VICTOR Imiseev, the 2001 winner from the Fareham-based Generation club, has regained the Southampton men's singles table tennis title.

At this season's finals, played at the Chamberlayne Leisure Centre, Imiseev, pictured, comfortably overcame 1996 champion Chris Wilshere of Snows 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 in the final.

Both finalists had, however, come through classic encounters in the semi-finals.

In a repeat of last season's final Imiseev - also a former Hampshire champion - came from behind to gain revenge on holder Christos Hannides of Waterside.

After losing the first 11-9, Hannides replied to take the next two games, before Imiseev cleverly varied his defence and attack to help him come through 11-9 in the fifth.

Imiseev made it a coveted double by teaming up with Generation teammate Charlie Childs to beat Alpha's Rod McMullan and Rorke for the doubles crown.

Generation captain Childs also added to his silverware when he beat Wilshere in the final of the veteran's event.

The women' singles final again brought together Anne Longland and Sue Hibberd, both of the Snows club, who had won the title three times each in the last six seasons.

Longland, whose first success was way back in 1982, emerged the winner on this occasion in straight games 11-8, 11-7, 11-7.

Glenn Wilshere (Snows) defeated the holder Chris Willsher (Waterside) 10-12, 11-9, 11-7, 11-9 in the final of the junior boys event while Jenny Dobson (St Denys) took the junior girls title with an impressive 8-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7 win over Nicola Dunkason (Southampton West) to add to her growing collection of titles.

In the mixed doubles Wilshere and Longland teamed up to beat Anne's husband Garry and Hibberd in the final.

Longland completed her treble in the women's doubles when she and Sarah Warwick beat the luckless Hibberd and Dunkason.

The over-55s singles was won by Geoff Ware, who finished top of their group ahead of Ken Palmer.

In the cadet girls event Sophie Willsher (Waterside) needed four games to defeat Dunkason (Southampton West) 11-3, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6.

Southampton brothers David and John McBeath (Southampton West) were involved in a classic battle for the cadet boys singles title with David just coming out on top after a nail-biting five setter 9-11, 12-10, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8. But John took his revenge in the Division 4 singles to run-out winner in four games this time, 12-10, 11-7, 5-11, 13-11.

Alpha's Alister Turner was in impressive form to beat Geoff Willis of Waterside 11-6, 11-4, 9-11, 11-5 in the Division 1 singles final.

Geoff Ware cruised to the Division 2 singles title in straight games over Mark Waughman as did Paul May against Terry Reeves in the Division 3 event.

Presentations on the evening were made by Steven Snow from the association's sponsors Kings Volvo. He also presented the league trophies and individual average awards from over the season.

The Premier title was won by Generation, Jeremy Wilson of Snows winning the best average. Alpha B were Division 1 champions with Chris Butt of Hedge End topping the averages.

In Division 2 Waterside D were champions with Mark Waughman of Snows winning the best average and in Division 3 Simmarians took the title with Martin Ceresa of Four T's gaining the best individual average.