COUSINS Adam Bleakley and Kim Barnard are a couple of smashing prospects. They served notice that they aim to be big shots in the county table tennis scene when they won the Lancashire junior trials.
Their success qualifies them to play for the Lancs team this season against some of the country's top teenagers.
Sixteen-year-old Kim, who has just left St James School in Farnworth and lives in Kearsley, has developed her game in the Bolton League and her emergence into the county side marks her greatest achievement to date.
Bolton School pupil Adam's feat is even more startling as the trials were for players up to 17 years old - and he is only just 12!
Adam, from Worsley, is one of the hottest prospects in the country and recognised as the number one attacking player in England in his age group. Second place
He already plays for England under-12s and trains on a weekly basis with former England number ones Desmond Douglas and Dennis Neale as well as local coach Spencer Thompson while he plays his league table tennis in the Salford and Farnworth League.
As well as winning the Lancashire junior event, Adam also took the cadet title for under 14s and did not drop a single set in either competition.
In the juniors, Iain Lindley of Walkden lost only to Adam to take second place.
Kim was also unbeaten while Chorley's Hannah Roberts finished second and Joanne Cain of Boothstown third.
They will join Walkden's Andrew Rushton and Bolton's Rebecca Tong in the Lancashire team for the county championships.
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