Benenden’s former junior boy international, Diccon Gray, lifted two titles at the Veteran English Table Tennis Society National Championships.

Gray, the founder of the Weald TT Club and still the treasurer, won both the men’s over-60s singles and - alongside Phil Cox - the men’s over-50s’ doubles crown at Aldersley Leisure Village, Wolverhampton - although his success came as something of a surprise.

“I am obviously absolutely delighted, over the moon, chuffed to bits, to win two national gold medals in the same weekend," he said.

"It was beyond my wildest dreams. I see myself as just a dogged competitor on the veterans' circuit, who does quite well but who has no brilliant shots. So I am elated to win these titles.”

In the singles, Gray comfortably defeated former Colombian international Henry Medellin to win his group.

He overcame fellow left-hander Phil Bowen (Lancashire) from one game down in the quarter-finals, 12-14, 12-10, 11-8, 11-3.

Gray's toughest match was in the semi-finals when he beat Ray Hurst (Yorkshire) over five games 11-7, 10-12, 11-7, 9-11, 11-4.

His final opponent was Keith Williams (Lancashire) whom he dispatched in straight games 11-7, 11-6, 11-8.

Partnered by Cox, Gray beat top seeds Stephen Scowcroft (Lancashire) and Andy Trott (Northants) 11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, to win the doubles final.

Limited to competing in three events at the tournament, Gray was also competitive in the men’s over-50s singles, before going out in the last-16 to top seed and eventual champion, former Lithuanian international Lorestas Trumpauskas (Kent), 7-11, 5-11, 7-11.

Gray’s triumphs follow the Weald Club’s recent return to Benenden Village Hall to run early Sunday evening open practice sessions there.