THE Isle of Wight Table Tennis League started this week with 23 teams taking part across three divisions.

It has been a busy summer of Island table tennis, with success at the Island Games, hosting a charity tournament with top English players taking part and local players reaching the finals of the English Leagues National Tournament. 

The popular summer league attracted a large number of entrants as usual.

The main winter league has slightly less teams competing this season, but there is also a daytime league and a new doubles league running throughout the winter, so the opportunities to play competitive table tennis have never been better.

In Division 1, it was a week of close matches, with three draws and a tight win. 

Newport Vics A met Ryde Goshawks, with Newport’s John Cornforth in great form, taking all three of his matches. 

After some close singles matches, the doubles decided the result, with Ryde’s Ricky Lock and Keith Baker winning in four sets against Cornforth and team-mate Paul Freeborn, to end the match in a draw.

Ryde B met Shanklin A in an equally close match, with Ryde’s Alex Rorke player of the match winning all his matches in three straight sets. 

In Division 2, Ryde Revellers put up a good fight against league runners up from last season, Ryde Rascals, who eventually won 6-4.

Newport Vics C had an excellent result over the experienced Havenstreet Hooters, 8-2.

In Division 3, Newport Vics D, relegated last season, took on last season’s runners up Shorwell Spinners, winning 7-3.