DHS London Progress Set to win at Ormesby

[DaveR]

DHS London Progress are all set to win an unprecedented tenth British League Premier Division title at the Ormesby Table Tennis Club, Cargo Fleet Lane, Middlesbrough, TS3 8PB this weekend. Action kicks off at 10.00 am on both the Saturday and Sunday morning, with three rounds of action on the Saturday followed by two rounds of play on the Sunday. Admission is free.

With a massive seven point lead, DHS London Progress are almost guaranteed victory and they may well take the opportunity to blood some of their up-and-coming younger players. However, you can expect them to field a strong side in their Saturday morning fixture against second placed BATTS Team Peniel I. Progress have been represented by the undefeated Jiang Chang Hong (eight wins out of eight), Jiang Zhi Tao (22 wins out of 22 from the number four position), Hong Ming Zhuang (just a sole defeat against TTK's Andrew Rushton in his 14 games), Terry Young (11 wins out of 16), Jason Sugrue (14 wins out of 20) and Marco Essomba (three victories in his four games). Jiang Zhi Tao deserves special mention and in many people's opinion he represents the strongest number.four player in British League history. In reserve they can call upon such notables as 2007 European Veterans Champion - Colum Slevin, as well as Chinese Taipei National Squad player Pan Li Chun and former English Open Ladies Singles Champion Tong Fei Ming. However, they will certainly expect to be tested by BATTS Team Peniel who will be looking to field a team of Wang Zheng, Craig Bryant, Shu Ying Xu and John Holland.

Further down the table both Ellenborough and Ormesby will be looking over their shoulders anxiously to see that they stave off relegation. With Ellenborough likely to be fielding "Man-of-the-Moment" Liam Pitchford in the number four position they should feature in some fascinating battles and Pitchford's games against the likes of Drumchapel's Craig Howieson as well as BATTS Team Peniel's Shu Ying Xu and John Holland should be amongst the highlights of the weekend. With a squad comprising Lorestas Trumpauskas, Swedish defender Thomas Bennborn, Jon Nilsson, Jimmy Walsh and Liam Pitchford, it is certainly realistic to expect this side to make a late charge up the table.

The Ormesby Club, with nine points to their name have a three point start on Ellenborough and barring disaster they should be safe from relegation. They expect to pick their side from a squad of David Meads, Michael Marsden, Nigel Eckersley, Justin Ma and Eddie Smith.

Remember admission free and a great venue to watch some great Table Tennis.

By Steve Kerns British League Press Officer

[Mr Wilko]

london progress are like the Arsenal TC of table Tennis should be called World Progress not London Progress!!!!!

looking at the players named above (and not blowing my own whistle) but i think i could at least get a 50% average in this league

not bad for someone who only plays once a week???

[HarryBelafonte]

arsenal have not won a trophy for 3 years:thtease:
but I take your point on the lack of english players.:happy:

[Belisar]

but I take your point on the lack of english players.

To be fair to Progress. Jason Sugrue has been a big part of their set up for in excess of 10 years. Terry Young is of course English and Marco Essomba has been involved with Progress for some years as well.

Oxford Fireplace made use of Chinese players last season who were coaching at Filton Academy and Batts/Peniel have done the same this season with a couple of Chinese who are coaching at their academy.

They are raising the bar in terms of playing standards and a lot of players are benefitting from the coaching that these guys are bringing to both Peniel and London Progress. In short I am not sure it is a bad thing as long as a few of the up and coming English players get a chance to compete.

Oh by the way, in case you are wondering, I am nothing to do with either Progress or Peniel.

[Mr Wilko]

yeah that is fine but marco is from cameroon and jason has eloped to ireland so really its only terry who is an english player but that is not what i was stating!!! maybe i didnt put it across correctly what i was trying to say was that is this not the only reason they keep winning the british league?????

at least Darlington won it with all English players Des Douglas, John Hilton, Michael O'driscoll, Jonathan Taylor, Myself, Eddie Smith and Mark Smith were all members on that team !!!!!!!!!!

[Belisar]

Some good players in your team for sure.

I guess we are just coming from different directions. I am just wondering if people think the influx of players from different countries into the British League is good or bad for the game ?

[DaveR]

I think the influx is a good thing as the promotion of the sport is the main goal surely with everyone competing, the whole Table Tennis development could benefit always up if done correctly and lets face it the influx of players can only improve the standard of others if it is strong enough.

Hey Wilko 50% is maybe over the top !:redcard:

[Mr Wilko]

yeah i think its a good thing but its just a pity that they all seem to end up playing in London!!!!

[DaveR]

Well there is a train there but flights are getting dearer and dearer !

Im not against any influx of players but is anyone else against..............i personally cant see a problem although i agree maybe the logisitcs could be better......lets face it this as always happened where pockets form etc

[HarryBelafonte]

Aye and terry is a ****ney,:covereyes:great lad,bought us drinks galore in holland when we supported him in the qaulifiers...good laugh..:thumbsup:

[Mr Wilko]

from the players stated above DaveR i think i would be taking 50% ok the likes of the chinese and terry marco ok but the others i fancy my chances

[DaveR]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm i believe you !

[Jose]

I think it's a shame that so many of the top English players, men and women, play abroad - for the level of the competition and the fees I suppose, but it really would be good if they played in the British Leagues because that would help to bring other players along, which is what it was like in the beginning. Good sponsorship is what is lacking, and without good media coverage, good sponsorship is difficult to get!

The other factor is that whilst players enjoy the weekend events in the central venues, clubs not playing at their home base makes it difficult to get local sponsorship and support. But then the question is even with home matches would the clubs be able to get sufficient sponsorship to make it worthwhile. Without it there's little chance of the British clubs being able to compete with far better resourced clubs on the Continent. So what's the answer? TV coverage to attract sponsorship. Marketing the sport better at the national level.

[DaveR]

You hit the nail on the head in the last sentence Jose, with someone qualified to Market the sport to its fullest potential. I am not sure but does the ETTA have such a team of people to do this as it seems we are actuallt seeing less coverage nowadys than we actually recieved years ago or am i just getting old and forgetful?

The whole Table Tennis sponsorship question is an easy one to answer. Anyone wishing or needing sponsorship would easily achieve this if he or she was in a very marketable sport in other words a sport which sells aa product at high visibilty, which is sadly the problem with Table Tennis in the UK but not in places such as Sweden or France the list can go on but the bottom line is Market and promotion the rest follows quite successfully there onwards. The question is will the ETTA take the bull by the horns and really push it in the direction it needs.

The question of bringing youth through is quite a challenge with so many other distrations for them to take part in and sometimes instant success is not achievable so young players move around the sporting world being average at best at a few little sports.

[Mr Wilko]

just found out ormesby NO4 Eddie Smith lost 3-0 to a girl not sure who though still waiting for that info from Harry!!!!!!!!

i am definatley going to push to get in that team next year!!!! ha ha

[The Windmill]

I was Ormesby today spectating and can honestly say that I don't care who plays for which team. The London progress team did not have to play till the PM session but you could see the anticipation of the relativly small crowd rise as they were about to start their 1st match. It was a pleasure to watch.
P.S. I watched the tin man being beaten 3-0 by the chinese girl. it sounds as if he was thrashed but he had his chances.....seemed to struggle agains the short pimples on her backhand

[Mr Wilko]

windmill, it would just be like watching a practice session at Birtley!!!! lol

[DaveR]

The first round of the fourth weekend of British League Premier Division League matches produced two rather tame encounters and an absolute humdinger of a battle between Ellenborough and Sycamore, two sides who were desperate to retain their Premier Division status, and who fought for every point as if their lives depended on it.

It was Ellenborough who shaded this match 5-3, having led 3-1 at the half-way stage. Jimmy Walsh scored an important 12-10 in the fifth set victory against Adam Frost to give the London Club a 2-1 lead and Liam Pitchford extended the lead to 3-1 by beating Shaun Marples 11-8 in the deciding set. Sycamore weren’t finished and Stuart Crawford hit back by beating Lorestas Trumpauskas 3-1 whilst Kevin Dolder levelled the scores by getting the better of Jimmy Walsh 11-8, 15-13, 13-11. Sycamore were on a roll and fifteen minutes later they must have been thinking that they were about to get something out of this match. Shuan Marples was leading Jon Nilsson by two games and 9-5 having played quite superbly. Was Nilsson beaten ?. No Way !. Some how he dug even deeper to level the match at 2-2, and he eventually pulled clear in the fifth end to score a “famous” 14-16, 9-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-7 victory. Liam Pitchford who has probably played more big matches in the last three months than any other English player had the task of sealing victory for the London Club and after winning a tense opening end 12-10, he piled on the power to win the next two games 11-4, 11-4. Ellenborough look as if they are safe and with Liam Pitchford likely to be playing in the number one or two position next year, they may be an outside bet to win the title !.

Drumchapel Glasgow’s 6-2 win over BATTS Team Peniel means they are very strong favourites to finish second, and they may have been surprised with the ease that this victory was achieved. BATTS never hit the heights in this match and a poor opening four games left them with too much to do. Sau Ayemojuba’s 12-10, 11-9,
13-11 victory over Wang Zheng kind of summed up BATTS’s morning. It was Drumchapel who seemed to have that little bit extra. Wang Zheng gave BATTS a glimmer of hope in the fifth game by beating Ryan Jenkins 6-11, 6-11, 11-6, 15-13, 16-14, his second win over Ryan in this year’s British League. However, BATTS were unable to make further headway. Stephen Jenkins sealed the Glasgow team’s victory by beating Craig Bryant 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 and Sau Ayemojuba beat an out-of-sorts Shuying Xu 7-11, 16-14, 11-8, 11-7. This was Shu’s second defeat after she had also lost heavily 4-11, 5-11, 8-11 to the ever improving Craig Howieson. BATTS at least finished on a positive note with reserve Neil Charles scoring an excellent 9-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7 victory over Craig Howieson.

A weakened TTK Greenhouse side were understandably overpowered by an Ormesby team of David Meads, Mike Marsden, Justin Ma and Nigel Eckersley who ran out 8-0 winners. Henry Medellin who took games off both Mike Marsden and David Meads fared best of the TTK players. However, it was Ormesby number four, the evergreen Nigel Eckersley who was awarded the Player of the Match Award. Nigel beat Jide Owolabi 11-8, 11-6, 11-3 and Daniel Basterfield 11-7, 12-10, 11-2.

With the epic Ellenborough versus Sycamore clash over-running it’s allocated time slot players had plenty of time to amuse themselves. Unfortunately, Stephen Jenkins found a rather novel way of relaxing between matches. He managed to get locked in the Ormesby Toilets, a first in British League history (as far as we know) !.

Rumours that DHS London Progress might turn out a weakened side with victory virtually guaranteed proved unfounded and they turned in a Rolls-Royce performance worthy of the occasion as they romped to a tenth successive British League Premier Division title. Victory against a battling Sycamore team was never in doubt as the all-star London Progress team of Hong Ming Zhang, Jiang Chiang Hong, Terry Young and Zhi Tao Jiang romped home 8-0. However, full marks are extended to Sycamore for giving their utmost - particularly Scottish International Stuart Crawford who pushed Jiang Chiang Hong all the way before losing 11-8, 6-11, 11-4, 12-14, 7-11. Adam Frost also gave a great account of himself against the undefeated Zhi Tao Jiang and he gave the former Chinese Universities Champion his closest test of the Season before he missed out 11-8, 1-11, 11-8, 8-11, 7-11. So how does this London Progress team rate against their other nine Championship winning teams ?. With a player of Zhi Tao Jiang’s calibre playing at number four you would have to say pretty highly !. Special congratulations are extended to Progress talisman Jason Sugrue, an integral member of all ten of their Championships winning teams.

BATTS Team Peniel put their below par performance in the morning firmly behind them with a sparkling showing against Ormesby. BATTS ran out impressive 6-2 winners with Wang Zheng scoring excellent victories against both Michael Marsden (3-1) and David Meads (again 3-1). Shuying Xu also impressed and she scored excellent wins against Eddie Smith (3-0) and Michael Marsden (3-1). Craig Bryant and Neil Charles ensured that the Essex team were always in charge with both players getting the better of Justin Ma.

Drumchapel Glasgow, no doubt feeling suitably confident after having beaten BATTS Team Peniel 6-2 made short work of Urban Progress. Their side of Ryan Jenkins, Sau Ayemojuba, Stephen Jenkins and Craig Howieson were rarely troubled as they ran out 8-0 winners. Sau Ayemojuba, perhaps their least known player showed his class as he disposed of Niall Cameron 11-8, 11-8, 11-3 and Ashley Stokes 11-4, 11-8, 11-8.

[DaveR]

http://www.sportfocus.com/newsimage/prog10th.jpg


DHS London Progress signed off in style by beating third-placed BATTS Team Peniel 8-0. Hong Ming Zhang, Jiang Chang Hong, Terry Young and Zhi Tao Jiang didn’t have it all their own way but a battling BATTS side only managed to extend them to five ends once, when Craig Bryant led Terry Young 2-1. Terry eventually came through to win 8-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8. A fitting way for the London giants to win the British League Championships for a tenth time.
London Progress Team Captain Jason Sugrue, a survivor of their first title winning side also gave a glimpse of what may be a very different British League Premier Division Season next year by advising that the Progress team would be concentrating on giving their younger players a chance. In future years they will be including at least two young players in their Premier Division side every match. Although next year’s side is unlikely to be as strong as this year’s all-conquering line-up you would suspect that a team with such up-and-coming players as Matt Ware and Garth Kinlocke will still be in contention for honours.

Drumchapel Glasgow ensured that they finished second by beating Ormesby 6-2. David Meads levelled the scores for the Clevelanders at 1-1 by beating Sau Ayemojuba 3-1 whilst Justin Ma scored a fine 11-9 in the fifth game win over Craig Howieson to level the scores at 2-2. However, it was the Glasgow side who produced the better finish as they took all four second-half singles. Ryan Jenkins beat David Meads over five ends, Stephen Jenkins got the better of Mike Marsden 3-1, Sau Ayemojuba was a decisive 3-0 winner over Justin Ma and Craig Howieson wrapped up what was an excellent Drumchapel performance by beating Nigel Eckersley 3-0.

Ellenborough produced a workmanlike performance to beat Urban Progress 6-2. Niall Cameron gave Urban Progress the perfect start by beating Jon Nilsson 3-0 but Liam Pitchford and Lorestas Trumpauskas both turned in unbeaten performances to ensure that Ellenborough stayed in control. Lorestas turned on the power in his second singles as he hammered Cameron 11-7, 11-4, 11-7. Urban Progress’s Costas Papantoniou also impressed and he did well to beat Jimmy Walsh 13-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-5.

Sycamore were rarely troubled as they beat TTK Greenhouse 8-0. Stuart Crawford, Kevin Dolder, Shaun Marples and Adam Frost had things pretty much their own way as they ran out comfortable winners. Daniel Basterfield, star of TTK’s second team who were Runners-Up in Division Three South looked the most comfortable at this level, and he pushed Shaun Marples before succumbing 14-16, 6-11, 6-11 and Adam Frost before missing out 9-11, 9-11, 10-12.

Photo: Zhi Tao Jiang, Jason Sugrue, Alan Ransome, Terry Young, Jiang Chang Hong and Hong Ming Zhang as DHS London Progress receive the Alan Ransome Trophy

For all the results click here (http://www.englishtabletennis.org.uk/competitions/ttleaguedivision.cfm?eventId=89)

ETTA - Steve Kerns, British League Press Officer

[Mr Wilko]

that ping pong song is dreadful!!!!!!!!!

[DaveR]

http://www.sportfocus.com/newsimage/dm2.jpg


With the relegation issues decided and the battle for leading honours concluded as well, the last round of matches had a less exciting feel about them. All three matches went pretty much to form.

Home team Ormesby secured fourth place by beating Sycamore 5-3. A determined David Meads took the starring role by beating Kevin Dolder 12-10 in the fifth end of a furious match having trailed 5-0 at the change of ends. David also beat Stuart Crawford 3-1 in his second singles. It certainly wasn’t a great match for Ormesby’s Nigel Eckersley who missed out to both Shaun Marples (3-1) and to Adam Frost (3-2). Kevin Dolder hit back well in his second singles by beating Justin Ma 11-7, 16-14, 13-11.

Third-placed BATTS Team Peniel I finished their campaign in style by beating Urban Progress 7-1. Wang Zhen, Craig Bryant and Shuying Xu were all unbeaten with Ashley Stokes’s excellent 3-2 victory over Neil Charles being the only game that escaped the Essex side’s clutches. Shuying Xu impressed again and she beat Egle Adomelyte decisively 11-5, 11-4, 11-2.

Second-placed Drumchapel Glasgow I were also 7-1 winners against Ellenborough, perhaps an easier margin of victory than they might have expected. Liam Pitchford (who else !) was Ellenborough’s sole winner, and he scored an excellent 9-11, 11-9, 15-13, 11-8 victory over Stephen Jenkins. However, Liam ran out of steam against Craig Howieson and he was well beaten in four ends 8-11, 14-12, 2-11, 3-11. Ryan Jenkins produced a really strong performance in the battle of the number ones, and powered his way past Lorestas Trumpauskas 11-6, 11-5, 11-7.

Photo: David Meads, Ormesby

For all the results click here (http://www.englishtabletennis.org.uk/competitions/ttleaguedivision.cfm?eventId=89)

Steve Kerns

[DaveR]

The Ormesby team who finished 4th in the Premier Division

From Left to Right .........

Nigel Eckersley, Michael Marsden, David Meads and Justin Ma

http://www.tabletennistalk.co.uk/forum/table/ormesby_team.gif

[The Windmill]

The Ormesby team who finished 4th in the Premier Division

From Left to Right .........

Nigel Eckersley, Michael Marsden, David Meads and Justin Ma

http://www.tabletennistalk.co.uk/forum/table/ormesby_team.gif

They Obviously did not have a wide angled lens big enough to get Eddie Smith on there as well.....

[TS]

He wasnt there on the Sunday, otherwise we would have had him centre stage. He is a legend...........Lazy....but still a legend!

[Jose]

If I had known that he wasn't going to be there on Sunday, I'd have taken the photo on Saturday. Anyhow, Eddie Smith played against Batts Team Peniel and won one of the two matches for Ormesby against Neil Charles who had earlier beaten Justin Ma. That match was won 6 - 2 by Peniel whose team included "Johnny and Katie", the young Chinese who stayed in Hartlepool last year. The other win was by David Meads over Craig Bryant

[DaveR]

Eddie is still a great player, i agree lazy but nevertheless not a bad player...........even though i beat him two weeks ago lol

Seriously he can beat anyone and well done to the team !

[The Windmill]

If I had known that he wasn't going to be there on Sunday, I'd have taken the photo on Saturday. Anyhow, Eddie Smith played against Batts Team Peniel and won one of the two matches for Ormesby against Neil Charles who had earlier beaten Justin Ma. That match was won 6 - 2 by Peniel whose team included "Johnny and Katie", the young Chinese who stayed in Hartlepool last year. The other win was by David Meads over Craig Bryant

Jose, only joking about the photo. It was good to meet you on Saturday and actually put a face to the name. I was the guy with Belafonte (Godbold). It was interesting hearing about the set up of Ormesby and the ongoing development. A great venue and the volunteers in the cafe did a great job too. A credit to the club. I wish you every success in the future.

[Jose]

Thank you ... enjoyed meeting you and Belafonte too! This site has opened up a whole new method of communication which can only be good for the sport as a whole.

[DaveR]

I am hoping although we are young this will continue Jose, which was the goal initially.

Youn are a great addition to the site like all members but we thank everyone for their input as always.

PS great set up ormesby i agree windy

[NativeNewYorker]

I would agree with Jose also the site has and is openeing the world of Table Tennis comunication and its nice to see it grow.

I have been to Ormesby in the early days but not in the recent new era but will certainly visit soon.

[TS]

http://www.sportfocus.com/newsimage/dm2.jpg


With the relegation issues decided and the battle for leading honours concluded as well, the last round of matches had a less exciting feel about them. All three matches went pretty much to form.

Home team Ormesby secured fourth place by beating Sycamore 5-3. A determined David Meads took the starring role by beating Kevin Dolder 12-10 in the fifth end of a furious match having trailed 5-0 at the change of ends. David also beat Stuart Crawford 3-1 in his second singles. It certainly wasn’t a great match for Ormesby’s Nigel Eckersley who missed out to both Shaun Marples (3-1) and to Adam Frost (3-2). Kevin Dolder hit back well in his second singles by beating Justin Ma 11-7, 16-14, 13-11.

Third-placed BATTS Team Peniel I finished their campaign in style by beating Urban Progress 7-1. Wang Zhen, Craig Bryant and Shuying Xu were all unbeaten with Ashley Stokes’s excellent 3-2 victory over Neil Charles being the only game that escaped the Essex side’s clutches. Shuying Xu impressed again and she beat Egle Adomelyte decisively 11-5, 11-4, 11-2.

Second-placed Drumchapel Glasgow I were also 7-1 winners against Ellenborough, perhaps an easier margin of victory than they might have expected. Liam Pitchford (who else !) was Ellenborough’s sole winner, and he scored an excellent 9-11, 11-9, 15-13, 11-8 victory over Stephen Jenkins. However, Liam ran out of steam against Craig Howieson and he was well beaten in four ends 8-11, 14-12, 2-11, 3-11. Ryan Jenkins produced a really strong performance in the battle of the number ones, and powered his way past Lorestas Trumpauskas 11-6, 11-5, 11-7.

Photo: David Meads, Ormesby

For all the results click here (http://www.englishtabletennis.org.uk/competitions/ttleaguedivision.cfm?eventId=89)

Steve Kerns

Steve Kerns must have forgotten about me. I won my two games the same as Meadsy. Beat Crawford 3-1 and Marples 3-1.

[DaveR]

Micheal Steve Kerns tends to update these items as the information "grows" or becomes available, but any additional information about or around these events anyone please feel free to update and add as we go. Thanks.

[Mr Wilko]

Steve Kerns must have forgotten about me. I won my two games the same as Meadsy. Beat Crawford 3-1 and Marples 3-1.

this is meads after a fight with a tube of super glue!!!!!

[JKC]

That photo looks like it would make a good caption competition.

[Mr Wilko]

another could be ............ honestly its only this big!!!!!! ha ha

[JKC]

"What do you think of my new grip?"

[Mr Wilko]

i can also play penhold with my left hand ...................

[JKC]

"I'm a little teapot short and stout... NO, NO, I still can't seem to get the actions right."

[Mr Wilko]

meet the simon says world champion !!!!!!

[JKC]

"Doctor, whenever I lift my arm, I get this strange white gas coming out."

[Mr Wilko]

do you think i smell??

[JKC]

"It's in my contract. Donic insist that I hold a small donic logo throughout the game."

[Annie]

:redcard: Back on topic guys! This is a serious Thread. There's plenty of areas to joke around in.

[Mr Wilko]

Eddie is still a great player, i agree lazy but nevertheless not a bad player...........even though i beat him two weeks ago lol

Seriously he can beat anyone and well done to the team !


its 2 years since he beat me!!!!!! lol

[Mr Wilko]

back to meads picture- the new ultra strong hair gel at only 99p

[JKC]

I was going to say

"This is the bogey I picked at 2 all, has anyone got a tissue"

But I had better not as this is a serious thread.

[Mr Wilko]

yeah very serious?????? lol

[Annie]

I was going to say

"This is the bogey I picked at 2 all, has anyone got a tissue"

But I had better not as this is a serious thread.

yeah very serious?????? lol

:angry: ........

[Mr Wilko]

:angry: ........


:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

cheer up annie if the wind changes you will stay like that!!!!! lol

[Annie]

cheer up annie if the wind changes you will stay like that!!!!! lol

Who are you..............My Mother? :footstomp:

[Mr Wilko]

ha ha ...................