240916 | bsmttc

News Release - BSMTTC News 179

Dateline: 16 September 2024

Season Preview

In table tennis terms September always seems to be an extremely busy month - hardly surprising as we usually hold our Club Tournament in that month, and the new Liverpool League season starts! This September is no exception, The Liverpool League season starts on Monday 16 September and we held our tournament just about a week earlier!

Once again this year we will directly have 11 teams in the League including 3 junior teams, and we are also 'loaning' some of our juniors to form a new combined junior team with Maghull TTC. A very experimental affair, but has the benefit of giving our juniors the maximum opportunity to progress by participating in league match play.

Here is a brief look at each team and what we might expect to see from them.

Division 1

Again we will have 2 teams in the top flight. But these teams have undergone some change this year. We regret that last season's star player, Lawrence Kenwright, will be match playing for a different club this year. We had hoped that his continuing to play for the club might enable us to mount a more serious challenge on the top two teams this time round. Some re-configuration has also been necessary as a result of injuries and new work situations. Colin Turner & Julian Quirk will take on the responsibility of trying to organise a weekly team for each of the two teams. Hopefully the 1st team can remain in the top half of a division which will be dominated by |Crosby High TTC this year (5 teams in Div 1), the other team will have to work really hard to stay out of the relegation zone.

Colin Turner & Julian Quirk could be key figures this year in Div 1 where their organisational skills as well as their playing ability may be tested to the limit.

Division 2

Both teams in Div 2, the B & C teams, are going to be quite stretched. The B team lose Julian Quirk to Div 1, and the C team are likely to again be dependent on Ken Jackson, if they are to survive once more. The loss of Julian for the B Team will make it hard for them to hold onto their 4th place of last season but Barry Davis will continue to win games at this level. It could be that by the end of the season both teams are struggling to hold their place in this most competitive of divisions where some very strong players, who don't want to go up to Div 1, lurk. Let's hope this writer is being over pessimistic!

Division 3

In effect we have two new teams in Div 3 this year. The D Team will be led by Andrew Armstrong who will have James Haskell and Dave Aimson alongside him. An effective promotion for both Andrew & Dave. The new look E Team, formed at least in part by the team that finished third in Div 4 last year, will be led by Marcin Bytnar who takes on the role of team captain for the first time! And he will have alongside him Mark Benson and 18year old Ivan Maksym. Both untested at this level. Div 3 looks like a strong division this year so both teams will have to perform at their very best to maintain a place at this higher level. The club is currently in the transfer market looking for resources to help support these teams.

Division 4

Three teams again in Div 4 this year and two of them junior teams! The senior team will be a re-formed F Team led by Peter Crichton. But this year he has lost his two top players Mark & Marcin to Div 3. Fitness and availability may play key issues for this squad, but you can expect them to maintain a mid-table position. The new look G Team will be led this year by junior Henry Sinker taking on the role of team captain for the first time. Henry will be supported by adults and turns 18 in September, but this is a big step up. He will play alongside Scott French and Seb & Will Rice. Neither Seb nor Will have played at this level previously. They will all have to work extremely hard to stay out of the relegation zone. The third team in this division is the H team, who finished third in Div 5 last season. Graham Turner is replaced this year by new recruit, Danny Every, and he will support the juniors Ronan Tierney, Kai Morgan and Shamal Harave. Keep an eye on this team they could spring a few surprises.

Key to the performance of the teams in Div 2 will be the efforts of Barry Davis and Ken Jackson. Their best will be needed to keep their team safe.

Captain's Andy Armstrong & Marcin Bytnar are likely to have their work cut out this season to keep their teams in the division.

Peter will need his full captaining skills to bring his new team together, and Henry will need to motivate his squad to outperform to stay in the division. Graham leaves the younger juniors this season but they could be a team to watch for.

Division 5

Just two teams in Div 5 this year, the seniors under the careful management of Keith Hardman are badged as the I Team this year. Fitness and availability will again be key issues but the 'squad' have a good number of players available and a mid table position should be possible. The J Junior team has a new look now it is fully under the Marine banner. It will be led by Charlie King & Myles Ambrose but these are still young and relatively inexperienced players. They will have to work extra hard as a group to ensure that they don't find themselves in the same position as last year! It will be up to team manager, Graham Turner, to ensure that doesn't happen.

In conclusion.......

We wish all teams well. Spectators are always welcome at Marine to support our teams. We are looking forward to more great table tennis played in the very best spirit and standards of a great club like Bath Street Marine TTC.

Let the play begin!

Kaptain Keith will again lead the seniors squad, it is a tough role, but one he does really well. Much will rest upon Charlie & Myles, and they will really have to up their game to start effectively competing with their often more experienced opponents.