46th annual World Table Tennis Championships in Japan next month.

Four of the top five players in Bermuda Table Tennis Association's individual win-loss standings for this season will be respresenting the Island in Osaka.

The squad, which will carry Bermuda's colours to Asia from April 23 to May 6 are headed by team captain and long-time most outstanding local player Nick Frost of Old Colony Club while the other three members are Myron Piper of BPSA, Alden Ray of BPSA and Curtis Hodgson of Prison Officers. Frost has a 22-2 won-lost record while Piper is 28-2, Ray 25-2 and Hodgson 20-7.

The manager is league veteran Calvin Butterfield of Prison Officers.

"It's a tremendous squad that we will be sending there,'' said BTTA president Mansfield Smith.

"The players are in excellent form and are expected to improve on their lone victory that was recorded when the event was held in Manchester, England three years ago. This time we are blessed to have four of the top five players available.'' Frost is rated the top player on the Island and of the local players he has the highest rating in the United States, hovering at around 2000. In recent years Frost has been by far the most outstanding local player in competitions overseas.

Piper is also an experienced international. He is a much improved player, a fierce attacker whose defence has also vastly improved in recent years.

Ray had a reasonable amount of international experience but most of his success has come at a lower level than the other players. But a lot of BPSA's success can be attributed to his own improvement and hopefully he can continue to raise his level in Japan.

Hodgson played in the last worlds and has steadily improved his match play and is currently ranked fifth among the local players. One of his biggest achievements this season was his recent triumph over Piper that put him in the finals of the Closed Championships.

Butterfield has a wealth of experience both as a player and official having been an active player for 18 years and manager of Prison Officers for the past six years.

Butterfield will also represent the BTTA at World Table Tennis Association's annual meeting which will take place in Japan on April 26.

Action in the Bermuda Table Tennis Association League play this week saw reigning champions Old Colony Club defeat Eastern Stars 10-1 to remain on top of the tables with 18 points.

Nick Frost and Dave Waltham won three matches each while Chris Fleming won two of three matches. Craig Trott avoided the whitewash.

Kevin Lapsley and Mansfield Smith were both 0-3 for Stars. Smith was leading Waltham 18-13 in his first game when he developed chest pains and shortage of breath.

He then quit for the night and defaulted three single matches and a double match to OCC, who won the other doubles match.

BPSA stayed in the hunt for the league championships by defeating Police 10-1.

BPSA have 16 points. Myron Piper and Alden Ray both won three matches and Mike Stirling won two of three. Peter DeFreitas avoided the whitewash for Police.

BPSA won both doubles.

The players with the most outstanding league record to date are: Myron Piper (BPSA) 128-2, Alden Ray (BPSA) 25-2, Nick Frost (OCC) 22-2, Dave Waltham (OCC) 25-5, Curtis Hodgson (PO) 20-7, Barry Rahman (PO) 17-10, Chris Fleming (OCC) 17-10, Craig Trott (E.Stars) 17-10, Mansfield Smith (E.Stars) 8-7, Calvin Butterfield (PO) 11-10, Kevin Lapsley (E.Stars) 12-12.