FIVE Weymouth teams competed in the second round of the Table Tennis England National

Cadet League Southern Division at the Waterside Club, Totton.

Eight players made their debuts and several players were promoted to play in higher-ranked divisions.

Bournemouth A were again worthy winners of the first division, but the reshuffled Weymouth teams competed well and they all retained their places in each division for the next two rounds when the medals placings will be decided.

Dorset county cadet player, Tom Lydford, led the way for Weymouth A with seven wins out of his 10 matches, supported by Hector Knight and Thomas Wheeler.

The Weymouth B team of Jed Brackenridge, Jess Moggeridge and Jules Holloway avoided relegation by beating closest rivals Bournemouth B in their final match.

The match was very evenly contested and four out of the six contests went to deciding fifth sets. Bournemouth did go 2-1 up but all three Weymouth players won their second matches to eventually win 4-2 overall and secure their first division spot.

Weymouth C built on their good performance in the first round and finished third in Division Two. Reading A were comfortable winners in that league, dropping only five matches out of the 30 played.

Edith Dedman was the Weymouth star performer, winning six out of her 10 matches. She was supported well by Josh Clark and Nathan Calton, and together picked up 15 points. The highlight was a 5-1 victory over Bournemouth C.

In Division Three, Weymouth D just missed out on promotion, finishing second to Bournemouth D. Ethan Bingham, Richard Lane and Ella Stanton all scored well and they should have a good chance of finishing in the medals, as they gain more experience each week playing for their school teams.

The youngsters of Weymouth E featuring Jean Baker, Ted Paul and George Ackerley picked up 11 match wins over the day, causing a few upsets against older and more experienced opposition. In the final table they were only four points off third place.

n Weymouth and Dorchester are looking for new players to join training for their under-15 and under-18 squads for next season.

Boys and girls from eight years old upwards are welcome.

For more information, contact Andy Millar on a.millar212@gmail.com or 0771007075.