BRIAN Ovington has taken over as Worcester Table Tennis League president after the retirement of Doug Young.

The news was revealed by chairman Dave Bradley at the competition’s well-attended annual general meeting.

Young has been associated with the league for decades and held many positions over the years as well as organising and umpiring at national and international events.

One of the league’s vice-chairmen Ovington took over to continue the meeting.

Chairman Bradley sent best wishes to Young for his efforts and talents over decades for the sport in Worcester.

The league are considering honouring his retirement with a gift or award. Bradley was pleased the competition had retained a healthy number of teams over the years though established side Himbleton A have quit for the forthcoming season.

He was concerned about soon losing their unofficial home at the YMCA and asked all players and officials to make an effort to suggest alternative venues.

Bradley congratulated all teams who battled to gain promotion and especially Simon Claxton on returning to the league after a long break and winning prizes at their championships.

Treasurer Janet Hunt put in hard work to make the championships a well-attended success but she will be taking a back seat next year.

Hunt, who received the Frank Southam Memorial Trophy from Ovington for her outstanding contribution to the league, announced a small loss for the competition from the accounts.

The league’s committee was re-elected with the exception of tournament secretary as Paul Pattison took over the position.

Trophies were presented to the winners and runners-up of the individual championships and the handicap competition.

The county inter-league during the season at St Egwin’s Middle School, Evesham, was won by Kidderminster A.

But the Worcester team of Brett Brining, Graham Thompson and Mark Clinton played well against many of the county’s top players.

The top 10-ranked European youth table tennis players will be playing at the University of Worcester Arena in a competition from September 8 until 10.

HONOURS

Division One winners: YMCA Falcons (John Stalker, Thompson, Brining, Chris Hewitt, Ben Bennett, Svilen Andreev); runners-up: YMCA Kites (Claxton, Niall Herbert, Richard Bennett, Keith Bredin).

Division Two winners: Cutnall Green Codgers (Pattison, Eliot Brandwood, Eric Calver, Julian Barnes, Paul Egerton, Bob Barlow); runners-up: Nemesis (Charlie Burford, Lawrence Dodd, John Phillips, Steve Mulka, Stan Mason).

Division Three winners: St Martins (Tony Harding, Simon Gibson, Hunt, James Deutsch); runners-up: Worcester H (Richard Hawking, Malcolm Box, Simon Bailey, Phil Newport).