On Sunday 2nd October, the Sports Hall at Bishop Barrington School, home of Bishop Auckland Table Tennis Club, was filled with the buzz of competition as spectators and players gathered to enjoy the excitement of the Bribar 2* tournament. Players came from teams across the country, including Garstang, Hull, East Boldon, Haworth, Cramlington, Barrow, and Ormesby, as well as more locally from Middlesbrough, Darlington, and of course Bishop Auckland.
The morning matches saw Under 11s Boys’, and Cadet Boys’ and Girls’ groups, with Under 13s and Junior Boys’ and Girls’ groups in the afternoon. Junior & Cadet Boys’ groups reached capacity for participants, with 32 players in each category. Taking away the trophies were: U11 Boys, Winner – Gene McGhee, Runner-up – Luke Hodgson, U13 Boys, Winner – Tom Rayner, Runner-up – Charlie Turner, U13 Girls, Winner – Ruby Chan, Runner-up – Moke Warburton, Cadet Boys, Winner – Joe Cope, Runner-up – Josh Weatherby, Cadet Girls, Winner – Ruby Chan, Runner-up – Charlotte Weatherby, Junior Boys, Winner – Sam Kwan, Runner-up – Tom MacIntosh, Junior Girls, Winner – Charlotte Weatherby, Runner-up – Rana Rasseem.
The day was an all-round success, with great support from family and friends, and bacon sandwiches galore. Local press dropped in to take some snapshots and soak up the atmosphere, and the club was lucky enough to receive a visit from Deputy Lieutenant of Durham, Dr. Robert McManners, who presented the morning’s winners with their trophies.
Dr. McManners was very impressed with the friendly atmosphere and the organisation of the event. “It was a pleasure to do, and to be asked to come along,” he told BATTC. “I’m impressed with the organisation through Bishop Auckland Table Tennis Club, and particularly with the organisation and discipline of the children taking part, this is a credit to them.”
The Bribar 2* is one of several events held throughout the year by Bishop Auckland Table Tennis Club, who were recently named Mid-Durham & Dales Sports & Physical Activity Awards Junior Sports Club of the Year 2016. The club, founded in 2012, has seen rapid growth and success over the last few years, running sessions every weeknight in several locations. The club is open to people of all ages and abilities, and is always looking for new members. If you’d like to know more, or would be interested in becoming a club sponsor, please visit the website at www.bishopaucklandttc.co.uk