Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Thomas keeps hold of his title
Phil Thomas defended his title at the Canterbury & District Table Tennis Association tournament, winning an epic final against Ray Jordan at the Canterbury Christ Church University Sports Centre.
Hoath player Thomas defeated clubmate Barry Chapman in the semi-final to set up a final against Iron Room’s Jordan, who had beaten Simon Hiller, also of Hoath. Chapman and Jordan contested a quality men’s singles final with both players displaying their full range of attacking and occasional defensive shots.
With the score locked at two sets each, the fifth and final set proved to be tense with both players wasting good opportunities to establish their authority but Thomas finally edged his opponent and the match by winning the final set 11-9.
The early stages of the men’s singles were played in 18 groups of three players which allowed the opportunity for players of all abilities to pitch their skills against higher-ranked opponents.
Fast- improving 12- yearold Lewis Marsh, who plays for Chestfield Warriors in Canterbury & District League, Division 3, claimed the scalp of a Premier Division player on his way to the next round.
The ladies’ final also produced a five-set marathon, with Iron Room’s Michelle Kingsland running out the winner 11-9 in the fifth set and also retaining her title against Crystal Tseng, of Blean.
Ts eng ha d s tunne d Faversham’s Tina Stewart in the semi-final, while Kingsland overcame Linda Wickings, of Chestfield Warriors, in another five- setter. Harry Law ( Faversham) and Joe Britnell (Chestfield Warriors) unexpectedly reached the men’s doubles final having disposed of the formidable Iron Room pairing of Jordan and Phil Saxby in the semi-final.
They played Thomas and Chapman – who had beaten Ian Mileham (Hoath) and Ron Rowley (Herne Bay) in the last four – and several forehand winners proved decisive as the Law/britnell pairing closed out the match by three sets to one.
The ladies’ doubles was won by Kingsland and Tseng, having come top of a three pairing round-robin event with Stewart/ Tracey Dealey, of Blean, the runners-up.
Stewart and David Jeavons, of Hoath, proved too strong for Wickings and Chapman in the mixed doubles final with a straightforward win.
A consolation singles event for men’s and ladies’ group nonqualifiers was also contested, with Bob Edwards defeating Paul Walmsley, of Chestfield Warriors, in the final.
The Alan Hayes Merit Award for the performance of the day went to the exhausted Tseng.
The veterans and over60s tournament will be held on Sunday, April 9, at the Chestfield Warriors Club, Unit 33a, Joseph Wilson Industrial Estate (behind Tesco), Milstrood Road, Whitstable, CT5 3PS.
Entry forms are available from Peter Chapman at chapman39@ yahoo.com
The junior tournament will also be held at the Chestfield Warriors Club on Sunday, March 26, with a finals night at the same venue the following Friday.
For further information, visit www.canterburytt.co.uk.