CHAMPIONS BROTHERHOOD START AS FAVOURITES

The 2011/12 season of the Clacton and District Table Tennis League begins next Monday and an unchanged Brotherhood A start as favourites to retain their Division One.

Windsor Condors keep the same quartet that finished runners-up last season and, if Colin Stallwood and Gary Young play regularly, they could be in with a sniff of the title.

Walton A’s team of Peter Burrows, Kevin James and Matt Watson, supported by a host of quality reserves who will be playing for Walton D in Division Two, won’t be far off the top whilst Windsor Roosters, boosted by the inclusion of Gary Cattermole, can only continue to improve.

Nomads Panthers are strengthened by the addition of Robert Bozier and, like the ageing but unchanged Windsor Eagles, will provide stern opposition with the ability to cause a shock or two.

Paul Newbould’s Walton B (formerly Red Triangle B) and Mark Gale’s Walton C (formerly Red Triangle A) finished within a dozen points of each other in the middle of the table last year and don’t be surprised if something similar doesn’t occur this season.

Brotherhood B include Stewart Murray in their squad and, if Ian Graham can recapture some of his old magic, they will surely improve on last season’s tenth place.

Perennial strugglers Windsor Falcons, who avoided relegation last season by a single point, will be looking to Felipe Rodriguez to keep their heads above water in a likely three-way relegation battle with the two promoted sides, Windsor Kestrels and Nomads Jaguars.

The Kestrels will be hoping Bob Sawyer can produce some magic to help them in their quest to avoid a quick return to Division Two whilst the Jaguars (formerly the Cougars) will need all their years of experience to maintain their hard-won top-flight status.

* Players are reminded that it is now their personal responsibility to register with the ETTA. This can be done on-line, by post or by telephone.

Contact League Secretary Annabelle Rodriguez if there are any queries.

Tony Ostwick