The North East Chinese Association finished their Northumbria League  Premier Division on a high note with victories over Cramlington Casuals and  Springwell. They turned out a very strong team against the Casuals, who had  already been crowned champions, including Clara Chau the Durham University  student from Singapore and and Chun Yin Yu who had been doing well in the Grand  Prix events. Chau was the star performer,   beating Andrew Wilkinson,  Steve Penman and Barry Richardson all in straight games. Yu was also unbeaten,  gaining revenge over Wilkinson to whom he lost in the semi finals of the  Northumberland  tournament and Matthew Stephens got in on the act by  defeating Richardson in an 8 – 2 victory.

Yu then won all of his matches against Springwell with victories over John  Williamson, Alex Smith and Dave Pringle and was backed up by Xiao Huang and  Stephens as the Chinese won 7 – 3.

After a very short break competitive table tennis resumes next week with  the commencement of the Northumbria Summer League which this year will have 38  teams taking part in five divisions, an increase of six teams compared with last  summer. Brandon and Byshottles, Lanchester, Cramlington, and Matfen have all  entered additional sides and Birtley and Byker have come back in but  unfortunately there will be no teams from N.E.S.L.C. YMCA North Tyneside or Tyne  Dock this time round.

Sacriston Aces will take their place in the First Division, having been  unbeaten in Division two last year and could well be the team to watch,  especially if they have their Polish star,Waldemar Dzwonkowski playing regularly  again this summer. Cramlington should again be a force to reckon with although  they will not be using their top players on a regular basis.

Aubrey Drapkin