THE movers and shakers in Bury and District Table Tennis League championships are gearing themselves up for their big finals night at Elton Vale Sports Club on Tuesday night.

The early rounds of the competition took place at The Radclyffe School in Chadderton and involved 72 competitors.

Battling for the men’s singles honours will be Mick Moir, who beat Ramsbottom club team-mate Mark Ramsbottom in their semi-final to set up a final clash with Paul King, who overcame Ian McLean.

Ramsbottom, however, turned the tables on Moir when the two met up again in the semi-final of the doubles.

Alongside club-mate Jeff Craighill, Ramsbottom defeated Moir and Dave Crain.

The other semi-final featured previous doubles champions Tony Bates and Tony Smith, who had their work cut out against Oldham singles champion Darren Lindley and McLean, who has returned to the Bury league after a 20-year-absence.

Lindley anhd McLean were too quick for the two Tonys and advanced to the final.

Among the juniors, Dominic Siddall and Daniel Olsberg proved their numbers one and two seedings to be correct by progressing to their final.

From an entry of 25 in the over-50s event, it was the familiar name of Ramsbottom who progressed to the final where he will meet Phil Riley, who has made a welcome return to the championships, beating Craighill in their semi-final.

Eleven veterans entered the over-60s but there was a repeat of last year’s final in one of the semis when Tommy Ryan played Dennis Collier, who avenged his defeat 12 months ago.

In the other semi, Derek Watmough was too strong for John Biggins.

Special guest of honour at Tuesday’s event will by 1980 European Table Tennis Champion John Hilton, and he will be presenting the trophies at the end of the event.

The action starts at 7pm.