Matches Begin In Guildford Table Tennis League

Published on: 2 Oct, 2019
Updated on: 2 Oct, 2019

Report by John Diggens

This past week in the Guildford Table Tennis League battle was joined as the first matches got under way.

Boasting one of the strongest leagues in the country, backed up by an extensive coaching scheme, there is a sense of expectancy in this the Guildford Table Tennis Association’s 85th year of competition.

Pride of place must go to youngsters, Jack Liu, Dan Godsill and Ryan Bowdier, all playing in their first League matches in Division Four.

Jack and Dan won two singles plus the doubles in a 7-3 win for Merrow J against Godalming R.

Ryan was unbeaten in a 7-3 success for Merrow G over Godalming S. The Merrow training scheme is certainly producing results!

Rob Poutney.

In the Premier, a surprising result was the demolition of Merrow B, 8-2 by Godalming B. Unusually Richard Seymour lost all three. Charlie Cunningham, Simon Vine and Rob Pountney were the executioners.

Godalming A got off to a good start in their title defence with a whitewash against luckless Merrow C. Who would bet against them in their quest for a repeat of last season’s triumphs?

Gabriella Lee.

Merrow A saved the village club’s reputation somewhat with a 10-0 victory over Ash A. Godalming C and College Hill A fought a five-all draw and significantly Surrey Women’s Champion Gabriela Lee got a maximum for the ‘Hill’ only Chris King, making his Premier debut, taking her close.

Big wins seem the order of the day with Bramley A seeking a quick return to the First Division with a ‘ten niler’ against Godalming J. Geoff Nevitt, Peter Palmer and Ian Farley reigned supreme on the night. Can’t see any other team as champions at seasons end – bet your house!

In a week of surprise results, Bramley B went down 8-2 to newly promoted Ash B. Even Linda Makepeace failed to impress. James Wyncoll starred for Ash with a masterful maximum.

In Division Three newly promoted Bramley F did well to get a draw against a youthful Godalming M side. David Barraclough starred but was taken to a deuce game in the fifth by young Nathan Tse.

I’ll end this dissertation with an extract from the association’s history, which is available on the Guildford Table Tennis League’s website.

A contribution from Dave Gilham: “1982-83: The season opened in the Premier Division with NGTE, in defence of their title, thrashing Imperial Life by 9-1. The team was Schwartz, Care, and Gilham. Dave Gilham is still a formidable player now with Merrow. The Aldershot-based side went through several name changes, National Gas Turbine Establishment (NGTE), Pyestock and Cody.”

They now operate as Broadmoor. I must, at this stage, record a rather poignant email that I received from Dave in 2008. Which I repeat verbatim: “I do recall us winning the Premier with a squad comprising Graham Outrim, Ian Schwartz, Nigel Care and Myself.

“Nigel has just re-emerged, and playing in the Aldershot League. I had to tell him that the ball was a little bigger, and that he could not have red on both sides of the bat, and the score is now up to 11 not 21.

“He beat me last week, not bad after a 20-year lay off. He still retains his terrific forehand loop.

“Sadly, Ian died in 2004. He was a great personal friend, and I miss his infectious enthusiasm for the game. I was friends with Ian for many years. He came to my wedding in 1976. He used to joke to his wife Jenny that he would die playing table tennis, and he wanted to be buried with all his trophies.

“Then, saying, on second thoughts, better not as there wouldn’t be room for him.

“He died on the table, as he predicted, playing in a county match, and we all lost a real character.

“Funny, but just writing about the old team makes you realise just how many good times you can have playing table tennis, and sometimes take them for granted.”

My take on this was: with so many oppressive joyless regimes in the world today, whether politically or religiously motivated, it is essential to live life to the full in our free democratic society, involvement with ‘ping’ is just one way.

If you haven’t perused our comprehensive history recently or indeed not at all please feel free to explore its contents, you may be entertained.