Natland E win KO Cup
The winter season of the Kendal & District Table Tennis League drew to a close in the traditional way with the final of the Knock Out Cup competition and the presentation of trophies. The KO Cup Final featured the youngsters of Grayrigg B against a youthful and up-coming Natland E team. The handicap committee were purring when 3 of the first 4 matches went to the 5th and final game. Natland’s Bence Bacsi recovered from 2 games down to defeat Grayrigg’s Harry Harper 8-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7. James Robinson followed up with a 12-9, 8-12, 12-10, 12-8 win against Cameron Hunter to give Natland a 2-0 lead. When Robert Robinson then stepped forward to defeat Danny Hodgson 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, Natland seemed to have established an unassailable lead after the first round of matches. Grayrigg had other ideas. Cameron Hunter put aside the disappointment of losing to James Robinson and produced a thrilling comeback against Bence Bacsi, turning round a 2-0 deficit to win 9-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-6. When Harry Harper then despatched Robert Robinson with a comfortable 11-5, 11-6, 11-4 triumph, Grayrigg were back in the tie. However, Natland E number one, James Robinson, then steadied the Natland ship with a solid 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 success against Danny Hodgson and although Cameron Hunter pulled Grayrigg back to 3-4 with a comprehensive 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 destruction of Robert Robinson, it was left for Bence Bacsi to secure the Cup for Natland with a ruthless 11-5, 11-5, 11-5 demolition of Danny Hodgson. So a tight contest ended in a 5-3 victory for Natland E. The Final was followed by the presentation of trophies and medals for the season just concluded. More detail next time.
