Former island champion, Scott Johnson, now away at university, has recently been crowned champion of the Preston Table Tennis League. Johnson was in sparkling form winning the open singles and also the handicap event, plus reaching the final of the open doubles.

In the semi-final of the open singles Johnson defeated the defending champion, Andy Clark, in straight sets. He recorded another straight sets success in the final against Andy Michnowiec. In the handicap final he made light work of Dave Arnold even though he was conceding seven points in each leg to the division two player. However, Johnson was denied a third title after he and partner Dean Walmsley were beaten in four sets in the final.

Johnson, who is also the current Morecombe and Lancaster open title holder, is unusual in that he plays with a hard bat. Scott’s father, Mark also a former island table tennis champion, said that he was proud of his son’s achievements as Scott was now the highest ITTF ranked hard-bat player and was considered by many as being the finest exponent of hard bat play in the world.

MALCOLM LAMBERT