Last week the finals of the Cup competitions took place in the Bolton Table Tennis League. In the Warburton Cup for all divisions, Hilton F from Division Three were up against Division One side Ramsbottom Town D. Hilton went into the match with a start of 163.5 points. With one of Hilton’s key players away on holiday they were unable to get the close result that may have otherwise been on offer and went down 385 – 344.5 to Ramsbottom.

In the Brian Gittins Cup for the Premier Division and Division One, it was a meeting of rivals of old Ramsbottom Town A and Flixton Cricket Club A. This time it was Flixton’s turn who with a 30.5 start ran out winners 344.5 – 314.

In the George Yates Shield for Divisions Two and Three, it was again Third Division side Hilton F, this time up against Division Two’s Brass Zone. It was to be another runners-up position for Hilton as Brass Zone took it 379 – 290.5.

The closed Championships also got off to a start. The Handicap Doubles was contested by 7 pairs. In the semi-final, Kevin Chapman and Chris Naylor beat Brian Hallsworth and Alan Crompton 11 - 8, 11 – 5, 11 – 1. In the other semi-final, Peter McCormick and Sam Greehalgh beat Jei Makino and Steven Gao 11 – 8, 5 – 11, 11 – 4, 11 – 3.

The handicap singles event with 16 entries produced two close five-setter semi-finals. The first one saw Brian Hallsworth beat Dave Andrews 12 – 14, 6 – 11, 13 – 11, 14 – 12, 12 – 10. In the other, Dave Bolton beat Alan Crompton 5 – 11, 11 – 6, 11 – 6, 10 – 12, 11 – 6.

In the level (+40) Veterans competition, Dave Andrews beat Dave Bolton 15 – 13, 3 – 11, 9 – 11, 11 – 7, 11 – 9 and Anthony Bates beat Chris Naylor 9 – 11, 11 – 1; 11 – 6; 12 – 10.

The Level Doubles event was contested by six pairs and Peter McCormick and Sam Greenhalgh beat Steven Gao and Jei Makino 11 – 6, 11 – 7, 11 – 9 in one semi-final and Chris Naylor and Kevin Chapman beat Paul Brandwood and Julie Restall 11 – 6, 11 – 5, 11 – 3 in the other.

The Level Singles was contested by sixteen players. In one semi-final Dave Andrews beat Kirit Chauhan 11 – 9, 11 – 4, 9 – 11, 11 – 3 and in the other Anthony Bates beat Chris Naylor 11 – 2, 12 – 10, 12 – 10.