Table Tennis

Newly promoted this season, the Mosterton players have handed out a sound drubbing to all their opponents in Division Two, up to the half way stage.

The closest anyone has come to the all-conquering Mosterton quartet is the Westland Oaks side, which was seen off by 17 points to eight, while Yeovil Sports Battlers, by no means the worst team in the league, were whitewashed 20-0.

Mosterton's Ian Rodger, on 92 per cent, and Peter Billingham, 90 per cent, are second and third in the individual averages, respectively, backed up by the excellent results of Miranda Edwardes, 73 per cent, and Eddy Buck, 65 per cent.

With this level of consistency in the side, it is unlikely that they will be troubled during the rest of the season.

The secret of their success seems to be in the variety of styles their opponents have to face. Rodger wield an old fashioned hard bat, giving a viscous spin to his returns, whereas Billingham plays a consistent heavy-chop defensive game, constantly frustrating his foes' attempts to smash the ball past him.

Just when their opponents fell they are beginning to make some headway, they then come up against the ferocious topspin hitting of qualified coach Edwardes and the high side-spins of penholder exponent Buck.

If, as it seems inevitable, the Mosterton players are promoted to Division One, they will be joining their A team colleagues.

This would be the first time for many years that a club other than the Westlands of Yeovil has had more than a single team in the top flight.

The recently formed Mosterton club, in only its second season, is mainly composed of seasoned veteran players, who are showing teams half their age that experience, ability and great team spirit can still bring success.