In the Middx Schools Competition the U19's team of C. Green, D. Brendish and G. McCourt finished second in their division, as did the second team of N. Russell, G. Trigg and A. Walton-Smith. The U15's team as above, with B. Duffy, J. Ashe, and N. Devery on occasion, finished second. The competition also included a new age group, the U13's, and our team of P. Daly, R. Maddams and G. Savage performed very creditably after a slow start to finish third. They could be much stronger next season with the advent of several new young players including M. O'Mahoney, F. Meaney, B. Kelly, G. Harten and H. Laidley.
In the Harrow and Wembley Schools' League the Senior 2nd. team of N. Russell, G. Trigg and P. O'Rourke won division 2 and were awarded medals and a certificate. The same was true of the Junior 2nd. team of N. Devery, J. Ashe and B. Duffy. The Senior 1st. team C. Green, D. Brendish and N. Russell reached the final of the knockout competition, and received medals as runners up.
In the Middx. Schools' singles competition a measure of success was achieved. C. Green reached the Consolation Final of the U19's only to lose 2-1. P. Daly, playing very well, reached the U13's Consolation Final to lose by the same score.
Continuing interest has been shown in the National Awards for Proficiency at table-tennis. The Silver Award Test has been passed by N. Russell, G. Trigg, N. Devery and J. Ashe; and the Bronze Award by R. Maddams, P. Daly, M. O'Mahoney, F. Meaney, B. Kelly and H. Laidley.
The high level of interest augers well for the future. Further progress however by school players depends on a disciplined approach and consistent practice - as well as a measure of ability.
The School Table-Tennis Championships.
In the Junior Championship there was a record 123 entries. In the semi-finals P. Fitzgerald beat P. O'Rourke 26-24, 26-28, 21-15; and S. Walton-Smith beat M. O'Rourke 21-19,21-18. The final was well supported, particularly by the 3rd. form. P. Fitzgerald took the first two games very narrowly, 22-20 and 21-19, playing basically defensive but with the odd attack. S. Walton-Smith with grim determination fought back to take the next game 21-12. The fourth game however proved conclusive and was won 21-11 by Fitzgerald. Both players well and fully deserved the frequent burst of applause and their ration at the end.
In the Senior Championships there was again a record 54 entries. In the semi-finals C. Green
beat D. Brendish 21-17, 21-15, and G. McCourt beat S. Walton-Smith 21-19 and 21-13. The final
proved one-sided C.Green being a rather easy winner 21-18, 21-19, 21-19. Nevertheless both
players gave a good example of all our modern attacking play though McCourt could not quite
match the reflexes of Green. The play obviously pleased a large crowd of spectators who were
often applauding some very good rallies. Our congratulations to both finalists for a sporting
contest.