NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2023
Another excellent season for Newton Abbot TTC was concluded with the local league’s Finals and Presentation Night at Stover School in early April. While our club did not win any divisions in the South Devon League this season all the major Closed Tournament awards were collected by Newton Abbot players for the second year running. NA Kestrels won the Dyment Doubles Shield and our Veterans British League team were promoted for the second year running.
CLUB SESSION CANCELLED
Please note that due to an event being held at the school there will be no Saturday morning session on Saturday 10th June 2023. The Friday night session is not affected.
SOUTH DEVON AND TORBAY LEAGUE
In the first division Torbay Academy 1, with an outstanding team, went through the season unbeaten leaving our best two sides NA Batmen and NA Buzzards in their wake in second and third place. NA Eagles, the best of the rest, finished fourth while our Condors, who struggled with availability all season, did well to avoid relegation finishing in seventh place.
The second division was again very strong and competitive. Our Falcons & Raptors were not too far off the pace finishing fourth and fifth. The Owls competed well and had their moments but ended up in eighth place, a safe 30 points ahead of the relegation zone.
In the third division our Kestrels stayed with the top two for most of the season and ended up just seven points off the top in third place. The Hawks finished the season climbing up the table with an excellent second half, including a victory over the champions, and finished in fourth place. The Harriers ended up in sixth place.
The fourth division was won by Dawlish Renegades who won all of their games. It was always going to be difficult for youngsters and those new to the game to compete with these established players. Our Merlins had their moments, leading the division for a while, ending up runners up. The Kites, Ospreys and Vultures all competed well and finished in fourth, fifth and sixth.
Runners Up Div 4 – NA Merlins, Chris Bishop, Nick Kitchen, David Olver (Not Pictured Jasem Abu Ali)
Individuals with averages over 66%:
· Div 1 - Herbie Sage 88%, Kevin Nicholls 79%, Naomi Jackson 77%, Dennis Gibbs 76%, Shaun Gibbs 72%
· Div 2 – Jim McIvor 78%, Paul Hine 67%
· Div 3 – Andy Millman 87%, Rob Williams 72%, Keith Haslam 69%
· Div 4 – Nick Kitchen 85%, Jasem Abu Ali 77%, Ken Ramsden 72%, Lewis Short 70%
HANDICAP TEAM CUP COMPETITIONS
Singles Team Handicap Cup – There were great performances from many of our teams in the cup competitions, both NA Raptors and NA Harriers reaching the semi-finals. Our Harriers reached the final where they lost out to Torbay Academy 4.
Doubles Team Handicap Shield – Again our teams were on top form in the doubles competition. The Raptors reaching their second semi-final were joined by the Kestrels, both teams winning their semis to meet in the final. The Kestrels team of Tim Shears, Andy Millman and Rob Williams (Bruce Freeman) winning the final 360-315.
Dyment Doubles Shield Winners – NA Kestrels, Tim Shears, Andy Millman, Rob Williams, Bruce Freeman
SOUTH DEVON & TORBAY ANNUAL CLOSED TOURNAMENT AND FINALS NIGHT
There were 65 competitors who entered the Closed Tournament held at the Torbay leisure Centre on 2nd April 2023. A good contingent of Newton Abbot TTC players took part. Two of the major titles were played to a conclusion on the Sunday while the rest were held back for finals night. Dennis Gibbs retained his Super Veterans title with a victory over Jeremy Broad and the Ladies Doubles victors were Sonja Ryland and Jackie Whitehorn.
On to finals night where the mixed doubles title was won by Kevin Nicholls and Sonja Ryland who defeated Andy Guy and Eve James. Dennis Gibbs won the veterans title defeating Kevin Nicholls. The men's doubles saw Dennis and Shaun Gibbs beat Jim McIvor and Ben Hoare. The ladies and men’s champions were also both Newton Abbot players as Sonja Ryland defeated Eve James in the ladies final for the Knight Cup and Shaun Gibbs beat Christopher Harper to lift the Burton cup.
Further committee awards were collected by Andy Guy, who received the Alan Parker Cup for his achievements on the table both locally and internationally, and Sonja Ryland who was presented with the Amy Dyment Rose Bowl in recognition of all her efforts in supporting table tennis locally. Congratulations to all trophy winners.
Burton Cup Winner – Shaun Gibbs presented by Sonja Ryland (Albany Florists)
Alan Parker Cup Winner – Andy Guy presented by Sonja Ryland
EXETER & DISTRICT TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE
Many Newton Abbot TTC members play in the Exeter League also with a great deal of success. Mike Hugh who represents Newton Abbot nationally in the veterans and senior British League picked up the Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles and Veteran Singles titles. The Batmen’s Rory Harries was at the receiving end of Mike’s three wins. Rory was paired with the Kevin Nicholls in the doubles against Dennis Gibbs who was victorious with Mike Hugh. Dennis Gibbs won the mixed doubles with Penny Perry who defeated Kevin Nicholls and Jackie Whitehorn. Jackie lost out to Penny Perry in the ladies singles final. Curtis Sage just lost out in the fifth set in the Sanford Cup but did pick up the award for the highest average in Div 2. Dennis Gibbs, Kevin Nicholls and Rory Harries with Kevyn Rice, representing Coaver A, won the First Division title.
Exeter Men’s Doubles Winners – Dennis Gibbs & Mike Hugh
PARKHOUSE PAIRS 2023
With extra sponsorship this season the PARKHOUSE Pairs is proving to be just as popular as the inaugural event held last season. 56 players have signed up in 17 teams to battle it out for the PARKHOUSE Cup. Tim Shears (Black & White Asset Finance) and Jo Eckersley (Spotty Dog Digital Marketing) have provided team shirts for every competitor while Fred Wakefield (PARKHOUSE Furniture Restoration) has again supplied trophies for the successful teams. Many thanks to our sponsors whose generous support is much appreciated.
Although barely half way into the competition there are currently clear leaders in both divisions. The Wobbly Table division is being led by D.A.R.T.S. (Does anyone remember the score) which is our shirt sponsor Tim Shears’ team, he is joined by Mike Dummett, Rob Williams & Bruce Freeman. Lefty Loosey Righty Tighty lead the Knackered Chair division, that’s Ben Hoare, Rhys Lush & Naomi Jackson.
PARKHOUSE Pairs competitors 2023
CLUB ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Club’s AGM is a pretty informal affair usually held on the first Friday in July in the Sports Hall Foyer or Dance Studio, Teign School, Kingsteignton. This year the meeting will be held on Friday 7th July @ 7pm, you would be most welcome to attend.
NEWTON ABBOT TTC TEAMS IN THE SOUTH DEVON & TORBAY LEAGUE 2023-24
While it is still very early days to prepare teams for next season if you have any specific requirements for the 2023-24 season regarding team, division and home night please let me know.
NEWTON ABBOT TTC CLUB COMPETITIONS
All our Club competitions will be held during September 2023 and are open to those players who play for, or regularly practise at, Newton Abbot Table Tennis Club. Provisional dates below:
· The Singles Shield – Friday 22nd Sept
· Albany Florists Cup – Friday 15th Sept (New format, Handicap singles open to players below Div 2 standard)
· Don Blatchford Cup – Saturday 16th Sept (Junior competition)
SUMMER CLUB SESSIONS
I have had a few volunteers to help out running sessions while I am away in July but we could do with a couple more to help set up on the two Friday nights. I shall be away for the club sessions on Friday 14th July, Saturday 15th July, Friday 21st July and Saturday 22nd July. During the summer months we only hire 3 badminton courts on a Friday (Up to 15 tables) and 2 badminton courts on a Saturday (Up to 10 tables).
As we enter the summer months and after the conclusion of the PARKHOUSE Pairs our Friday night session will be shorter, finishing at 9pm.
ROBOT
Following the demise of our old robot we have bought a new one, together with a collecting net. The new robot is more user friendly and is easier to set up than the previous one. Please let me know if you would like to use it and I will set it up during the club session.
CLUB KIT
Purple match shirts, in small, medium, large and x large sizes, are all available for just £8 thanks to the generosity of our sponsor, Albany Florists.
We are hoping to set up a club shop with VX3 in the future where you will be able to buy all manner of clothing, direct from the supplier, all carrying our club logo.
TABLE TENNIS BATS & OTHER SPECIALIST TT EQUIPMENT
I have a number of excellent new bats suitable for beginners and lower league players at just £18 each, including a bat case. These have been specially put together to aid coaching in the early stage of development and are recommended by top club coaches.
I also have a number of top quality, brand new, allround rubbers that I can apply to your bat to replace any worn out ones you are currently playing with at £8 a sheet.
Any other equipment can be bought from Bribar through the club which will enable savings to be made on catalogue and website prices. Speak to me if you require anything.
ITTF Approved 3* match balls are also available at vastly reduced prices.
NA BUZZARDS
Now the League TT season is over thoughts turn to social events. The skipper’s birthday (she seems to have more than anyone else!) gave us a good excuse to venture down to Dartington where we celebrated with a superb meal at the Cott Inn. Fisherman’s Friends the musical at the Princess Theatre provided a brilliant evening out and we also caught the excellent Money for Nothing (Dire Straits tribute) at the Babbacombe Theatre. Several more exciting events are planned as well as an excursion to the Greek Islands in preparation for the new season ahead.
Money For Nothing at Babbacombe Theatre
A link to this newsletter is sent to all those players who have attended practice sessions at Teign School in the last few months. If you do not wish to be included on my circulation list please let me know tonyhalse@hotmail.com
Enjoy your summer, when it joins us, and don’t forget Friday night and Saturday morning sessions continue, so please come along and join us for practice, coaching, competitions and friendly matches throughout the holiday period.
