RYEDALE School batman James Rule can class himself the best table tennis player in North Yorkshire schools.

The teenager, who stars for title-chasing Ryedale ‘A’ in the Ryedale League, has again won his age group category in the English Schools’ Table Tennis Association’s regional qualifying event, this time at under-16s level.

His success at St John Fisher School, Harrogate, saw him qualify as the North Yorkshire representative for the national schools finals.

Rule comfortably won both of his group stage matches 3-0 at St John Fisher, before meeting Adam Waddington in the semi-finals.

Rule took the opening set and, although Waddington levelled at 1-1, the Ryedale starlet’s superior class came to the fore as he rattled off the next two sets 11-2 11-7 to set up a final against Tom Bouchard, from the host school.

The pair shared the points in a close opening game before Rule finally came out on top 11-9.

He took set two comfortably 11-4, making great use of his forehand, but Bouchard did not lie down and won set three 11-8.

But Rule began set four with purpose, taking the first seven points as he stretched his opponent around the table.

Bouchard came back with four quick points but Rule held his nerve to take the last four points for a 3-1 victory.