Prior to the start of the new season in the Northumbria League several of the local players took part in the Northern Veterans tournament which was staged in Newcastle this year.

Leading Northumberland player Andrew Wilkinson was successful in two events, taking  the Over 40s Mens Singles by beating Simon Pugh  of Yorkshire  in the final and pairing up with Lancashire's Stephen Scowcroft to win the Over 40s Mens Doubles.

He also reached the semi finals of the Over 40s Mixed doubles with Emma Rose of Hertfordshire.

Another local winner was Shirley Gelder who took the Over 60s Womens Singles title with victory over Helen Shields of Yorkshire.

Shirley also teamed up with Yorkshire's Sandra Rider but the pair who had been so successful in the World Championships in Las Vegas had to be content with reaching the semi finals in the Over 60s Womens Doubles.

Dave Robson reached the semi finals of the Over 50s Mens Singles and  Geoff Salter did likewise in the Over 60s Mens.  Salter, partnered  by Barry Hill  was also runner up in the Over 60s Mens Doubles and Hill lost in the final of the Over 70s Mens Singles.

Pauline Long was runner up in the Over 70s Womens Singles.

The County team , who were promoted from Division 2 of the County Championships last year are in Division 1A this time round and will be up against teams from Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Essex, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Middlesex and Northamptonshire this time round.

The Veterans side are back in the Veterans Division 1A after a brief spell in the Premier Division .

The Northumbria League will be fielding teams in the North East Divisions of the National Junior and National Cadet Leagues.

Aubrey Drapkin