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The largest event of the British League calendar commences this weekend (October 12-13th) when the Junior British League kicks-off in Lilleshall.
Around 300 young players will travel to Shropshire to take place in the event, with twelve divisions of undoubted drama set to get underway.
BBATT start the Boys Premier Division as the team to beat following their triumph last year. Having lost the services of England number two, Helshan Weerasinghe, their task looks set to be more difficult. But with the quartet of Sam Mabey, Jack Bennett, Josh Bennett and newest recruit Daniel Lawrence, BBATT still have more than enough to challenge at the top of the league.
Their biggest challenge looks set to come in the shape of Ormesby. After signing Tom Jarvis from BBATT and retaining the services of Scotland hotshot Chris Wheeler, the young Ormesby side looks certain to sit near the top of the division throughout.
Meanwhile, Greenhouse, who boast the talents of England number 1 Igor Morais, have the ability to mix it up, whilst Wood Green, Wales and BATTS Harlow all have the potential to leave victorious.
The Girls Premier Division promises to be an enthralling affair with the division boasting an abundance of talent throughout.
The return of England number 1 Tin-Tin Ho to the British League circuit sees her team up with number two Maria Tsaptsinos, Emily Bolton and Shristi Ghosh to form a Kingfisher side that will be an ominous encounter for any side. They will be challenged by reigning champions Burton Uxbridge, with local girl Isobel Ashley, England number four Emma Torkington and Megan Knowles hoping to conquer Kingfisher’s stars.
Ellenborough, St Mary’s and Bournemouth Sports will all begin life outside the Premier Division when they take to the court in Division 1. Former British League Champions Ellenborough have made a number of changes, with Daniel Wright the only survivor from last year. He will be joined by Gergo Timafalvi, Ryan Williams, Mitchell Jones and Chris Clifford in a side capable of making Ellenborough’s stay in Division 1 a temporary one. St. Mary’s also look strong, whilst newly promoted Rotherham Scorpions, led by David Thompson, will also be confident of challenging.
Girls Division 1 promises to be one of the most dramatic divisions as all six teams start the season with one eye on promotion to the elusive Premier Division. Ellenborough and Northfield are prime suspects to grab that spot but will be pushed all the way by Ulster and BATTS.
Boys Division 2A promises to be a tight affair with little separating the sides. London Academy II will start as slight favourites, yet UCD Dublin and Wales II have more than enough to overcome their rivals.
Northfield Boys will be confident of sealing promotion from Division 2B with the trio of Billy Forster, Matthew Leete and Joseph Clark at their disposal, however former Premier side OLOP Impact will be optimistic ahead of the season.
Girls Division 2 consists of a number of sides capable of achieving promotion, with Sussex Alliance and Warrington just two sides who will be challenging come the final weekend.
In Boys Division 3A, Ellenborough will start as favourites but will inevitably be pushed all the way by Rasen Racers and Burton Uxbridge, whilst Pompey and Ulster will battle it out to secure glory in Division 3B.
Essex based Batts B will be hopeful of driving their way past the rest of the competition in Girls Division 3, however they will first have to overcome the likes of Norton Draycott and Ulster B.
Ormesby II look incredibly strong in Division 4A with Kaine Macdonald and Callum White leading their line-up, with their most likely source of a rival being Kingfisher, who have secured Joshua Gallen for the upcoming season.
Finally, Woodfield will start as one of the favourites in Division 4B despite losing Jamie Tervillion to Bournemouth Sports. They will be put to the test by both London Academy III and St Marys TTC B.
Written by Matt Shaw (October 10, 2013)