JUNIOR’S
After an
exciting week of competitive individual table tennis, the Annual Lowestoft
Championships culminated in an electrifying finals evening and a new Men’s
Singles Champion. Paul Wright Jnr played in his first
Men’s Singles final for three years against reigning champion Martin Peek. The
first set was a prime example of defending and attacking excellence as Wright
took and maintained an early lead to complete the set 21-18. Peek however found
focus in the second set and reversed the tables on Wright. Through a combination
of deftly serves and counter attacking, Peek pulled out an 8-15 lead. Wright
remained positive smashing ball after ball only to find them expertly returned
and than smashed straight back again as reigning champion kept the edge all the
way through this second set to win 18-21. In the deciding set Peek once again
used his experience to stretch out a substantial lead, and with the scores now
at a massive 3-14 Wright needed to find some considerable willpower to get back
into this match. But point by point Wright edged closer to overcome this 11
point deficit and forced the match to a climatic 20-20 deuce. Now back in the
driving seat Wright kept Peek on the defensive taking the next two clear
points, the set 22-20, and the match to become
There were
apologies for nets and edges in the Ladies Singles final, but it was Paula Newrick’s determination and skill rather than just luck
that found ten times winner Debra Faulkner five points adrift and with work to
do in the first set. But Faulkner fought back and completed the set 21-17. The
second set followed a similar pattern but again the reigning Ladies Champion
found the edge when it matter and completed the win 21-19 to maintain her
dominance on Ladies table tennis in
Rapid fire
action in the Men’s Doubles saw the current champions, Martin Peek and Ernie George, use all the angles to stay one step ahead over the
father and son pairing of Paul Wright Snr and Paul
Wright Jnr.
In the
Primary Singles David Willgoss remained steady and controlled to take the first
set. But Colin Fortescue selected his shots carefully
and broke away in the second set. In the deciding set Willgoss decided to
change tactics and we saw some rare attacking play from this consummate
defender, but unfortunately it didn’t pay off and Fortescue
completed the win.
Faulkner
and George were in action again in the Mixed Doubles. Despite a stealing the
second set Paula Newrick and Terry Shetliffe found their opponents spin serving and fast
attacking pace a little too much and the champions maintained their title for
another year.
In the
Youth Singles there was smashing and counter smashing play from two talented
young men. Ollie Bailey and Ryan Grimmer pitted themselves against each other
in breath taking fast paced action. But it was Bailey who eked out the lead in
both sets and took the title in two straight.
Barney Garrod used his cracking backhand to force a deciding set
in the over 50’s final. But it was the current champion Ernie George who
remained in control and retained the title for a further year.
Terry Shetliffe found himself up against his league teammate
David Willgoss in the Division Two Singles final. Shetliffe
used his powerful looping forward to force the game against the excellent defending
of Willgoss and come through as Division Two champion.
In the
Handicap Singles Gary Warnes was awarded a 6 point
start against Kevin Jones. Jones pulled back this deficit in the first set by
the time they reached 16 points but Warnes remained
focus to win the first set. In the second Jones won back the initial 6 points
early but again Warnes found the strength of
character to forge ahead and win the handicap competition.
All
championship results for the full week are listed below.
For further
information on League Table Tennis in
Championship
Results
|
|
Winners |
Runners
Up |
|
Men’s Singles |
Paul Wright Jnr |
Martin Peek |
|
Ladies Singles |
Debra Faulkner |
Paula Newrick |
|
Veterans 40+ Singles |
Ernie George |
Paul Wright Jr. |
|
Veterans 50+ Singles |
Ernie George |
Barney Garrod |
|
Veterans 60+ Singles |
Barney Garrod |
Ray Lee |
|
Veterans 70+ Singles |
Ray Lee |
David Willgoss |
|
Youth Singles |
Ollie Bailey |
Ryan Grimmer |
|
Boy’s Singles |
Ollie Bailey |
Luke Glaysher |
|
Girls Singles |
Charlotte Mildenhall |
Lauren Jones |
|
Cadet Singles |
Ryan Edwards |
Jed Knights |
|
Primary Singles |
Colin Fortescue |
David Willgoss |
|
Division Two Singles |
Terry Shettliffe |
David Willgoss |
|
Men’s Doubles |
Martin Peek / Ernie George |
Paul Wright Sr. / Paul Wright Jr. |
|
Ladies Doubles |
Debra Faulkner / Charlotte Mildenhall |
Jackie Fortescue / Sophie Baker |
|
Mixed Doubles |
Debra Faulkner / Ernie George |
Paula Newrick / Terry Shetliffe |
|
Primary Doubles |
Malcolm Vasey / Albert Cadmore |
David Willgoss / Bob Quantrill |
|
Division Two Doubles |
Malcolm Vasey / Albert Cadmore |
Josh Baxter / Derek Humpheys |
|
11 up Singles |
Paul Wright Jr. |
Charles Goddard |
|
Championships Handicap |
Gary Warnes |
Kevin Jones |