Diss & District Table Tennis League 2016/17
League Tournament ‘Finals Night’
Saturday 29th April 2017
Palgrave Village Hall
Finals night took place at Palgrave Community Centre on Saturday 29th April 2017 commencing at 7:00pm with Matches starting at at 7:30pm.
The event was reasonably well attended with a good proportion of spectators to support the competitors.
The first events were the semi finals of the open single.
7:30pm - Open Singles Semi-Final
Stephen Stolworthy (3) v Phil Waity (6)
The first match between Stephen and Phil was a great match with Phil taking the first two sets with his more defensive style of quick blocking and occasional hitting. However the more attacking play came from Stephen with some great looping and this brought him back to even up the game at 2 sets all. In the fifth and final set it was Stephens attacking loop game that dominated and eventually won him the match.
Scores: - 8-11, 13-15,11-8, 11-4 , 11-6. Stephen Stolworthy into the open singles final.
7:45pm - Open Singles Semi-Final
James Skilleter (1) v Ian Brown (7)
The second semi final was between James and Ian. Another great match to watch. James dominated the first two sets with great hitting and it looked at one point that Ian would be overrun. However in the third set Ian staged a comeback and began a more aggressive game plan that James found difficult to handle. Ian won the third set and continued in the same vein to win the fourth set. James came back in the fifth set, which he dominated with some great attacking and defensive play. Ian although normally terrific in defence, was unable to deal with James game plan and James went on to win.
Scores:- 11-6, 11-1, 8-11, 6-11, 11-4. James Skilleter into the open singles final
8:00pm – Over 50's Singles
John Monk v Chris Jones
This had the potential to be a really classy final between these two quality players.
It was Chris who took the first set in spite of refraining from his normal attacking game. Chris seemed to lose confidence in the second set after missing a couple of attacking shots that he would have normally expected to put away. This seemed to be the signal for John to attack and so that set the tone for the rest of the match. John went on to win the next three sets with some really nice attacking play. It was a thoroughly entertaining match.
Scores: - 11-13, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9. Over 50’s Singles Champion. John Monk
8:15pm – Over 40's Singles
Stephen Stolworthy v James Skilleter
A close final and perhaps a preview of the open singles final to come later in the evening.
James started the more positively in this match, with some smart hitting and defensive play, taking the first set. Stephen really got his attacking looping game going in the second set and third set and despite James defending well and making some good attacking shots himself, these two sets went to Stephen. The fourth set was very close, but it was Stephens looping game that came out on top.
Some great attacking play and defensive play by both players.
Scores: - 9-11, 12-10, 11-7, 14-12. Over 40’s singles Champion. Stephen Stolworthy
8:30pm – Over 60's Singles
Ian Brown v Francis Webb
In the first set of this match it was Francis who took the initiative and went into a one set lead with some good defensive and attacking play. However this triggered a reaction from Ian who went on to dominate the rest of the match taking the next three sets.
Scores: - 8-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5. Over 60’s singles Champion. Ian Brown.
8:45pm – Handicap Singles
Dan Taylor (+11) v Scott Boast (+9)
Dan had a 4 start in this enthralling handicap encounter and in spite of Scott and his good attacking moves, he was unable to overcome the handicap. The first set ended with Dan still 4 points in front During the first set it seemed that Dan would defend and counter hit when he got the opportunity. However in the second set Dan became more of the aggressor and dominated play. Scott played his part in what was a fascinating final. However, on this occasion, Dan was a worthy winner.
Scores: - 25-21, 25-13. Handicap Singles Finals Champion. Dan Taylor
9:00pm – First Division Singles
Alan Worthington v Pat West
This was an interesting encounter and a very close final for the first four sets. Two players with very differing styles. Alan the more attacking player and Pat blocking and counter hitting. For the first 4 sets this worked well for the two players. Pat coming out on top for the first and third set and Alan taking the second and fourth set. So the fifth set would be the decider. It was noticeable that Alan appeared to be putting on a lot more side spin in the fifth set and this did disrupt Pats game. In fact Alan dominated the fifth set and went on to win.
Scores: - 7-11, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 11-3. First Division Single Champion. Alan Worthington.
9;15pm - Over 18s / Under 40's Singles
Lewis Taylor v Scott Boast
This turned out to be very close in the first two sets. Scott was attacking and looping well, Lewis was defending and attacking when appropriate. It was tight but Lewis was making the right choices and won the first two sets. It was a complete change in the third set where Scott dominated with some excellent hitting that Lewis was not able to deal with. This set went to Scott. However the tables turned once again in the fourth set and Lewis dominated, taking the fourth set to win the match.
Scores : - 11-9, 17-15, 3-11, 11-5. Over 18 and under 40’s Champion. Lewis Taylor
9:30pm – Open Doubles
James Skilleter & v Stephen Stolworthy &
Lewis Taylor Trevor Cottee
This had the making of a close final with the open singles finalists against each other again. It turned out to be a close encounter going to five sets with the first four sets very tight. Some great defensive and attacking play from Lewis and James kept them well in the game. Trevor and his heavy spin serving proved a problem for the opposing players and this along with some great looping and deft touches from Stephen won the fifth set and the match. A very entertaining doubles.
Score; - 16-14, 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7. Open Doubles Champions. Stephen Stolworthy & Trevor Cottee.
9:45pm - Ladies Singles Final
Booan Temple v Pat West
The ladies singles was played late in the evening, but it was still an entertaining match.
Booan was the more aggressive of the two players but it was Pats experience and blocking of Booans attacking shots that won Pat the game.
Score: - 11-5, 11-5, 11-4. Ladies Singles Champion . Pat West
10:00pm – Open Singles Final
James Skilleter v Stephen Stolworthy
The final event of the evening the open singles finals.
A very close affair for the first three sets of the match. Both players were hitting well and defending well. There were some great rallies and entertaining play. Some amazing looping attacks from Stephen and also back from James, it could have been any ones game. However in the fourth set Stephen seemed to flag and his looping shots were missing the target and those that didn’t were being returned by James. The fourth set went to James. It was tight in the fifth set until James pulled away to win.
Score: - 12-10, 14-16, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7. Open Singles Champion. James Skilleter.
A thoroughly entertaining evenings Table Tennis, enjoyed by all who attended the event.
