Nigel Eckersley, the Uckfield-based veteran currently ranked No,4 on the England ranking list, is expected to improve by two places after a superb performance at Newcastle.

Eckersley, 49, landed a sweet revenge victory against lifetime rival John Hilton, the England No 2 from Manchester in the Newcastle Veterans' final. He clinched it 11-9 in the fifth game after bouncing back from 9-6 in arrears.

Eckersley said: "That was one of my best wins in recent years. The playing conditions were right, the rubbers on my bat were at the right temperature."

Hilton said: "I haven't lost to Nigel in the last year. But he played the best I have seen from him since last season."

Hilton declined to play Eckersley again when they were drawn together an hour later in the men's singles, claiming he was exhausted.

Had Hilton, 54, lost again on the same day it could have knocked him down the national list by four places.

Hilton and Eckersley are beginning preparations to play in the world veterans' championships in Switzerland next June.

Ritchie Venner, the Sussex champion now playing for Darlington, had entered the Bath major Grand Prix on December 1-2.