Whitworth table tennis team in national final

Whitworth Community High School’s table tennis team, Lucas Thompson, Harvey Waugh and Oliver Brooks and Leo Talamantes

Table tennis players from Whitworth Community High School are Lancashire champions and will now represent the county in the national U13s final.

The team of 13-year-olds Leo Talamantes, Harvey Waugh and Lucas Thompson along with Oliver Brooks, 12, won the Rossendale district title after a competition at All Saints High School, Rawtenstall.

They went on to meet other district winners in the regional competition in Preston.

The team beat Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, Garstang, Southshore, St Christopher’s in Accrington, Pleckgate in Blackburn and Shuttleworth.

They lost to Archbishop Temple and drew with Southlands.

While two of the team members play in singles games, the other players keep score and monitor play to make sure there are no infringements.

Oliver, who also plays for the Doals Table Tennis Club in Weir, said: “I started playing about two years ago at the Doals Centre club and I train for two hours every Monday evening.

“I also compete in a league when I play in the adults’ third team. I like the sport because I have made a lot of friends and it is also competitive.”

Harvey said: “I have been playing since I was young and have a table tennis table at my home and I am the best player in my family.”

A mini tournament was held at Whitworth to decide who should get a place in the school team and the school has a table tennis club that meets every Monday.

They will now play in the National Schools Team Championship final in Birmingham, but the date has yet to be set.