South Devon & Torbay Table Tennis League – Early Season Tournament
A good contingent of Newton Abbot TTC players took part in the recent League Early Season Tournament held at the Torbay Leisure Centre.
The main Handicap Singles event was won for the second year running by NA Batmen’s Kelvin Cheung who defeated NA Kites’ Archer Snow in an interesting final. The two players were at either end of the handicapping with Archer playing off scratch and Kelvin off -50. Despite a great effort by Archer, Kelvin, playing a sensible, safe game ground out the victory to retain the Collins Cup. 11-7, 11-4.
In the Handicap Doubles Archer Snow was paired with the League’s top player, Kris Piwowar and they comfortably won the Handicap Doubles event, defeating Dave Friend and Andy Tyrrell (NA Eagles) in a one- sided final 11-3, 11-6, 11-3.
Kelvin Cheung fought his way to the hard bat final but came across a stubborn Kris Piwowar who was too good for him in the final, losing 21-7, 21-13.
Other Newton Abbot TTC players who performed well on the day included Mark Halse, Kevin Nicholls, Dennis Gibbs and Sonja Ryland who all topped groups in either the Handicap Singles, the Hard Bat or both
Collins Cup winner Kelvin Cheung with his PE Teacher (not coach) Mark Halse
Doubles Champions – Kris Piwowar & Archer Snow
Hard Bat finalists – Kelvin Cheung & Kris Piwowar
South Devon & Torbay Table Tennis League
Division One – NA Batmen have just been knocked off the top of the First Division, but it is very close at the top and they only trail Denbury Imports by 3 points. Batmen’s Shaun Gibbs currently with 83% and dad, Dennis, on 80%,
Division Two – Both NA Eagles & NA Buzzards have led the Second Division but are currently 2nd & 3rd, trailing Brixham Imports by just one point and two points. Eagles’ Jim McIvor and Buzzard’s Mike Dummett are on 80% with Buzzards Ed Crawford & Charlie Usher not far behind.
Division Three – Both NA Hawks & NA Falcons are off the pace set by the 2 teams who look very strong in this Division: Marldon Tykes & Brixham Diamonds, the Hawks’ Mike Coxhead with 86%
Division Four – The season started really well with the 3 Newton Abbot teams in the top three places, however Torbay Academy 6 having caught up with their fixtures, now lead the Division, followed by the Kites, Owls & Kestrels. Special mention for maximums from juniors Joe Strickland, Luke Robins & Richard Salt together with great performances from Lewis Short, Archer Snow, Harry Usher & Dylan Bayliss. Mark Halse remains unbeaten at the top of the averages. Kestrels’ Peter Tarjan 83% and Owls’ Rob Bayliss 78% are also towards the top of the averages.
It is very encouraging to see the great strides our juniors have taken this season, being able to compete well with many experienced players.
Cup Matches – The draw for the first round of the Handicap Team Cup competitions has been made and most of the first round matches in the Challenge cup have been played. Fine wins for Newton Abbot teams, Buzzards who won a close match at Torbay Academy 4, and Hawks who defeated the Owls in an exciting, epic match 5-4, a great performance in a losing cause by Ross Embury who won his 3 matches for the Owls. Kites performed really well at Torre but went out to the Tigers. Second Round matches to look forward to include; Hawks v Taverners, Brixham Imports v Eagles, Marldon Tykes v Kestrels and Buzzards v Torbay Academy 5
Club Sessions – These remain extremely popular, particularly on Friday nights, and together with the League matches being played in the Dance Studio we have had over 45 players enjoying their table tennis at Teign School on Fridays, with all 14 tables in use. Apologies to all, particularly the students, as it is increasingly difficult to spend much time with you all on the coaching front. With Dennis & Nick often having games and me trying to sort everyone out and keep everyone happy there is little time for coaching on a Friday. We do try and spend a bit more time coaching during the Saturday morning sessions.
Sessions open to all - We continue to attract players from other clubs to join us at our sessions at Teign, to benefit from our excellent facilities, and gain some extra practice. The cost of 3 hour sessions remains at £3.50 for adults and £2.50 for juniors with further reductions for families. There is no membership fee and absolutely everyone is welcome to come along and join in.
Give it a go, for free – Come and join us,we are particularly keen to encourage beginners, females and those just wishing to get more active, at our Saturday morning sessions from 9.00 – 12.00. See who you can bring along! Remember your first trial session is free.
Christmas Holidays – The last club sessions before Christmas are on the 18th & 19th December 2015, we then have a 2 week break, returning on 8th& 9th January 2016.
Christmas Presents – We still have in stock XXL, XL, L & S club shirts @ £25 each (medium shirts are on order). Check out the Bribar catalogue for gift ideas (available at club sessions or on line) and Nick can arrange supply usually for the following week.
Table Tennis Bats– we have found a good supplier of quality rubbers and blades from China, making new bats and replacement rubbers far more affordable. ie blades from £12.50 each and rubbers from £3 each. Have a chat with Tony and maybe have a go with some bats he has made up.
Website – The website is constantly updated with useful information. Team details, fixture lists, contact details and newsletters, together with all the club’s policies, codes of conduct etc. If you have anything that you would like to see added to the website or any ideas for improving it, then please speak to me, or send an email.
New members – It has been great to see a good influx of youngsters joining us particularly on Saturday morning, hopefully you will stay with us, improve and maybe feature in later newsletters.
Coaching - Both Dennis Gibbs & Nick Halse, Table Tennis England accredited coaches, recently attended a coach development programme in Plymouth, so look out for some new routines!
Lead Coach – Dennis Gibbs Coach – Nick Halse
A link to this newsletter is sent to all those players who have attended our practice sessions at Teign School in the last few months. If you do not wish to be included on my circulation list please let me know. tonyhalse@hotmail.com
Link to South Devon & Torbay Website for all fixtures and results in the local league www.tabletennis365.com/southdevonandtorbay
