Triple Trouble top team on table
Triple Trouble are the Tarrant Cup winners for this season.
Despite losing 7-5 to Fonz Boys in the final match of the Marlborough table tennis season on Thursday, the team of Ping Muanwong, Martin Stephens and Jeremy Phipps had built up a large enough points buffer to take the title.
Muanwong won two singles on the night, but was pushed hard by Billy Hebberd before getting home 6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9.
Muanwong was also involved in a five-setter with Matt Pigou, the latter prevailing after being two sets to one down.
Stephens and Phipps won a single each and combined for a doubles win.
Pigou was in great touch and dominated in the doubles while Hebberd beat Phipps 11-6, 11-5, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7 in the first match of the night.
On the next table, Three of a Kind edged out Chelsea’s Children 351 points to 340 after the contest finished six matches all, 20 games all.
In the clash of the two unbeaten players this round, Nathan Watson beat Alex Kennedy 11-7, 12-10, 11-6.
Watson put a lot of thought into his serves, combining high-toss deliveries with a backhand serve with disguised spin.
Josh Sim backed him up with two wins, while Vanessa Wood-Lin gained a set from Rob Honour.
For Three of a Kind, Kennedy won his remaining two singles with Honour and Steve Rowsell winning a single each.
Matt Willis led the way as MJB beat Omaka 8-4.
From the outset, Willis’s trademark backhand drives found their mark as he won his three singles comfortably.
With the match score at 4-4, Jeff
Triple Trouble 73, Three of a Kind 67, Fonz Boys 63, MJB 63, Assassins 61, Chelsea’s Children 56, Simon Says 55, Marion’s Muppets 53, Omaka 49, Cowdreys Honour 42.
(over both competitions): Nathan Watson won 54, played 54; Alex Kennedy 52/54, Matt Pigou 49/54, Ping Muanwong 46/51, Matt Willis 41/54, Jacqui Wood 36/48, Jason Kennedy 40/54, Ken Thompsett 37/51, Simon Bishell 32/45, Zac Cowdrey 34/51, Jeff Sawyer 32/49. Sawyer beat Chris Hood, who was filling in for Jacqui Wood, 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 10-12, 11-9 to give his side the lead. Bjorn Cowdrey beat Dennis Burkhart 12-10,11-9, 11-9 to cement the win.
John Diamanti did well to win two singles for Omaka including a four set win over Sawyer. MJB won the doubles 2-1.
Jason Kennedy and David Foley won two singles each as Assassins beat Marion’s Muppets 7-5. Kennedy also featured in two doubles wins while Ross Ward won a single at number three.
Nathan Cross, who was filling in for Ken Thompsett, won his three singles for Marion’s Muppets.
The left-hander hit some great forehands in his match against Kennedy, winning 11-8, 11-7, 10-12, 14-12. Peter Welsh also got on the board.
Zac Cowdrey won three tough matches as Cowdreys Honour beat Simon Says 25 games to 23 after matches were drawn 6-6.
His last match was a real thriller with Cowdrey just getting home against Kylie Hurren by 15-13, 8-11,5-11, 11-4, 15-13. Warren Haszard won two singles.
Hurren played at number one in the absence of Simon Bishell and won her other two singles. Peter Wells won a single and a double and came close to Cowdrey in a five setter.
Rory Osborne, an under-13 player, beat Barbara Burkhart in four sets and won both his doubles, displaying good forehand technique.