Veterans British League: Games-Web Helmsley won Division Seven of the Veterans British League.

Cliff Edens, Steve Barnes, Brian Quinn and Tom Needham won four out of five of their second round matches and drew the fifth to take the title and gain promotion into Division One of the Veterans National League next year under a new structure.

In the first match, there was a memorable game between Cliff Edens and Mick Burton, of XystusII, West Yorkshire. Cliff led 2-1, but at 10-9 down in the fourth set, he was driven back from the table by some relentless smashing.

Going for a forehand topspin return from the barriers, the ball struck the edge of Cliff's bat and headed skywards. Mick waited patiently for the ball to land on the table but it struck the edge, making it veer to the side. Mick touched the ball as gently as he could but it missed the table to make the score 10-10.

Encouraged by his good fortune, Cliff went on to win the set 15-13 and take the game, and eventually the match, 4-2.

Steve Barnes had an 'off' day but played some of the best table tennis against the other title contenders, Twymark from Berkshire.

Against the combination bat of Clive Banham, he played forceful forehands and backhands to win 3-0. In this, the final match of the weekend, Helmsley needed to win and Twymark needed to draw.

After Steve's victory, Brian Quinn lost to Tim Heaps. Tom then played Nick Heaps, a player ranked 200 points ahead of him in the English Table Tennis rankings.

With some stunning blocks and devastating forehand drives, Tom won the game 3-1. Steve then lost to the consistent left-handed Tim.

Tom played the higher ranked Clive. With similar bats, the crowd anticipated a long game but Tom played with thought and aggression to force Clive away from the table and used his forehand smashes to great effect.

In the final game, Brian faced Nick Heaps. After a series of fast-hitting rallies, Brian took the first set. Nick battled to take the second only for Brian to change pace and spin to take the third.

In the fourth set, Brian attacked Nick's forehand side, winning some valuable points. At 10-9 up, Brian drove a fierce forehand drive across court and Nick's attempt to block it went straight into the net.

Brian finished tournament with a 78 per cent average and Tom with 75 per cent. It was a great team performance in only their third season of British League table tennis.

Updated: 16:13 Wednesday, February 15, 2006