BROOKS look set for another strong showing as the first division teams swung into action in the Huddersfield and District Table Tennis League.
The two Brooks teams again look to have the all-round strength to field match-winning teams every week.
Last season Brooks A suffered their only defeat in 36 matches when they went down to Scissett A, while Brooks B’s defeats came against their A team.
Their closest challengers will again come from Scissett A and Woodfield Park A, but whether they can mount a serious assault on the title will depend on how regularly their key players are available.
Scissett A have been strengthened with the addition of Andrew Rawnsley, who finished ninth in the first division merit table last season with Almondbury.
His contribution, along with those of Darren Lindley, Ian McLean and Roger Morley, should ensure that Scissett stay in the mix right to the end .
Woodfield Park A will miss Mark Pugh for almost half the season as he is moving out of the area, but plans to return for most of their Friday evening home matches.
Tony Boyd, who joined the squad last year, will ensure that the police side will turn out a highly competitive side, home or away.
Kingsmith A, who finished third last season, have been hit by the decision of Mohammed Ali not to play this season and also by an injury to Geoff Dunne, which could see him miss at least the first half of the season.
At the moment David Wood does not know who he can field for his A team and must hope that Geoff Brook and Ken Burgess are able to bridge the gap.
It’s a big season for Gareth Stott and Brian Ruttle as they sample top division action, having been promoted with Kingsmith C and also Marsh’s Glynn Normanton, who capped a great season by winning the Division II merit award and now finds himself pitting his wits against the best.
The battle at the bottom half of the table will be every bit as tense as at the top.
All three Kingsmith teams could find themselves in the relegation mix alongside Marsh and David Brown, but in Janet Adams and Jonathan Taylor, Kingsmith B and David Browns, have top players capable of keeping their respective sides out of serious trouble.
In Division II, Kingsmith Terriers have made an excellent start with victories over Woodfield Park and Golcar B – both sides who are fancied to make the top six.
Youngsters Oliver Shaw and Jack Woodhead have both recorded maximum three wins from the games to give notice they could be contenders for the title.
Deighton Leisure Centre A team have also started well, Barry Drain scoring maximums in their victories over Kingsmith E and Newsome B by 6-4 and 9-1, respectively.
With the Thursday coaching sessions and newly introduced Saturday Club underway at Newsome, the League are delighted to see new youngsters coming to each session. With the new coaching team in place there is plenty of capacity to welcome newcomers – more details on the League website – www.huddersfieldtabletennisleague.co.uk.
