A YOUNG table tennis player came out of a tough weekend of national competition determined to up his game.

Jake Haygarth played in The National Cup at Grantham on Saturday and Sunday, where the top ten English players at under 12 and under 15 competed in separate events.

Jake, seeded at number ten in the younger age group, faced the top ranked player in his first game and, despite testing him in the first two sets, lost.

Throughout the weekend he managed one win, but returned to his home club Bishop Auckland Table Tennis Club full of pride and determination.

The 11-year-old said: “I really enjoyed the event and its motivated me to work harder ready for the national championships where hopefully I can get a win over one of them.”

Coach Matt Porter said he did well against more experienced players and improved his game play during the contest.

He said: "You could see all the losses as negatives, but Jake has been playing for 18 months and playing against much more experienced players who are used to such tough events.

"Jake improved his game as the weekend went on and was unlucky in some matches not to get some more sets and a few more wins."

Bishop Auckland Table Tennis Club is based at Bishop Barrington School and runs sessions every night of the week for all ages and abilities.

New players are welcome, visit bishopaucklandttc.co.uk or call Mr Porter on 07411-018856 for details.