Two of Northumberland’s veterans were successful at the North East Veterans Masters tournament where Dave Robson and Geoff Salter both emerged as winners. Salter,  ranked at number 6 won the Mens Over 60s  by defeating the number two seed Leicestershire’s Maurice Newman in the final.

Dave Robson got to the final of two events, winning the Mens Over 50s with victory in the final over Bill Grant of South Yorkshire. He lost out, however, in the Mens Over 40s final when he was defeated by Yorkshire’s Chris Clinton.

Lynne Herrington reached the final  of the Womens Over 50s  but she had to be content with runner– up spot, losing out to Jane Adams of Yorkshire. 

Northumberland’s Pauline Long reached the final of the Womens Over 60s consolation event but went down to another Yorkshire player, Helen Shields. 

The Northumbria League gets under way this week and the champions Cramlington Casuals start the defence of their title in the Premier Division with a derby match against Cramlington Stingers. Of the newly promoted teams, Newton have a home fixture against Byker and Unionist Club (previously the Mortimer Club) visit Springwell. The latter are fielding two premier division sides this year and their B team visit Saint Chads. The other Premier Division match is between NESLC Eagles and Cramlington Reivers.

  North East Chinese Association who have again registered the two Durham University students Hai Qing Chau and Yu Hei Tang to play alongside Chen Yin Yu who was turning out for their third division side last season start next week with a home match against Springwell A and it will be interesting to see whether these top players turn out.

The Riding Mill club made an early start when the A team beat the B team 7 – 3, Mark O’Connor and Peter Stempczyk both winning all of their sets. 

 

Aubrey Drapkin