NEWBURY CLOSED CHAMPIONSHIPS REPORT
The biggest and best entry for several years from youngsters across West Berkshire took part in the Newbury Junior Table Tennis Championships held at Kennet Leisure Centre this weekend.
The blue ribbon event the under 17 singles was won by top seed Sam Ricks from Pamber Heath who defeated Thatcham's Teifon Chamberlain the defending champion in the final. The standard of play was very high with both boys attacking well but Sam's greater consistancy saw him clinch the title in three straight games.
The girls singles was won by Kennet School's Shannon Hillier who used her forehand topspin to great effect to beat Juno Randall from Tutts Clump.
The Under 15 singles event was a family affair as Hermitage's Joseph Cornmell beat his younger brother Robert in the final. Robert had reached the final after squeezing past Aldermaston's Keiron Warre in five games in the semi. Robert Cornmell made up for this in the Under 13 singles as he retained the cup with Newbury's Tom Lewis the runner up.
In the Under 11's Hungerford's Tom Kelly who practices at Inkpen Table Tennis Club emerged as the victor with Thatcham's Ben Haines the runner up.
The doubles events were closely contested and there was an upset in the final of the junior doubles when Basingstoke's Michael Jones combined with Keiron Warre to defeat the favourites Sam Ricks and Sam Goodyer in five games after being 2 - 1 down. Warre also picked up the Langley Cup awarded by the tournament organiser for his positive attitude during the day.
The Junior Adult Doubles saw Ashford Hill's Sam Goodyer gained some consolation by winning the Chamberlain Cup in tandam with his father John as they beat the father/son pair of Steve and Sam Ricks in a tight final.
In the Senior event on Sunday there were some strongly contested matches
In the Mens Singles reigning champion Ray Powell of Thatcham Nomads took on Ashford Hill Extra's Peter Matthews and both produced some amazing winners but Powell won in three close sets 12-10,11-9, 13-11
The same two players met in the Veterans final with Powell winning again with an even closer game winning 9-11, 12-10, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8
In the Consolation Final Ashford Hill Ramblers Steve Murgatroyd beat Woolton Hill Eagles Ian Langley in three straight sets . Mens Doubles was won by Ray Powell and Alan Duke coming back from two sets down to defeat Steve Murgatroyd and John Goodyer.
The Ladies Singles was a repeat of last year with Extra's Denise Weller regaining her title in an exciting match against Old Fogies Celia Hooker .
They both teamed up in the Ladies Doubles beating Christing Milne and Jenny Tanner in the final .
Mixed Doubles was a win for Patrick Garlick and Denese Weller over Geoff Eldred and Christine Milne
Divsion One Singles was a fifth set decider with Pete Martin winning against Sam Ricks
Division Two Singles in three straight sets by Steve Ricks against Alan Fuller
Division Three Singles was a victory for James Ellicott over Celia Hooker
Finally in a new novelty event Ping Pong was played with sandpaper bats and everybody enjoyed . That was won by Ian Langley over team mate Anthony Baker
Prizes were presented by Andy Seaward Chairman of the English Table Tennis Association