At the start of a new season, the Hastings & District Table Tennis League has attracted 35 entries, spread over three divisions, an increase of two teams from last season.

With only minor changes to their squads, the three top teams from last season will expect to dominate once again.

Defending champions Hollington Academy A, led by Paul Barry, will probably start as favourites but, once again, the work commitments of Nathan Darby will be key to their challenge.

Runners-up Bexhill A will also be sweating on the availability of new Hastings champion Lewis Mayhew.  Reliable back-up Bob Lowe has tennis elbow problems, so Bexhill will be looking more than ever to Rob Warner and Martin Kellaway as their opening fixtures look demanding.

Dave Butler and James Winchester will lead the campaign for former champions Saints A, whose only concern may be their small squad.

Hollington Academy B nearly pipped Saints for third place but they are missing two stalwarts in Robin Gibbs and Jamie Martin, at least for the short term.

They have recruited from the relegated Tigers team in Tony Catt and Sheila King, who join Rose Rainton and Sam Collins.

Bexhill C also make a significant change, with Andy Chapman returning from an eleven-year break to replace Pete Robinson alongside former Sussex champion Graham Gillett. 

Hollington Academy C are unchanged and fourteen year-old Fraser Kent will be looking to move on from his impressive debut season.

The bottom half of the table promises to produce some interesting struggles. The young Bexhill G (Kevin McEwan, Ryan Heselden and Cameron Jones), who won Division 2 last year will be looking to consolidate in the top flight, while Bexhill B and Saints B are unchanged.and hoping to maintain their habit of survival.

With Tackleway C gaining promotion from the Division 2 runner-up slot, the Tackleway club have three teams in Division One.

Tackleway have redeployed their resources, with club number one Roger Pingram joining the promoted C team and handing his slot in the A team to Sue Pingram.

Gina Rogers, who achieved 81% in Division 2 last year, moves into Tackleway B with Adrian Goodrum and Martin Richards.