Pride of place goes to the U.13s four-a-side team, who won the Middlesex Title, went on to take the South-East Counties Title beating Surrey, Sussex and Kent, but finally lost to Essex in the South and East England regional final, one step short of the National title, which was in fact won by Essex. The team of M. O'Mahoney, B. Kelly, H. Laidley and F. Meaney played extremely well throughout and thoroughly deserved their trophies. They also reached the final of the Middlesex Schools three-a-side competition, only to finish runners-up. Throughout the season they were unbeaten and it was only at County level that they were truly tested. M. O'Mahoney was selected to represent Middlesex against Surrey, and B. Kelly, the Middlesex 'A' team. They are the first school players to achieve County honours and we extend our warmest congratulations to them both.
The U.15s team enjoyed similar, but less striking, success. The four-a-side team took the County title for the second year running, but again failed at the next hurdle, being runners-up in the South-East Counties final, beating Surrey and Sussex but losing to Kent. The team of J. Ashe, P. Fitzgerald, N. Devery and S. Walton-Smith played well throughout the season and also reached the final of the Middlesex three-a-side competition, only to finish third. The U.15s second team of P. Daly, R. Maddams plus members of the U.13s won their division of the Middlesex three-a-side competition and were awarded certificates.
In the Middlesex singles and doubles competitions several players did extremely well. In the U.13s singles, B. Kelly reached the Quarter-Final and M. O'Mahoney the Semi-Final before losing to outstanding opponents. However, they teamed up to take the County Doubles title beating Harrow County in the Final. Harrow County had earlier beaten our other doubles pair, H. Laidley and F. Meaney very narrowly in the other semi-final. It should have been an all-Salvatorian final! P. Daly playing extremely well, beat S. Walton-Smith in the U.15s Consolation Semi-Final, but, for the second year running, lost in the Final.
In the Harrow Youth Tournament, S. Walton-Smith reached the U.17 Semi-Final and H. Laidley the same stage of the U.14 competition which was eventually won by M. O'Mahoney.
In the Harrow and Wembley Schools League the Senior 2nd team of G. Trigg, P. Fitzgerald and S. Walton-Smith won Division 2. The Junior 1st team of P. Fitzgerald.
The high level of success and interest augurs well for the future. Consistent practice coupled with a disciplined approach are the keys to further success.
In the Junior U.15 Championships, there were 112 entries. In the Semi-Finals, J. Ashe beat S. Walton-Smith 21-15, 21-15; and N. Devery beat P. Fitzgerald 21-15, 21-11. The Final was very well supported especially by the 4th year. J. Ashe took the first game 21-15 and N. Devery the second 21-16. Devery, while basically defending against the loop of Ashe, was not lacking in attacking enterprise and often caught Ashe flat-footed. Nevertheless, the Ashe attack speared by the loop and backed by a solid smash, won out to take the next two games 21-15 and 21-18, even if somewhat narrowly. Both players well deserved the frequent applause and the congratulations on a good match at the end.
In the Senior Championships there were 37 entries. In the Semi-Finals, C. Green beat G. Trigg 21-8, 21-8; and J. Ashe beat D. Brendish 16-21, 21-13, 22-20. This match was the closest of the competition and an intense, exciting match was watched by many. It was particularly disappointing to Brendish, a club stalwart for many years and who, together with C. Green was awarded School Table Tennis Colours early this year. However, Ashe played extremely well in a match he was expected to lose. The Final consequently proved something of an anti-climax with C. Green winning rather easily 21-12, 21-15, 21-11. Both players attacked consistently and well, thus pleasing a good audience, but Ashe, despite some excellent shots, was little match for Green's experience, all-round ability and quicker reflexes.
S. Walton-Smith and N. Devery won their division as did the Junior 2nd team of P. Daly, R.
Maddams and M. O'Mahoney. The School Senior team of C. Green, D. Brendish and N. Russel,
reached the final of the Knock-Out competition and received medals and a certificate.