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Division 2 Champions Again
13th March 2006
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Whilst much attention has rightly been directed towards the amazing club table tennis record established by London Progress in the Premier Division of the British League, quietly, largely unnoticed, London Progress have been creating another significant club record. They have virtually made Division 2 their own property winning the Division for five of the last six seasons
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This weekend saw another Division 2 success for the British Champions but it was by no means a foregone conclusion. Progress began the weekend with a slender one point lead with Cippenham(Slough) and Oxford in hot pursuit. Robbed of their Japanese superstar, Kaori Saijo, Progress were forced to call on the services of the former Polish Progress star, Milosz Swarzac. Flying in especially for the weekend, Milosz did his job well, winning six out of eight. Those games were essential as Progress had to play their two nearest rivals on the Sunday, both of whom they were able to defeat, 5 sets to 3.
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Credit for the triumph must be equally shared between team captain, Daniel Cannon, Progress leading lady, Egle Adomelyte, who coped with the pressures of the number one spot with great confidence and style, and rising young star of the club, Ashley Stokes. Jumping from Division 4 last season and playing at the No4 spot this year, Stokes was able to accrue an amazing 85% success rate. At this rate of improvement it would not be beyond possibility to see Stokes in the Premier team within the next two seasons. That really would be a great victory for the club's grass roots development programme.
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In Division 3 South, Progress were unable to overcome a three point gap over leading team, Mossford, and so had to settle for second place. Nevertheless the team performance by Zayd Mauthoor, Sami Lewis, Ray Lam and Daniel Ives was commendable. Once again the results show the depth of talent and determination at the London Progress club and underline the point that this is not a one team club. Full credit should go to Mossford for a fully deserved victory.
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Progress Cadets Seek Gold
Next week attention switches back to the juniors as the Progress cadet team of former Hilingdon star, Alex Fegrado and London Academy duo, Abbas Alharazi and Reece Manning seek to capture the gold medals in the National Cadet League being held at the Southall Sports Centre.This would be a sweet victory as these three youngsters recently took home the gold medals in the National Junior League. Nearest rivals are Gareth Herbert's rapidly improving Wembley High squad so the Progress team will have little room for complacency.
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Ryan Collins (far end)
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Garth Kinlocke (near end)
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