The league commenced in September with one division consisting of ten teams from the following clubs: Broadstone 6, Stourpaine 2, Ringwood 1 and Branksome 1.

Unfortunately we were two teams short from the previous season as Bournemouth Sports declined to enter and Branksome could only raise one team rather than two.
Nevertheless 53 players from the four clubs registered to play in the league.
Despite the drop in number of teams the season proved to be very competitive and enjoyable with all teams making every effort to ensure that matches were played on time. As a result there were only two matches that needed to be awarded as one team or the other could not raise sufficient players.
Like all leagues, the Wimborne league did not complete all of its matches due to the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic and its resulting lockdown of all sporting activities in March.
The committee therefore took the decision to conclude the season, and as they could not be caught, the Broadstone A team were declared the winners of the league for the seventh year in a row.
The early end of the season and lockdown of all activities has meant that some tournaments and the Presentation Evening have not taken place, however efforts will be made to ensure that an award will be made to the league winners and individual tournament winners sometime in the future.
It is sad to report that the League lost three of its long term stalwarts during the season as John Way (President), David Turner (Chairman) and Les Whittaker (Vice Chairman) all passed away.
Their contribution to the running of the league over many years should be celebrated and they will be greatly missed by all who played with or against them.
The committee has continued to operate with the majority of the work involved in running the league being undertaken by Melvyn Gregory and the tournaments being organised by Ruth Atkin for which we are all very grateful.
As for the future, all clubs are totally reliant on the opening of the facilities they use and at this stage there is no indication of an easing of restrictions on these premises. It is hoped that over the coming couple of months there will be a lifting of the restrictions on indoor sports and also the use of community hall facilities so that we can start playing table tennis again. However, we may have to face the distinct possibility that there may not be any table tennis played at all until 2021 at the earliest.
Although the league and the individual clubs will not be affected by this financially, it will clearly have an impact on the income for both Table Tennis England and the Dorset TTA.

Rod Fry
Acting Chairman, Wimborne Table Tennis League
30 June 2020