2023 Watts Cup Final Report

On Thursday 11th May spectators were treated to a classic table tennis Watts Cup final between Hastings Academy 'A' and Hastings Academy 'B' as they witnessed one of the most exciting finals for years.

In the opening doubles James Winchester and Dave Butler for the 'B' team 'set out their stall’ by pulling off a spectacular win against Nathan Darby and Ryan Heselden with all four competitors playing some beautiful attacking strokes before the game favoured the 'B' boys 13-11 in the fourth set.

Up stepped Jamie Martin for the ''B' side for the next game against 'top of the averages/local legend' Paul Barry and he really had a good go at the top man racing into an early lead by retrieving shots from all over the 'court' and picking out attacking winners as well.  Stunned but not shaken Paul summoned up all his skill and experience, upped his game with precision blocking, speed and spin to finally run out victorious in a three straight (but close) sets win.

Game three produced probably the most exciting match of the evening when Dave Butler (B team) and Nathan Darby (A team) squared up to each other using every 'weapon' in their armoury with massive powerful loops and crashing smashes to all corners of the table they almost mirrored each other point for point right up to a climax of deuce in the fifth! This was indeed now anyone’s game and turned out to be one of the longest deuces in recent memory before the luck finally went Dave's way 23-21.

It was Ryan Haselden’s turn now to take on Jamie Martin and this one went a little more to form as Ryan's incredibly consistent all round attacking and defending game saw him comfortably home to a straight three sets win.

Game five pitched James Winchester for the 'B' side against Paul Barry - displaying some of his most fluid and flamboyant stroke play James pulled off the 'shock of the night' with some incredible loop/smash winners down both wings to emerge victorious from three close sets.

Next up in the doubles Paul Barry and Nathan Darby were too strong for the Jamie Martin and James Winchester partnership running out comfortable winners in three.

The match was very evenly poised now at three-all and looked as if it could 'go to the wire' with either side taking the honours.

In game seven Ryan Heselden took on Dave Butler in a very closely fought contest with Dave's ferocious forehand loops being continually parried and 'feathered' back into play, augmented by some lovely attacking shots of his own to eventually wear his opponent down, Ryan ran out the winner from two up to take the third set 11-9.

Nathan Darby now had an epic battle with James Winchester as both went 'hell for leather' with a terrific display of big sweeping attacking shots from all areas of the floor to all corners of the table going all the way to the fifth before Nathan was finally able to grind out a good lead to take the set the game and the match for Academy 'A', 5-3.

A truly wonderful match of the highest quality, played in a very competitive but friendly manner this was indeed a fitting finally to the local table tennis season and a great advert for our game.

Peter Harding was thanked for all his hard work in organising the event which he has done for many years now and which was once again this year a great success.

HDTTA President Mike Funnell gave out the trophies to the victorious team.


Author: via Hastings Table Tennis League
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