The Hastings & District  Table Tennis Association held their annual Veterans Closed Tournament at the Hastings Academy Sports Hall where Hollington Academy’s Paul Barry regained the over-40s Mixed Singles he last won two years ago.

With this event played as a final group, Barry and Graham Gillett (Bexhillians) met in the last contest with both unbeaten with Barry taking the title 11-7, 12-10, 12-10.

Rose Rainton (Hollington Academy), with recent success over Barry, will be disappointed with her third place.

The over-50s  produced some excellent contests before Andy Summers (Bexhillians) put his name on the trophy for the first time with a 3-1 defeat of Robin Gibbs (Hollington Academy) in the final. Gibbs, who was also losing finalist last season, may have suffered from a tight five game win over clubmate Nick Standen in the semi-final. Standen, who won the event six years ago, had previously gone the distance before losing to Summers in the group stage. John Wond (Saints) had a good run before losing to Summers in the semi-final.

The largest entry came in the over-60s category with four groups involved. Bob Lowe (Bexhillians) won the title for the third time, beating Mike Funnell (Tackleway) in four games in the final. It was the unlucky  Funnell’s second successive defeat at the final stage and represented a recovery by Lowe after losing to former champion Sheila King in their group. Title holder Brian Beaney was unlucky to go out at the group stage to two fellow Bexhillians on countback after three players finished level.

At the semi-final stage, Funnell beat King while Lowe ended the run of Andy Syrett (Saints).

The over-70s singles saw two players who had met in a group face a rematch in the final before Martin Richards (Tackleway) repeated his win over defending champion Dave Mitchell (Tigers) to take his first title.

Paul Barry and Nick Standen retained the  Doubles title with a four-game win over Dave Butler and Andy Syrett (Saints)

The Handicap Singles saw some closely competed matches before Alison Jordan (Monarchs) beat last year’s winner Paul Hyland (NALGO) in the final.

Dave Butler and Sheila King took the Mixed Doubles, beating Andy Summers and Pam Winter (Bexhillians).

The tournament was organised by Rose Rainton, assisted by Jamie Martin.