Leigh R.B.L. Table Tennis Club
1950-2000: 2007 Update
Written by John Knock, November 2007
The Club has enjoyed continued activity and success during the last seven years. Andrew Houghton happily re-joined the 'A' team, led by John Lynch with Roger Pingram, Paul White and Brian Merfield, to win Division One from 2002/03 through to 2006/07, with Andrew twice winning the Baldry Cup for 100% success, as has Mick Cripps who rejoined the side in 2004/05. Ian Pearson again became a "regular", and Derek Furneaux and Bob Everest, now followed by son John, joined as League players.
Back in 1999/2000 John Knock, Andy Everett, Andrew McCarthy, and Malcolm Cole went on to win Division Two, and in 2001/02 Clive Harding, John Batchelor, and Graham Eade won the same Division, with John winning 100%. In 2003/04 the mandatory imposition by the E.T.T.A (following the I.T.T.F) of the new "11-up" scoring system for all affiliated Leagues, led to these three players, designated as Leigh "J" , -for "Jokers!" - after their escapades over many years - played in the new "Handicap" League, introduced by the Tonbridge League as a subsidiary competition to provide the "ebb and flow" of 21-up for those who prefer the longer game. Malcolm Cole, Bob Everest and Andrew Everett, aided by Ian Pearson were Division Two Champions in 2004/05, and Andrew Everett, Andrew McCarthy, John Neal, and Stuart Massey in 2005/06.
Our young side of Gary Shadwell, Robert Cormack, Adam Reeves and Jamie McCarthy found it tough going in the adult League against experienced players. Gary, Robert and Adam have now stopped playing. Jamie improved rapidly and played in Division One in 2006/07, but is off to University in September 2007.
The Club continued to run a National Junior League side up to 2002/03, and have run a succession of teams in the E.T.T.A. "Woolwich" Junior League. In 2005/06 Daniel Powley and Tom Earwaker won Division One and with Chris Ireland joined the adult league in 2006/07, with Daniel's young brother Alistair. James Taylor and now Matt Nicholson also involved. These and three younger lads from Sevenoaks have also won awards in the 2006/07 Junior League, and Daniel and Alistair "swept the board" with the Junior Events at the 2007 Tonbridge Closed, Al winning the Handicap Singles too. Three ten year olds from Leigh School, two from Frant and eight year old Christopher Everett are our youngest members.
Club members have continued to enjoy Annual Presentation Dinners, thanks to the organisation of Andrew Everett, for the last few years these have been at the admirable location of the "Fleur de Lys" with excellent attendances and great spirit. Some of our members went on a playing visit to celebrate the Heusenstamm Club's 50th Anniversary in July 2005, including Andrew Everett and Stuart Massey on their first trip.
During the last four years we have been saddened to lose Alfie Houghton (at the age of 96) - Leigh's first ever "coach" in the late 1920's, Harry Lewis, who became Club Secretary and weekly practice organiser when the Club entered the League in 1950, Ian Bridgen, who played as a youngster in the 1950's, and Laurence Healy a long time player and umpire who progressed to officiate in an England international. Most recently we have sadly lost our and the League's President, Eric Batchelor, a leading player from 1950 to his retirement in 1983.
On 25th April 2000 the Club staged a most enjoyable and entertaining Re-union Evening in the Large Village Hall to celebrate fifty years in the Tonbridge League, with junior and senior doubles, an appearance by "golden oldies" - including Eric Batchelor, Pete Gow, John Knock and the "legendary" Brian Milns, a spectacular exhibition by Juliet and Andrew Houghton, and Daisy Batchelor's fine refreshments. We had some exciting visits to the English Open Championships at Buckmore Park, Chatham, in 2001, and purchased two virtually new Donic "Compact" tables, and in 2003 with the help of a Parish Council Grant, acquired a "ball robot machine" which has proved very useful and popular as a coaching aid on Sunday mornings. Two more new Donic "Delhi" tables have been bought at the start of the 2006/07 Season - the old "Jacques" have now gone.
In September 2004, led by Malcolm Cole, the Club staged a special Table Tennis afternoon - "Ping Pong Merrily in Leigh!". Andrew and Juliet Houghton and other leading players provided exhibition play, our Club youngsters were featured, and allcomers tried their luck against the robot ball machine. In December of that year Brian Milns and John Knock played an exciting re-run of their 1954 Junior Singles Final, and a Table Tennis twelve hour Marathon in October 2005 saw 250 sets played with Andrew Everett involved in 94 of them! Four of our juniors including young Chris Everett - with father Andrew - took part in a sponsored walk in 2007. These events have all raised funds towards the improvements to the Large Village. Hall - first new toilets and extended storeroom, followed now by heating and lighting improvements. Next will be kitchen repairs, a hatchway and work on the Hall flooring. Plans and funding have been successfully organised under the dedicated and enthusiastic guidance of Helen Everett and a hard working Committee.
Back in 1999/2000 John Knock, Andy Everett, Andrew McCarthy, and Malcolm Cole went on to win Division Two, and in 2001/02 Clive Harding, John Batchelor, and Graham Eade won the same Division, with John winning 100%. In 2003/04 the mandatory imposition by the E.T.T.A (following the I.T.T.F) of the new "11-up" scoring system for all affiliated Leagues, led to these three players, designated as Leigh "J" , -for "Jokers!" - after their escapades over many years - played in the new "Handicap" League, introduced by the Tonbridge League as a subsidiary competition to provide the "ebb and flow" of 21-up for those who prefer the longer game. Malcolm Cole, Bob Everest and Andrew Everett, aided by Ian Pearson were Division Two Champions in 2004/05, and Andrew Everett, Andrew McCarthy, John Neal, and Stuart Massey in 2005/06.
Our young side of Gary Shadwell, Robert Cormack, Adam Reeves and Jamie McCarthy found it tough going in the adult League against experienced players. Gary, Robert and Adam have now stopped playing. Jamie improved rapidly and played in Division One in 2006/07, but is off to University in September 2007.
The Club continued to run a National Junior League side up to 2002/03, and have run a succession of teams in the E.T.T.A. "Woolwich" Junior League. In 2005/06 Daniel Powley and Tom Earwaker won Division One and with Chris Ireland joined the adult league in 2006/07, with Daniel's young brother Alistair. James Taylor and now Matt Nicholson also involved. These and three younger lads from Sevenoaks have also won awards in the 2006/07 Junior League, and Daniel and Alistair "swept the board" with the Junior Events at the 2007 Tonbridge Closed, Al winning the Handicap Singles too. Three ten year olds from Leigh School, two from Frant and eight year old Christopher Everett are our youngest members.
Club members have continued to enjoy Annual Presentation Dinners, thanks to the organisation of Andrew Everett, for the last few years these have been at the admirable location of the "Fleur de Lys" with excellent attendances and great spirit. Some of our members went on a playing visit to celebrate the Heusenstamm Club's 50th Anniversary in July 2005, including Andrew Everett and Stuart Massey on their first trip.
During the last four years we have been saddened to lose Alfie Houghton (at the age of 96) - Leigh's first ever "coach" in the late 1920's, Harry Lewis, who became Club Secretary and weekly practice organiser when the Club entered the League in 1950, Ian Bridgen, who played as a youngster in the 1950's, and Laurence Healy a long time player and umpire who progressed to officiate in an England international. Most recently we have sadly lost our and the League's President, Eric Batchelor, a leading player from 1950 to his retirement in 1983.
On 25th April 2000 the Club staged a most enjoyable and entertaining Re-union Evening in the Large Village Hall to celebrate fifty years in the Tonbridge League, with junior and senior doubles, an appearance by "golden oldies" - including Eric Batchelor, Pete Gow, John Knock and the "legendary" Brian Milns, a spectacular exhibition by Juliet and Andrew Houghton, and Daisy Batchelor's fine refreshments. We had some exciting visits to the English Open Championships at Buckmore Park, Chatham, in 2001, and purchased two virtually new Donic "Compact" tables, and in 2003 with the help of a Parish Council Grant, acquired a "ball robot machine" which has proved very useful and popular as a coaching aid on Sunday mornings. Two more new Donic "Delhi" tables have been bought at the start of the 2006/07 Season - the old "Jacques" have now gone.
In September 2004, led by Malcolm Cole, the Club staged a special Table Tennis afternoon - "Ping Pong Merrily in Leigh!". Andrew and Juliet Houghton and other leading players provided exhibition play, our Club youngsters were featured, and allcomers tried their luck against the robot ball machine. In December of that year Brian Milns and John Knock played an exciting re-run of their 1954 Junior Singles Final, and a Table Tennis twelve hour Marathon in October 2005 saw 250 sets played with Andrew Everett involved in 94 of them! Four of our juniors including young Chris Everett - with father Andrew - took part in a sponsored walk in 2007. These events have all raised funds towards the improvements to the Large Village. Hall - first new toilets and extended storeroom, followed now by heating and lighting improvements. Next will be kitchen repairs, a hatchway and work on the Hall flooring. Plans and funding have been successfully organised under the dedicated and enthusiastic guidance of Helen Everett and a hard working Committee.