THE new table tennis season started with the Dickie Moore Cup held at Northgate once again proving popular and attracting 24 players.Group A saw Ernie George win all five games to go top.

THE new table tennis season started with the Dickie Moore Cup held at Northgate once again proving popular and attracting 24 players.

Group A saw Ernie George win all five games to go top. Martin Clarke and Darren Swann tied for second spot with three points each on count back. Martin went through, pushing Darren into third place. Mike Harvey came fourth and juniors Curtis Beales and Peter Littleboy tied for fifth spot.

Wally Ladmore as expected won Group B, defeating Thomas Baxter 22-20 in an excellent game. New player Brian Cunningham came third followed by John Smith Charlie Taverner and Mathew Current.

Bob Lamb took himself to top place in Group C when he defeated Paul Wright Junior, but both progressed to the quarter-finals.

Roy Pells and Josh Baxter scored two points each and Brendan McManus and David Sursham one each - the latter with an excellent victory over Pells.

There was another tie for points in Group D but on count back Ray Lee emerged as the winner pushing Paul Wright Senior to runner-up position. Colin Fortescue came third followed by Alan Yardy who only lost 20-22 to Ray. Juniors Alex Harley and Liam Current played well with the former claiming two victories.

The first quarter-final saw Ray Lee enjoy his first victory in this competition over Wally Ladmore in three excellent games 22-20, 11-21, 21-16. Thomas Baxter took out Paul Senior in two straight 21-19, 21-16. Martin Clarke knocked out Bob Lamb again in two 21-19, 21-16.

The last quarter-final was most exciting and the hardest fought - Paul Jnr took the first game against Ernie George 21-18 and was leading by three points in the next when Ernie found five good shots to take the game 22-20. Paul raced to a good lead in the third and with Ernie unable to close the gap went through 21-13.

Ray had a good win over Martin 21-9, 21-18 to take his place in the final where he was joined by Paul Jnr who overcame Thomas 21-15, 21-9.

Ray put up a strong challenge in the final, but Paul was determined to take the title, which he did 21-17, 21-14.

Charles Hacon was tournament officer and Edna Fletcher officiated. Wally Ladmore on behalf of the players thanked both officers for a well-run and most enjoyable tournament.