When we considered taking part in the summer league, it was made clear that we would find the competition even tougher than  Winter  league 3, on the basis that we would come across some league 2 players. So it has proved and we have found life difficult in this league. However, the games have been played in a good spirit of sportsmanship and we have learned by exposure to a wider selection of players.

Our last match in this League was against Keighley. We had read about the recent spate of attempted murders in this  brooding town of ancient mill buildings and rugged moorland views, but in the event the Keighley team were civilised guys, playing with humour and warmth whilst giving us a  table tennis  lesson.  Keighley won the event  9-0 .

Derek  scored 6,1 and 4 against Steve Rutherford, probably their best player;  he scored  9, 7 and 6 against Stef Slezur and 4,9 and 7 against Jerry Harkaway. When the smashes worked, they won points, but sometimes they didn’t work and the greater consistency of Keighley meant safe victories.

Alan played steadily, perhaps needing to sharpen up the attack part of his game. He reached 7 in each match against Jerry,  3,5 and 7 against Steve and  4,5 and 5 against  Stef.

Finally, your esteemed Team Secretary, Robin, had to turn out in the absence of other choices, and  in his unbiased view, probably played above expectations. Against  Stef, he scored 8,9 and 6, against Jerry he registered  4, 5 and 5  and  finally ran out of steam against Steve, registering 5, 2 and 1.

With the minimum number of games played, it meant that the Team Secretary was able to get home in time to see the second and final episode of ITV’s Wuthering Heights, where most of the characters seemed to die agonising deaths in the final stages of the drama. Keighley’s team returned home, triumphant, probably skirting the very moors which inspired the Brontes, but with no loss of life in either team.

POPPS now look forward to the Winter League. We have high hopes with our strengthened ‘A’team, who could achieve a respectable position. Our ‘B’ team may struggle, but they will have realistic expectations. The frustrating thing is that we are largely being beaten by consistency rather than skill. However, aspects of technique which will need attention include dealing with spin services and initiating serves which place opponents under pressure.

Let’s see as many as possible at our get-together at the Sowerby Bridge station Jubilee Refreshment Rooms on Thursday September 10  at 8.00 pm, when we can discuss any issues pertaining to the new season.

Robin Thomas