Week ending Friday 23 May 2025
Burnham & District Table Tennis League – Presentation Evening 2025
The Burnham & District Table Tennis League held a very successful and well attended Presentation Evening last week. Prizes and cups for all the league and individual competitions were presented by League Representative David Oxley-Goody and League President Peter Ballard. Compere for the evening was League Chairman Alan Dadswell.
A highlight of the evening was the multiple junior winners of Peter Harverson and Arthur Shadforth – not only sweeping the board with the junior events but also winning and making the Finals of some of the open events too, what a bright future they all have. Other notable achievements were Dawn Baldry and Shirley Carroll winning the Ladies Doubles event – a familiar feeling for Carroll as she has won this specific tournament 16 times now, and the first time being in black & white back in 1975. Duncan Taylor and Kevin Read won the Veterans Doubles for the seventh time as a pair but not as long ago as Ms Carroll! In the main singles events the winning trophies were presented to Dawn Baldry for retaining the Ladies Singles, and a new name for the Open Singles title Mr Liam Squirrell. In fact Squirrell achieved a notable double by winning both the Singles and the Doubles title (with partner Reece Seddon). Both Champions now get automatic entry into the Essex Closed Tournament where they will face the champions and other notable stars from around the County.
For the League events the Division 3 crown was presented to the unbeaten Maldon C team, with the Division 3 player of the year going to Woodham’s Allan Steel with a remarkable 100% win rate. In Division 2 Stow Maries A displayed great bounce-back-ability as they were crowned champions and make an immediate return to Division 1. The Division 2 player of the season went to Stow’s Gary Brignall with a 96% win rate. The Division 1 title went to the wire and was only finalised with a game to go as Cold Norton B emerged the unlikely but brilliant new Champions. What a year it has been for this Cold Norton side as they also retained the Handicap Cup for the 3rd year in a row. The Division 1 player of the year and Peter Ballard Cup winner was Reece Seddon.
This year the Presidents Trophy – presented for services to the League – was presented to Dave Goody in recognition of 45 years serving on the League and County Committees. What an innings.
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Eamonn Hall, Press Officer
Burnham & District Table Tennis League
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