THEY may be best of mates away from the table but there was nothing friendly about the Lancashire Schools Table Tennis under 19s final.

For both Simon Ledwick and Dave Pilkington compete to win and on this occasion it was Ledwick of Accrington and Rossendale College who proved to be too good for Pilkington who was playing for St Mary's College, Blackburn.

The final of the event, which was organised by the Lancashire Schools Table Tennis Association and held at Queen's Park High and Shadsworth Leisure Centre, went to plan as both Ledwick and Pilkington were seeded one and two.

There has been change in fortunes between the two players as Pilkington frequently won their head-to-head battles but in recent clashes Ledwick has managed to reverse the trend.

However the shock of the day was in the under 13s event where unknown quantity Jamie Dullenty of Queen's Park High School played the table tennis of his life to lift the title.

Unseeded Dullenty came from nowhere to beat fellow Queen's Park High School Richard Benson.

Normal service was resumed in the under 16s event when Paul Branham of Tarleton High School in Southport beat Danny Martindale of Tulketh High School in Preston. And Jacob Fielding can be proud of his day's work in the under 11s section when he reached the final. However Shane Demello of Lancaster Royal Grammar School was a different prospect and Fielding had to be content with runners-up spot.

In the girls event, there were only two entries in the under 19s section so naturally both played out the final. And it was Rachel McHugh of Accrington and Rossendale College who beat Brenda Yip of Blackpool Sixth Form College to win the event.

It was to be the only win for any of the local players although Sabrina Entwistle did well to reach the under 11s final where she was beaten by Stephanie Morris of St James' School in Chorley.

Hannah Roberts of Chorley St Michael's beat Kate O'Doherty of Lytham St Annes High School in the under 16s final and in the under 13s final it was a family affair when Gill Ormesher beat her sister Faye. Both girls attend Bishop Rawstorne High School in Croston.

All the winners will now represent Lancashire in the all-England final to be held at Aston Villa on May 1.

Organiser Dave Pilkington, whose son lost in the under 19s final, said: "Yet again the standard was very high and there were some worthy winners, notably Jamie Dullenty who upset all the odds to win his event. It was a great performance from Jamie and he thoroughly deserves the chance to represent his county." On Sunday the two venues played host to the English Schools Table Tennis Association's regional team finals. And while no local players were involved in the event, Mr Pilkington said it underlined the fact that Blackburn has emerged as a top table tennis venue.

He added: "We are now attracting more and more top events here which can only be good for our local players. We are very lucky to have such fine facilities. I would also like to thank Blackburn with Darwen Council for sponsoring the event."

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