Welcome to the 2^nd and last edition of Net’s ‘N Edges of the season. You should get this around the time of the AGM(20^th June 2005) . Unfortunately you should have only seen one other edition this season (normally there are around 4 ) but no excuses….I have just been too busy….anyway here goes..

1)The refurbishment of Essex Road which was covered in the last report…but it is true, it is a nice place to play now…although I do not have the statistics…I have looked in the log book and there are lots and lots of entries….you can even see one for New Years day…..that’s commitment shown by St Peters!…or was it just XMas boredom.

2)The second is the new website developed by Tom Pither (Ashley’s son). It is obvious Tom has spent a lot of work on this and his expertise and enthusiasm has gifted our League with a fantastic simple , informative website coloured with team photos and individual action shots. I know my press reports I sent to the Gazette were up on the site instantly so people could easily see what happened the week before. We are well and truly on the world TT map (as shown by the good total of hits to the site…averaging around 50 per week) and if anyone is moving to the great Basingstoke and is interested in TT then this is the perfect attraction. Nice one Tom!!…all you have to do know is get your Dad to teach you the skills required to compete in the fastest ball sport in the world.

Now onto the League winter league that is now all completed .

Well done to St Peters "A" for winning Div1 and for the first time in their long history (incl Southern Electric )…I have been playing with Richard Mole for about 20 years and we have come second quite a few times but I was so happy to win it this year…(I suppose we should thank Dave Salisbury for moving away) …We were scared by Queens "A" and Winklebury who kept up the pressure and I would be lying if I said I was not nervous about our position a few times…..I also think that my manager at work was thinking…what’s so important about a Table Tennis match as I had to tell him on numerous occasions that I could not attend his Wed evening team meetings…he probably kept saying to himself where are your priorities lad….I was open to him…Basingstoke Table Tennis….one must have a life outside of the grind of work!…so that’s my career stuffed then….but hey we won the league! There is a fine line between winning and losing.. and I was always hoping on the way home from work on a match evening that my car did not break down…that there was not a traffic jam etc….I even had to wash my face in cold water before I played to get rid of the red brake lights and the computer screen…anyway enough on that…we are so happy to win!….sitting in bed at 1 am in the morning wide eyed like a bush baby is not so bad after all………apart from getting up a half 6!..like a bear with a saw head..

Congratulations to Time and Precision for winning the Div 2 title. I know Alan Gustar and Dave Mills (and also Mike Dinmore) are looking forward to competing in the Premiership next season . Winning a Division is not just about winning matches…it is about team selection and motivation and having a place to play at and as well as losing their premises and having unavailability of a few squad members this season Alan and co pulled it off…well done and I look forward to our clashes next season.

Oakley "A" left it late before they could pop the cork on the champagne as their dominance and lead in the Division was gradually whittled down and it was only after the last matches were played that they could be sure that they won the title….and they are probably glad they do not have to play KG "D" again next season as they lost twice to Phil "The Alligator" Ware and co….hence the title of this edition of Net’s ‘N Edges…(Phil has a new "unorthodox" rubber called Alligator)

I think that "generally" the Leagues 3 Divisions have run well…despite the normal problems …with Div 3 getting a real full season….Table Tennis in spring……..

There was a competition that I was not aware of going on in the league and there were 4 teams competing for who could field the most players in the season….and the winner is …are…… Hannington A and Ashford Hill

Hann "A" 10

Ashford Hill 10

Hann "B" 9

Queens "B" 8

There may have been others but this was the one that caught my attention.

There is an element of truth to this…and just remember this statement when you get your next one….

If you are a great player you aim to get the ball just over the net and as close to the edge as possible…therefore the risk of that "bit of luck" is even greater….

Many things get discussed at committee meetings and this is one that interested me when it was brought up….where is "the history of Basingstoke Table Tennis"…The League was founded in 1930 and wouldn’t it be great to see the history recorded in one central place….the future is important but the past is as well……I know some "more experienced" people have some records etc….I would love to take this on…but just don’t have the time…..it took me a long long time compiling all the press cuttings from 37 years of the Festival Of Sports…but once done it’s done…..and can be added to at any time…..

So if there is some budding researcher/historian out there then I reckon contacting George White is a start…it is important for the youth to see that they are part of a great thing….

I know that you have only just finished the season….but the next one is just a summer away….don’t just throw you bat in the cupboard….look at it….and think will these get me through another season….how about getting some new ones now…when they are in the sales…practice with them at Essex Road in the summer and come out all guns blazin at the start of next season….be proactive …I think Terry White is a rep for a well known TT kit provider…go on smell that new rubber……or at least clean your bat before you throw it in the cupboard……..with that bat cleaner you can get through Terry White….PS I bought some new ones and took a chance…coz I have never heard of the rubber…so look out!…stick with Sriver!

Well done to Steve Murgatroyd for not just winning the closed championships but winning the men's title for the first time in his career…and for Steve’s main helper George White who "true to form" (not surprisingly!) got to the final.

It has been shown over the last 5 years or so that only one fifth of the League enter the tournament…20 or so entrants…maybe time for a rethink……

I did think of this…..what if everyone entered….and it was played at Weekends at Essex Road throughout the season…as a knockout…4 people at a time…1 v 1 other one scores…and then 1 v 1 and the other one scores……..there are loads of for’s and against’s….and things to think of…..or what if there was a Divisional competition ……and the winner and the other semi finalists from Div 2 and Div 3 entered the men's competition of Div 1 players….loads of thing to ponder over….just a thought…and this would save the cost of a hire of venue…..what about the other competitions like doubles and vets?

Forget Jaws , Rocky, Star Wars…..it’s out ..the Blockbuster movie on DVD….Ping Pong….and a great write up from Jonathon Woss…..go and get it….dims the lights…puff up your cushions….get the crisps and minstrels out….lie back and enjoy……..the minstrels……

I think George White is hiring this movie out a £3 a time….proceeds to the League…go on!

Forget Jaws , Rocky, Star Wars…..it’s out ..the Blockbuster movie on DVD….oops got carried away…no this refers to the new pimpled rubber that Phil Ware of KG "D" is sporting….Phil has been mauling his opponents and snapped up the Div 3 singles title this year….

Must mention that KG "D" ,despite beating Oakley "A" twice, did not finish in the top 3 ….so mid table obscurity then……ring any bells…..Spurs……..perhaps Phil only wins tournaments when there is a 5 in the year?….joking a side well done Phil …great to see…. and people have been talking about you…..

There are some teams looking for premises…(to keep the club and own premise theme going.)..if anyone knows of a great "unknown" place to play…(do not need table) then let the committee know….cheers

As there was not much in the Monday Gazette in thought I would give a quick summary of events here;

Run by Murgy…Represented by Tony Palaczky, Alex Garlick, (the main 2) Steve Murgatroyd, Pete Matthew, Sean Pickin…..came runners up……won all their matches but lost to a very very strong Bournemouth side…

Ran by Sue Tompsett … Sue reported that the Juniors had played their first Inter-town block matches of the season on December 6th. They lost to Southampton 8-2 and to Bournemouth 7-3.Details of 2^nd round at AGM

Ran by Ian Short…details will be known at AGM

Summary , Sean Pickin, Tony Palaczky, Alan Palaczky, George White, Mike Chamberlain, Sue Tompsett, Sarah Whithorn, Terri Allison and Martin Dawson all played for the Town in France and despite losing…were well entertained…wined and wined and wined and dined…a "special" weekend….

Run this year (3^rd Weekend in September) by Richard Faulkner and his committee….the Germans come to Basingstoke this year…

Well done to KG "D" for winning this event and once again to Llew Hughes for running this popular competition.. Great picture in the paper especially of the Alligator…but he did not show his teeth when the cameraman said cheese…Phil still cannot work out why people go up to him at the end of the night when they are leaving and say See You Later….It was great for me to play The Smith’s again (Oakley "A") after so many years….although we all felt as miserable as Morrissey after being well and truly beaten….

This has been the subject of some discussion recently….Basingstoke have achieved success with their Juniors in recent years Alex Garlick , Sue Tompsett , Jonathan Evans…etc…however there appears to be an ideal opportunity to make Basingstoke a great place for Juniors to learn…it just needs some structure, promotion, more people to help….we could talk for a long time on this….it just needs some focus I think over the next year…maybe next time I write this newsletter one of the big achievements will be related to Coaching….

Comments on the Green Cards

Cheers for all the comments …there were loads….KG "D" (Phil "the alligator" Ware) battling out with Ian Short for the most…..but there were some interesting ones from RAF, Ashford Hill etc..

Nets and Edges abounded often cruelly , however they were even spread..RAF versus KG "B". ….where you making paper aeroplanes from this publication!!!!?

Record Hat Trick! Record puts Hannington in a spin! ... Malcolm Record fine treble even beating Senior Basingstoke Singles finalist George White.........this match was between 2 over 45's with Malcolm in the groove on the night....we could go on all night...so it's time to ...change the record..

Very evenly fought contest with some really good table tennis… Mark Pickin with some comments about the 5-5 draw Labour v KG "A"…….West Ham versus Preston….very evenly fought contest with some really crap football!

Labour dominated against player C winning all three....A and B were a different class.. It was like Yeading versus Newcastle......Mark Pickins comments against 2 man Winklebury....it was a shame Patrick Kluivert wasn't playing then

Phil's frying pan triumphs again... More comments about Phil Ware ..Phil cooks up another win…I am sure "the Alligator" name will not stick….

Loads of Old Codgers having fun with Avril coming out on top... not sure where to put the punctuation here! …Hann C versus Oakley C

Hammered!! At Hannington... KG "A" referring to a 10-0 loss (all 3 straight ) to Winklebury not the fact that The Vyne Pub was closed and they sat in their cars with cans of Special Brew...KG "A" could not even "claw" a set off of Cummins and crew

Scampering Bill makes Phil Ware fight for his win... referring to Bill Banisters close 3 setter ...the comment on the card should have read.... Scampering Bill makes Phil "The Alligator" Ware fight for his win....pay per view £15 for the night on Sky

Great win Sue Tompsett over Andy Pipe . All very close games not helped by Pipe seering off the end of the table at 12-12 in the 4th.……..check with Bob Garlick but I am sure that that is not allowed…next I will hear that you chopped the legs off.

The lads played well but were beaten by Phil "Alligator" Ware. ,…the predator strikes again..

What a cracking match. The 2 stars of the evening Jeff Caddy and Ron Powell- played out of their skins….comments on the Cannons versus Ashford Hill match……the 2 players forgetting their match shirts…..or was it that they put there shirts over their heads , shooting pistols running around madly after their excellent wins…

Best advice of the night from 2 well seasoned players...Alan Gustar and Dave Mills to novice Gary Livingstone....this was said simultaneously....Keep it off your forehand AG keep it off your backhand DM……best advice should be keep it on the table…

Bad night at the office.. could have blown runners up spot with this result.....Tiger Ian Short not applying the David Brent motivational skills on his "team" as Tigers dropped 4 against Oakley "C

Sue retired Sick but only after beating Frank A'Court 3-0… a headache for Frank…..or was it a cold for Sue…good grit shown by the youngster.

Steve Ricks unbelievable for a Div2 player!! Played out of his skin... versus KG "A"… Ricks rocks KG…may see you in the top flight next season for Hann A?

Marathon between Roger and Llew......only the cold kept the players awake...Barnacle beating Llew Hughes in a 5 set thriller...…..or was it?….

It's cold down here Sean re Essex Rd……..the switch is on the back of the fan heater!

The local BP station would like to buy KG club…..more comments from KG "D" "filling up" the card (sorry) ..I think this is in relation to getting fuel to warm up Essex Road…

Game had to be stopped and table moved due to snow..... flaky premises at RAF ( RAF v Queens B)

Mike Buley was playing out of his skin ….another supernatural experience….I think that’s the 4^th player playing out of their skin (comments on the green card) ..was this on a cold night at Essex Road? …a Buley brace versus Oakley B

Superb team spirit by T&P….come on!!!!

This result settles the runners up issue...referring to St Peters "B" resignation that they will not qualify for the premiership next season after an 8-2 loss to KG "B" , Duncan Sibbick was the main destroyer

Sean, I would rather even play at St Peters . someone somewhere not happy with the place they were playing......

After starting in fine style and taking a 4-1 lead KG "A" should have gone on to secure their Div 1 place.....etc...all down to last match now.....if only KG could win a few more 5 setters........KG drawing with rivals Ashford Hill in April.......the tension was just like the relegation battle in The Premiership…all down to the last match..

What did I tell you Shaun!!.... Tiger Short in clash with Alligator Phil....but loses out…PS I was named after Connery not of the dead.

Sean can you buy me a pint at the AGM because I have stopped the abuse from Phil and Dave .... Answer NO!.....you owe ME an Alligator skin-full already!

Roses are red Violets are blue your garden is Sh** and Leeds United are too... totally unjustified comments……...my garden is a meadow!...

A note worthy first doubles win this season.... Oakley C's joy at a 5 set pairs win versus Queens D at the end of March....look out Murgatroyd/Pickin

Let there be light.. referring to the match between Time and Precision and KG "B"....10-0 to T&P......I think this referred to 2 lights being out at Essex Road rather than the drubbing.

Mike Wood 1st MAX of the year.....the KG player left it till mid match before he recorded this .....perhaps does not like the cold......these fair-weather TT players aye!

It's cold down here tonight...brrrrrr... KG "D" at Essex Road.....without a certain Mike Wood!

Shoulder injury... get well soon Martyn Richards......no golf over the Summer OK or those bouncers at the Rose Bowl....

Don't' know if this counts but we couldn't let John McLarty go home empty handed!...just when I'd bought cakes for my birthday!........comments from Sarah Whithorn in a match where AWE turned up with one player...John...who went away with 3 wins.. Sarah was playing up to 21 this night...

Almost the result of the season for KG....including a rare doubles win......KG "A" nearly did Cannons just losing 6-4.. Tony Amies and Dave Kimberley beating White and Rattue in 4 sets...

A newly polished floor did wonders for our pirouetting abilities during the match.. Denise Weller at Cannons in a 9-1 loss….being led a merry dance?

Palaczky gets out of jail 7-10 down in the 5th.. Tony did not pass go till late on….maybe George should have Taken a Chance at 10-7….anyway there was Free Parking at Essex Road…..Tony beat George White 12-10 in the 5th with 5 in a row!...

A good close match Roger Bielby played exceptionally well.....Denise Wellers appreciation of the div 2 Roger playing up and nicking 2 versus A Hill

Paul Humphrey's 1st match nearly saw him win 2 just losing to Roger Barnacle 12-10 in the 5th......good to see a new face at Hannington "B"

Bring on Waldner !!...as Queens "A" hit 10 past KG….now brimming with confidence…. Bring on "The Alligator"

Mark is improving week by week , confident performance especially beating Lorraine Watkins 3 straight.....referring to the natural Swinscoe who has taken a bagful of scalps (read on later)....a natural predator....a real tiger

A clean sweep for Steve Jones winning all his singles and the doubles. This included his 1st ever win over Lorraine Watkins...A tidy performance from Steve.. brushing aside his opponents.

A good win for Oakley A despite P.Ware's maximum....a great individual night from the Div 3 singles champion Phil, Ware…the alligator

Andy Pipe and Rob Still had a superb match often playing some "text book" TT...(Rob's words). Rob was 5-1 down in the 5th but recovered extremely well to win

Peter played well and is improving all the time... Peter Watkins …keep going!

Tough match Marks' best win yet over Dave White , where he never gave up and fought back well....tenacity, fight, prowess ..etc all attributes of a Tiger

Charlie a good max - beating the Alligator Ware in 5…no phobias here…

There are no easy games in this Division...Phil Ware…..lurring!......then he’ll have ya …beware

Same old story . No consistency in the team.... KG "A…… if only a 3 fired at the same time…

Hannington B were just too strong Well Done....RAF Odiham honest in their 7-3 defeat

What an evening -did not finish until nearly 11.30!... at RAF v Hannington B…working overtime? …just like the old days…..a late finish…some would say this was an early finish in the real old days.

Andy still trying to master the pimples… Jeffery obviously having trouble with the rough side…have a word with the editor at the AGM but it will cost you a few pints!!

Jared played some of his best table tennis of the season.. Tiger Jared Binner getting better all the time......one day will he become a Lion....

Good win as the Tigers roared into the new year.. I can’t believe you wrote that..

Great evening in a great atmosphere thanks to Hannington...Tigers enjoying their TT

Tiger Tom showing last seasons form….Tom stop thinking of women, beer, exams , Oasis and concentrate on your TT..

Our best win of the season…if only Tom had played like he is now earlier.. Tigers 9 Queens C 1…Tom Vince on form but it was just too late and two points…too less

Jared best ever win in 5 over Mike Wood…Tiger Binner impresses against Mike "Freddie Flintstone" Wood

Great match played in the right spirit.. good effort by Tigers in a result that could have gone other way……Oakley "A" 6 Tigers 4

Sean , I think this makes it close… The Tigers beating Queens "C" 8-2 in the push for 2^nd place…but they missed out by just a couple of points…great effort though.

It looked a bit rough at 2-0 down… Tigers 2-0 down versus Queens "D"…but turned it around to an 8-2 win

the team came back from 4-1 down …..The Tigers did it again to claw back to a 5-5 draw after a ….paw start!

Jared ending the evening with a career best win comprehensively beating Lorraine Watkins…..it goes to show you cannot beat experience in the league……or you can….

We had a good end to the season beating Hannington and Oakley in consecutive games….The season end came too soon for us…..with the form Phil "Croc Dundee" Ware and the KG team were displaying it’s no surprise to hear that they wanted to carry on….but I think they were the only ones……TT in May?

Thanks to Mike and Dave who kindly played up due to our injuries and illness to make the match possible…. Mike Wood and Dave Partridge showing that club spirit helping out KG "C"….

Tremendous treble (1st of the season) ...Andy Pipe of RAF the receiver of this comment……it was to be one of many great performances by the rookie who’s results got better throughout the season.

Roger Barnacle is advised not to lay a lawn all day prior to a match…..could not thing of a punn with turf in it…

Eventually won by 21 points…Sean with 48/50 just losing out to Macken twice out of 3.The team really won it with a 10-0 over Cannons, and 8-2 over Queens and a 10-0 over Winklebury in the last half. Pete Matthews got used to his new bat and after a getting used to it ,came good with the double over Macken. Champion Steve Murgatroyd chipped in with some good wins over Macken and Cummins and the team forgive him for his off night with a duck against Winklebury….Richard Mole was dogged with a foot injury but still played his part with wins over Turnbull and 5 trebles.. James Wright’s best win was versus Pete Bradley in the second half and he hit 5 maximums throughout the season .

4 strong players chased St Peters but a good second place and the first Div 1 honours for Alex Garlick.. who is now a real force in the Division. Alex had 2^nd half wins over Macken, Wilkes and Rattue to prove this. Pete Martin had a good season (playing loads of TT) with his highlight a double over Matthews. Stuart White back in the Basingstoke League after a spell away…but he is better now than ever with wins over Golding and Rattue in the second half. Tony Palaczky had a few weeks suffering from a side strain but still turned out and in the second half I saw an awesome display from Tony, beating Matthews with some fantastic attacking play……a smash off of a tricky net was unbelievable!.. very alert…

Malcolm Cummins only lost twice but missed a few big matches…I think Malcolm is now running a pub…mines a pint of the black stuff when I pop in Malc! Hope to see you next season! Pete Bradley’s best wins were over Murgy and George White with John Golding and Colin Wilkes very strong with John having probably his best season for a while with wins over Tony Palaczky, Alex Garlick and Murgy to name a few.

Just off the pace but their new signing added venom with Macken strong but not invincible this season beating me twice and a double over Tony Palaczky etc. Paul Rattue pretty much consistently good all the way through and a threat to every player with his tricky game. Ron Powell had great wins over Pete Murray and George White and Terry’s biggest win was probably against Golding along with 4 maximums.

Fielded 10 players throughout the season but their strongest side of Tony Brown , Rob Turnbull and George White never turned out on the same night….Rob I think has taken his skills to Italy. Tony only played 4 matches and George hit good wins over Golding and Martin. Main player and captain Steve Rollason showed that he can compete in this flight with wins over Amies, Dickenson and Bradley. John Cosgrove was also on a par with Rollason and check this out ,a great win for Llew Hughes playing up versus Jeff Caddy.

Also fielded 10 players throughout the season and their strongest side would be Martin King, Pete Murray and any one of the rest. The main team was Jeff Caddy, Malcolm Record Denise Weller or Sue Purton. The team did great to stay up on games won…just pipping KG "A" to the right to stay in the top flight. It was performances like Denise Weller beating Stuart White, Jeff Caddy beating Terry White and Malcolm Record beating George White that contributed to this good achievement. We hope Chris Weller gets back fit soon from his knee agony.

All 3 regulars doing their bit but was not just enough despite some good individual wins. Dave Kimberley beating the likes of Stuart White , Richard Mole, James Wright, Martin King, Pete Bradley etc. in the second half. Tony Amies won 9 out of 10 against Labour and Pete Millie did the double over Terry White.

It is a shame this side has been relegated as I am sure next season would have been a different story. Mark Pickin back after many years out a little rusty and still learning the new skills required for the newer style game…did improve… Keith the best of the 4 scaring many players and with wins over George and Stuart White shows that next season he would have taken a few more scalps. Paul Robinson was learning in his first season in the premiership and impressed with wins over Pete Bradley and Dave Kimberley. Colin Chapman played in half the matches with a win over Ron Powell a highlight.

Alan Gustar , Dave Mills and Mike Dinmore easily Div 1 standard and with all 3 playing most matches in the second half were invincible although each player did lose the odd match.

Tim Trebbet best win Rob Still

Ashley Pither best win Roger Bielby

Gary Livingstone best win Duncan Sibbick

Great battle for second place .Duncan Sibbick and Roger Bielby the strongest 2 with Sibbick taking wins over Mills , Faulkner ,Wilde, and Rob Still to name a few. Roger beat Barnacle and Still twice and Edwards beat players like Ricks to make this a great team performance….see you all in Div 1 next year?

Hannington "B"

Phil Cook looks a great player as shown by wins over Dinmore and Faulkner. George Freeman's best win was over Gustar and also Sibbick. Steve Ricks enjoyed wins over Gustar, Barnacle and Bielby, Andy Stephens only played twice and was unbeaten beating Wilde and Barnacle. Late on in the season the team acquired Paul Humphries and he showed that he was up for the challenge with a win over Steve Armstrong.

Brian Wilde had a good season (winning the Div 2 indiv title) hitting 9 trebles with wins over Mike Dinmore and Roger Barnacle to name a few. Steve Armstrong did not have his best season but still beat Still and Richard Faulkner did not better his first half’s win over Gustar.

Alan Lipscombe hit 2 great wins beating Steve Ricks and Paul Humphries and Tom Speed picked up 7 wins in 10 outings.

Andy Pipe…what a season…great wins over Mills! Still, Faulkner, Dinmore, Ricks Sibbick etc.. and with Roger Barnacle beating Mills twice , Wilde , Faulkner etc as well this was a tough team to play. Andy Ferguson was their main 3^rd player and he troubled many players and hit wins over the like of Armstrong and Edwards.

Mike Chamberlain and Roy Pike were the core of the side with Chamberlains best win , a victory over Sibbick and Roy Pike beating Armstrong. Rob Still collected a large share of Queens’ point with 6 maximums in 12 outings and good to see Louis Palaczky playing…and winning …against Gustar.

Sue Tompsett was probably the best of the trio of Graham Quinn and Patrick Garlick with wins over Pipe and Sibbick the pick of a bunch , whilst Quinn had successes over Freeman twice and Edwards with Patrick beating Livingstone, Larking and A’Court. The team were hindered by loads of teams postponing against them earlier in the season but well done to Graham for getting the games played. Good to see Chris Rogers playing the odd game on his leave from Uni….hope to see you back for good one day Chris…

Martyn Richard battled to get a team out towards the end of the season fighting against injury, illness absence, the lot….and was assisted by the D team on a few occasions…which Martyn was pleased with….and the fact that he saw the likes of Dave Partridge fight for a win over Pike…Frank A’Court beat Paul Humphries and Phil Larking defeating Roy Pike probably their pick of their wins..…shame Martyn struck by injury as he started the season well with wins over Edwards twice , Chamberlain etc…

The team are getting famous for winning Div 3 and then getting relegated and then going up and then going down…..this time they go up as champions .Their big player was Chaz Smith who is certainly top Div 2 standard and I make it that he only lost 4 matches all season ..his best win came late on versus Ian Short. Chris Smith had 2 massive wins beating Charles and Andy Jeffery. Dave Smith and Sarah both hitting good wins and Sarah unfortunate to be laid off with an elbow injury half way through the season but came back to win some important games to ensure promotion.

Looked a good side this and just pipped the chasing Tigers.. Ken Wyld played in most if not all the games and came away with good wins over Charles Smith, Whithorn, Swinscoe, Hellans to name a few.

Avril Waters , Pete Blunden, George Wilson and Bob Harris all doing their bit…with Wilson's win over Short at the start of the season remaining the best of the lot.

The youngster did great under the experienced leadership of Ian Short whom I make it only lost 4 matches all season.. but the star was really Mark Swinscoe (whom I also noticed in the paper plays Tennis as well) who was outstanding in his first season in the league….his list of conquests is endless and if I had to name the best it would be Jeffery, Harris, Hellans, Water and Whithorn…Jared Binner was improving all season and this incline showed as he demolished Lorraine Watkins in 3 sets….Tom Vince showed flashes of his form last season and would be great if he continued in the league whenever/if he returns from his studies etc..

Need I say more than Phil "The Alligator" Ware…an outstanding season…only losing I think 5 matches and Div 3 individual champion…his best win beating Ian Short….mainly supported by Dave Partridge with loads of victories incl Andy Jeffery etc. Mike Wood appears to be improving as shown with wins over Hellans and Chris Smith. Dave MacDonald also picked up the odd points ..the best also over Chris Smith.

John McLarty again the rock picking up a large share of the points and mainly supported by Paul Rampton with notable wins over Waters and Wyld. Steve Jones possibly had his best season with great victories over Waters , Partridge and Lorraine Watkins. Garry George played a few matches and took the scalps of Hellans and Chris Smith and so did Paul Wallace beating Lorraine.

Has a massive backlog at the end in May but did well to complete the matches. Good to see Nigel Copper back playing after illness and showing his class ( and also played well in Div 2).George Hellans not afraid of alligators.. doing him twice…along with Partridge and had wins over Charles Smith and McLarty. Dave White’s highlight a win over Charles Smith and Mick Buley beat Brian Gridley. Good to see Ron Cleave still winning and smiling…maybe Garry George his best?..

A good friendly team this one…Andy Jeffery kept the team out of the bottom two with a hat full of wins. Brian Gridley did well battling against injury…Ivan Jewell persevering and coming out with a win over Binner to his name…and new face Ian Warner and Terri Allison gracing the league .Warner beating Partridge and Wyld and Allison getting to the post before Ron Cleave and Binner.

Charles Smith leading his main team of 3 with a bag full of wins.. the best over Ian Short . Bill Bannister enjoyed big success over the likes of Whithorn, Partridge and Lorraine Watkins .Good commitment from Mervyn Reeve playing most of the season

Good to see another lady playing and Celia Hooker achieved her best victory over Mike Wood and Vince. Also good to see young Peter Watkins improving…and winning against Bannister and Warner etc. Lorraine showed she can beat the best as demonstrated in victories over 2 of the best in the Division ..the alligator and Chaz Smith! Mick Wain played the odd game beating Cleave and Jewell.

Enjoy the summer!..