Close encounters in Tarrant Cup contests
Close competition marked the fifth round of Marlborough’s Tarrant Cup table tennis competition at Simcox Stadium on Thursday.
Fonz Boys are alone in second place following a 7-5 win over Omaka. Matt Pigou won his three singles, his match against Jacqui Wood a candidate for match of the season. Pigou prevailed 10-12, 12-14, 12-10, 11-9, 11-6 in a highquality contest featuring two skilful, athletic players. Wood took the first two sets after some breathtaking rallies when she was able to score winners with her hard-hit forehands. The third set went to Pigou after surviving a barrage of topspin shots. He attacked more in the last two sets to claim the match. Billy Hebberd backed Pigou up with two singles wins, including a five-set victory over John Diamanti.
Three of a Kind edged out Assassins 24 games to 22 after matches were drawn 6-6. The winners lost the singles 6-3 but made a clean sweep of the doubles. Alex Kennedy won his three singles. Steve Rowsell came close to winning a single as he took David Foley and Kennedy to five sets. For Assassins, Ross Ward joined Kennedy and Foley on two wins each.
Triple Trouble continue to lead the competition following a 7-5 win over Chelsea’s Children. Ping Muanwong and Jeremy Phipps won two singles each, but they were pushed all the way by Josh Sim in five set matches. Sim, the province’s No 2-ranked junior, very competitive in both matches. Nathan Watson won his three singles for Chelsea’s Children, generating great pace through superior technique.
Matt Willis led the way as MJB beat Simon Says 24 games to 20 on count back. Willis won his three singles. He also won his doubles with Jeff Sawyer and Bjorn Cowdrey. Sawyer won a single and just lost out to Simon Bishell in the fifth. Kylie Hurren joined Bishell on two wins while Peter Wells beat Cowdrey in the last single of the night. Ken Thompsett was unbeaten as Marion’s Muppets beat Cowdreys Haszards 8-4. He had to come from behind to beat Zac Cowdrey by 9-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7, 11-5 in a hard-hitting match where the ball was regularly hitting the barricades at the back of the table. Peter Welsh had a good night, winning two singles, including a fivesetter over Cowdrey. Marion Wood picked up a singles and a doubles win. Warren Haszard gained two wins for Cowdreys Haszards and combined well with Barbara Burkhart for a doubles win.
Standings: Triple Trouble 45, Fonz Boys 37, MJB 36, 3 of a kind 34, Marion’s Muppets 34, Assassins 32, Simon Says 32, Chelsea’s Children 28, Omaka 23, Cowdrey’s Haszards 21.