The Annual BDTTA Presentation Evening is to be held at THE OCEAN VIEW HOTEL, East Overcliff Drive on FRIDAY 19^th MAY at 7.30 pm.

The Special Guest this year is none other than Sandra Deaton, Chairperson, Table Tennis England.

Why not come along to cheer on your prize-winning club mates or simply to enjoy an evening of very pleasant food and convivial company.

Tickets cost £18 for Adults and £10 for Juniors. Hurry as there are a limited number of Tickets available.

Please let Bev Scott-Johns have your preferred meal choice (Main & Dessert from below) at the time of booking your ticket(s).

MAIN COURSE

Pan Roasted Chicken Breast, Sweet Potato puree, Red Wine jus.

Grilled Fillet of Trout, Sauteed Potatoes and a Lemon Herb Butter.

Vegetarian Basil Linguini, Roasted Pine Nuts, Parmesan crisp.

Vegetarian Potato Gnocchi, Baby Leaf Spinach & Wild Mushrooms in a Tarragon Cream.

DESSERT

Cream Filled Profiteroles with a Dark Chocolate Sauce.

Sticky Toffee Pudding with a Butterscotch Sauce.

Vanilla Bean and Baileys Cheeecake.

Tea or Coffee, served at the table.

19 members and guests of the New Milton Table Tennis club attended their annual Christmas Party at the Carpenters Arms on Friday 9th December and a good time was had by all.  Many favourable comments were made about the quality of the food and the speedy service and these were passed on to Lynn, the landlady.  This year the fun raffle was in aid of the Oakhaven Hospice Trust, the prizes being donated by club members, and £80 was raised which is a club record.

Club Secretary Bev Scott-Johns (pictured below) summed up the club’s past year in his traditional after-dinner speech which appears in full below:-

First of all I would like to welcome and say thank you to everyone for coming to our Christmas Party tonight. The attendance this year is excellent considering that the details were only sent out recently.

The previous Christmas Party was held just under a year ago on the 16^th December 2015. The last twelve months have been a mixture of some success for our club’s teams and players and personal sadness for Bob Fagan, Sylvia Smith and myself. I am very pleased that Bob after losing Sandy last year and Sylvia after recently losing her mother, both felt able to join us tonight. I lost my wife Valerie to Myeloma in March and I am grateful for all the sympathy cards, messages and donations to the Oakhaven Hospice which were received from members of the table tennis fraternity. This was much appreciated by my family and myself.

Turning to the New Milton Table Tennis Club. We are now in our 3^rd season at the Grange School and our 14^th season at Mudeford Wood Community Centre. Attendances have continued to hold up well at the Sunday club night. We frequently have visiting players from Christchurch, Southbourne and Bournemouth as well as Highcliffe, New Milton and Lymington.

At the conclusion of the 2015/2016 season, New Milton A were Runners-Up in the Premier Division and New Milton F were Champions in Division 4. The F Team were also runners-up in the Final of the Times & Directory Cup. New Milton G won the Final of the Times & Directory Plate. In the Individual Tournaments Steve Cheesman won the Division 4 Event; Matthew Daish won the Premier; Doug Gerrish won the VET 50+ while Steve Hemmings was runner-up in three separate events.

In the 2016/2017 season New Milton H is currently in second place in the latest league table while New Milton C and K are both shown as being in third place. New Milton TTC entered 11 teams in the Bournemouth League this season, one more than last year. We also entered two teams in the Poole Pairs League which is played at the Grange School on Wednesday evenings. Unfortunately at the present time we have more than ten injured or incapacitated players and this is very challenging for our team captains.

A new club trophy was purchased during August which is called the Sandy Fagan Memorial Trophy, in memory of our former club secretary and wife of Club President Bob Fagan. This trophy was presented to the team winners of the summer pairs competition held at Mudeford Wood in early September.

I was nominated by Malcolm Floyd and Steve Hemmings for the Table Tennis England “Volunteer of the Year” award. I was very pleased when this award was presented to me at a recent club night. A considerable amount of work was completed by Malcolm and Steve when making the application to the national governing body.

It only remains for me to wish everybody a happy and peaceful Christmas and my best wishes for the New Year.

Bev Scott-Johns

The club is always on the lookout for new members (especially with our current level of incapacitated players), from experienced players to absolute beginners.  Anybody interested in joining our very friendly club should contact Bev on 01425 619552.

For the fourth consecutive year, the New Milton Table Tennis Club ran a Summer Pairs competition at the Mudeford Wood Community Centre from late May until the end of August. In table tennis terms a Pair is a 2-player team and this event was open to club members and non-members. There were seven teams entered in total; each team being named after a historical or contemporary fighting force, with each team playing each other twice. 

One point was awared for each end won up to 11.  The final match score was calculated by totalling the number of sets won by each team over the duration of the evening.

And so the teams of Vikings, Airmen, Saxons, Soldiers, Sailors, Romans and Marines battled for supremacy throughout the summer with the Vikings emerging as victors and the Airmen as runners-up. The Vikings comprised husband & wife combo John and Norma Millward and up-and-coming youngster Jack Trafford who managed to accumulate 141 points between them. The Airmen piloted themselves to second place on 124 points, and were represented by club secretary Bev Scott-Johns, Simon Golding, Mike Roberts & Gerard Redman along with Peter Daish and Clive Pitts who only played one match each.

The other placings in descending order are Saxons (112 points), Soldiers (106 points), Sailors (99 points), Romans (94 points) & Marines (92 points).  

In the photo, Club Secretary Bev Scott-Johns presents the Sandy Fagan Memorial Trophy to two of the Vikings, Jack Trafford and John Millward. Sandy was a former club secretary and leading light in the club for many years who sadly passed away in November last year.

The Annual Tournaments of New Milton Table Tennis Club have been taking place over the past few weeks and culminated in the Grand Finals Night at the Grange School, Somerford. Phil Daish-Handy won all three of his eligible singles events, including one title defence, and even helped to win the doubles title.

His first win came in the Under 40s final where he took on brother-in-law Simon Daish, who came runner-up last season. Daish-Handy had to give away an 11 start but overcame the handicap to win in two straight sets 21-16, 21-17.

He successfully defended his Handicap Singles title in which he had to give away a 15 start to Ian Linney. Daish-Handy caught up in the first set 15-15 to win it 21-16 then went on to win the second set 21-19 to retain the trophy.

His next final was Doubles event in which he had been drawn with Sylvia Smith who won it last year with Russell Wilson. They had to give a 5 start to Malcolm Floyd & Ben Greene but this was quickly overcome to win in two straight sets 21-15, 21-15.

Now on a roll, Daish-Handy met up with another brother-in-law in the Open Singles final, this time fellow Premier team mate Matthew Daish who won the title last year. Daish-Handy gave no quarter and won the first set 11-2, and although Matthew got more into his stride in the second, big brother-in-law took it 11-6. The third set was worthy of an exhibition match with some fantastic exchanges but Daish-Handy won it 11-9 to take the prestigious title.

Matthew Daish didn’t go home completely empty-handed as he got the better of older brother Peter Daish in the Junior final. In a fairly close encounter Matthew took the first two sets 11-9 and 11-7, then Peter rallied to take the third by 11-9. Matthew wasn’t having any more nonsense and took the fourth 11-7 to claim the title.

Club chairman Steve Hemmings had missed out on three titles at the recent Bournemouth & District tournaments so he was really fired up for his only tilt at a club title, the Over 40s, especially as he came runner-up last year. He had to give a 14 start to Paul Nelson, but Hemmings won in straight sets 21-16, 21-19 having caught up at 17-17 in both sets.

Club Welfare Officer Lynn Willrich won her first club title as she took on last year’s runner-up Sylvia Smith in the Ladies Handicap Singles. Lynn had a 1 point start against Sylvia and really surprised herself to win it it in two straight sets 21-20, 21-17 to take the title.

Thanks to Club Secretary and Tournament Organiser Bev Scott-Johns for yet another set of very well organised and enjoyable tournaments. Bev is a Table Tennis England qualified Tournament Organiser and County Umpire, both skills being very much in evidence during the tournaments.

The club has organised three coaching sessions for club members covering the full range of playing abilities. These sessions are being fully funded by the club so there will be no cost to attendees. All club members are invited to attend one of the sessions outlined below. You simply need to contact Steve Hemmings indicating which session you wish to attend.

Session 1 is being held on Sat 30th January from 12:30pm to 3:30pm at the Grange School.
This session is aimed at our less experienced players and attendees would be expected from Divisions 4 and below. Non league player will also be welcome.

Session 2 is being held on Sat 27th February from 12:30 pm to 3:30pm at the Grange School.
This session is aimed at players whose standard occupies the middle ground and attendees are expected from Division 4 up to Division 2.

Session 3 is being held on Sat 5th March from 12:30pm to 3:30pm at the Grange School.
This session is aimed at our more experienced players and attendees are invited from Divisions 1 and above.

This is not a hard and fast rule but merely to give you guidance as to where the coaching will be pitched as we are trying to ensure that all attendees get the most out of each session. Each session is limited to a maximum of 20 players so we reserve the right to ask members to move to an alternative session if necessary.

Each session will be lead by well respected local coach and England International Matt Ware.

To request a place on one of these sessions, please email me at steve@thenewforest.wanadoo.co.uk or phone me on 01590 681339.
Steve Hemmings
Chairman, New Milton TTC

NB Please note that I will be away on holiday from 24th January to 31st January so applications for the first session need to be received by Friday 22nd January at the latest.

The Annual Christmas Party of the New Milton Table Tennis Club was held at the Carpenters Arms, Bransgore on Wednesday, 16^th December 2015. Those attending the event included Bev Scott-Johns, Secretary, Steve Hemmings, Chair and Shaun Newcomb, Development Officer and club members and their partners, 19 attendees in all.  At the conclusion of the very pleasant meal Bev thanked the guests for attending and reported that the current season has been a mixture of great sadness and some success for the club.

Sandy Fagan, former Club Secretary and wife of our Club President Robert Fagan, sadly passed away recently. Sandy had been a member of the New Milton TTC since 1972 and played the sport up to the onset of her illness 5 years ago. Both of their children, Michael and Jackie, played for the Club. Sandy looked after the junior and new players and always made people feel welcome. Her funeral was held at Hinton Park Woodland Burial Ground on the 4th December and was attended by many people, including twelve current members and several former club members. The Bournemouth & District Table Tennis League Association was represented by General Secretary Gordon White.  When she was well, Sandy always attended club functions with husband Bob, and they are pictured below at one of them.  Sandy will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob and his family at this time.

Although we lost 15 players at the start of the current season Bev was pleased to report that we have managed to attract 14 new and former members to play in our teams. The Sunday Club Night, which is now being held at the Grange School, is experiencing good attendance levels with numbers of up to 20 people per session. This season the New Milton TTC decided to enter 10 teams in the local Bournemouth League. At this point in the playing season New Milton F are leading the table in the 4th Division while the H and G teams are in 4th and 5th place respectively. New Milton A are currently in 3rd Place in the Premier Division with the B team in 5th position. Our Club also fields a team in the Poole Pairs competition which takes place at the Grange on Wednesday evenings.

Thanks were expressed to Shaun by John Parkhouse for organizing this most enjoyable event.

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

The Annual Tournaments of the New Milton Table Tennis Club have been taking place over the past few weeks and culminated in the Grand Finals Night at the Grange School, Somerford. The irrepressible Sylvia Smith was not only out to defend her Ladies Singles title, but also to have another tilt at the Doubles title after coming runner-up last year with Gerard Redman.

The Handicap Ladies Singles was a repeat of last year’s final as Julie Smillie playing off +13 took on title holder Sylvia Smith (+20), but there was a different outcome this year. Smillie had learnt her lesson from last year’s defeat and started off on the front foot and played cannily to take Smith’s title in two straight ends 31-29, 31-27.

Smith had another crack at a title, this time by partnering Russell Wilson in the Handicap Doubles final against the intriguing combination of Matthew Daish & John Parkhouse. It is fair to say that Daish & Parkhouse never really got going, resulting in Smith & Wilson winning the first and second ends 31-23 to take the title.

In the Junior Final, new club member Jared Schaller from Winchester had the daunting task of facing Kai Major who had recently been voted Most Improved Player of the Year in the Bournemouth and District league. Major just nicked the first end 15-13 then won the second, another very tight match, by 11-9. Schaller was determined not to let Major have it all his own way and won the third 11-7, but Major came back to take the fourth end very comfortably 11-3 to win the title.

The Under 40 Handicap Final saw 19 year old Simon Daish (+15) take on younger brother by 5 years, Matthew playing off +4 reflecting his Premier league status. There was good attacking tennis from both players, but Matthew won in two straight sets 31-28, 31-24.

Next up was the Over 40 Handicap Final where club chairman Steve Hemmings playing off +6 faced homecoming club member Russell Wilson (+12). Hemmings, who came runner-up last year caught up at 15-15 in the first end to win it 31-25, but Wilson reversed the scoreline in the second end. Wilson was 21-11 up in the change-round in the third and final end and dominated to run out winner at 31-20.

Phil Daish-Handy was runner-up in the Handicap Singles last year but took this year’s title by default as opponent Zoltan Ordog had to withdraw due to injury.

The evening concluded with the showcase Open Singles final between last year’s runner-up Matthew Daish and Russell Wilson who was out for his third title of the evening. It was nip and tuck in the first end but Daish shaded it 11-9 and then won the second end more comfortably by 11-6. The third and final end was exhibition stuff with some superb attacking tennis but Daish clinched the title by winning 13-11.

Thanks to Club Secretary and Tournament Organiser Bev Scott-Johns for yet another set of very well organised and enjoyable tournaments. Bev is a Table Tennis England qualified Tournament Organiser and County Umpire, both skills being very much in evidence during the tournaments.