Battling city take bronze

LEICESTER fought hard in the finals of the National Team Championships and were represented by Luke Greenfield, who topped the Division One averages in the Leicester and District season just ended, and Adam Pettitt, writes John Bowness.

First match up at Tamworth was against a very strong Leamington side with Greenfield producing some excellent form to win both his sets. Alas, Pettitt was not quite able to find a way past the opposition, while the team lost the doubles for the only time to go 3-2 down and Leamington went on to win the title.

Not to be deterred Leicester faced Grantham in their second match with Greenfield once again in great form, winning his two, and this time they also won the doubles to take it 3-2.

The final match against Northampton included playing against a very awkward pimple covered bat, something alien to modern reverse sponge players, with Greenfield going down for his only loss against this player.

Pettitt came very close to beating the same opponent before going down in five, but finished the event with an excellent victory after the Leicester pair had taken the doubles to ensure another 3-2 success and a bronze medal place.

The final session in the Leicester Junior League provided an excellent performance by the two Bhakta brothers, Kalan and Kai, playing for Winstanley Wizards in Division One when they both emerged with a winning individual score of 11 from 12 to top the division and maintained their undefeated record for the season.

In all 27 teams took part and 79 individual players to show that the junior table tennis scene is alive and well. In the top division George Ward Barwell finished second – James Walker on 64 per cent – while Corey Lancaster helped KP1 Scorpions to third with 63 per cent.

Further down two players were showing great promised by emerging unbeaten, including Aiden Cheng (KP Badgers), who won all 12 sets in Division Four, while Alfie Newton did exactly the same for George Ward D in Division Six.