SEVENTY five players have entered the Malvern Table Tennis League's championships to be held next Sunday (February 23) at the Forum, Malvern Theatres.

Included is an encouraging entry of Cadets (U15) and Juniors (U18) - a testament to the success of the league's coaching scheme held on Sunday evenings at the Dyson Perrins High School.

The main singles competition, sponsored by Whatley Recordon, Solicitors, has as usual attracted a strong entry. Dave White is seeded one, with junior player Joe Higgs at two - the first time a junior player has attained such a high seeding in this event. Other seeds are Norman Merchant (3), Mike Keeley (4), Harry Jutle (5), Mark Jones (6), Chris Hewitt (7) and Dave Woodyatt (8).

In the Express TV Services main doubles, top seeds Dave White and Alan Salisbury will face tough opposition from Ray Page and Dave Woodyatt, seeded at two, Ian Bell and Norman Merchant (3) and Graham Thompson and Chris Hewitt (4).

This year the Veterans (O40) and Supervets (O60) event have been combined in a single competition for veteran players over 50 and the Division One singles has been reinstated. Seeds in the Veterans 50 event, sponsored by Roy Holland, are Norman Merchant (1), Mike Wheatley (2), Derek Reynolds (3) and Jim Ahern (4).

The return this year of the Division One singles offers the prospect of an interesting contest between contrasting styles of play - the top spin attacking game of top seed Joe Higgs against the obstructive defensive style of number two seed Norman Merchant. Also seeded is Mike Keeley (3) and Harry Jutle (4).

The Ledbury Exhaust Division Two singles competition has a very creditable entry of 26 players this year, representing well over half the number signed on in the league this season for the division. The seeded players are Nick Price at one, Tony Birch (2), David Hayes (3) and Bob Atyeo (4).

In the Division Two doubles Nick Price and Alan Croad are top seeds, with Bob Atyeo and Martin Snee at two.

The Clarke Roxburgh Division Three singles has attracted the expected mix of established players and Junior. Veteran John Hunt is top seed, Juniors Matthew Lang and Anthony Wiseman are at two and three with Abbey College student Cyrus Wong seeded four.

A total of 15 players have entered the Junior and Cadet competitions this year. Joe Higgs and David Smith are seeded one and two respectively in the Junior singles, with Ben Salisbury and Jack Higgs at one and two in the Cadet singles.

Play will start at 9am and will be continuous with the finals starting at around 6pm. The Division Three, Junior and Cadet competitions are scheduled to start between 11am and 11.30am.

Spectators are very welcome. Catering facilities will be available throughout the day in the Malvern Theatres complex serving snacks and hot and cold drinks from 10am and light meal from noon.