper (only one of the news­ ment in the entertainment value but I had no-one." "Nobody was suggestions to perhaps simplify paper's 'team' actually played in for spectators. interested in me so I didn't try." the Law even further than his pro­ the match, but one can't hilVe In order to guarantee full Bad advice can also be blamed. posed new wording. everything!) but merited not a groups I suggested in Surrey "It's not my fault. You told me to The 16cm throw up modifica­ word in Table Tennis News. notes June '86 a pool of reserve hit/push/play to the backhand tion has at least achieved the Let us hope that the corre­ players (late entries or scratch etc." But an expectation that objective of getting rid of the sponding events this year will be players) to stand by to fill coaches should/will watch every sweep straight off the hand, or its more fully reported and that other vacancies. In the unlikely event of match is often not realistic or even near equivalent of a 2mm throw. correspondents will begin to give everyone turning up these play­ fair. As I said, and as John emphasised the girls the credit they deserve. ers would play in groups them­ Changing tactics in his last letter, it is difficult to They work as hard as the boys for selves and enter round one in the Helping players develop auton­ estimate the exact height of throw their success and whether or not place of byes. omy (so for example they can up, and that is why I said that an we are trying to build up female Incidentally, Mike, I did ask for adapt to changing tactics/circum­ umpire would certainly give the participation in table tennis, an early start at Essex. stances throughout the course of a benefit of the doubt to a player deserve a fairer deal. FRANK HAMS game rather than blindly follow­ who he thought had thrown the RICHARD HUDSON 104, Wandie Road, ing instruction) yet knowing ball up only 5V2 inches. What 14 Rufford Crescent, Morden, Surrey when and how to gain them causes the difficulty is when play­ Rufford Park, maximum advantage through ers ignore the spirit of the Law Yeadon, Leeds good advice and moral support and try to see what they can get Corner are arts which all coaches should away with. I would say that if a Editors Note: Editors are not at the seriously consider. Perhaps the mercy of correspondents. The sport player sails so close to the wind coaching role of the cornerman can be dis­ that considerable doubt is gener­ in this country is at the mercy of cussed at the 'Mental Preparation thousands of people in the sport who ated as to whether the service is THERE is no doubt that a good for Table Tennis' course at legal or not, he cannot complain if are too mean to buy this magazille.lf at-the-table match adviser can be Lilleshall on July 2nd. the umpire calls a fault. An they were not so "tight" we could of great benefit to players, par­ KEN MUHR attract more advertisers that would umpire is only human, and con­ frpnted with a barrage of doubtful produce more pages, that would lead to fuller reports GIld more about services a fault may be called even by mistake on the odd occasion in Cadet Girls. Paul Elphick's stonj was a tournament - after all a player excellent from Novi Sad, but so 10llg makes 21 mistakes in a single lost that cuts had to be made. Large quantities of good material have to Full Steam Ahead game. However, it's nice to think lie omitted from this magazille, cadet I'm perfect. JACK RANDALL girls is just aile subject that does 1I0t get the space it deserves. Mr Hudson Promotions refers to my story in the Daily Tele­ graph on the 6-Nation event at Cadet girls: Bletchley - that was extremely for­ tlmate to appear. Wrong names was more space due to incorrect illformation supplied. 10 or more wanted It is naive to think that summer events, even the Europeall Youth only WHILST recognising that the Championships are goillg to get Editor of Table Tennis News is at national press coverage. NO-aIle the mercy of his correspondents, submitted a report on the 6-Natioll one wonders why, when many event for the October magazine, as people are doing their utmost to for as I can recall. promote women's table tennis, £5·95 the female sex is so poorly rep­ each resented in the pages of our magazine. No more tears 1000/0 Cotton - all sizes most In Junior tournaments reported MIKE Loveder (Mailbox March) in this season's editions, girls has a decent record against defen­ colours available £7.95 each events received less than 50% of ders. However, against one who is the attention given to those for able to return his best shots, turn (p&p £2.50 per order) boys with Cadet Cirls' events defence into lightning counter receiving only 10% of the allotted attacks and exaggerate pretty well space. I doubt whether he would have AVC HOUSE That Cadet Cirls are the lowest realised his potential' His other of the low is evidenced by the poi n t, however, demands more 26A Belvoir Rd October report of the European serious attention. 0530 Youth Championships at Novi Entry Forms for most Tourna­ Coalville Sad where, amongst the 68 ments state play will commence column inches of Paul Elphick's in groups. When players fail to Leicester 813000 report, there was not even an arrive - for whatever reason - it

31 IHow the Seniors stand THE LENTEC NATIONAL RANKING LIST SENIOR MEN & WOMEN :tL Includes all ranking scheme events up to and including the Essex 3 Star 12.2.89 EFFECTIVE FROM 17.3.89 "If 66. Colin Wilson (Waltham Cross) 452 29. Claire Mouzon (Ashington) 198 SENIOR MEN 67. John Taylor (Golders Green) 452 30. Debbie Simmonds (Vir. Water) 190 1. Alan Cooke (Chesterfield) 3096 68. Brian Johns (Northwich) 452 31. Claire Potts (Chester) 181 2. Desmond Douglas (Walsall) 2855 69. Michael Stead (Bradford) 451 32. Karen Smith (Leicester) 165 3. Carl Prean (Ryde) 2579 70. Joseph Kennedy (East Ham) 450 33. Rachel Knight (Twickenham) 161 4. Nicky Mason (Bexhill) 1591 71. Andrew Creed (Bristol) 445 34. Jean Parker (Preston) 160 5. Skylet Andrew (Stratford) 1385 72. Malcolm Green (Telford) 444 35. Linda Radford (Upminster) 156 6. Bradley Billington (Chesterfield) 1151 73. Thomas Cutler (Neasden) 438 36. Linda Clemett (Wimbledon) 153 7. Matthew Syed (Reading) 1080 74. Christopher Holley (Bath) 435 37. Alison Gower (Ingatestone) 150 8. John Souter (Neasden) 998 75. Denis Neale (Redcar) 432 38. Kim Mudge (London E13) 149 9. Steven Dorking (Hornchurch) 853 76. Michael Brown (Birmingham) 431 39. Sarah Turner (Southampton) 148 10. Kevin Satchell (Melksham) 844 77. Paul Rainford (Preston) 427 40. J Bongers (Staffs) 145 11. Chris Rogers (Leicester) 814 78. Neil Pickard (Norwich) 427 41. Carol Hewitt (Brighton) 136 12. Jimmy Stokes (Reading) 811 79. Andrew Edmunds (Wellingboro') 42. Karen Burrows (Castleford) 134 13. Sean Gibson (Reading) 809 421 43. Sheila King (St Leonards) 128 14. John Hilton (Manchester) 807 80. Paul Elphick (HaywJrds Heath) 418 44. Lisa Hayden (Hotton) 127 15. Glenn Baker (Guildford) 803 81. Steven Mills (Ashford) 417 45. Constance Moran (Grimsby) 126 16. Michael O'Driscoll (Mirfield) 772 82. Anthony Clayton (Lychett 46. Claire Maisey (Swindon) 119 17. Graham Sandley (Potters Bar) 715 Matravers) 417 47. Suzanne Airey (Grantham) 118 18. Paul Whiting (Plymouth) 712 83. Richard Jermyn (Letchworth) 417 48. Lynne Harrison (H. Hempstead) 115 19. Adrian Moore (Bexhill) 679 84. Jonathan Bradbury (Aylesbury) 416 49. Michelle Cohen (Bristol) 111 20. Philip Bradbury (Aylesbury) 677 85. Richard Tanner (Ipswich) 412 50. Kate Gower (Ingatestone) 107 21. Anthony Stark (New Barnet) 666 86. Lee Neil (Bristol) 412 51. Alison Boxall (Cheshunt) 100 22. John Holland (Nottingham) 665 87. Russell King (Lowestoft) 412 52. Susan Richmond (Northallerton) 96 23. Christopher Oldfield (Sheffield) 661 88. Geoffrey Davies (Brierhill) 406 53. Susan Culbertson (Birmingham) 90 24. John Burleton (Milton Keynes) 632 89. Stuart Worrell (Lincoln) 405 54. Sarah Hammond (Southampton) 87 25. Adrian Dixon (Reading) 627 90. Ramish Bhalla (Guildford) 400 55. Nicola McGrath (Preston) 83 26. Nigel Eckersley (Wilmslow) 624 91. Kenny Jackson (Soham) 398 56. Lesly Popkiewicz (Purely) 83 27. Edward Smith (Gosforth) 603 92. Steven Dettmar (Whitham) 398 57. Sara Williams (Hillingdon) 81 28. Ritchie Venner (Crawley) 603 93. Paul Sayer (Manor Park) 397 58. Amanda Hooks (Evesham) 78 29. Carl Morgan (Birmingham) 601 94. Richard Stevensen (Norwich) 396 59. Esme Stevenson (Bude) 75 30. Andrew Cunningham (Beck'ham) 95. David Goode (Hayes) 390 60. Hazel Lowe (Kenley) 73 597 96. Jeremy Williams (Falmouth) 388 61. Juli Dimmock (Dunstable) 72 31. Tony Taylor (Manchester) 595 97. David Barr (Newbury) 384 62. Claire Plumridge (High Wycombe) 71 32. Desmond Charlery (Basildon) 595 98. Andrew Withers (Haverhill) 383 63. Janet Deakin (Warrington) 70 33. Michael Hammond (Tolworth) 591 64. Yvette Hooks (Fowsworth) 70 34. John Dennison (Brentwood) 584 65. Elenor Harrison (Oxford) 70 35. Andrew Wellman (Didcot) 574 66. J Askem 69 36. Stephen Moore (Bexhill) 566 67. Maria Williams (Herts) 67 37. Ian Robertson (North Shields) 563 SENIOR WOMEN 68. Julie Lawrence (Bexhill) 64 38. David Newman (Maldon) 561 1. Alison Gordon (Reading) 1740 69. Gillian Sharpe (Lincoln) 62 39. Craig Bakewell (Stoke) 560 2. Fiona Elliot (Wolverhampton) 1336 70. Sandra Peakman (Birmingham) 60 40. Paul Giles (Saltash) 555 3. Lisa Lomas (Dunstable) 1257 71. Debbie Soothill (Carnforth) 58 41. Phillip Smith (Crawley) 540 4. Andrea Holt (Ramsbottom) 736 72. Mary Allan (Reading) 58 42. Percy Collino (London SW5) 537 5. Joy Dean (Preston) 695 73. Mary Jarrett (Eton Bray) 57 ~3. Phillip Logsdon (Norwich) 534 6. Mandy Sainsbury (Newbury) 681 74. Jane Strawson (Lines) 57 44. Richard Darnell (Brentwood) 532 7. Jill Harris (Walsall) 518 75. Tracy Cole (Crawley) 56 45. Max Crimmins (Reading) 530 8. Carol Giles (Plymouth) 483 46. John Kitchener (Ipswich) 527 9. Julie Billington (Chesterfield) 449 47. David Gannon (Leicester) 522 10. Sandra Roden (Dudley) 401 48. Andrew Dodd (Stamford Hill) 522 11. Helen Bardwell (Ware) 376 49. Ian Attridge (London E13) 518 12. Joanne Shaw (Normanton) 373 50. Phillip Gunn (Birmingham) 516 13. Lesley Radford (Upminster) 370 51. Jonathan Taylor (Denton) 511 14. Juliet Houghton (Tonbridge) 331 52. Stuart Palmer (Brandon) 504 15. Susan Collier (Maidenhead) 311 Whilst every care is taken that the data 53. David Harvey (Cheltenham) 502 16. Elaine Sayer (London E12) 294 inserted into the computer are accurate, the 54. Neil Bevan (Bude) 497 17. Deborah Toole (Normanton) 290 occasional error is inevitable as we are all 55. Grant Solder (Barking) 493 18. Helen Lower (Wolverhampton) 289 human. The ETTA accepts no responsibility 56. David Dodd (Charlton) 490 19. Jane Barella (Surbiton) 279 of any kind for such errors and their conse­ 57. Michael Short (Yelverton) 483 20. Cheryl Buttery (Lincoln) 266 quences. Any mistake discovered will be 58. Graham McKim (Towcester) 482 21. Teresa Moore (Bexhill) 262 rectified in a subsequent list. Any queries 59. Gary Lambert (Exmouth) 475 22. Melonie Carey (Puriton) 254 from the ranking list should be directed to 60. David Harding (Carlshalton) 470 23. Susan Butler (Plymouth) 250 E JWallbutton, ETTA, Queensbury House, 61. Keith Richardson (Cambridge) 465 24. Elaine Short (Plymouth) 249 Havelock Road,Hastings TN34 1HF and be 62. Barry Johnson (Solihull) 462 25. Gillian Blanch (Acton) 227 accompanied by a deposit of £5 which will 63. Stephen Slater (Stoke) 462 26. Helen Perrott (Keynsham) 227 be returned to the applicant if investigation 64. Gary Wilson (Plymouth) 457 27. Sally Weston (Horsham) 210 of the data validates the need for such a 65. Mark Owen (Hereford) 453 28. Susan Radley (Lincoln) 204 query. 32 [New ground success for the schools The first East-Sussex Schools event by DAVID LOMAS

"WHERE's the press office?" joked ETTA General Secretary, Albert Shipley, when he spotted journalistJohn Woodford at Hastings YMCA Sports Centre on Saturday, March 18th. It was an understandable joke - for both John and Albert are more accustomed to such facilities at the events they attend - and this was the SCHOOLS RESULTS East Sussex Schools Individual Championships. At first sight a county Under-ll Boys Under-16 Boys schools individual championships is hardly an earth-shattering event Glen Magee (Newlands, Seasford) bt James Toze (Claverham) bt Andrew but this was a bit special- the first ever staged in East Sussex and taking James Cnnan (Westfield) 21-16 Collins (William Parker) 14, 14 place in Hastings, where both the ETIA and the ITIF are based. Under-ll Girls Under-16 Girls The Championships were the culmination of much spade-work, Tina Beaney (Guestling Bradshaw) bt Lian Wilson (Thomas Peacocke, Rye) spearheaded by the ESTIA. Emma Wilson (Newlands) 10, 16 bt Tamara Shiner (Cavendish, East­ bourne) 2, 3 London and South-East Regional Co-ordinating Committee Chair­ Under-13 Boys Niall Munro (Claverham) bt Paul Under-19 Boys man, Brian Spicer, who is also Sussex National Councillor, had Smith (Claverham) 13, -12, 16 Jon Yau (Wilton House) bt Stuart bemoaned the lack of organised schools table tennis events in both East Under-13 Girls Hobden (Eastbourne College) 13, 20 and West Sussex and had from time to time during the last six years Sara Coggon (Grove) bt Nicola Evans endeavoured to nudge the ESTTA into taking some initiative. (Grove) 12, -18, 22 The seeds were finally sown in September of last year when a questionnaire on table tennis facilities and potential interest was sent to over 300 schools throughout the county. Following the receipt of 47 replies it was decided to go ahead with an inaugural individual championships. A convenient date was fixed - not an easy task threading one's way through the calen­ dar minefield - and an eight table venue at the ««NBW SALB ITBMS»» YMCA was soon found. Sussex County and 013887417 Hastings Chairman - the experienced Colin RUBBER Hyland - agreed to be referee and others came JOOLA CLIPP1I1l FAST ATTACK RED/BIJ 1.5 2.0 ;£~2. 00 forward to help on the day. The vital last piece JOOLA CARIl/lRA TACKY RED/BIJ 2.0 ;£~O. 00 of the jigsaw was put in place when Leon JDOLA TOIl-BOLD AlTI-SPI6 RED/BIJ 1.5 ;£ 9. 00 £~O. Shepperdson, Chairman of local timber mer­ GOLD116 FALCOI FAST ATTACK RED/BIJ 1.52.0 00 VHP SPEEDY SPI6 FAST ATTACK RED/BIJ 2. 0 £~2. 00 chants, Stamco, swiftly responded to an invi­ SRlVEIl rILLER AlTI-SPI6 RED lIDT ITTF 1.8 £~O. 00 tation to sponsor the event. 72f} FRIDDSIlIP TACKY RED/BLK 1.5 2.0 £~2. 00 ETIA Assistant Events Manager, Robert LEn'BC SflI6G ImG PIJlP.tHS RED 1.5 40/50/60 £~~. 00 Sinclair, and YMCA table tennis coach, Kevin LJITTJiC SflIIG ImG PIltPLHS RED 2.0 40/50/60 £~~. 00 LEn'BC SflIIG ImG PIltPLHS BLK 2.0 40/50 £~~ • 00 Haffenden, provided invaluable help by col­ LBn1IC GRIP TACKY BIJ/RED 1.5 40/50/60 £~O. 00 lecting and transporting tables from local LBn1IC GRIP TACKY BIJ/RED 2.0 40/50/60 £~O. 00 clubs late on the Friday night. LBn1IC ATTACK RBY1lRS11 BIJ 2.0 70 £ 9. 00 Former ESTIA Competitions organisers, LJITTJiC rILLSPI6 AlTI-SPI6 BIJ 1.5 40/60 £ B. 00 LBn1IC rILLSPI6 AlTI-SPI6 BIJ 2.0 40/60 £ B. 00 John Wright and Eddie Mitchell had also SflIIG ImG PIP, mJ SPOIGH RED --- £ 7. 00 made a contribution by revealing the 1SP BOLT ALLRDUnJ RED/BIJ 1.5 2. 0 £ 5. 00 "secrets" of the ESTIA's tried and test auto­ 1SP SUPER FLASlI ATTACK RED 1.5 £ 4. 00 matic consolation system of play. 1SP SP1lCTOL RIlF ALLRDUnJ RED 1.5 2. 0 2.5 £ 3. 00 Brian Spicer took time off from his road­ SPI6/SPEED UBA1l11D RED 2.5 £ 2. 00 1SP Kl BBGI_ RED 1.5 £ ~. 00 running hobby to look after the guests, who B'FLY F1lIIT WIG PIltPLH BIJ lIDT ITTF 1.0 £ 9. 00 included the D~puty Mayor of Hastings, 1SP CUlfL LlJ'G PIltPLB RED 2. 0 £ 5. 00 Councillor Paul Smith and East Sussex cur­ SILVEIl SPUT SBDRT .. RED 1. 0 1.5 £ 2. 00 riculum adviser for physical education, Mrs BAllD BAT RUBBER RED/BU £ ~. 00 ••••••••••,'•••,··",··'•••iii.tii~t.iijii.ii••iiiiii*IIllf.iii.". Margaret Coleman, sponsor Lebn Shepperd­ son (STAMCO) and Albert and Betty Shipley. ,BLADES! Having written about the personalities JttJu bRJ fB SPBDb I> talTJiOL 7 GRIP: FL. H. £ ~ 2. 0 0 involved in the championships let me empha­ JOOLA RAlGER SPBED 5 C06T1lOL 8 GRIP: FL. H. £ B. 0 0 JOOLA TOIl 1IOL1J6PEED 1 C06T1lOL 10 GRIP:ST. £~ O. 00 sise that this venture was really about the Tl'B1IAJl 8-19 SPEED 9+ aJn'JiOL 4 GRIP:ST. £ ~ 9. 00 grass-roots of the game - the players. 136 POIf11R ALLRDUnJ SPEED 7+ C06T1lOL 7 GRIP: FL. ST. H. £ ~ O. 0 0 pupils aged from ten to nineteen - from 20 B'FLY 11IGLISB SPEED 5 C06T1lOL 8 GRIP: ST. £ 6. 00 schools throughout the county took part. 1SP PI1J1lC11 SPEED 6 C06T1lOL I' GRIP: ST. H. £ ~ O. 0 0 Many of them were playing in their first-ever ,'····'1.'·'111··".·""""""····,11"".,,••••••••••,•••••••,. tournament. The winners were due to travel BAT CASES to Mansfield on April 29th to play in the Dun­ MiG) ROD.» BAt CJSI/ RHD/'AVT £ ~. 50 lop English Schools Individual Champion­ lJO'IC JlOUn) BAT CAS11 BLUE £ ~. 0 0 ships, boosting the total of participants to 275. lJO'IC CAS11 VITa BALL 110LDHR RED £ ~. 50 1SP nu BAT VALLET TBLLOV £ 4. 00 And the press office? John Woodford - to 1SP HLO' 110LDALL BEIGH £ 5. 00 my knowledge making his debut at a schools event - covered the event for the Sussex """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""'"««SUPBR VALUB BATS»» Express and the Brighton Evening Argus, and STIGA HANS ALSER WHISP BAT £13.00 STIGA STELLAN BENGTSSON WHISP BAT £13.00 Roger Standen - table tennis correspondent "',.,•••',••••, ••" •••'.,.,•••••' ••••, ••, ••••, ••, •••, •••••, ••, ••,1 for the Hastings Observer and News series was also busy. It is hoped to build on the success by organising a similar event next season. Brian is also optimistic that West Sussex schools can get their act together and follow their East RING 01-399 7417 Sussex neighbours in this vital area of development. 33 INews &om Cardiff, Iceland and Essex

Nancy the first lady. James NANCY Roy Evans, of Cardiff, was saluted as "the number one lady in table tennis" in the But­ Uyekunle terfly Commonwealth Cham­ pionships at the National Sports Nigerian, 15 Centre. That was how she was intro­ is s'ensation' duced to players and spectators by Mrs Jose Ransome, chairman by ALAN SHEPHERD of the Women's Committee of the English lTA and a leader of the British Organisation Women in of Essex Table Tennis. Mrs Evans, who is the cham­ THERE was a big buzz at pionship secretary in Cardiff and the Essex Junior Select over is the wife of former International the unknown 15 year old Federation President Roy Evans, who was toppling the was presented with a basket of giants. His name was flowers by England's former Commonwealth champion Jill James Uyekunle and he Parker. arrived in England in Feb­ Mrs Evans, who has been secre­ ruary from Nigeria, where tary of the Table Tennis Associ­ he tells me he is their ation of Wales since the 1940s, Junior Champion. was the world No 7 player in 1938. He is good After straightforward wins in his group over Iceland Bradley Matthews and Robe'rt Hyacinth (both coming! Middlesex) James defeated by DAVID LOMAS Lawrence Simpson (Glous) in Round 1, with­ TEAMS from England, Ice­ out the loss of a game. His land, the Isle of Man, Ireland, next opponent was the Scotland and Wales will be holder, Leigh Jefferies of involved in the Leeds Schools Staffs, No. 7 in England. International Championships Now we would see if this which will take place at Stock­ boy really was any good. land Green Leisure Centre, Leigh will tell you he is, Erdington, Birmingham on 30 since he lost -18, -16! June, 1st and 2nd July, Almost 150 players are Tremendous Battle expected to take part. English James next faced Mark teams will be hoping to con­ Stephensen (Yorks), No. 15 tinue their unbeaten record ranked. This was a tremen­ which stretches back to the dous battle, both players first championships in 1975. Roy Evans and his wife Nancy were the recipients of a bowl at the finals night attacking throughout. dinner at Cardiff It was givell to Roy in Nancy's absence by Cordon Baker, Mark won the first game chairman of the Commonwealth TTA, commerating a total of 120 years easily to 10, James the Rubber service to the sport. Left, Roy Evans former President of the [TTF. Picture second 12, then Mark took Brian Webster, Dundee. . command and led 18-14. A Authorisation few crunching forehands later, James and won 21-18! A NEW list of IlTF authoristed He is left handed and his racket coverings will be pub­ Press Competition: forehand loop has an enor­ lished in June this year and mous swerve on it. manufacturers who wish new Results racket coverings to be authorised His backhand is not so then should ensure that the OVER one hundred press cut­ donated by our major sponsors, clever but he blocks well Chairman of the Equipment tings were submitted for the Dunlop Slazenger International. with it. Could he live with Committee has received the ESlTA's competition. ESTAA the long pimpled wiles of request and the samples by 15th chairman, John Arnold, said "The Winners: Gary Knights, the England May at the latest. standard was very high, 1st Prizes: Gosforth School, Dron­ No. 10? As it happens, no, Manufacturers who have especially in terms of photo­ field. !field Community College, but he only lost after a ter­ already requested authorisation graphic coverage and accuracy. It Crawley. Woodfield Junior rific battle -14, 22,17. Great was noticeable that several School, Wolverhampton of a new rubber will receive an play by Garry in this and invoice from the IlTF Secretariat entries came from the news p~ges 2nd Prizes: Cumnor House before then. - back and front - as well as the School, Croydon. Woodley Junior all credit to the loser. For Manufacturers should note that sports pages. One entry was a School, Stockport. Yarlside Pri­ the information of other samples of racket coverings double-page spread in a regional mary, Barrow-in-Furness envious Counties, James should not be sent to the Secre­ evening newspaper, with two­ 3rd Prizes: Hillside Avenue Pri­ lives in the Essex part of tariat but to: Mr. J. Rufford Harri­ inch headlines' mary, Norwich. Holymead Junior, East London, so is one of son, 22 Cragmere Road, The winning schools will Bristol. Worcester Sixth Form ours from nowon! Wilmington, DE 19809, USA receive equipment prizes College 34 IWomen in Leeds British League

final matches will take place on the Sunday to determine the Magic launch at Burton Champions and overall final standing of the 24 teams. by JOSE RANSOME Finally, a vote of thanks to our Meadowside Leisure Centre, Burton UPOII Trl'lIl- the venue for the tation of the event for the general sponsors - the Leeds Permanent public and an informal Saturday Building Society, Butterfly Table launch of the first weekend competition for women in Great evening buffet at the Crest Hotel Tennis (U.K.) and Schildkrot, to Britain ... The Leeds Women's British LL'ague. "Absolute Magic" in Luton for the participants will the staff at the Meadowside .. to quote umpire Tony Carey, the magic reflected in the feature in the arrangementss for Leisure Centre, to the Burton Magic Ball Song from the 40th World Championships played the final weekend at Bletchley Daily Mail and Advertiser for during the weekend. Leisure Centre, when the form~t publishing a fabulous centrefold Lasting impressions ... ' over My overall impression was that will be three divisions of eight supplement, to the clubs, players 130 happy women and girls play­ the standard of play and tension teams each, comprising the 1st and their sponsors, and to every­ ing table tennis at an incredibly in many of the matches surpassed and 2nd placed teams from Bur­ one whose efforts combined to high standard, the infectious some of the international finals I ton in Division 1, the 3rd and 4th make it a truly "Magic" weekend team spirit and attractive, colour­ have witnessed in recent weeks. placed teams in Division 2 and in Burton. ful team outfits. The overall Well done, everyone! 5th and 6th placed teams in Div­ Make a date with the women for enthusiasm of everyone involved, More Magic and glitter on Sat­ ision 3. May 27-28 at the Bletchley Leisure players, coaches, umpires and urday evening at a dinner Each Division will be divided Centre, Princes Way, Milton Key­ organisers, and appreciation that attended by over 130 "Ladies, into Groups A & B in which nes ... I can promise you a week­ this event was finally underway. Ladies, Ladies and Gentlemen", round robin play will take place end to rememberl "We should have done it years as Terry Gadsby so aptly on the Saturday. Semi final and ago" said Lesley Radford of Fel­ addressed the gathering. A lows Cranleigh. Even some of the delicious meal prepared by the team names highlighted the Burton Technical College, not too renewed interest in the women's dampened by somewhat slow game, A.H.W. and Western service because it provided the "Belles, Patsun "Roses". opportunity we had aimed for, to By the end of five full sessions socialise after a hard day's of play at 3.30 p.m. on Sunday competition. afternoon, the standing in the The presence of the Chairman four groups of six teams each had of the East Staffordshire District been established. The main upset Council, Stan Deeming and Mrs. in the seeded position occured in Deeming, and the Mayor and the last round match in Group 4 Mayoress of Burton Upon Trent, when Patsun Roses beat Mur­ Councillor & Mrs. F. A. Smith rayfield Memorial team into first added to the occasion. Wendy Cunningham making the presentation to "woman of the weekend" place. Improvements in the presen­ Alison Evans of Patsun Castell Alun.

ETTA COACH EDUCATION COURSE . "Highly recommended for any coach or parent working with competitors . on the tournament circuit" ­ DON PARKER, England Team Manager ~~T:!'f EVENT: ETTA Workshop: Mental Preparation for Table Tennis • DATE: Sunday, July 2nd, starting with coffee at 10.00 and finishing at 17.00 VENUE: Lilleshall Hall, National Sports Centre, Nr Newport, Shropshire PROGRAMME: The aim of this workshop is to stimulate a dialogue between coaches and psychologists about the specific mental preparation needs of table tennis players. This is based on informal feedback from coaches after psychological presentations made at three ETTA Coaching Conferences, which suggested that many table tennis areas are keen to discuss issues of mental preparation with sports psychologists. The format of the workshop reflects the emphasis on discussing focussed on specific issues. Hence the day will be divided into a morning session on one major area, namely stress management, and an afternoon session on another important area, concentration and attention. Eash session will commence with an orienting presentation by a psychologist. This will be followed by a short practical session, where coaches will be introduced to an appropriate mental preparation technique. A small group discussion with follow. Each group will consist of a number of coaches and a convener, who is a psychologist. The groups will be provided with some general questions to orient their discussion but the convener's brief will be to act flexibly. to encourage issues to emerge and to be debated. Following the discussion, there will be a plenary session where the conveners will report back the main themes and conclusions of each group. Finally, all delegates will reflect on these reports. The group comments and the plenary disucssion on each topic will be written up, along with the keynote presentations, to provide a document which can be used in the ETTA Coach Education Programme. COURSE DIRECTOR: Dr Tony Morris As well as being an eminent psychologist. Tony is a former Yorkshire Junior County Player. He will be bringing his team of psychologists. Also in attendance wil be Don Parker (Director of Coaching) and Stuart Sneyd (Vice-Chairman, Selection/Coaching). COST: £6 (payable to "ETTA") which includes morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea. ·K······· - . . Please return to: ETTA, Queensbury House, Havelock Road, Hastings TN34 1HF I would like to reserve a place on the Workshop on July 2nd Please tick for Name . travel directions D Address Please 1I0te that the I1Il1l1Ucr of places is restricted to 50 alld that applicatiolls will be dealt with all the basis of {irst received, alld that the course is also open fa i/Oll ETTA Coaches.

35 IPicture Parade 1

Janet Smith, currently No.1 in Scot­ land and Sussex recently won the all-Sussex title from Teresa Moore in In Dortmund the presentation of the Joola Trophy was made by ITTF President Mr lchiro Ogimura. Left to right, the final and is hoping to go to Tokyo Mihaly Kozak (secretary AlPS), Jorgen Persson (Cash 5,000DM), Mr Ogimura, CsiIla Batorfi (Cash 5,000 OM), and this summer for another special But­ Michael Bachtler, managing director of Joola. The prizes were for the best performance in the team events. terfly training course.

At the Scottish Championships singles winners David Hannah (left) is On the Isle of Dogs, a photograph that was omitted last edition showing the pictured with the surprise womens singles winner Sarah Hurry (right). In the six No.1 ranked players at the Island Ranking tournament. Left to right centre is Mr Ronnie Fergus, sales director of the sponsors Runtalrad of lver, Louise Butcher (U11J, Stacey Brown (U14), Nicky Carter (U17), Chris Day Bucks. (Barclays, the sponsor), Femi Ysoof (U14) and Genn Cramer (Ul1).

In Cardiff, Mr Kimihiko Tamasu and Mr Alan Ransome shake hands on the Table Tennis wedding of the year so far was between international umpires· signing of the new ten-year agreement for Tamasu and Butterfly that includes Dia.nna Winmill of Hampshire and John Jermyn of Baldock, Herts. Both are benefits for many British players. well-known as tournament referees and organisers.

36 IThe Cardiff Butterfly reception

Tamusu and Butterfly fly on into the 1990's Table Tennis AT A RECEPTION held for delegates, players, coaches and officials of the British National table History ­ tennis associations during the Butterfly 9th Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships at the National Sports Centre in Cardiff this announcement was made by Mr. Kimihiko Tamasu, The New Managing Director of Tamasu Co. Ltd., Tokyo, manufacturers of the Butterfly brand of table tennis equipment. . book now on ''The initIal ten-year Agree­ ,...~~~~~~-:c:------i continue this policy into the year ment between the Tamasu Co. 2000." Ltd. and Butterfly Table Tennis Sale (U.K.) Ltd., comes to an end next Ransome pleased A FASCINATING new book year and this Press Conference Mr. Alan Ransome, the Manag­ ''Table Tennis - the Early Years" has been called to announce the ing Director of Butterfly Table by Gerald N. Gurney has now signing of a new ten-year Agree­ Tennis (U.K.) Ltd replied: been published. ment which will run into the 21st ':We are very pleased to enter into Four hundred books in twenty Century." this second ten year Agreement languages have been published Mr Tamasu said "The Tamasu with the Tamasu Company which since the sport started. This is the Company are very satisfied with will take us through to the next first attempt at a comprehensive the progress that Butterfly Table century. account of the early days. Tennis (U.K.) Ltd., has made in We have dealt with many It covers the period from the the British market and I wish sporting goods companies over late 19th century to the [ormation deeply that the mutual relation­ the last fifteen years or so that we of the ITIF in 1926. ship and co-operation will have been in the business and become even closer in future have found Tamasu to be the most Ron Crayden years. helpful and reliable business Amongst a number of people Alan Ransome partner. who helped Gerald Gurney with Managing Director of Butterfly UK Their continued support has this excellent publication which enabled us to become by far the is A4 size and lavishly illustrated Delighted biggest supplier of table tennis is Surrey's Ron Crayden. "We have been pleased to spon­ equipment in the United King­ The book is available from sor the national associations and dom and, in turn, we have been Gerald Gurney, Guildhall, Great TABLE TENNIS are delighted to see here in Car­ able to use funding from our Bromley, Colchester, Essex C07 diff the teams of England, Scot­ profits to the maximum benefit of 7TU, costing £3.50 including "Together with the Tamasu land, Wales, Isle of Man and table tennis in this country." postage. Company, Butterfly U.K. have Guernsey all wearing their But­ been one of the main sponsors of terfly clothing, and we are very table tennis in the United King­ pleased to have assisted in the dom over the last ten.years. The development of many leading championships which we have players in the United Kingdom, been very pleased to support including Desmond Douglas, u.s. Open set include: The European Top 12 in Alan Cooke, Carl Prean and Ali­ 1983, The 8th Commonwealth son Gordon. for June 7-11 Championships on the Isle of Man in 1985, The Leeds Euro Asia Into 2000 in Cleveland in 1988 and now, of "It has been our policy to help in Miami course, here in Cardiff, the But­ the de~elopment of table tennis terfly 9th Commonwealth Table throughout the whole of Great THE U.S. OPEN, set for June 7 through 11 in Miami, Florida, is Tennis Championships. Britain and it is our intention to expected to draw at least 900 players from the United States and more than 30 foreign countries, reports Dennis Masters, national tournament chairman. The tournament, to be held at the Stephen Muss Convention Center in Miami Beach, is open to all members of the USTIA and foreign table tennis associations. And if Masters has his way this year the Open will attract many more foreign players, particularly those 40 years old and over. While in Yugoslavia last year to attend the Veteran World Cham­ pionships, Masters learned that many foreign senior and veteran play­ ers were unaware that the U.s. Open featured several events for over-40 players. ''This year we are promoting the tournament to foreign associations ------'­ so their senior players in particular know that we want them to come," Yellow balls and Masters said The U.S. Open is part of the prestigious STIGA World Grand Prix maybe white shirts! Masters, an international series of open table tennis tournaments spon­ sored by Swedish Table Tennis AB. The STIGA Masters games will in the table tennis hall culminate later this year with finals to be played in Sweden. Total prize money for the U.s. Open this year will be $20,000 up from AT a press conference in Dortmund on the 1992 Olympic Games in $18,000 in 1988. Prizes for leading international players will be $1,000 Barcelona, it was announced by Ochiro Ogimura, the President of the for first place and $600 for second. The top North American players will ITIF that yellow or orange balls would be used. receive $600 for first place, $300 for second, and $150 for third and fourth And even more revolutionary, it is possible that white shirts will be places. permitted. This means, presumably that the rules will be changed only The American All Star games, a special event within the U.s. Open, for this tournament, but the trend is there and it is possible that will offer North American players separate prize money: $600 for first coloured balls and white clothingis going to be permitted worldwide at place, $400 for second, $225 for third and fourth place and $100 each for some time in the not too distant future. those who finish in fifth through eighth places. The winner of the All Star will represent North American at the World Cup later this year. The Samaranch yellow? same amount of prize money will be awarded to winners of the Under Ball manufacturers are working on colours including "Samaranch 2500 Singles Round Robin event. yellow" after the name of the President of the IOC Juan-Antonio Another feature of the Open will be the Elite Singles ll-point event Samaranch whose home town is predictably, Barcelona! with best of four out of seven. 37 ILomas in Germany, book review

Records in Dortmund BOOK REVIEW Channel 4 by DAVID LOMAS Table Tennis IIChalienge to THE 40th World Table Tennis Championships in Dortmund achieved by DONALD PARKER many records: audience record, participants record etc. A further rec­ and DAVID HEWITT _II ord was produced by the print centre from volunteers and six modern Sport copy machines from Oce. Layed end to end this paper would stretch THERE was a time when a regular flow of books on Table Tennis 107.792 kilometres (70 miles), which is further than the distance from could be seen. It was a sign of the Competition Hastings to Central London. hard times which had visited the . Waldner Top sport, at any rate in this country, In a press poll organised by "China's Daily", China's largest newspaper, that fewer and fewer books sem­ winners Jan-Ove Waldner was voted as the "most popular player of the World med to appear. Therefore it is Mr L Lakin Championships." doubly welcome that this book should have been published and 25 Cahir Street ITTF President Ichiro Ogimura: "Jan Ove Waldner is a new type of that it should be of such a high London winner among our World ch1ampions, elegant, technically brilliant, standard. E148QR always relaxed and concentrated. You don't have to explode between Don Parker is too well known to Miss A Campen/R J Long runnings to win gold. Both players showed a great demonstration of need any introduction from me. He has made a great success of his 8 Abingdon Road table tennis." Ryde 8.6 tons of meat twin posts as England Team Man­ Head chef Ji.irgen Greinus gave a summary of his service on the final ager and Director of Coaching. Isle of Wight Before that he was a highly suc­ day in Dortmund. No fewer then 120,000 meals have been prepared in cessful England Junior Coach and T H Chadwick those two weeks served in hall V, the restaurant Rosenterrasen and at the Juniors who came through in 118 Dicconson Street receptions; 8.6 tons of roast-beef, filet, port and poultry, 12,000 chick­ his time now form the backbone Wigan, Lancs ens, 1.4 tons of lamb, 4.1 tons of fish, three railway wagons of rice, 8,000 of the England Senior Squad. litres of blancmange, ice cream and mousse, 150,000 eggs and 250,000 Co-Author David Hewitt is a pro­ D Van de Lisle pieces of fruit and 250,000 cups of Coca-Cola and lemonade. fessional writer, a former County 5 Margravine Road Junior Player and current ETTA Hammersmith, London W6 That Doubles final Senior Coach. Roy Evans, Wales, former ITTF President: "What a tremendous final! The book, which is full of excel­ The audience reminded me of the spectators in an English football lent sketches and photographs, stadium." achieves the impossible in the Schools IOC Verdict sense that there is much in it for Correction IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch: "I never saw table tennis in beginner and advanced player. It is remarkably well written. such a fantastic atmosphere and in front of such a large audience. The At £3.99 the book is an absolute I the April issue of TTN a mis­ red surface is a real optical progress - now I would like only yellow balls steal. It is published in the Play print recorded Gosforth as added. I am happy for the organisers and especially for the German the Game Series by Ward Lock runners-up in the Girls Under-l3 spectators, that I came in time to be a lucky charm for the men's doubles Ltd. 8 Clifford Street, London event. In fact it was Brislington semi-finals in Dortmund." JOHN PREAN School, Bristol, Avon.

s .. Personal TUition 1989 Coache . Top coaches. . N RANSOME • Good class accommOdation ALA and meals in fabUlous BOB WILEY surrOundings ALAN COOKE : Large modern sports hall HUA 24 Butterfly tables CHEN XIN • Seminars and video' JOHN BROE I • Tournaments. . ALISON GORDON : Social Evenings. ... First class Organisation. 1989 Oates . Grant Aid available. \ ~:::::::::~~~~:~~~:::::::~~ . Excellent value 1 - AUG 5 ~ • Plus beautiful Durham JULY 3 Castle and City.

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38 Nat-West 2-star Derbyshire junior open Oldfield triumph at Derby by MIKE PAYNE

CHRIS OLDFIELD returned to Derby not only to defend his Under 17 title but also to win back his position in the ranking list from Jonathan Taylor. He faltered at the semi-final stage when Andrew Eden snatched the first game but settled down to take the next two. He then went on to beat Jonathan in the final and take the trophy back to Sheffield. Derbyshire hopes were resting Junior Girls this year on Julie Billington and Semi Finals J Billington bt J Roberts 16, -17, 15 Nicola Deaton. Nicola reached D Toole bt M Thornley 12, 14 the semi-final as seeded in the Final Jonathan Taylor Cadet singles before going down Billington bt Toole 12, -14, 8 in an exciting match against the Junior Boys Doubles Cadet Boys Doubles eventual winner Katherine Good­ Semi Finals Semi Fillals D Holland/J Taylor bt M Beaumont/[ D Blake/J Blasco bt D Katz/R Powell all. Later in the day Nicola Black -18, 18, 19. -17,17,15 renewed her rivalry with Sally A Eden/B Mileham bt C Oldfield/G S Crouch/D Hacker bt S Henley/M Marling in a re-run of last years Solder 16, 20 Williams 11, -16, 17 Final Final Under-12 final. This time Nicola Holland/Taylor bt Eden/Mileham 21, Crouch/Hacker bt Blake/Blasco 15, 14 emerged as winner from a long 18 match full of spirited counter Cadet Girls Doubles Junior Girls Doubles Semi Fillals hitting. Semi Finals L Heyward/C Pengelly bt N Deaton/S Julie in the Junior final beat last K Goodall/J Roberts bt J Billington/D Williams 13, 15 years winner Debbie Toole but Toole 19, -17, 20 KGoodall/S Marling bt N Meddings/L not without some anxious N Deaton/S Williams bt L Radford/A Radford 10, 17 Chris Oldfield Gower 14,14 Final moments - particularly with Final Goodall/Marling bt Heyward/Pen­ Debbie changing the pace and Goodall/Roberts bt Deaton/Williams gelly 5, 9 Thanks are extended to the 7, 15 spin in some of her longer rallies. National Westminster Bank Another return winner was Cadet Boys Under 12 Boys whose sponsorship enabled the Semi Finals Darren Blake of Croydon who Semi Finals event to retain its high standards. R Powell bt B Forster -16, 15, 12 A Vincent bt P Hudson 13,21 beat Adrian Vincent of Plymouth A Perry bt N Bradfield to, -12, 19 D Blake bt S Zeffert 7, 8 in the Under 12-singles. Final Final Blake bt Vincent 17, 15 Despite another record entry a RESULTS Perry bt Powell 23, 19 7.30 finish was achieved on both Junior Boys Cadet Girls Under 12 Girls days. Full credit here to referee Semi Finals Semi Final Semi Finals Stuart Sherlock and the umpires C Oldfield bt N Bevan -16, 14, 16 K Goodall bt N Deaton 14, -17, 18 N Deaton bt S Russel 11, 18. J Taylor bt G Solder 13, 9 S Marling bt C Pengelly 16, 17. S Marling bt N Martin 20, 10. and the cooperation of all the Final Final Final players. Oldfield bt Taylor 17, 14 Goodall bt Marling 22, -17, 19 Deatqn bt Marling 17, -17, 13. Hannah's ninth title, Sarah is in a Hurry

DAVID HANNAH'S recovery from his early season injury came too late Cadet Boys Singles for him to be considered for the Scottish teams at Cardiff and Dort­ Final Steward Crawford bt Fraser Lewis 12, mund, however he did retain his title of Scottish Champion at Inver­ 14 clyde, winning the Mens Singles for the ninth successive year. David dropped only two ends - to Gerry Campbell in the quarter-finals and to Cadet Girls Singles John Broe in the Final. The continuing improvement of No.1 Scottish Final Paula Sloan bt Emma Sloan 14, 14 junior - Euan Walker - earned him a place in the semi-finals at the expense of Ian McLean. Mens Doubles Young Sarah Hurry in recent Final D. McIlroy/I. McLean bt D. Hannah/J. months has beaten Smith twice, ;::::900I.~ANIDllili: Brow 10, 19 in the January Assessment and in Sarah Hurry is the girl who has the Korrugal Open in February, so Womens Doubles Final taken her main rivals Janet Smith it was no surprise when Sarah did S. Hurry/L. Hood bt C. Dalrymple/E. and Carol Dalrymple by storm, win­ so again in a semi-final of the Robb -19, 20, 15 ning the Scottish crown after close 'Closed'. Carole Dalrymple, hap­ battles. RESULTS Mixed Doubles pily recovered from a fractured Final right wrist incurred before Mens Singles J. Broe/J. Smith bt B. Wright/So Hurry 9th Commonwealth Christmas as shown by defeating Semi-finals 17, -13, 19 Championships, Cardiff David Hannah bt Euan Walker 19,18 Sarah in the Korrugal Open Final John Brow bt David McIlroy 8, 21 The Scottish Women's team of a few weeks earlier, reached the Final The Leeds. Scottish League Carole Dalrymple, Janet Smith Final with straight-sets wins and David Hannah bt John Brow 21, -13, 19 The final matches of the 1988-89 and Eleanor McIlroy achieved looked in the form needed to Women Singles season were played at the new Scotland's highest Common­ bring her a tenth consecutive Semi-finals Meadow Sports Centre, Dumbar­ wealth rating when finishing 4th title' Carole narrowly won the Carole Dalrymple bt Liz Robb 8, 9 ton, on March 4, followed of 15 and thus gaining Scotland's first end 21-19, then Sarah won Sarah Hurry bt Janet Smith 17, -15, 16 immediately by the presentation first Commonwealth team Final the second 23-21 and ran up a Sarah Hurry bt Carole Dalrymplo -19, of trophies and distribution of medals. The men, without David long lead in the third. Carole 21, 18 prize money to all participating Hannah, finished 11th of 18. fought back in a late recovery but teams. Junior Boys Singles had to bow out to her young Final As expected CENTRAL YMCA 40th World Championships, opponent 18-21. Thus Carole Euan Walker bt Andrew Bruce 19, -21, (Glasgow) - John Bwe, David Dortmund Dalrymple's long reign as 'Queen 15 McIlroy, Ian McLean and Euan Our women improved on their of Scottish T.T: came to an end Walker - retained the Division 1 1987 position from 38 of50 to 37 of Junior Girls Singles and Sarah Hurry had made the Final title with Morgan Agency (Aber­ 55, whilst the men slipped from 28 break-through. Sarah Hurry bt Jennifer Hook 12, 16 deen) in second place. of 60 to 39 of 70. 40 News &om two regions

LONDON & SOUTH EASTERN ISOUTH WEST REGION NEWS I REGION Youth cup day lMIDDLESEX.SUSSEX.KEN~ by ALF PEPPARD - SURREY AND ESSEX) at Redbridge UNOFFICIAL RANKING LISTS. BOTH Bill Lavis (sec, Weston-S-Mare and District League) and Mike by BRIAN LAMERTON THE List published in the last Hawkins of the Bath and District TTA. contacted me with the sad news issue has created much comment. of Weston-S-Mares stalwart Ray Phillpot's sudden passing, Ray was BEHIND other regions date-wise It was unpfficial and has no effect cremated at Worle on 30th March. He was 69 years old and had played but behind nobody in quality this on selection. It merely isolated the for Somerset (before the boundary changes in 1974) upon numerous seasons Southern Region Youth South East players in the National occasions and also in the very large Bristol League. Cup produced a day of con­ List in their Junior order, and sep­ Ray had also been highly instrumental in helping to form the W-S-M tinuous first class table tennis at arated the cadets from the juniors and District TTA. which was formed in 1977 - and locally he was also Redbridge Sports Centre, South­ in the same order. involved with County Cricket. ampton on March 12th and we Created interest I also understand that at one time in his sporting career Ray played send Nicola Cracknell (Berks), It was intended to create TT for W-S-M in company with Chester Barnes - but thats a long story, Nicky Bradfield (Berks) James interest, so I am glad it did. We and I'll leave it there. Mason (Bucks) and Gemma Sch­ hope next season with the help of Suffice to say Ray Phillpots untimely passing will I'm sure prove a wartz (Berks) to the National more regional competition to great loss to all who knew him. Finals in Bristol with high hopes. create lists based on performance And finally more news from Weston-S-Mare - during last March the These were the winners but to at each level and on the various South West Federation of Womens Institutes played their area finals at everybody goes the credit of lay­ county lists, which should be the Knightstone, Five Counties turned up and I understand that Wilts won ing before our Leeds visitor a per­ result of trials. the overall championship with Avon coming in as runners-up, regretta­ formance which must have been BERNARD ROWLEY bly as the ultimate finals are in London and the date in question does convincing that the Leeds money not suit some Wilts Members - the runners-up Avon will travel to was being wisely invested. London for the Finals. Winners of the other events (no Bill Lavis is running coaching on 11 tables at Knightstone and this way should they be called minor) Parents upset coaching centres around not only Juniors - but intermediates and I'm but who do not qualify for the told, anyone who just cares to drop in. Grand Finals were; Restricted by unofficial Junior Boys - Mark Shutler Regional Highlights (Hants); Junior Girls, Lucy Shaw ranking list In the Bristol and District League I'm told that Andy Creed turned (Oxon); Cadet Boys Ben Johnson IN THE April edition you have out for Knowle and Brislington "B" who drew 5-5 with their "/'\' side in (Berks); Boys Doubles Martin a Premier Div match, The "/,\'s led 5-4 then Creed and David Hadley Adams and Nicky Bradfield printed an unofficial ranking list beat Chris Holley and Paul Hooper, Creed earlier lost to Holley in the (Berks); Girls Doubles Lias Crick for Juniors and Cadets in the singles. (Berks) and Anna Watton (Bucks). South East Region. At first I thought it was a joke, West Wilts Trio, John Ford, Roy Smith and Cliff Benson went down Gemma Schwartz won the but then I thought the players 3-6 to Bournemouth in the Veterans National League at St. Johns club­ restricted girls singles as well as concerned such as Darren Blake, room in Warminster - perhaps they should be called the Lions of the main event. Longleat? Edward Hatley, Stephen Crouch In the Bath and District Association:- Mayfield "/'\' appear well on Outstanding and David Baker may not see the course to retain Premier Division with 19 wins out of 19 games played Staying with the juniors the funny side of it. Who compiled regional league is now all over bar and 166 points gained - in second place Oldfield A. the list? What criteria was used. As this is the final South West Regional Report of this season - may I the shouting and the outstanding This devalues all the hardwork take the opportunity of just saying a sincere thank you to the following premier division winners were and results obtained by these - for reports and support given to me this season in order to compile Kingfisher's all junior team of boys. this column.' Martin Adams, Mathew Green­ wood and Marc Priddle backed Mike and Christine Lewis (Avon), Mike Hawkins (Bath), Tom Honey True perspective (West Cornwall), Bill Lavis (Weston-S-Mare), Les Smith, (Glos), Tony up by Graham Kemp and Keith Ifyou produce on unofficial list, Cary, (Somerset) Jack Revees, (Glos), Eric Wynn (Avon). Hodder. the official list should be pro­ Pyestock with a 100% win rec­ duced along side it to put it in its ord took Division 1 Graham Out­ true perspective. rim, Andy Nash and John How a person can be placed Millward being their main fight­ above players who are above him WEST COUNTRY ing force with Jill Green proving in the national rankings is more than a useful reserve. beyond me. Why was it done? FI NALS NIGHTS Three teams only made a disap­ What are they trying to prove? To pointing Ladies league but full anyone in the know this list is Gloucesters Annual Final's Stroud's Annual Final's marks to Jackie Thorne and Jac­ worthless and means absolutely Night Night quie Farwell of Cippenham who nothing, but to an outsider it Finals onllf: Report upon Finals only: between them lost but 1 of 20 sets. could possibly mean something Junior Bo'ys Singles: Jeremy Hyatt Junior Boys: Andrew Stratford completely different. (Holder) beat Richard Moore, -20, beat Andrew Ind, 10, 12. Open Premier Division P W Pts We are trying to promote table 16, 12. Mixed Doubles: W. Singles Semi-Final: Alan Giles Kingfisher '/'\ 9 8 24 tennis as a serious sport, but this Dawe/H. Colwill (Holders) beat (Holder) beat Martyn Harper, 14, Cippenham '/'\ 10 8 22 turns it into a farce which means G. Slack/J. Carver, -19, 15, 18. 21. Open Singles Semi-Final: Purebrook 'A: 9 5 13 table tennis as a who:e is the loser. Open Doubles: D. Harvey/D. David Smith beat Andrew Strat­ Amity Generation '/'\ 9 4 13 If this has come from an official Griffin beat G. Slack/S. Moreman, ford, 15, 19. Veterans Singles: Isle of Wight 9 1 6 source then there is something 16, -16, 21. Ladies Singles: Alan Giles beat Keith Simmonds Rownhams 10 2 6 seriously wrong in the South East Heather Colwill beat Jaquie Car­ (Holder), 13, 11. Junior Girls: First Division Region which needs immediate ver, 19, -16,21. Open Singles: The Wendy Nicholls beat Penny Pyestock 8 8 19 investigation, as someone some­ defending Champion Darren Wyatt,S, 16. Mixed Doubles: M. Burnham 8 4 12 where is not treating all the play­ Griffin beat David Harvey, 20, 21, Harper/Caroline Stainer beat A. Cippenham 'B' 8 3 10 ers the same. If they are going to -21,16. Giles/W. Nicholls, 21, 20. Open Kingfisher 'B' 8 2 10 produce a ranking list then all Sorry Cheltenham and Ciren­ Doubles: M Harper/R. Willsher Amity Generation 'B' 8 3 9 results must be taken into cester your Finals Nights are too beat D. Adamson/C. Jeffires, 10, consideration. late for me to report because of the -20, 17. Ladies Singles: Mrs Ros Ladies Division DAVE BAKER required copy date, how about Ross beat Miss Wendy Nicholls, Cippenham 4 4 11 35, Greencroft Road, having them a little earlier next -22, 14, 23. Open Singles: David Aldershot 4 1 4 Heston, year. Smith beat Alan Giles (Holder) Isle of Wight 4 1 3 Middex. 41 IComment on the Robertson proposals

North Wales Counties TTA Another NATIONAL Cadet Event? by CHARLES BAYLISS by BERNARD ROWLEY I WAS very interested to read the article on cadet development Wrexham and District League WITH the season now quickly drawing to a climax the chase for the by John Robertson in the last magazine. As the coach of three titles in the three divisions now looks like this. Div. 1. Groves "B" Team cadets in the top 25 at the moment, I feel I have a proven interest are in pole position with 142 points closely followed by Impetus "K in developing players of that age. with 135 points both having played 18 games with four games still to I am also interested in my already adequate, and in fact play, Llay. RBL are third with 119 and a game in hand over the other two capacity as The Regional Coach- tempts players to overcompete. teams. ing Chairman for London and the Although it could perhaps benefit In Div. 2. the promotion situation has already been decided and both South East. The core group which, by some geographical Wrexham Old Boys "C" and Telecoms "fit are assured of going up to with me, forms our policy in line reorganisation. Div. 1. next season, however with Old Boys on 146 and Telecoms on 135 with the National Coaching Plan The objective which I feel and both still have two matches left just who will take the title spot is has appointed a competitions someone could set would be 'To still to be decided. coordinator with the priority of attract under 14 boys and girls to In the Div. 3. again the top two teams are in a position where no other looking into the availability of become involved in table tennis'. team can catch them up and both Groves Junior/A and the Wrexham suitable cadet competition in our This would allow some import- SCFD are already promoted, however who will be first is still not region. We believe that it is cor- ant factors to be considered in certain, at the moment Juniors have 119 and Disabled have 118 both still rect to target this group of players, more depth. have two games left to play. and have done so. a) Things are already being Mr. Robertson has identified developed in several places, and Leeds Counties Championships. Veteran Div. 2/A In their final match of the season C1ywd Vetts went down against two ojectives. these must not be endangered. 1. The development of an under b) Different areas have different Cheshire 3rds by 3 games to 6 games forClwyd their winners were Peter 14 competitive network to attract needs, certainly London has not Williams who won both his singles and Karl Harrison (I). Clywd Team: Peter Williams, Karl Harrison, Bernard Carter, Chris Watkins. young players into the game. the same problems and needs as We regret to report the death suddenly of Kevin McGuire who was a 2. To assist the more talented to the rest of the South East. popular player in the Malpas Team in the Wrexham League. Kevin had reach National Standard. c) Under 14 covers a wide age played in Wrexham, Chester and also Whitchurch Leagues for a num­ He also says that Coaching, range and range of standard. ber of years and had played for Wrexham's Inter/League Teams for the Training and Development are d) Involvement of schools and League with much success. Kevin was only in his thirties. paramount. I wonder has he con- their Association, suited the National Coaching e) The 'Youth Club Mentality'. We Committe or the Director of need them to join us, yet their Coaching? It seems to me that normal attitude is not what leads Leeds County Championships ­ for Lancs with 100% singles wins what he is setting about could be to International players. and, with Mabel Neary, Norman Continued from page 14 directly in opposition to the docu- f) A season is a lifetime for a child, was unbeaten in mixed doubles. ments being issued by the Direc- perhaps the need is for more one Essex went through the season VETS 2B: tor, who is worried about the off events and single venue unbeaten - and dropped only 10 Berks 4. 4 Northants 2. 5 amount of over competition at leagues lasting a few weeks then events over the 7 matches. The Essex 3. 5 Herts 3. 4 higher levels by cadet players. repeated. team gets an immediate return to Hunts 1. 6 Beds 3 It is my belief that the 2nd In short, I am suggesting Mr. Premier Div. At the other end of Hunts 2. 2 Beds 7 objective should be left to the Robertson becomes involved in the Table Leics got a win in their Norfolk 2. 0 Essex 2. 9 Director of Coaching who is dis- the less glamorous end of his last match, beating Warwicks 5-4. Essex 2 finished with a 9-0 win cussing the matter with the rel- objectives. Give a lead in his own But not quite enough to save Leics to complete a remarkable season. evant committees (the Coaching area proving the success of his from demotion - Warwicks just They won all their matches and and the Junior Development ventures, and learning from the have the edge on sets advantage. dropped just 3 events over the 8 Committees). The amount of others that are under way. Peter and Lesley Radford and matches! Essex 2 replace Essex 1 competition and Junior Develop- We have a better administration Fred Lockwood (E) were all in Div 1 next season. The Essex 3 ment Committees). The amount these days giving better direction unbeaten in singles. In doubles team were runners up losing only of competition provided to ourefforts, don't let us go back to Mick Broughton/Tony Hipperson to their 2nd team. Jim Hobley was nationally for the better players is the blunders of the past. (Nk) were supreme with 100% unbeaten for Essex 2 and the team wins. won every doubles event. VETS IB: VETS 2D: Heart of England Cadet TT League Hants 2 Sussex 2. 7 Berks 2. 3 Herts 2. 6 Herts 6 axon 3 Dorset 2. 4 Wilts 1. 5 BIRMINGHAM finished worthy winners of The Heart of Kent 2. 8 Dorset 1 Somerset 4 Hants 2. 5 England Cadet League following the final round of matches Middx 2. 1 Surrey 2. 8 Sussex 4. 4 Sussex 3. 5 played at Kenilworth St. Nicholas School. There were some vital matches What a situation! 3 teams ­ They finished the season unbeaten defeating Banbury 'P\ in the in the last Round. Herts 6-3 win Hants 2, Herts 2 and Wilts I-each crunch match by 8-2 with Nicola Meddings and Jan Ferguson winning over axon gave them the title, and losing 2 matches, collected 10 3 each and sharing the average winners trophy. immediate return to Premier Div. points and had identical averages Leamington 'P\ finished a creditable 3rd with David Johnson on an And 2 teams in danger of relega­ (38-25)! 85% average. tion had emphatic wins against Herts 2, in their win, had 2 sets Matthew Sims of Banbury 'X defeated Leighton Matthews of Coven­ teams above them. The wins for going to expedite ­ both involv­ try 21-12, 21-13 in the final of the singles knockout competition, retain­ Kent 2 and Surrey 2 over Dorset ing Dave Wise (Bk) and Geoff Bax ing the trophy from last year. and Middex 2 left 4 teams with 6 (He). Wilts got their win in only P W 0 L Pts points and Dorset, with a slightly the final event when Mike Oxley Birmingham 14 14 0 o 28 inferior games average, join beat Cyril Bush 14 and 19. Banbury 'X 14 13 0 1 26 Hants for demotion. VETS 2C: Leamington 'X 14 11 1 2 23 Joyce Coop (Do) was the only Berks 3. 5 Surrey 3. 4 Birmingham Schools 14 11 0 3 22 singles player with 100% win ­ Glos 9 Wilts 3. 0 Evesham 14 9 2 3 22 this followed her unbeaten run in Herefords 0 Bucks 2. 9 Rugby 14 6 3 5 15 a Senior Section last season' Surrey 3. 2 Berks 1. 7 Coventry 14 6 1 7 13 VETS 2B: Wilts 2. 4 Herts 4. 5 Swadlincote 'X 14 6 0 8 12 Clwyd 3 Ches 3. 6 Berks 1 took the title with just a Nuneaton 14 5 2 7 12 Lancs 7 N'berland 2 2 sets average lead over Gloucs. Banbury'B' 14 5 1 8 11 Notts 8 Lancs 2. 1 Berks lost on their first match of Kidderminster 14 4 1 9 9 Yorks 3. 6 Lincs 2. 3 the season and Glos lost only to Leamington 'B' 14 3 1 10 7 Lancs won all their matches rivals Berks 1. Gill Knightley (Bk Swadlincote 'B' 14 2 1 11 5 and go to Div 1. Norman Thewlis 1) won all her singles and doubles Walsall 14 2 0 12 4 and Tony Rigby performed well events, with Sid Montgomery. Stratford Upon Avon 14 1 1 12 3 42 One of England's brightest rising stars * BRADLEY BILLINGTON * by THE EDITOR

BRADLEY BILLINGTON, arguably England's brightest rising star is certainly being groomed for stardom by England, but a vast amount of hard work has to be done by the player, if he is to continue moving upwards. A two-hour delay in Budapest His best victories have been gave me an opportunity to speak over Skylet Andrew, the England with Bradley, a modest, unassum­ No.4 Sean Gibson and John Sou­ ing young man who seems to ter. Against foreign players he have the skills on the table to recalls one of his best successes make him a real star of the future was against the Italian star Nan­ plus a determination to make a noni, Peter Franz the top German success of a professional career as junior and Vardanian from a table tennis player. Russia. He is already a professional, A few hours earlier, Bradley having pulled out of a business had come close to beating the leg­ studies course as it began to endary Tibor Klampar. The interfere with many hours of vital Derbyshire man won the first table tennis practice. easily and led 14-9, and 16-13 before the legend found the right Swedish ambition tactics - hitting down the lines Bradley has an ambition to play instead of cross-court. Said abroad in one of the national Bradley, "When [ was leading leagues and his sights are set on Klampar in the second [ thought Sweden. "If you are going to there is no way 1 could lose." make it in this game it means Although coming from playing abroad" he said, "[ could Chesterfield, the same home town stay at No.6 if [ do not go abroad. as Alan Cooke, the two men rarely My next major targets are to make have chances to practice together, the England squad for the Euro­ "Cookie is nearly always away" pean championships in Gothen­ said Bradley. burg next year and the world's in "I hope to go to Sweden this Tokyo in 1991." summer to play and practice and No.3 in the Grove, Leeds Brit­ hopefully, 1might be able to get a ish League side, Bradley from place in the Swedish National Chesterfield, Derbyshire will be League" he said. 19 in August and of course, his 17-year-old sister Julie is well­ Dedication placed in the England women's From the present group of teen­ list and may also have a future in agers on the England grooming the England squad not far ahead. list other stars might well emerge, Practice on a high level is so Bradley Billington is from a real table tennis family. His sister Julie is also a but the dedication and deter­ important for professionals. possible England star of the future and their parents were both players of mination presently associated Bradley travels frequently to some stature. Bradley made his European League debut against Hungary in with Bradley Billington seems a Manchester to play against Tony March and came within striking distance of beating Tibor Klampar. Photo­ recipe for success. Taylor and John Hilton. graph: Ivan Stevens, Horsham. Leach, Cooke, Xinhua at Hull by REA BALMFORD

FOLLOWING the early season forum when ETTA Chairman John Prean and wife Erica were guests of honour in Hull, the city's T.T. officials, led by Chairman Steve Hopkins and Develop­ ment Officer Dave Sergeant, again played hosts when National President Johnny Leach, M.B.E., made the journey north to attend a 'Spectacular' which starred, Alan Cooke and Chen Xinhua. The occasion, at the city's with another North- South link, person, ready to do anything to Woodford Sports Centre, where for the event was sponsored by make the event go with a swing. the sport is becoming an increas­ Hull firm Huon Haulage, whose Adrian's final comment prob­ ing focus of interest - the Centre business is largely involved with ably summed up the whole thin'g already has a five team club in the movement of goods back and - 'The best ambassador English residence and is committed to forth between Humberside and table tennis has ever had' involvement in the ETTA's 'Come the capital. and Try' scheme - was an after­ Adrian Thompson, director of Response, re-action Johnny Leach, MBE noon of table tennis involving Huon Haulage and himself a Delighted with the response players from the 'grass roots' in player in both Hull and Humber­ and the reaction of the spectators, Division 8 of the local League to side Leagues, considered the Steve Hopkins promised that, In Hospital Alan and Chen. exercise very well worth while, next season, another similar ven­ RON CRAYDEN, the former England The sporting link between the and he paid a tremendous tribute ture would be mounted to captain was in hospital for a nose oper­ ation as TIN went to' Press. Ron has Hull Association and HQ in the to 'Cookie', describing him as not enthuse the dedicated and to become well acquainted with hospitals south was closely intertwined only a superb player, but a superb inspire the uncommitted. since he visited Delhi in 1987. 43 From Saudi Arabia an idea on tournaments

A nevv tournament system by BRIAN BURN ALTHOUGH I have been living in Saudi Arabia for the past thirteen years, I have yet to miss an play each other near the end of the issue of Table Tennis News and I always enjoy reading articles on the different formats of session. The top group would competition whether it be on a handicap or group system. In the March '89 edition I noted articles have independent umpires. on pages 2 and 24 referring to possible ideas and solutions for tournament play. I am sure that two tournaments during the season run along the I would like to outline a system There are obvious advantages ately. If a group was running above format could be as success­ that I have used for several years to the system and also a few dis­ behind time, play would be trans­ ful in England as it is in the East­ in Saudi Arabia that has been advantages but the former cer­ ferred to an additional table ern Province of Saudi Arabia. thoroughly enjoyed by the play­ tainly outweigh the latter. Some where a group had already BRIAN G. BURN ers and is easy to administer. Fif­ of these advantages and disad­ finished. Table Tennis Coach and P. E. teen tables are used, 315 players vantages are set out below and Players have no one-sided Lecturer, have participated and 1, 170 best there are obviously many more matches and have ample oppor­ King Fahd University of of three games played. Each points that could be discussed. tunity of gaining valuable rank­ Petroleum and Minerals player plays either six or eleven Each player must be sent a ing points. With a little careful matches against players ofsimilar schedule of his matches including planning, men and women could ability. Play is spread over two the games he has to umpire. A play in the same event (not in days and consists offour sessions. players group matches are played Saudi Arabia I hasten to add but OBITUARY Day 1, Saturday - Session A - 8.30 on the same table. Upon arrival at this would certainly be possible am to 3.30 pm. Session B- 3.30pm the venue each group of players in other countries). The leading RAY PHILPOTT to 10.30pm. . must check in with the tourna­ players in the tournament ended Day 2, Sunday - Session C - 8.30 ment referee, collect the score­ up playing eleven of the top by TONY RUSSE am to 3.30 pm. Session 0 - 4.00 board and balls and then the twenty one players; this must be a pm "to 9.00 pm. format will virtually run itself. tremendous plus for tournament IT WAS with deep sorrow that I Players played in sessions A, B or The tournament referee may be play. learned of the death of RAY C and the successful players play called upon to settle any disputes In England, the top 105 players PHILPOTI on 19th March, 1989, in Session D. should they arise. Players may be could be scheduled to play all after a long illness. Only a few Participants are placed into allowed to arrive late for legiti­ their matches on one day, if there days before I had seen him to forty five groups of seven players mate reasons provided they had were clashes with other events on present to him a momento from and groups 1 to 3, 4 to 6,7 to 9, etc. not fallen more than one match the Saturday. Players who were the Somerset County Committee are divided into equal abilities behind the set schedule. unsuccessful in progressing to whom he had served as player depending upon computer rank­ Example the Sunday "0" session could and administrator for over forty ings and/or other known factors, A 1 v 2 Referee 7 return home without having to years. i.e. groups 1 to 3 are the players B 3 v 4 Referee 2 incur accommodation expenses Ray ;lad been the main thrust of ranked 1 to 21 and all the groups C 5 v 6 Referee 4 and many players who did Weston-Super-Mare Table Tennis are of equal ability. Groups 43 to o 1 v 7 Referee 5 qualify could travel home if it from the end of the Second World 45 consist of players ranked 295 to Player ''}'' would be scratched were only an hour or two drive War into the 1980's. When Weston 315. The top two players in each if he was not available to play away as they would not be was the YM.CA. only he built a group go forward to session 0 to match "0". If he arrived he would required to play until 4.00 pm the town side that was formidable play each other, i.e. top two also play match "1\'. Ifa player was next day. and feared. He twice led the team groups 1, 2 and 3 played each absent then the next match on the I fully realize that so many to win the old Western League other, etc. schedule would start immedi- matches impose a tremendous which was a forerunner of today's physical stress on a player British League. The Weston Sea­ especially in the combined siders over the years were rep­ ENGLISH TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION sessions C and 0, but it is not that resented by Chester Barnes, many years ago that I remember Graham Gear, Tony Kinsey, Eric England playing China, Japan Hall and Roger Morris among 1989 SUMMER SCHOOL and Hungary all on the same day others. in the Swaythling Cup. Other advantages of this system are that Played till 60 it could be adapted in many ways. Ray enjoyed playing table ten­ For example: 270 players, 900 nis and did so until he was nearly matches, five or ten matches per sixty years of age. A pen-hold I} player and session times, 9.00 am attacking player he converted to 2.00 pm and. 3.30 pm to 8.00 pm from hard bat to sponge in the each day. The earlier finishing early 1960's and took on a new VENUE: time would benefit the publi­ lease oflife. He was fondly known NATIONAL SPORTS CENTRE, CRYSTAL PALACE cation of results in the Monday as 'Daddy-a' to us (shades of newspapers and the players trav­ 'Seventy-Seven Sunset Strip') and elling arrangements. I counted it a rare honour and a THIS COURSE WILL BE CONDUCTED BY 'privilege to have played SENIOR ETTA COACHES, SUPPORTED BY Sponsorship alongside him. EXCELLENCE SQUAD PLAYERS Tournament sponsorship would be essential~especially for Cricket supporter the top three groups to attract the Ray was also a strong supporter COURSE FEE: best players. However, the other of Somerset County Cricket Club £150.00 for FULL BOARD, TRAINING and VAT groups could virtually fund them­ and had assisted Vic Marks with selves. 21 players x £3 = £40, for last year's benefit and when I last group winner; £23 for runner-up. saw him he presented me with a DATES: Therefore even the players ranked copy of the brochure of this 9th/14th JULY 1989 295 to 315 would have the chance season's beneficiaries Dennis of a £40 cash prize. Breakwell and Trevor Gard. A for­ There would be no staged final mer printer he had edited and FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND APPLICATION but spectators could watch the 15 arranged this last of his works for FORM PLEASE APPLY TO ENGLISH TABLE matches of the top players on one sport. TENNIS ASSOCIATION, Queensbury House, table surrounded by adequate A grand man, many lives are seating arrangments. The sched­ richer for having known him and Havelock Rd, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 1HF ule c.ould easily be designed so he will be much missed. Farewell, that the top three seeds would Daddy-a. 44 IClassified

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