Roll up, roll up, get yer practice ‘ere!
How do you use practice nights - as another chance to show off your new service, or to improve your least effective shots? As a physical training session, or to develop match temperament?
However you use it, do come along and join in the fun, anytime from 7.30pm.

Sunday, 27 January 2008.

Eight of our members represented Southport Table Tennis Club in this year’s closed championships. The full complement of 5 juniors (Danny Houghton, Danny Woods, Jamie Wordsworth, Jonny Cummins and Ollie Valentine), well supported by parents, plus Cummins senior (Jeff), Colin Fyles and Alan Nolan, spent a gruelling day from 9 o’clock in the morning until well into the afternoon, with Colin’s last match finishing at 5.30pm. This was our best representation for a number of years and is a good indication of the resurgence of table tennis in the club.

All events this year started with a mini-league of 3 or 4 people who played each other, with the group winner and runner-up going on to the next round, so you were guaranteed to play in at least 2 contests per event. In some of the events, the second round also had a mini-league. After that it was a straight knock-out competition.

I entered 5 events, not with the hope of winning any, but so I could get lots of games. In the end, I played 14 games (including 4 victories), which seems pretty good value for my £13 entry fee. All of us who took part seemed to enjoy the experience, not least Colin Fyles, who is through to the final of the Over 55’s after a very hard fought match against Brian Crolley, a 1st division player with a 75% record. I imagine Danny Houghton (not yet 13) might just be feeling a little bit elated too, as he is through to the final of the Division 3 Restricted event. Finals night is on Tuesday, 29th January at St Teresa’s CMS Club, when Colin will play Dave Evans (100% in Division 1) and Danny will play Lung Yu (83% in Division 3). Whether they win or lose, they will have done us proud to reach the finals.

Finally, I must pay tribute to Roger Neal, the organiser, for a well run competition, and thank Formby High School for the use of their table tennis facilities.

The ‘E’ ( E for eternally optimistic ) team entertained Deyes High on Tuesday 8th Jan. in the first game of the second half of the season and despite the all too familiar 10-0 defeat there are signs that the standard of play is showing a distinct improvement. Everyone in the team won at least one game: Ken & Tom took their opponents to 5 games in their respective singles, Charles got a game against their number 2 & Norah won 1 game in her singles and another with Tom in the doubles.

Nothing for the rest of the Division to worry too much about but we are getting stronger!

A great night was had by all, well attended especially the younger members who have developed enormously since I last saw them play. Keep up the good work.

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