The third series of British League Premier Division matches take place at BATTS Team Peniel, Burnt Mill School, First Avenue, Harlow, Essex on Sunday 22 January 2006. The first round of matches take place at 12.00 o'clock whilst the second round follows at 15.30 hours. The BATTS venue is well known to many of the players taking part who are familiar with it from playing in the BATTS Super League, an event which pulls in players from many of the neighbouring Home Counties.

London Progress 1 with a team that boasts formidable strength in depth are the side every one will be aiming to beat and with 16 points out of 16 they look well on course to win their eight successive British League Premier Division title. Their all-star squad includes Colum Slevin, Terry Young, Darius Knight, Jason Sugrue, Marco Essomba, Darren Blake and Leeroy Pye. Their mid-day opponents are BATTS Team Peniel I whilst they face the potentially tricky hurdle of Ellenborough I in the afternoon. Ellenborough will be looking for England no. six Gareth Herbert to repeat the form which enabled him to win both of his singles against the Champions in the first half of the season. With just one defeat out of sixteen in the Competition to date Herbert represents the stiffest of challenges.

The other top class clash is the Sunday afternoon fixture between second placed Darlington I and third-placed Ormesby I in which both sides feature what are in the main refreshingly young line-ups.The Ormesby team has included 2005 European Cadet Champion Paul Drinkhall, Craig Bryant, Bryn Drinkhall, Danny Reed and Steve Bailey so far this season whilst the up-and-coming Darlington side has been led by the legendary Carl Prean with support from new England no. one Veteran Ritchie Venner. Their other key players - David Meads, Michael Marsden, Bradley Evans and Gavin Evans have all shown enormous potential for the future.

Such events are always bolstered by the presence of the top local players and the Essex challenge will be led by the home-based BATTS Team Peniel side who can call on the following Essex-based players - John Holland, Neil Charles, Joe Kennedy and Clive Carthy. Ellenborough will be looking for further good form from Gary Tendler who has been enjoying a fantastic season so far whilst Harvey Barnets I may choose to include Alex Green and/or the England no. three Lady player Linda March in their line-up.

Steve Kerns
National Press Officer
British Table Tennis League