BOYS BAT AWAY THE OPPOSITION
THE Harefield Academy U13 boys team took top honours at the regional final of the Jack Petchey Foundation London Schools Team competition.
Marshall Cash, Mitchell Pigeon, Chandler Cash, Jay Frost and Matthew Vincent emerged victorious against Whitmore High from Harrow to claim first place in last week’s west London final.
It was a nerve-wracking final with Harefield’s win coming on count back by just six points.
Table tennis ranks high at the school, with players often training up to 15 hours a week.
Coach Eli Baraty said: “This is a good team and their first win at U13 level.
“It all came down to the last game and it was neck and neck. They won so they did well to overcome their nerves.”
The competition bought together 14 teams from schools from Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow at Capital City Academy.
Harefield will now compete at the finals on January 31 in the Sports Dock at the University of East London. The competition is aimed at increasing participation and awareness of table tennis in London schools.