A VICTORY back in October won the Northumbria Table Tennis Division One title for Newton A.

For their 8-2 success over fellow candidates The Mount B proved vital in seeing them crowned champions after the two teams were tied at the top.

The teams met in a highly charged final game of the season, with Mount’s 7-3 victory meaning they joined Newton at the top of the table on 126 sets won from their 18 games.

The title was decided by comparing the two teams’ matches against each other, with Newton’s 8-2 victory at home edging them ahead as they took it 11-9 over the two fixtures.

All three Newton players played their part in securing the victory on the final day, John Russell, Craig Fryer and Robert Lawson all winning one set each to nudge them to the narrowest of victories.

The disappointment of missing out on the title for Mount may be eased by the fact that they will join their rivals in the Premier Division next season.

It has been a great season, personally, for the consistent John Russell as he topped the division’s individual averages award to take the crown as the division’s star player.

Showing great determination, passion and professionalism, he never missed one match for his team and ended the season with a brilliant win rate of 88.89 per cent as he won 48 matches of the 54 played. His closest rival finished with 78.43 per cent.