Leete secures title

There were a number of closely fought and entertaining matches at the Canterbury & District Table Tennis Association annual closed tournament held at the Canterbury College Sports Centre, writes Clive Hollingsbee.

Matt Leete (Hoath) reached the men’s singles final with comparative ease defeating Martin Hewett (Iron Room) in the semi, but his final opponent, Harry Law (Faversham), had a more difficult route including a titanic five-set semi-final battle with Ray Jordan (Iron Room).

Both Leete and Law displayed all their attacking and defensive skills in a keenly contested final, with Leete claiming the title.

Tina Stewart (Faversham) retained the ladies’ singles title, defeating Tracey Deeley (Iron Room) in the final.

The men’s doubles is always a hard fought competition, this year being no exception with Harry Law and Joe Britnell (Chestfield Warriors) defeating Russell Bates (Iron Room) and Martin Hewett, who had beaten the strong father and son pairing of Dave and Matt Emery (both Heron) on the way, in a competitive final to reclaim the title they won two years ago.

Defending ladies’ doubles champions and No.1 seeds Tina Stewart and Tracey Deeley succumbed in the final to the determined pairing of Linda Wickings and Jill Weaver (both Chestfield Warriors).

There was a win for Linda Wickings and Matt Leete in the mixed doubles final who won a five-set thriller after coming back from two sets down against against Tina Stewart and Harry Law.

The consolation singles event for men’s and ladies’ singles group non-qualifiers was won by the fast improving 13-yearold Jack Roberts (Chestfield Warriors) who defeated the experienced, Mike Howard (Hoath), in the final.

A popular allocated doubles event was won by Leslie Davis (Herne Bay) and John Glass (Heron) who ran out winners against Frank Carlucci (Herne Bay) and Paul Whittaker (Chestfield Warriors).

Bob Edwards (Chestfield Warriors) won the first division singles event with Ricky Kay (Chestfield Warriors) runner- up.

Tina Stewart took the second division singles title, with Jack Roberts runner-up.

Rowan Brough won the third division title with Seb Randell ( Faversham) runner-up, while in the fourth division, two young newcomers, Leslie Davis and Sam Warman (Chestfield Warriors) contested the final with Davis running out the winner.

The Alan Hayes merit award for the best performance of the day went to Jack Roberts. n The veterans tournament (over-40s and over-60s events) will be held on Sunday, March 31 at the Chestfield Warriors Club, Unit 33a, Joseph Wilson Industrial Estate, Milstrood Road, Whitstable, CT5 3PS, starting at 9am.

Entry forms are available from Peter Chapman (chapman39@yahoo.com).

For further information about the Canterbury & District Table Tennis Association, local table tennis, coaching, practice and starting the sport, visit www. canterburytt.co.uk.