There was a heavily over-subscribed entry for the first Graded tournament of the season, hosted by Lillington Free Church Table-tennis Club at Warwick’s St Nicholas Leisure Centre on Saturday.
In the morning events Nilton Green of Warwickshire County Council won the winner’s trophy after defeating Awais Muhammed of Sutton Coldfield in the Final. In the semi he beat Free Church’s Sam Weaving 12-10 in the 5th whilst Muhammed saw off Russell Duncan of Smithswood in Birmingham.
In the Junior event there was an all Free Church semi-final as two rising youngsters faced each other, Dan Stone ultimately getting the better of Susie Swan. In the other semi, Frederick Tao of Bromsgrove School pipped Jack Ganderton of Stratford. In what proved to be a good day for Stone he took the title for the hosts.
The two Cadets semis saw Ryley Perkins of the Ambleside club in Nuneaton, defeat Church’s Shivam Gupta whilst Toby Roe of Free Church dispatched Cho Tsun Leung of Gloucester, an excellent scalp. Perkins landed the trophy 3-1.
There was an all Welsh semi-final in the under 13s when Cardiff’s Jensen Denton-Smith overcame Welsh Schools international Penny Mull of Bridgend. In the other semi, Enoch Cheung of the Phoenix club in Coventry reached the Final at the expense of Castle Ho of Tamworth. Denton-Smith bagged the trophy for Wales.
The afternoon graded events began with Dan Stone adding to his reputation by defeating his Free Church club mate Greg Swan 12-10 in the 5th. Earlier he had an impressive win over the experienced Steve Bertie of Continental All Stars of Birmingham whilst Swan beat Banbury’s Roald Myers.
Free Church also took the Grade B event. Stefan Birca beat Thomas O’Flaherty of Sutton Coldfield before accounting for Frederick Tao.
There was a close and exciting semi in Grade C with Marius Kryczek of Coventry pipping Rhys Williams of Tamworth in the 5th. Meanwhile Jack Ganderton of Stratford beat Robert Thaczyk of Coventry to set up a nail biting final which Ganderton just won.
Free Church’s newest recruit, Ambrose Ho who has just become a Warwick school pupil, was no doubt anxious to do well in his first competitive outing for his club. He reached the semi of the Improvers and progressed to the Final with a win over Continental’s Paul Masah. In the other semi another Continental player, Yoto Vassilev, defeated young Penny Mull. Despite vociferous but good natured support from Continental spectators, Ho held his nerve to take the Final 12-10 in the 5th.
The Beginners semi-finals were between Lucas Yim of Kidlington who beat Castle Ho of Tamworth and Jensen Denton-Smith who beat Alex Anchev of Continental. Yim took the title.
Consolation Finals
Seniors Barry Hook (Tadmarton) beat Stefan Birca (Free Church)
Juniors Michael Khovanov (Free Church) beat Alex Lau (Bromsgrove)
Cadets Bethan Jones (Free Church) beat Alex Turkie-Tebbs (Kidlington)
U13s James Lee (Kidlington) beat Alex Anchev (Continental)
Grade A Mark Perkins (Nuneaton) beat John O’Donnell (Coventry)
Grade B Susie Swan (Free Church) winner
Grade C Radu Draghici (Free Church) beat Michael Khovanov (FreeChurch)
Improvers Toby Roe (Free Church) beat Alex Lau (Bromsgrove)
Beginners Shivam Gupta (Free Church) beat Anay Aroon (Free Church)