ALENCON made use of home advantage as they beat Basingstoke Table Tennis 2-1 in the annual town exchange competition.

In total 16 representatives from Basingstoke Table Tennis travelled across the channel for the 25th time in the exchange’ s long history that started with the first visit to Basingstoke’s twin town in South Normandy in 1969.

Basingstoke A of Sam Ricks, Sean Pickin, Alan Palaczky and Steve Rollason lost 11-3.

This was despite Ricks taking the scalp of Jeremy Collet, the strong Alencon team who’s number one Fabrice Vinclair was a different class.

Basingstoke’s C team of Sarah Whithorn, Celia Hooker, Phil Russell, Terri Allison and Bill Bavister levelled things with a 10-3 winners.

Alencon’s B Team looked evenly matched on paper with a competitive Basingstoke side of Keith Russell, Steve Armstrong, Sue Tompsett, and George White, but the French side took the glory with a 9-5 result.

The Alencon treated their twin town guests with a trip to Falaise to see William The Conqueror’s castle, some fun on a VeloRail, 10 pin bowling and the normal excellent food and wine including goose on a rotisserie at a group meal in the French countryside.

The visit was supported by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.