Northumberland County Table Tennis

The Northumbria League champions, North East Chinese Association  were without two of their leading players when they took on The Mount B team in their opening match of the season and despite a hat trick from young Adam Webster lost  7 – 3 with Jamie Dent, Dan Dodds and Allan Thompson all beating Terry Kwong and Ken Lee. 

The Mount C team also made a winning start with a 6 – 4 victory over Cramlington Stingers, Tony Gelder being undefeated while Saint Chads defeated Old England Jacks 8 – 2. 

Both of Matfen’s sides got off on the right foot in the First Division.The Senators team of Alex Holliday, Steve Oxley and Neil Forsyth triumphed 7 – 3 over Tyneside TTC and the Centurians’ Chris Kilsby, Keith Hodges and Phil Rainford made it a very bad week for Ken Lee and Terry Kwong who also turned out for North East Chinese B team but were beaten 10 – 0. 

The newly formed St.Columba’s club’s  B team defeated Newton B with Lee Tinkler unbeaten and Mount D beat Brandon Anacondas 8 – 2. 

It was a really good start to the season for The Mount as their E team were also successful in Division Two, an unbeaten performance from John Rowell helping them to win 7 – 3 away to Old England FATTS. 

A close match in Division Three was at Brandon where the Bravehearts took on Cramlington Falcons. John Spencer and John Foster both won two for the home side but the Falcon’s youngster Oliver Ho won all of his singles and also the doubles with another young player Alfie Stokes as the match was drawn. 

It was certainly a case of old versus young in Division Four with the Association President, 80 year old Aubrey Drapkin together with Pauline Long and Stephen Baxter who are both in their seventies, taking on Matfen Consuls youngsters, thirteen year old Ferg Kilsby, Phillipe King-Lewis(14) and Toby Dancer(11). The veterans ran out 7 – 3 winners but the star of the match was young Ferg Kilsby who easily defeated all of them.

Prior to the start of the new season in the Northumbria League several of the local players took part in the Northern Veterans tournament which was staged in Newcastle this year.

 Leading Northumberland player Andrew Wilkinson was successful in two events, taking  the Over 40s Mens Singles by beating Simon Pugh  of Yorkshire  in the final and pairing up with Lancashire’s Stephen Scowcroft to win the Over 40s Mens Doubles.

He also reached the semi finals of the Over 40s Mixed doubles with Emma Rose of Hertfordshire.

 Another local winner was Shirley Gelder who took the Over 60s Womens Singles title with victory over Helen Shields of Yorkshire.

Shirley also teamed up with Yorkshire’s Sandra Rider but the pair who had been so successful in the World Championships in Las Vegas had to be content with reaching the semi finals in the Over 60s Womens Doubles.

 Dave Robson reached the semi finals of the Over 50s Mens Singles and  Geoff Salter did likewise in the Over 60s Mens.  Salter, partnered  by Barry Hill  was also runner up in the Over 60s Mens Doubles and Hill lost in the final of the Over 70s Mens Singles.

 Pauline Long was runner up in the Over 70s Womens Singles.

 The County team , who were promoted from Division 2 of the County Championships last year are in Division 1A this time round and will be up against teams from Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Essex, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Middlesex and Northamptonshire this time round.

 The Veterans side are back in the Veterans Division 1A after a brief spell in the Premier Division .

 The Northumbria League will be fielding teams in the North East Divisions of the National Junior and National Cadet Leagues.

The winter season of the Northumbria League gets under way next week when fifty teams will start in five divisions.

 Three teams from last year have dropped out but there are four new teams. One of Cramlington’s top sides is no longer operating with Andrew Wilkinson going to register for NESLC Eagles, and Duncan Wraight, Dale Aitkenhead, and Peter Smallcombe now going to play for the newly formed Saint Columba’s in Wideopen who will also have Paul Baines from NESLC Eagles in their squad.

Cramlington have also lost Steve Penman but they will still have fifteen sides spread throughout the various divisions.

Saint Columba’s have also entered a second team which has been placed in the first division.

 Old England Crocks and Prudhoe and District United Services B team are no longer operating in division one but Prudhoe have entered a new team in the bottom division

as have Matfen.

 The champions, North East Chinese Association start the new campaign  with a home match against The Mount B side and their main challengers this time round could well be The Mount A team who have signed top ranked player Joseph Clark from Cleveland who is now at University in Newcastle.  Clark is  at number twelve in the English Under 21 Ranking List. With the county champion Graeme Barella also in the team they will certainly be a force to be reckoned with. They start with a home fixture against another strong side in NESLC Eagles.

 Newton , relegated from the Premier Division, will hope to make a swift return to the top flight and start life in division one with a visit to the newly formed Saint Columba’s B team.   Three teams,Brandon Anacondas, Matfen Senators and The Mount D have all been promoted to the first division. 

Young Adam Webster had another excellent match for the North East Chinese Association in the First Division of the Northumbria Summer League, winning all of his games in the bottom of the table clash with Old England. Unfortunately it was in vain with Alan Atkinson, Jacob Helm and Lynne Herrington winning two singles each and Atkinson and Helm taking the doubles set.

Matfen Senators, who finished as runners up in the second division, were beaten for the first time in their final match away to Tyneside TTC. Despite a hat trick from Alex Holliday they went down 6 – 4 . Mark Kimberley and Steve Dickinson each had a couple of wins for the victors.

The Mount C team finished in style to win Division Three with emphatic victories over Matfen Tribunes (8 – 2) and Brandon Crusaders (9 -1) with Alan Livingstone unbeaten in both matches.

East Boldon had already won Division Four but they very nearly lost their unbeaten record when they visited Cramlington Spartans. Joe Hastings beat Ryan Campbell and Adam Allsopp, Oliver Ho defeated Campbell but lost to Jordan Dove, Alan Hedley got the better of Allsopp and Hastings and Ho won the doubles to put the Spartans 5 – 1 up. But the visitors then hit back with victories by all three of their players. Dove then completed his hat trick by beating Hastings to make it a draw.

The Spartans went on to beat Ouston B to finish as runners up.

Paul Conn and Tony MCann both won a couple of sets against Prudhoe and District United Services B and with young Leo Conn getting one a draw was enough to ensure that Tyneside TTC B team finished as runners up to Sacriston Comets in Division Five.

Matfen Cohorts side of Richard Rayfield, LInda Pinkham and David Crompton wrapped up the sixth division with a 7 – 3 win over Brandon Fire.

Saint Chads finished as runners up in the first division of the Northumbria Summer League when they defeated Cramlington Casuals 7- 3 with Chris Blake winning all of his singles matches and combining with Jimmy Scope to take the doubles.

As expected Dave Robson was unbeaten for the champions, Mount, as they defeated their B team 6 -4 while the young Brandon Air side finished on a high note with victory , also 6 – 4, over Old England. 

Prudhoe and District United Service Club have won the second division after beating Tyneside TTC 7 – 3 at Prudhoe. Mark O’Connor picked up a hat trick with Peter Stempczyk and Maurice Cheek getting two each. Mark Kimberley got a couple for the losers.

 Mount C team took another step towards winning the third division when Charlie Mouzon, Alan Livingstone and Bill Edwards were far too strong for Ouston A and ran out 10 – 0 winners.

Sacriston Bombers who mathematically are still in the hunt lost ground when Redby, thanks to a hat trick by Istvan Franko, restricted them to a 6 – 4 win, Daniel Hutchinson, Kevin Richardson and Jonathan Mawson all getting two.

 East Boldon are already the winners of Division Four but second spot and promotion is still being fought out by two Cramlington teams. The Corinthians side of Sam Nair, Adrian Barnes and Matthew Mastaglio finished with a 7 – 3 success over Ouston B but the Spartans team of Alan Hedley, Joe Hastings and young Oliver Ho could well overtake them as they are only seven points behind and still have to play Ouston as well as East Boldon.

 Either Tyneside B or Backspin C could join Sacriston Comets in promotion from Division Five, both having  home matches to play against Prudhoe B.

At the top of division six N.E.S.L.C finished  with a 9 – 1 win over Sacriston Scorpions but Matfen Cohorts only need three points from their final match against Brandon Fire to win the division.

The Mount table tennis club from Dunston duly clinched the First Division title of the Northumbria Summer League when they visited Cramlington Casuals. Even without one of their regular players in Jamie Dent they still won 6 – 4 with both Dave Robson and Dan Dodds unbeaten in the singles.

Tony Gelder was man of the match for their second team when his hat trick helped his team to a 5 – 5 draw with Brandon Air and in the bottom of the table clash the Old England side of Steve Penman, Alan Atkinson and Jacob Helm comprehensively defeated the North East Chinese Assn 10 – 0. 

 The Prudhoe and District side of Mark O’Connor, Andrew Benjamin and Peter Stempczyk were far too strong for Mitford and a 10 – 0 victory gives them a seven point lead at the top of the Second Division over Matfen Senators with only one match to play.

 Sacriston Bombers hopes of winning the third division took a turn for the worse when they lost out 7 – 3 to the  Matfen Tribunes side of Phil Rainford, Keith Hodges and Nigel Tree leaving them a point behind Mount C who have a game in hand .

An unbeaten performance by Richard Williamson gave the Trojans victory over the Ravens in the Cramlington derby.

 Fourth Division leaders, East Boldon, were given a close match by Brandon Devils and were in danger of losing their unbeaten record when the score stood at 4 – 4 but 

Ryan Campbell defeated John Foster and Jordan Dove completed his hat trick by beating Tony Taylor as they scraped home 6 – 4.

 Sacriston Comets, who had already been assured of winning Division five, found John Cook in fine form for Backspin C and his three wins in the singles plus success in the doubles partnered by Martyn Parry, meant that they lost their 100% record in a drawn match. 

With Tyneside B being held to a draw by Cramlington Dragons, Backspin now have a good chance of finishing second and gaining promotion.

The Mount virtually made sure of the First Division title in the Northumbria League when they comprehensively defeated their nearest rivals, Saint Chads 8 – 2.  Their sets were won with unbeaten performances by Dave Robson and Graeme Barella  and two from Dan Dodds. Paul Baines got one for the losers who also won the doubles when Keith Weatherby and Chris Blake got the better of Robson and Barella.

 At the other end of the table the Chinese outfit N.E.C.A. managed a draw against Mount B team with Adam Webster unbeaten. Another player to win all of his matches in the top division was Lee Tinkler of Brandon Air in a drawn match with Cramlington Casuals.

 Dave McAllister was in fine form for Second Division Backspin Legend TT and his hat trick helped his side to a 6 – 4 victory over Tyneside A.   Leaders Matfen Senators defeated Mitford 7 – 3 and Prudhoe beat Cobras 10 – 0.

  The top two teams in the third division, Mount C and Sacriston Bombers had big wins against Trojans and Ouston A while Frank Booth and Istvan Soos were both undefeated as Redby won 8 – 2 away to Brandon Crusaders.  Lowly Cramlington Ravens beat a weakened Matfen Tribunes 6 – 4.

 Third placed Corinthians defeated Brandon Devils 7 – 3 in the Fourth Division to stay in contention for promotion when young Sree Kanakala got a hat trick and Backspin Legend TT had a similar scoreline when they visited Brandon Energy with Debbie Irwin and Craig Henderson also claiming hat tricks.

 Father and son Chris and Ferg Kilsby both did well  in Division Five for Matfen Centurians winning all of their singles and also the doubles set against Tyneside B to give their team a 7 – 3 success.  In the same division Lanchester Eagles thrashed Cramlington Dragons 9 – 1 with Reuben Emery and Alan Kent undefeated and Jeff Singleton getting two.

 Three sets each from Rahul Chabbra and Pauline Long helped Division Six team NESLC beat Redby B 9 – 1.

England No. 3 Cadet Josh Weatherby turned out for Saint Chads in the Northumbria Summer league First Division along with his father Keith and sister Charlotte when they entertained Brandon Air. Father and son were unbeaten in singles but were defeated in the doubles by Geoff Salter and Jamie Lupton. The final result saw a 6 – 4 victory for St Chads..

 In Division Two Alex Nichol, Dave McAllister and John Cook gave Backspin Legend TT a 3 – 1 lead at Mitford after Barry Hill had won the first set. Bob Atwell then took the doubles for the home side but McAllister beat Hill to put his side  4 -2 ahead. Atwell pulled one back but McAllister completed his hat trick for Backspin.

However the match ended in a draw when Atwell beat Cook and Hill defeated Nicholl. 

 Leaders Matfen Senators were held to a draw at bottom side Cramlington Cobras. Lynsey Storey and Ron Scott both got two sets  for the home side with Alex Holiday unbeaten for Matfen. The Cobras were denied victory when they ran out of time and had to concede the final set. 

 The top sides in the Third Division were both successful with Mount C beating Ravens 8 – 2 and Sacriston Bombers overcoming Brandon Crusaders by the same score.

 Young Oliver Ho won all of his sets again to help Cramlington Spartans to an 8 – 2 victory  in Division Four with Joe Hastings and Alan Hedley getting two apiece when they visited Backspin Legend TT B side.. 

 Fifth Division Lanchester Eagles had mixed fortunes in Division Five, losing 9 – 1 at home to Tyneside B, when another young player Leo Conn was unbeaten, then winning 6 – 4 away to Matfen Centurians,Reuben Emery, Alan Kent  both winning twice.

 In Division Six leaders Matfen Cohorts had Richard Rayfield back in their side and gained revenge over NESLC who had beaten them in their previous match.

James Bradbury was the star player in a closely fought Division One match in the Northumbria Summer league, winning all of his sets as his team Cramlington Casuals came away from Old England with a 6 – 4 victory. Gareth Pearson got a couple and Steve Pearce one. Alan Atkinson won two for the home side.

 The top two sides Mount A and St. Chads both had 7 – 3 victories against Brandon Air and N.E.C.A. respectively.

 Neil Forsyth made sure Matfen Senators kept their unbeaten record and top place in Division Two by getting a hat – trick against second placed Prudhoe and District A to see his side to a 6 – 4 success and the losers slip to third behind Tyneside A who beat Brandon Bravehearts 8 – 2.

 Mount C, who defeated Matfen Tribunes 9 – 1 and Sacriston Bombers with a 10 – 0 victory over Ouston A continue to dominate Division Three and at the other end of the table a 9 – 1 win for Redby A over Cramlington Ravens moved them out of the bottom two. Joe Miller and Istvan Soos were undefeated in that match.

 Seventeen year old Jordan Dove was in fine form for leaders East Boldon against Ouston B in the Fourth Division winning all of his matches in a hard fought 6 – 4 victory. Veteran Norman Badger won two for the defeated side.

 There seems to be no stopping the Sacriston Comets side of Nigel Coe, Peter Whitfield and Paul Salkeld in Division Five as they ran up another big win against Matfen Centurians.

 The top of the table clash in Division Six was won by N.E.S.L.C. when they visited Matfen Cohorts.  Rahul Chhabra and Pauline Long won all of their singles with  Mark Alexander getting one and  taking the doubles set with Chhabra. 

 Long and Chhabra were again undefeated as they went on to beat Cramlington Dynamos 8 – 2.

Mount A retained their unbeaten record and stay top of the First Division of the Northumbria Summer League despite having to turn out a weakened team for their visit to Old England. Dan Dodds won all of his sets and was backed up by Dave Cutler and Rod Roberts who won one each and with Dodds and Roberts taking the doubles set they ran out 6 – 4 winners.

 Unfortunately Roberts and Cutler were both on the losing side when Mount B lost 7 – 3 to Cramlington Casuals who had James Bradbury in top form with a hat trick.

 Tyneside A won a close encounter with Mitford in Division Two when the player of the match was Mark Kimberley who was unbeaten as his side won 6 – 4.

 Brandon Crusaders had close encounters in Division Three.  They were held to a draw by Matfen Tribunes despite holding a 4 – 1 lead at one stage.  John Spencer was their most successful player but a hat trick by Keith Hodges made sure the Tribunes got a draw.

When they entertained Ouston A Jamie Westwater won all of his sets but it was in vain as two each from Andy Harris and Jamie Milroy helped the visitors to a 6 – 4 victory.

 Some  younger players caught the eye in the lower divisions.  Eleven year old Oliver Ho had two wins over senior opposition for Cramlington Spartans who drew with Corinthians in division four.

 Another eleven year old, Leo Conn, did likewise for Tyneside B in Division Five to help his team to a 6 – 4 win over Backspin Legend Tt C

  Prudhoe’s Teenager Tom Firth was Player of the Match with a hat trick against Cramlington Dragons in his club’s 8 – 2 victory, the first time he has won all three of his sets in a match.

 Another teenager, fourteen year old Alan Roskilly was unbeaten in a drawn match between Cramlington Dynamos and Matfen Cohorts.