A DORCHESTER-based team have taken part in an under-15 national competition for the first time and got off to a winning start on their debut.

Dorchester competed in Division Three of the competition and after a slow start, losing 4-2 to Kingfisher D (Reading), they soon found their confidence and remained unbeaten for the rest of the day.

Dorchester beat rivals Weymouth D and E by identical 5-1 scorelines and then crucially defeated nearest rivals Southampton B 4-2, which brought them level on points with one match to be played.

Both teams won their final matches 6-0, Dorchester against Generation II (Fareham), which meant the county town side topped the division thanks to their head-to-head victory over Southampton earlier.

Josh White, Daniel Scotchmer, Adam Bishop and Alfie Wade all practice at a free weekly session based at Thomas Hardye School and also commit to travel to Weymouth at least once a week for training.

Weymouth have entered five teams into the competition this year and the club’s A team were the stand out side in Division One.

Jed Brackenridge and Jess Moggeridge finished with 100 per cent win records and Sophie Storey picked up valuable points as they topped the division at the end of the first day’s play.

The National Cadet League, Southern Section, is based at the Waterside Table Tennis Club, Totton, Southampton.

The Dorchester session takes place on a Tuesday between 5pm and 6pm and is supported by Table Tennis England and Thomas Hardye School and boys and girls of all abilities are welcome.

For more details, contact Andy Millar (a.millar212@gmail.com or 07710 507075).