Barrow and District Table Tennis League
Top Twelve Tournament 2022
The players for the Barrow and District Top 12 Tournament walked onto court with their introductions accompanied by their own theme tunes. As soon as play began it was clear that all eleven players were there to perform at their best. Unfortunately, Tony Whitehouse had to withdraw on the day due to family illness.
With two groups being played on four tables there was action all around the hall. Paul Ackred just got the better of club mate Stephen Cairns with a 13-11, 11-8. 9-11, 12-10 win. In the other group, daughter Sophie was involved in her third 5 set match with Steve Bushell this season! The experience of Bushell brought him from 2-1 down to a 11-7, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9. 11-5 win.
Scott Barker, currently leading the averages in Lancaster league as well as playing for Thwaites, won comfortable against Matt O’Flynn in straight sets. Meanwhile, Ben O’Flynn gained a four-set win against newcomer to the League, Lert Wimon.
Alan Turner looked completely out of touch in his opening set against Stefan Weatherburn when he lost 0-11! He started to turn things around in the second set, which he managed to win 13-11. He pinned down the younger opponent in the next two sets to win 11-9, 11-8.
Ben McDonald opened his evening with a four-set win against Lert Wimon, dropping the first set but then imposing himself in the next three. Steve Bushell played two matches in a row – the first was a three-set loss against Ben O’Flynn followed by a three-set win against Wimon.
Things were hotting up in Group A as Scott Barker won 11-4 in the first set against Paul Ackred only for the Saints player to roar back taking the next three sets for a very good victory that opened up the group. Alan Turner worked hard for a five-set win against Stephen Cairns 11-6, 5-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5 keeping him unbeaten and top of the group.
Stefan Weatherburn also needed to come back from losing the first set when Matt O’Flynn took the set 11-2. Weatherburn, however, controlled the next three sets. He followed this up with a straight sets win against Stephen Cairns to put his challenge back on track. Paul Ackred put himself in a good position when he beat club mate, Matt O’Flynn in three sets 11-5, 13-11, 11-8.
Scott Barker needed a win to give himself a chance of progressing to the semifinals – he duly took the win against Alan Turner despite dropping the second set to deuce.
More close encounters followed in this group with Alan Turner and Matt O’Flynn having a battle that swung from set to set. Turner kept taking the lead with O’Flynn fighting back to go to five and then just going ahead to take the decider 11-7. Scott Barker won again in four sets when he beat Stephen Cairns.
In Group B both Ben’s needed all their power and speed to overcome the challenge of teenage talent Sophie Ackred. With two England call ups already, Sophie is the rising star of Cumbria table tennis. She took Ben McDonald to four sets and had a chance to go 2-1 ahead against Ben O’Flynn when she led 10-8, only for O’Flynn to pull back and take the set 14-12.
The final matches in this group were all won in four sets. Ben McDonald finished the group unbeaten with wins against Steve Bushell and Ben O’Flynn whilst Sophie Ackred won 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 13-11 against Lert Wimon.
Group A continued to produce the closest matches. Stefan Weatherburn showed his cool with a five-set win against Paul Ackred, which included two deuce sets in his favour – 9-11, 16-14, 6-11, 12-10, 11-8. Paul bounced back with a three-set win against Alan Turner that confirmed his place in the semi final line up. Stephen Cairns beat teammate Matt O’Flynn in four sets to finish with his first win of the competition.
The group ended in dramatic fashion – the match between Scott Barker and Stefan Weatherburn had two possibilities for the outcome of the group. A win for Scott would take him through in second spot with Paul Ackred winning, a win for Stefan would mean he topped the group with Paul runner up. Early on it looked as though Scott was on his way to victory. He had taken two comfortable sets but sandwiched between these Stefan had kept his hopes alive with a deuce set win. Stefan then took the fourth set and a tense decider followed. Stefan was on the verge of victory with 2 match points 10-8 before Scott pulled level at deuce. Stefan again had match point but missed an easy forehand. Scott then had his own match point but again a forehand opportunity was missed. Finally, Stefan gained the two-point advantage needed to win the encounter, 15-13.
Both semi finals began with 11-7 set wins for the Bens. Ben O’Flynn continued comfortably towards victory against Stefan Weatherburn, who was unable to counter his younger opponent’s consistent two wing attack. Ben McDonald faced a fightback from his opponent, Paul Ackred, who was hitting hard whenever he had the chance. There were five deuces in the second set before McDonald was able to go two sets up. The attacks continued from Ackred who took the next set 11-5. McDonald went on the offensive himself in the fourth to seal his Final place 11-6.
The Final brought the Town Tournament champion, Ben O’Flynn and the Leading Averages (unbeaten in the League) player, Ben McDonald to the table. It was a Final that didn’t disappoint as it showcased the skills of both players in a tense and dramatic encounter. O’Flynn used his array of topspin attacks and switches of angles to take the opening two sets, both 11-9. McDonald started to add more spin to his shots to take the third set and then went 10-8 ahead in the fourth. O’Flynn levelled at deuce but found McDonald determined to save the match. His explosive forehand taking the set 13-11. The deciding set remained close, but it was McDonald who completed the comeback taking the set 11-8 and claiming the title Top 12 Champion.
