Twelve of Warrington Table Tennis Club’s youngest players got the season off to a great start in the National Cadet League at the Halton Stadium on Sunday.

Warrington TTC at the National Cadet League >> match-day 1 in pictures

Warrington fielded an experienced line up in division one (Alex Storey, Daniel Clarke, David Eden), to face some of the top U15s from Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, North Wales and Wirral. 

Alex Storey, playing in his first competitive matches for Warrington, having joined the club from St. Helens in the Summer, delivered a superb clean sweep, winning all ten of his matches. Daniel Clarke notched up an impressive seven wins and almost won an eighth but for a thrilling and close match against Wirral's David Eckl, which Daniel just lost 14-12 in the fifth. David Eden won six matches and delivered two of the day’s top performances, in crucial matches against Wirral, helping to ensure Warrington finished the day top of the league.

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Eden secured two of the day’s most important wins for Warrington TTC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daniel Clarke was in top form throughout the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alex Storey on his way to a clean sweep, with ten wins from ten matches played.

 

 

Warrington TTC head coach, Sue Harper, was delighted with the day’s performances and said: “the standard across the division is very high this season and the team needed to stay focused over what is a long day, with each player competing in ten matches. Alex, Daniel and David hit the ground running from the outset and never let up, delivering win after win throughout the day. The team has made a great start to the National Cadet League and has set the standard in the league for the season ahead.”

 

 

Junior British League player and former Warrington cadet, Danni Eden, coaching younger brother David during a key match against Wirral.

 

Tom Peplow, Liam Laurence, Harry Wikinson and Alex Poyner, playing in Warrington's B team proved too strong for many of their opponents, by winning an impressive three of their four matches against teams from across the region. A series of consistently strong performances ensured Warrington B ended the day second in division three.

 

 

 

 

 

Tom Peplow's previous match-play experience shone through. Pictured here on his way to one of several key wins for the team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liam Laurence proved too strong for his opponents to handle throughout the day.

 

 

 

 

Harry Wilkinson (left) delivered winning performances to make the difference in several close matches.

From left to right Harry Wilkinson, Liam Laurence, Tom Peplow and (behind) Alex Poyner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alex Poyner pictured enjoying umpiring another Warrington TTC 3-0 win.

 

 

The highlight of the day was several of Warrington TTC’s youngest players making their Cadet League debuts and tasting competition at this level for the first time.

Warrington Cadets’ B and C team managers, Kevin Eden and David Hulme, were encouraged by the performances of the players. Kevin said: “it was really wonderful to see all these young players, including two players under eleven years old, playing for the first time in the league. They have gained valuable experience of table tennis match-play and tasted the atmosphere and intensity of league tournaments. Well done to all of the team!” 

 

 

Warrington cadets C team: Evan Nichol, Rio Laurence, Emma Halsall, Matthew Halsall and Nick Nolan.