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Thanks must go to the Huddersfield Examiner for supplying information and photographs.
The Huddersfield & District Table Tennis League was formed during 1932, the first committee consisted of President Sir Joseph Turner, Chairman Councillor W.H Bolt, Vice Chairman Mr W.C.H Neil, Secretary Mr T Cruise, and Treasurer Mr H Hardcastle. The league affiliated to the National Table Tennis League, and it was hoped that a team of international players would be sent to take part in an exhibition game in Huddersfield later that year.
The leagues first season commenced on October 17th 1932, with fourteen teams competing in two sections. Teams played to the American Tournament system, each team consisted of five players all playing one another one game of 21 up, so a total of 25 games were at stake in each match. Y.M.C.A were the eventual champions.
Scores from the first weeks play: -
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| Paddock Institute | 0 | Y.M.C.A | 25 | |||
| Meltham | 22 | Britannia Works | 3 | |||
| Oakfield T.C | 17 | L.B Hollidays | 8 | |||
| Y.M.C.A. 'A' | 22 | Rock Mission | 3 | |||
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| Y.M.C.A Juniors | 13 | Economic League | 12 | |||
| Great Northern St | 11 | High St | 14 | |||
| N.A.L.G.O | 24 | Oakes Baptist | 1 | |||
In 1934 the league joined the newly formed Yorkshire Table Tennis Association, which replaced the old West Riding Association to allow all clubs in Yorkshire to become members. The chief benefit to be derived from membership of the Association was the league could, if they wished, enter two teams in a new Yorkshire Inter Town competition for club sides. This course was followed and Y.M.C.A as champions of the league were the first team entered.
During the 1935/36 season Huddersfield won the first ever running of the Yorkshire Inter League competition. The three prominent Huddersfield players pictured below, along with R.B.Deane all played for the Huddersfield Y.M.C.A championship winning team. The other member of the team F.Roebuck, played for Oakfield T.C.
Individually, Sykes had been the most consistent player over the season reaching two singles and three doubles finals, But Bedford, who was considered by many to be Huddersfield’s best. He won the English consolation singles at Manchester in March. Bedford, whose game chiefly consisted of a rock like defence, waiting for his opponent to make a slight mistake, of which he would take full advantage.
In partnership with Hitchcock, Bedford had a fine doubles record, they had become Yorkshire doubles champions in 1933/34 and 1934/35. For his achievements Bedford was honoured by the Yorkshire selection committee to represent the county.
Backhand-Smash
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