This summer marks the third consecutive year that the New Milton Table Tennis Club has run a Summer Pairs competition. This competition caters for an increasing number of club members who just can’t put their racket away for what is sometimes loosely known as the “close season”.

As the name of the competition would suggest, there are two players per team, although a third member of the squad could play in the doubles, making four singles and one doubles per match. The format is the same as the winter league with matches being best of 5 sets of 11 up. Unlike the league matches however, one point is awarded for each set won, with a maximum possible score per team of 15 points. The aim is to combine a higher division player with a lower division player but this is not always possible.

This year the competition comprises 7 teams (Airmen, Marines, Romans, Sailors, Soldiers, Saxons & Vikings) and takes place over 14 weeks, with all matches being played down at the Mudeford Wood Community Centre. At the halfway stage, with 7 matches played, the Vikings (John Millward, Mike Roberts, Elliott Storr-Smith, Eddie Tompkins & Geoff Ware) are top of the table, with the Airmen flying closely on their tail in second place.

Team            Played       Sets Won    Sets Lost    Points
Vikings             7                      74                    30                 74
Airmen             7                      69                    35                 69
Soldiers            7                      54                    53                 54
Romans            7                      51                     57                 51
Sailors              7                      48                     53                48
Marines            7                      40                    68                40
Saxons              7                      34                     74                34

If anybody would like any further information about the club please contact Club Secretary Bev Scott-Johns on 01425 619552.

Report written by Bev Scott-Johns