The new season in the Northumbria League gets underway this week and the reigning champions Cramlington Casuals start the defence of their title with a visit to newly promoted Byker Table Tennis Club who have new signing Dave Robson in their squad. Last year’s runners up NESLC Eagles visit a new look Cramlington Tigers who include players new to the Premier Division. Newly promoted Riding Mill are at home to the North East Chinese Association.

In the first division Newton will be hoping for a swift return to the top flight and they commence with a home match against Riding Mill ‘B ’whilst the other relegated team, Seaburn Dene have to wait another week before starting their campaign with a visit to Mortimer who have moved up from the second division.

Cramlington Trojans and Springwell ‘B’ lost their first division status last time round and begin life in division two with fixtures against Birtley and Saints respectively although the Trojans team will include players who figured in that division last time round. Old England FATTS and Cramlington Swifts will be hoping to make their mark in this division, having come up from the third.

In division three Ouston ‘B’, relegated from division two start off with a visit to North East Chinese Association ‘C’ who won the fourth division and will be expected to do well at the higher level. Matfen ‘B’ just missed out on promotion last time and with a much stronger squad will be the team to watch this time round.

Newcomers to the League, Brandon and Byshottles start life in division four with a visit to the young Cramlington Knights side. YMCA North Tyneside ‘C’, favourites to re-establish their third division status begin by entertaining another young Cramlington team, the Lions.

 

Aubrey Drapkin