Derby Closed 2016 Table Tennis Tournament ( Report by Aubrey Henry )
This was played at the Draycott TT Centre on Sunday 10th January 2016. This is the fourth year where we have run the tournament early January and the number of entries would suggest that this is still a popular choice amongst the competitors.
The entry at 45 (47 entered and 2 dropped out) was down on last year but still a good number for this event. Ian Taylor, Mike Starkie, John Cowell and myself ran the event (both John and I also tried to play in a few events, with varying degrees of success).
No major upsets/shocks as the medals seem to go the ‘expected’ finalists. Draycott player and number 1 seed Moh Shabir had a good afternoon, he retained the blue ribbon event ‘Open Singles’ beating the number 2 seeed Craig Feargrieve 13-11 in the fourth. He also retained the Over 40s trophy by beating Tony Smith (Draycott) in that final. He went on to win the new ‘Prem’ divisional, coming from 2-0 down to beat Robin Pearce (Marstons) 11-9 in the fifth.
In the ‘drawn’ Doubles, Simon Hall and Andy Coupe beat Craig Feargrieve and William Taylor 3-0. Craig Feargrieve did gain some compensation by beating Peter Hamshaw 3-0 in the Handicap Singles final. The ‘Handicap Singles’ was the most popular event on the day, with nearly all competitors opting to enter.
The entries for the ‘Juniors’ and ‘Ladies’ was very low, so these were played in group matches. Thomas Bowes coming out on top in the Juniors and Sandra Hewitt in the Ladies.
Colin Ambrose (Draycott) retained his (the Over 60s) title beating Chris Francis 3-0 in the final.
In the Division 1 final Pete Hodgson (Jacksdale) beat his team mate Kalpesh Bhatt coming from 2-0 down to win 11-7 in the fifth. In a tight Division 2 final, Peter Hamshaw (Castle Donington) beat Martin Coe (Castle Donington) 13-11 in the 4th. The Division 3 final was played out by Jonathan Wood (Melbourne) and John Cowell (Castle Donington), Jonathan winning in 4. The Division 4 final was contested by two Draycottt players (both new to the Derby League), Viv Rayson beating James Durham in 4
I'd like to thank Brian Savage and Graham Gobey for their 'centre support' and all the teas and toasties. Ian Taylor, Mike Starkie, John Cowell for giving up 12 hours of their day to administer the event. Last, but not least, all the players that entered because we wouldn’t have a tournament without you.
Full Results
Open Singles - Moh Shabir bt Craig Feargrieve 6, -11, 4, 6
Ladies Singles – ( Group ) w - Sandra Hewitt r/u - Penny May
Junior Open - ( Group ) w - Thomas Bowes r/u Michael Mowles
Handicap Singles - Craig Feargrieve bt Peter Hamshaw 7, 10, 7
Doubles - Simon Hall/Andy Coupe bt Craig Feargrieve/William Taylor 8, 7, 8
Over 40s - Moh Shabir bt Tony Smith 3, 11, 8
Over 60s - Colin Ambrose bt Chris Francis 7, 8, 5
Divisionals
Premier - Moh Shabir bt Robin Pearce -5, -6, 7, 8, 9
Division 1 - Pete Hodgson bt Kalpesh Bhatt -4, -4, 9, 10, 7
Division 2 - Peter Hamshaw bt Martin Coe -9, 9, 6, 11
Division 3 - Jonathan Wood bt John Cowell -9, 11, 4, 5
Division 4 – Viv Rayson bt James Durham 6, -7, 11, 8
