TWO teenage table tennis players may have the potential to reach the dizzy heights of past Island greats, such as Carl Prean, after reaching the final of the English Leagues Junior Championships. 

Up against tough counterparts from Plymouth, a squad of nine Isle of Wight boys excelled themselves in the quarter-finals of the competition, held at Smallbrook Table Tennis Centre, near Ryde, on Sunday.

The stand-out players, Lewis Johnstone and Ryan Cates, played superbly to reach the finals, which will take place at West Drayton Table Tennis Centre, Derbyshire, on June 4.

Isle of Wight Table Tennis Association secretary, Peter Clarke, said: “The association is delighted with the boys' achievement — especially with it being our centenary year.

"Our coaches, led by Glenn Morley, have worked really hard and the boys have responded — attaining a high standard.

"Older Island table tennis aficionados will remember great young Island players of the past who reached national finals — namely, Lucy Pointer, Lorna Dutch, Alex Rorke, Danny and Greg Burns and, of course, Carl Prean. 

"The boys have great potential if they maintain their interest in the sport."