The Junior British League sees the best clubs from all over the UK come together to compete across 8 Boys divisions and 4 Girls divisions, with over 300 talented table tennis players taking part at Derby Arena over two weekends, going into the final weekend of the Junior British League, both the boys and girl’s sides had everything to play for. The Boys team sat top of Division 3A, 1 point clear of Urban from London, While the Girls team were bottom of Division 2 with no points form the first weekend and desperate to avoid relegation.
The Girls started with their first points of the season with a 4-2 win over Swerve B, Amy Mold and Gracie Edwards both picking up Maximums which included huge wins for Amy over top 50 players. This was followed up with a narrow 4-2 loss to Ulster with Katie Wray just missing out in the 5th to get a draw in the final game. The girls made up for this by securing a draw vs top side Fusion from Kent with Gracie, Kate and Amy all scoring wins. Second placed side Ashford were too strong beating the girls 4-2 with Gracie Picking up her 2. The final match was the relegation match vs Halton. Only a win would see the girls stay up and the girls weren’t in a loosing mood, going 3-0 up with all three girls winning their first matches before Halton came back to make it 3-2 and Amy Mold ranked 92 to play number 43 in England to keep the girls in Division 2. Amy started strong going 2-0 up before being pegged back to a 5th set where Amy found an extra gear to come out winner 11-5 and keep the girls in division 2 for next year.
The Boys Started where they left off last time with a 3-3 draw vs London Greenhouse, Harvey McDonald getting his two wins and Max Duffin getting 1 win, narrowly missing out on two wins. Next up was Yorkshire Harrogate with the boys getting a 4-2 win with Lee Tinkler beating England Number 36 in his two wins and Sam Hume also picking up his two wins including a 8-4 down comeback in the 5th to win a vital match. Table Tennis Daily was next up for the boys and another 3-3 draw with Lee, Max and Harvey all picking up 1 win each again Max was unlucky not to get his 2 again losing out in the 5th. The results meant that 2 draws vs the 2nd and 3rd place teams would be enough to secure the title. 3rd place St Neots saw another 3-3 draw with Harvey Lee and Max all getting Great wins over higher ranked players. Meaning Just like the girls the outcome was down to the last match vs Urban from London and again like the girls the boys went 2-0 up before being pegged back to 2-1 before Harvey stepped up in game 4 to win and secure the draw to give the boys the title but the draw wasn’t enough with Max Duffin securing the win and his second of the match to see a 4-2 win over Urban.
Bishop Auckland Table Tennis club runs sessions every night of the week for all ages and abilities and new players are always welcome, if you fancy learning or getting back into the sport check out the club’s webpage www.bishopaucklandttc.co.uk or call Matt on 07411018856