HEREFORDSHIRE COUNTY TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
FINALS NIGHT21ST MARCH 2003. (To see pictures click on: Toby Eckley & Chris Martin , Toby, Harry Jutle & Chris , Richard Owens , Toby, Chris & Nim Hodges )
From Cicely Palmer, Championship Secretary, 01684 540595
A total of fifteen matches were played in the Herefordshire County Table Tennis Championships Finals Night on Friday at White Cross School, Hereford.
Unfortunately one of the players, Jon Allen, who was to have played in both the men’s and the mixed doubles events had injured an ankle and was unable to attend. As three other players in each event would have been left without a match and five of those six players had come along purely for the one chance to play, the organisers decided to substitute another player and play a set without the result counting.
For the really good crowd of spectators this was to be a bonus because both sets were extremely good to watch. In the first, the Mixed Doubles, the holders of the title Sharon Powell and Andy Castle played Nikki Segust and substitute,Toby Eckley. Sharon and Andy won the first but lost the second game and then narrowly lost the third 22. 24. Later on Richard Owens and substitute, Greg Price, lost to Steve Brown and Chris Martin but only by 17, 21 in the third game.
The Men’s semi-finals played on the night saw No.1 seed Chris Martin play Alistair Dawson, who is a junior. Alistair won the first game to 15 but lost the second to 12. In the final game both players had their chances but Chris eventually won by 22. 20. The other semi was close but Toby Eckley beat Bob Trimble by 19 and 17.
The final, between two players new to the County’s final scene, was played as the best of five games and proved to justify the large number of spectators who stayed to see them. Toby won the first to 17 but won the second after a nail biting game of changing leads by 25. 23. The third game was just as close but this time it was Chris who won by just two points at 21. 19. The fourth game was one of super rallies and winning shots and ended with the new name on the trophy being Toby Eckley by 21. 15.
Another notable set was the Boys Doubles. Alistair Dawson was playing with a very new Cadet - he only started playing after Christmas - Robert Chambers. Their opponents were Nick Wilson and Joe Davies. Their standard was a joy to everyone present and Nick and Joe won by 14.12; 11. 8; 10. 12; 6. 11; 11. 5.
Before meeting in the Men’s Semi, Alistair Dawson had met Chris Martin in the final of the Restricted Open. This set ended with Alistair winning by 14 and 17.
Gordon Stables took two titles. In the Super Vets he beat Neville Meredith 22. 20 and 24. 22 and in the Vets Doubles, partnered by Harry Jutle he beat Neville and Dave Hamer 16 and 12.
Steve Brown’s doubles victory went with his win over Bob Trimble by 22. 24; 21.14 and 21. 15 in the Singles event for anyone not in the top 10 of the league.
Bob was certainly the most unlucky player of the evening as he had three sets and lost them all. His third set was the Veteran’s singles which was won by Harry Jutle by 7 and 15.
Sharon finished the evening with two other titles to go with the mixed doubles. She became the Ladies Champion by beating Jessica Davies 24.22; 21.9. and the Grade ‘B’ champion by beating Bob Marshall 10 and 13.
Lauren James won the Cadets title when she beat Shaun Chambers by 11.7 in their fourth game.
