SOUTH DEVON AND TORBAY TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE – EARLY SEASON TOURNAMENT
The League’s Early Season Tournament had been a victim of COVID for the last couple of years with the last one being held in 2019. So it was encouraging to see a good number of folk taking part in the three events being held throughout the day at the Torbay Leisure Centre on Sunday 13th November.
The main event being the Handicap Singles competing for the Collins Cup, first awarded over 50 years ago in 1971.
First Round Group Winners were Curtis Sage, Dan Webster-Hall, Joe Edwards, Stuart Shipley, Nick Shipley, Rhys Lush & Jeremy Broad. Andy Guy had won through to the knockout stage as a runner-up and reached the semi-final where he lost out 17-15, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8 to young Joseph Edwards. The other semi-final saw Rhys Lush defeat Daniel Webster-Hall 11-5, 9-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9. In an excellent final Rhys Lush just had the edge over Joe Edwards winning 11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 12-10.
The Plate competition was won by Wojtek Cyron who defeated Martin Dilkes 11-7, 11-6, 13-11.
On to the doubles where the pairs are made up based on their handicap in order to even partnerships up. This proved very competitive with many matches going to five games. Eve James & Jim McIvor just lost out in their semi-final 7-11, 11-9, 11-4, 13-15, 7-11 to Ben Hoare and Wojtek Cyron. Andy Guy & Jeremy Broad defeated Rhys Lush & Neville Cregan in the second semi-final 11-7, 11-9, 11-6. Ben Hoare & Wojtek Cyron went on to beat Andy Guy and Jeremy Broad in the final 11-8, 5-11, 11-9, 11-7.
The final event takes us back to the old days with games up to 21 and no spinny rubbers, the Excell Hard Bat Shield.
The holder from 2019, Dan Webster-Hall reached the final again with a 21-16, 13-21, 21-19 victory over Curtis Sage. His opponent was going to be one of the Shipley twins, Stuart eventually defeating his brother Nicholas 15-21, 21-16, 24-22.
After taking the first leg 25-23 Daniel ran out of steam as Stuart played more positively, Stuart taking the next two legs 21-15, 21-6.
An excellent day’s table tennis almost finishing on time! Many thanks to everyone for the support and help, particular thanks to our sponsor Sonja Ryland (Albany Florists) for presenting the trophies and assisting with organisation.
