The recent annual Presentation Evening of the Bournemouth and District Table Tennis Association was attended by seventeen members and guests of the New Milton Table Tennis Club. Although not such a spectacular year as last season, club members were still amongst the honours this year.

The A team’s Steve Hemmings (pictured below) was there to collect his Veteran’s 50+ title and he also shared in the Trevor Parry trophy for the best match of the Individuals Tournaments. This was awarded to Hemmings and Wei-Jun Liang (Bournemouth Sports) for their display in the Vets 50+ final. Hemmings also picked up the Times & Directory Handicap Cup runners-up trophies for himself and the rest of his A team (Brian Vibert, Phil Handy and Brian Bickell).

The B team’s Julie Smillie was there to collect her two Doubles runners-up trophies. The F team’s Sylvia Smith joined her to collect their Women’s Doubles runners-up trophies, and Smillie also picked up the Mixed Doubles runners-up awards for herself and team-mate Zoltan Karib-Barath who was not able to attend.

Before the presentation of the trophies, association President Harold Feltham gave name checks to the youngsters who had performed well this season. Amongst the accolades was Milton’s rising star, eleven year old Matthew Daish. Daish moved up from Div 5 last year to Div 3 this season and came top in the winning averages. He won the Bournemouth One-Star Cadet and Junior titles and came runner-up in the Sussex One-Star tournament. He also won the Under-11 National School’s championship and ended the season with third place in the England Table Tennis Association (ETTA) national rankings.

Daish’s older brother Simon gained his UKCC Level 1 coaching certificate this season as did veteran Sibyl Bartlett. Sibyl’s table tennis experience dates back to her teenage years and has continued until now, culminating in the acquisition, in her eightieth year, of a Level 1 Coaching Certificate.

Also mentioned in despatches was club veteran Brian Bickell who received his Vetts England call-up to play against the Czech Republic in the European Championship. Bickell with his partner Colin Dyke won the bronze medal in the doubles event.

The New Milton Club entered 10 teams in the league this season, and although none of the teams gained promotion, at least none of the teams were relegated. This season can therefore be regarded as one of consolidation, ready for greater things hopefully next season. Any reader interested in playing table tennis competitively or just for fun should contact Club Secretary Bev Scott-Johns on 01425 619552.