_{SOUTH DEVON & TORBAY TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE, SPONSORED BY ALBANY FLORISTS – 2017-18 SEASON PREVIEW}

_{The 2017-18 Table Tennis Season gets underway next week with another excellent season in prospect.  With more players registered and extra teams entering, table tennis is in a very healthy state in South Devon. The League will again be sponsored by Newton Abbot based Albany Florists.}

_{First Division champions last season, Torbay Academy 1, with Kris Piwowar at the helm, will again be the team to beat. NA Batmen, with Naomi Jackson joining Dennis & Shaun Gibbs, and Brixham Sharks, who have recruited Rory Harries will be hoping to push the Academy side closer this time out. Unchanged NA Buzzards, who suffered several injury problems last season, will hope to be in the mix if they can stay fit!  Promoted Torbay Academy 2, with exciting youngster and leading 2nd Division player last time out, Herbie Sage, and Brixham Pirates, also stepping up a division, both have fast improving youngsters which will test many of the top established players. The Pirates have also recruited Jaz Johns to their ranks.  The Division is completed by the settled sides of Brixham Gulls and Halwell; both will be looking to improve on last season.}

_{Champions – Torbay Academy 1, Grzeg Wojtowicz, Kris Piwowar, Patrik Cincala}

_{The Second Division looks very strong and competitive again. A new-look Torbay Academy 3 side seems very promising, with Szymon Furgol dropping down from the First Division joining young Jakub Piwowar to spearhead their challenge.  NA Eagles, Andy Tyrrell and Jim McIvor have been joined by Curtis Sage and should be challenging again, along with club mates the Falcons, who have Giles Tushingham at the helm with Ed Crawford moving across from the Eagles. The settled, experienced teams, Brixham Trawlers, Battlers, Taverners and Marldon all have their moments and are capable of beating anyone. Brixham Seals are a new team with a youthful look about it, who also have the steadying hand of Bob Parkins on board and could surprise a few.  Another young side on the up, Torbay Academy 4, have been joined by the experienced Tom Ricketts and will be hoping to challenge towards the top of the table.  NA Hawks, last season’s Division 3 champions, will be trying to make an impression at the next level up and to help them they have recruited Mike Dummett and Alan Tyrrell.}

_{NA Eagles – Jim McIvor, Andy Tyrrell, Curtis Sage}

_{Division 3 is difficult to predict with several teams looking strong. Both Tykes teams, Marldon & Denbury, with Paul Hine joining Pat and Huw Darch, will again be competing towards the top of the table. Look out also for Brixham Dolphins, an experienced team who have been joined by Terry Stead and Geoff Beavington, and probably start as favourites. Torbay Academy 5 and newly-promoted Torre Tigers will want to make their mark in the higher Division. NA Kestrels, (rebranded Falcons) led this time out by Dale Fabian, Dawlish Diamonds and Hasbeens will all be hoping to have better seasons this time around.}

_{The Fourth Division again sees a good influx of new players, including many juniors.  New to the league are NA Vultures, Torbay Academy 7 and Dawlish Dodgers. Newton Abbot TTC fields 3 more teams, the Kites and Ospreys, with personnel changes, and the settled, Owls. Torbay Academy 6 and Dawlish Drifters also introduce new team members, while Torres R Us and Brixham Swifts generally rely on old hands!}

_{NA Ospreys – Ollie Pead, Sam Hiles, Ben Pead}

_{So look out for the weekly reports, to check out the progress of the teams.  Alternatively visit the League website www.tabletennis365.com/southdevonandtorbay where you will also find information on where you could play.}