It is with regret that I have to mention the passing of another former South Devon & Torbay League player.  Gina Pritchard was a top ladies player in the late 70s.

Thanks to Dennis Gibbs for the following:

Gina burst onto the local table tennis scene at a very young age, along with her sister Julie, after being introduced to the game by her father, Haydn, who played in the league. Haydn had a table in a room at his house and Brian Pengelly remembers coaching her at the tender age of 8. She played in the league with her dad and Robert Excell before joining Keith Hawkins and Clive Greenberry and winning the league in 1980.Her dad used to drive all over the country so that Gina could play in tournaments. Brian started a National League team based at St.Andrews Paignton, and Gina was one of the inaugural team. With other top Devon Juniors, Gary Lambert and Mark Ellett, coached at Exmouth by Paddy Shephard, she also won the Exeter League and Exeter Ladies Singles. As well as winning our Ladies Singles 3 times she also played for Devon and England Juniors. She took the game seriously and worked very hard to become a tenacious defender with great skill and ability to twiddle her bat to exploit the two different rubbers so that she could occasionally hit the high ball with her forehand.

Funeral will be held at Cockington Church on Friday 11th October at 12:00 noon.  Family flowers only but donations may be made to Guide Dogs for the Blind.  Black clothing.  Wake to be held at the Royal Yacht Club, Torquay.

.