WITH the season about to take a break for cup week, it is newcomers Bromley B who are the surprise package at the top of Kidderminster and District Table Tennis League Division One.

While Bromley’s A team were the red hot favourites to retain their title for the 2015/16 season, it is the B side that is making the early running.

Jamie Cartwright, undefeated in 15 games, has helped Bromley B to the top of the table.

Tom Savary and James Johnson have also been in good form for the leaders, who have an impressive 22-point haul from six matches.

But it is worth noting that the fixture list has been kind to Bromley B during the early part of the season and they will have some tough matches during the run-up to Christmas.

Chief among these will be the clash with local rivals Bromley A, who are also undefeated, but with fewer points. Neither of the A team’s county players, Steve Horton nor Jason Thompson, has tasted defeat to date.

Also going well are Harriers D, with one loss in six, the same record as and Harriers A, with the same record.

At the other end of the table, Bewdley Institute E, one of two teams made up of former Cookley players, have struggled to get off the mark due to a long-term injury to star player Chris Metti. They will hope for a change in their fortunes in the second part of the season.

Broadheath Belters would also normally expect to be among the front runners, but lack of player availability has restricted their points haul to just ten from six matches.

In Division Two, the two teams from Wordsley are again among the pace setters.

The A team are in third place having lost one from six.

Stalwart John Cumbers, who has notched up 40 years playing in the league, is proving as difficult to beat as ever, with 17 wins from 18 for the A team.

Wordsley B, having dropped only two sets from 60 in their six matches, top the table with 24 points from six.

But perhaps the team to watch is Droitwich Legion Inn, who are also undefeated in six matches.

Players of the calibre of Robert Hatherly and Sam Albrow should be enough to secure them promotion.

l Although Cookley is no longer operating as a league venue, a Thursday afternoon drop-in session at the village hall is running from 5.30pm to 7pm targeted primarily at juniors.