A PLAYER new to York this season could be the big threat to 18-year-old Richard Moss winning the men's singles title for the fourth year in a row at York and District Table Tennis Association's Closed Championships this weekend.

Martin Lowe, unbeaten so far in his debut season for Coneysthorpe in York League division one, is second seed in the men's singles.

He and Poppleton star Moss have yet to play each other in the league as their club fixture was postponed earlier this season and they are not due to clash in the league for another couple of weeks.

Lowe lives in Scarborough but hails from Croydon and has represented Surrey and junior and senior level. He plays for Scarborough League champions Throxenby 'A' team and joined Coneysthorpe in order to enjoy table tennis at a higher level.

On his debut appearance for Coneysthorpe in York League he beat men's singles third seed and National League player Mick Wilcockson 3-2 in a thriller.

If the seedings work out then Moss and Lowe are set to clash in the men's singles final on Sunday night in what would be a fascinating clash.

Lowe, a left-hander, says he likes all-out attack and his strongest shot is his forehand loop.

Club colleague Charles Allenaby said Lowe has "a devastating smash, absolutely devastating."

Lowe is also playing in the men's doubles but is not in any other event because he can only manage the time to play on Sunday. He is a house-husband at present, with a young family, and is hoping soon to start studying to become a primary teacher.

The championships are at York RI gymnasium on Saturday and Sunday.

Moss became the youngest player in the history of the championships to win the men's title when he first triumphed four years ago.

His game has gone from strength to strength and he turns out for the Derwent club in the National League, playing against some of the best players in the country.

Full seedings

Men's singles (45 entries): 1 Richard Moss, 2 Martin Lowe, 3 Mick Wilcockson, 4 John Farmery, 5 Jon Wooldridge, 6 John Hughes, 7 Graham Hatfield, 8 Joe Suchecki.

Women's singles (7 entries): 1 Jill Rounce, 2 Helen Standish.

Men's doubles (22 entries): 1 Richard Moss and Mick Wilcockson, 2 Mike Fenby and Martin Lowe, 3 John Farmery and Graham Hatfield, 4 Mark Blackburn and John Hughes.

Women's doubles (4 entries): 1 Holly Lewis and Jill Rounce, 2 Marian Broadbent and Carole Wright.

Mixed doubles (8 entries): 1 Jill Rounce and Mick Wilcockson, 2 Marian Broadbent and Doug Bartle.

Cadet singles U15 (2 entries): 1 James Parker, 2 Luke Blackburn.

Junior Singles U18 (10 entries): 1 Stephen Robinson, 2 James Parker, 3 Tom Weeden, 4 Richard Church.

Veteran singles O40 (27 entries): 1 Mick Wilcockson, 2 John Farmery, 3 John Hughes, 4 Joe Suchecki.

Veteran doubles O40 (13 entries): 1 Doug Bartle and Mick Wilcockson, 2 John Eastwood and John Farmery, 3 Mark Blackburn and John Hughes, 4 Mick Kenyon and Alfie Potter.

Super veteran singles O55 (16 entries: 1 Doug Bartle, 2 Joe Suchecki, 3 Mike Fenby, 4 John Eastwood.

Div 1 singles (18 entries): 1 Richard Moss, 2 Mick Wilcockson, 3 John Farmery, 4 Jon Wooldridge.

Div 2 singles (10 entries): 1 Richard Ingleby, 2 Trevor Wright.

Div 3 singles (5 entries): 1 Ray Mitchell, 2 Richard Church.

Div 4 singles (16 entries): 1 Alan Milner 2 Tom Wright, 3 Jon Soanes, 4 Richard Falkingham.

Hard bat singles (40 entries): 1 Mick Wilcockson, 2 Richard Moss, 3 John Hughes, 4 Graham Hatfield, 5 Charles Allenby, 6 Doug Bartle, 7 Jon Wooldridge, 8 John Farmery.

Restricted singles (28 entries): No seeding.

Hard bat doubles: No seeding. Entries submitted on the day.

Updated: 11:23 Friday, January 28, 2005