THIEVES struck as young table tennis star Dale Green was taking part in a top tournament - but couldn't stop him taking the title.

Dale, 13, from Cowling, bought a new bat to take part in the Blackpool Grand Prix last weekend, but shortly after the competition started the bat was taken from his kit bag.

"Fortunately I had gone to the tournament with James and Matthew Lister, and James agreed to lend me his bat," Dale said.

He stormed through the opening rounds, but the two South Craven schoolmates met in the semi-final, James needed his bat back and Dale had to borrow another of Matthew Lister.

The boys, who train together and live only doors away from each other in the same street fought out neck and neck. The first game finally went to Dale 25-23 and he took the second 21-18 to reach the final.

In the last game of the competition he was 20-15 down before fighting back to win 22-20.

Dale also stepped up an age group to take part in the Junior tournament, beating the England No6 seed in the group section of the contest when he finished second, just missing out on the final stages of the event.

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