Smith is part of Junior British League title team
PLYMOUTH table tennis starlet Vicky Smith has come out of 'semi-retirement' to nail a national title.
Smith, 16 (pictured inset), won the Junior British League crown with Midlands team Burton-Uxbridge.
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She has a chance to add a senior title to her collection of silverware when she competes in the Women's British League at Doncaster this weekend.
Smith has opted to go for a potential hat-trick of titles at the National Championships at Sheffield in a fortnight's time.
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Father John said he was delighted with his daughter's win in the Junior British League tournament held near Birmingham.
Vicky decided to play for Buxton after members of the team she was originally with became too old to play as juniors.
Her father said cutting back on her sporting commitments had taken the pressure off his daughter.
Smith said: "Vicky hasn't been playing much recently, but she practised a bit before the tournament and I think she really enjoyed it.
"Table tennis can be a solitary sport and she enjoys playing for a team."
Vicky, who was playing in the Premier Division of the junior league, won the tournament over two weekends.
Smith said: "She won eight out of 10 games in her first weekend and nine out of 10 in her second, which was very pleasing.
"It was a prestigious event, it's the main British team event for juniors.
"You get players not only from England, but also Ireland, Wales and Scotland taking part."
Vicky drastically cut her table-tennis commitments because she wants to concentrate on her education.
She is in the middle of A levels and is aiming for a university place.
The teenager wants to eventually train as a doctor and does not feel she has enough time to do that and fully commit to table-tennis.
That caused her to back off from selection for Great Britain.
The teenager, who studies at the Devonport High School for Girls, admitted she did not play at her best for England in the European Youth Championships in Austria last year. She is also aware that, even if she turns professional, she is not likely to make a decent standard of living out of the game.
Her father said: "I wasn't aware she was thinking of going to the national championships at Sheffield, but I'm glad she is.
"I think now she's cut back on her table tennis, the pressure's off her a bit and she can play and enjoy it."
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