Diccon Gray has enjoyed plenty of success so far this year.

Gray, the founder member of the Weald TT Club based at Benenden Village Hall, combined with his Kent County doubles partner, Mark Romano of the Byng Hall Club, Tunbridge Wells, to win the men’s over-60s doubles title at the Western Veteran Masters tournament.

The Kent duo overcame Keith Deaville and Tony Worthington (Cheshire), 11-6, 11-7, 5-11, 11-5.

Gray, also reached two age group singles semi-finals. In the men’s over-50s he fell in straight games to Stephen Horsfield (Yorkshire) and in the men’s over-60s singles he was beaten by Worthington.

It follows Gray’s team success with Kent over-60s after they won a third successive national title in the second weekend of the County Championships at Milton Keynes Table Tennis Centre.

He was unbeaten in the singles and the men’s doubles with Romano as the team - also including Mark Brown (Tonbridge) and Munho King (Dartford) - overcame Bedfordshire 7-3, Hertfordshire 10-0, and Sussex 7-3, but drew 5-5 with Cheshire to finish top - one point ahead of Leicestershire.

Over the season, he and Brown won 13 out of 14 singles, losing only to Stephen Scowcroft of Lancashire, being the only player to defeat England No.1 Chris Rogers (Leicestershire).

Gray said: “This was a hard-fought team success, with superb support and camaraderie from team-mates that helped us get over the line and made it such a pleasure to be part of.

“I was particularly pleased to achieve a high personal average, including beating Chris Rogers - the England No.1 over-60 player.

“However, the collective team effort was even more pleasing and important!”

Gray is founder member and secretary of the Weald Table Tennis Club, which meets at Benenden Village Hall on Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm, and Sundays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. All are welcome.