Table tennis - Manley returns

ROYSTON approached the start of their new North Herts Table Tennis Association season determined to improve on last season s poor results. Buoyed by the return of John Manley after a two-year absence, and with the recruitment of several experienced new p

ROYSTON approached the start of their new North Herts Table Tennis Association season determined to improve on last season's poor results.

Buoyed by the return of John Manley after a two-year absence, and with the recruitment of several experienced new players, the club is once again able to run five teams.

A league re-shuffle has seen the club's A and B teams avoid relegation, and with a number of impressive wins this week, their season looks promising.

In the Premier Division John Madley, Dave Bridger, and Simon Cockman earned ­Royston a 5-5 draw with Broadway Le Roc, while in Division One the B team achieved similar success.

Alf Mills and Mike Malone won two singles matches as well as the doubles.

The C team opened their campaign with a 6-4 victory over Bedwell F, thanks to two singles each from Terry Bailey and Haydn Gowan, and a single from Gordon Barnes.

Barnes and Gowan combined to secure more points in the doubles.

Elsewhere, the E team won their Division Three fixture against LABB B, with Barry Sharp winning his three singles matches.

He was well supported by two wins apiece by teenager Nathan Hutchings and new recruit Elaine Hanworth in a 7-3 ­Royston victory.