FIVE fast-emerging players from a Three Towns club will fly the flag for their country in a national event later this year.

A quintet from North Ayrshire Table Tennis Club (NATTC) recently qualified to represent Scotland in the British Senior Schools Internationals in London in June.

Playing in the Scottish schools finals in Edinburgh today the following players won their way through after a hard fought number of tense matches where the top four in each age group qualified.

Players who will be competing are, as follows: Under 14 Girls - Holly McNamara (Ardrossan Academy) and Jessica Hogg (Largs Academy); Under-14 Boys - Jamie Johnson (Auchenharvie Academy) and Chad Duncan (St Matthew's Academy); Under-16 Boys - Martin Johnson (Auchenharvie Academy).

The Johnson brothers are top of their age group rankings. Martin (14) is number on in Scotland at under-15 level and Jamie is under-13 number one.

The NATTC players have all come through the junior development programme over the years, and all represented Scotland in the British Primary Schools Championships previously and are now moving into the older age groups.

There has been great commitment from the coaches and players over the years and they have helped nurture all these players to this level.

A special mention must go to Chad Duncan (13), who defeated the number two seed from Aberdeen to qualify. Chad, the number seven seven seed, who is coached by Chris Barclay, was tied at two sets all and led 10-6 in the final set - only to see his lead slipping away and finding himself 11-10 down. However, he showed great courage to win the next three points and clinch his place in the Scottish team.