The Great Yarmouth Table Tennis League Handicap Singles were played at Northgate Hospital, and with eight young players entered with good handicaps, competition was fierce in four groups.

The Great Yarmouth Table Tennis League Handicap Singles were played at Northgate Hospital, and with eight young players entered with good handicaps, competition was fierce in four groups.

Group A saw David Sursham with nine points take top position followed by Martin Clarke with eight. Two other players, Brendan McManus and Lewis Woolston, tied with four points, Woolston Senior and Jackie Fortescue followed. On count-back Brendan took third spot. Several games in this group went to 2l-l9 or 21-20.

Josh Baxter was unbeaten in Group B with eight points and Alex Healey followed with six. Roy Pells, Dick Boyce and Kevin Chaney completed this group.

There was a clear winner, Brian Cunningham, in Group C who won eight points. Three players, Alan Jones, Bob Lamb and Colin Fortescue then tied with four each but on

count-back Bob went through in second place. Derek Humphries took bottom spot.

Again in Group D a count-back was required, this time for the top position between Peter Littleboy and Curtis Beales, the latter just taking it. Ray Lee did very well to overcome his minus handicap to score a respectable five points. Young Charlie Tavener completed this group.

The quarter-finals saw Josh Baxter edge out Bob Lamb, Curtis Beales took out Martin Clarke, Peter Littleboy won against David Sursham and Brian Cunningham beat Alex Healey.

A hard-fought semi-final (from scratch) saw Josh lose the first game against Curtis 18-21 but he bounced back strongly to take the second 21-11. The deciding game was neck and neck with Josh gaining a couple of points to go in front, but Curtis forced him to make two errors and lose the game at 21-19.

The second semi saw Brian just take the first against Peter 21-18 and narrowly lose the next 20-21 but then Peter changed tactics and ran out a worthy winner 21-16.

The final was an excellent match between two inspired juniors. Peter, with a plus five start, could not match Curtis in the first game and went down 16-21. He fought hard in the second and won 21-19. The third saw Peter with a fair lead, Curtis was notching up the points and gaining ground, but a jubilant Peter held on to take the title at 21-17.

Only six pairs entered the doubles and with handicaps ranging from minus four to plus six, just one group was played with the top two pairs to contest a final. There were some close games 21-20 and 21-19 with couples sharing points.

Ray and Bob from a minus start managed to gain six points but they could not match Josh and Colin on plus two who came second with eight points or Brian and Roy on plus two with nine points. Other pairings were Charles and Gavin, Peter and Sam and Curtis and Brendan.

The final saw some excellent play Josh and Colin took the title 21-16, 19-21, 21-18 with Brian and Roy good runners -up.

Dates have been set for the Town Championships, entries by March 16.