Saturday 13 November saw the National Junior League's first match-day of the 2010/11 season, with teams competing from across the region and Warrington making an encouraging start.

National Junior League 2010/11 season match-day one in pictures

Fielding two teams, one in the first division and one in the second, Warrington were hoping for a good start on the first of four match days scheduled for the season ahead. Warrington's A team, comprising the experienced Alex Storey, Adam Tomlinson and Martin Brown, secured two wins and three losses - an encouraging start, placing the team mid-table at the end of the day.

Team captain, Kevin Eden, said: "the standard in the league this year is high and will present a formidable challenge for the Warrington team this season. The team had to dig deep to stay in with the opposition. There's some outstanding junior table tennis talent on show here."

Warrington's junior team was strengthened by the additions of Alex Storey and Martin Brown, both making their junior league debuts for Warrington. Alex almost managed a repeat of his earlier debut in the cadet league, when he won all ten of his matches the week before, but was just pipped in a close five-game match against Jack Hunter-Spivey.

"Alex can be very proud of his performances, taking nine wins from ten at this level is a very good achievement. Alex is now the player in the league that everyone wants to beat," added Kevin.

"Martin Brown gave 100% throughout the day and while he didn't manage to win today he never gave up and continued to fight for the team up to the last game, which he just lost a in a very tight five-gamer against Wigan. Martin should take much encouragement from his energy and commitment today. He has been training well with the club since the start of the season; the next match-day is in two weeks time and I'm sure Martin will find his first win for the team then."

Adam Tomlinson also competed in a series of unbelievably close matches and fought hard to secure four wins for the team. "Adam's wins were important today," said Kevin. "They enabled the team to finish the day mid-table and we can push on from here on match-day two."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam Tomlinson at match-point against Formby's Craig Lowe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Brown playing in his first National Junior League matches for Warrington

 

In the second division Warrington fielded a younger but nevertheless strong team, with Daniel Clarke, David Eden and Andrew Rhodes securing two wins and a draw. The closest match of the day, finishing in a 3-3 draw, was against Halton, one of the pre-season favourite teams. "Warrington's performances against Halton showed that they will be no push-over this year," said head coach and B team captain, Sue Harper.

Warrington B's wins came against Warrington-Boetler (6-0) and Tameside (5-1) - only dropping one game across both matches. Warrington's two losses were a close 2-4 against Wirral and 0-6 against an impressive Farnworth team. "The Farnworth result didn't really tell the full story as several of the matches went to five games and we just fell short in each," explained Sue who is looking forward to the re-match on match-day two.

During the day Daniel Clarke won six of his ten matches, David Eden and Andrew Rhodes each won five, giving the team a very respectable mid-table start to the season. "All of Warrington's boys can be proud of their performances. Our team is still young and they've all done very well competing against the older boys," added Sue.

About the National Junior League
The National Junior League is for table tennis players under the age of 18 and takes place over four weekend match-days throughout the season at several regional table tennis centres in England. Taking part in the North West's league at the Halton Table Tennis Centre are teams from Farnworth, Formby, Oldham, Stockport, Tameside, Warrington, Wigan and Wirral.