The Inter Regional qualifiers see each of the 10 Table Tennis England Regions hold qualifiers to find the regions best 3 players in 3 age groups, under 11’s, u13’s and u15’s in boys’ and girls’ events to go to the National finals, this year to be held at Hatfield University.
Bishop Auckland table tennis club had 6 players vying for spots on the North East team. First up was the first brother and sister team of Lucy and Thomas Whales, both competing in the under 11’s. Thomas 8, put in some good performances but was out matched by the older kids. In the Girls Event Lucy beat two players from Darlington Academy, both 3-0 to win the event and qualify for the finals. The Second sibling combo was Amy and Ben Mold. Amy playing in the cadet girls who, like Lucy won her event and qualified for the nationals by beating two players from Ormesby including a unexpected win over a higher ranked player. Ben Mold Justified his top seeding winning the group of 8 unbeaten, not without a few close calls but Ben’s cool head saw him pull though and make the team. The cadet event saw Sean Stobart and Jake Bewley compete. Sean finished 3rd and qualified for the finals. Jake Bewley put in some great performance but missed the cut.