(Picture Credit Grimsby Telegraph - from Left: the late Phil Welby with my NALGO team - Richard Wilson, Dave Wagstaff and myself - other pics are around somewhere showing more)
The following is taken from my Table Tennis Journal, with some tweaking of course:
“We (here in Grimsby, UK) are into our second day in Covid Tier 3 now. It started a day earlier than I expected. No difference: still Zero TT. All I can do is Think about our beautiful game.
The recent World Cup and WTT Event have both shown us the best players in the world. The WTT, by the way, is the “commercial” arm of the ITTF – the world governing body. They are trying to promote the game better, to elevate it from being a “Minor Sport”.
We can all do much worse than trying to emulate these top players. They play an exciting brand of TT. Most of them are Chinese or otherwise Asian of course. They take their TT very seriously in that part of the world.
I NB that most of these players use very thick sponge – obviously for speed. No doubt their “bat-surfaces” are the fastest and “spiniest” that technology can produce. In addition they are marvellous athletes. All their play is about setting up and executing explosive Attacks. “All Out Attack” indeed. It’s The Way to Play!!!
What more need I say? Well, it’s also worth pointing out that these players also have a great “Short Game”. They use excellent touch-push shots at the beginning of rallies. This can be practised in “Routines” of course. Occasionally they throw in some fast, long pushes too. But they “Open Up” ASAP.
NB also that many young players employ quick Backhand Flicks, especially when receiving serve. I am ahead of the game here! (The B\H Flick is my best shot).
All in all these are exciting times. I can’t wait to get back into action, (but will have to be very patient I think). (Bring It On!)…Nuff Fer Now. Out.”
Nuff Said Indeed.
PS Sadly I have also to report the passing away of Grimsby former players Matt Sheader (90) and Phil Welby (69). Matt was reputably Grimsby’s greatest ever player, being a World Veteran Doubles Champion amongst other honours. I recall Matt shouting to me at a Humberside Open Tournament: “Watch him – he’s ranked number 150 in England!” (Before I played someone called Bole, from Surrey and got about 5 points each game).
My NALGO team (Richard Wilson, Dave Wagstaff and myself) had lots of battles with Phil Welby and his team (Phil Bodsworth and Elaine Blastland). Indeed we pipped them to a league title once (2nd or 3rd division). Matt and Phil were both great blokes who were very popular around our locality. May they RIP.
PPS my team Nemesis are willing to give Ma Long a Trial at his convenience. Haha.
Paul Butters
© PB 3\12\2020.
