Another day, another British League event.
Following the Senior and Junior weekends, it’s the veterans who take the limelight of the British table tennis circuit this weekend, with eight divisions commencing at the Halo Leisure Centre, Hereford.
In the Mens Premier, Bribar Nomads 1 will look to retain the title from last season after beating St Neots to the title. With the Premier’s top player from last year, Chris Bartram and Nigel Eckersley remaining in the squad they will be in buoyant mood on the eve of the season. However, St Neots will be determined to oust the Nomads of their throne, and the quartet of Chris Rogers, Andy Trott, Stuart Palmer and Mick Harper are set to be a formidable force for anyone. Meanwhile, Market Rasen and Topsin Fusion join the Premier Division and will be looking to establish themselves in the division.
Colebridge BC will also have eyes on gaining back to back championships after winning the Women’s Premier in 2011/12. Led by Michele Reeves, averages champion last season, they will have a side with enough armoury to harm any team in the division. However, Bribar Bunch will be expectant of a strong challenge themselves, and with the acquisition of Emma Rose from Market Rasen, alongside England number 1 Sue Collier, they will be in no mood to back down. Meanwhile, Market Rasen have replaced Rose with Rosemary Rainton, and alongside Lesley Keast and Jane Vickers, also have the potential to mix it up at the top.
Custom Table Tennis will be leading the charge to gain promotion to the Premier in Division 1A. With Chris Clinton, Simon Pugh and Tim Dyson, a trio who played in the Premier last year, they will be a stern challenge for anyone in the division. However, with the likes of Tameside, led by John Hilton and Norton Nomads in the division, there could be a few surprises, while Division 1B looks set to be the most unpredictable of any division, with all six teams having the potential to win the league come the final weekend, however if Adrian Pilgrim and Michael George can have further successful seasons from the last term, they will be in with a chance.
In Womens Division 1, Batts PPP will be looking to make a temporary stop in the division after coming down from the Premier; however Fusion, who also dropped a division, look set to stir their hopes and beat them to the title.
Finally, Division 2A will see the likes of Fullmarks and Norwich go head to head in the race for the title, with Batts Vets 2, Redlands and Team Ėcosse gunning for glory in Division 2B. While the likes of Carmen Vajdi of Milton Keynes Girls and Marianne Jorgensen of Fusion Wannabees will take center stage in Womens Divison 2.
Matthew Shaw
British League Press & Publicity Team