NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 2022
Welcome to the Autumn Newsletter as the club gets back into full swing with local and National competitions now coming thick and fast.
SOUTH DEVON AND TORBAY TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE.
We have again entered 14 teams in the local league with 62 players currently registered. While we have lost a few regulars we are happy to welcome a good number of new players to both the club and league table tennis
Division One – Current champions NA Buzzards are again led by Sonja Ryland. Unbeaten last time out, their line up remains unchanged. Dennis Gibbs, anxious that the Batmen put a stronger challenge in, has recruited well bringing in Rory Harries and Giles Tushingham. The Eagles’ Jeremy Broad has also strengthened his team with Mark Burridge moving across from the Batmen and Ben Yarde-Buller joining their ranks. Dan Webster-Hall has taken over the Condors. Four teams again in the top flight, but it’s going to be tough – look out for a very strong Torbay Academy 1!
NA BUZZARDS, Div 1 Champions, Kevin Nicholls, Lauren Loosemore, Sonja Ryland, Herbie Sage
Division Two – NA Falcons, again led by Louis Wilshire, should be our strongest challengers in division 2. Chris Scrivens has joined us from Manchester while working down here and young Josh Redfern makes a welcome return. Matt Cyron has taken on the Owls (Div 2 Champions last time out). With Giles returning to Division One, it will be a challenge for Matt who’s joined by his brother and Curtis Sage. We are pleased to welcome Steve Tyler to Ed Moffatt’s Raptors which should help them climb up the table, but it will be another very competitive tough season for all in the Second Division
Division Three – NA Hawks should again go well in Div 3, led this season by Doug Morgan and joined by new recruits Andy Guy and Enno Topp, a young German student on an exchange visit. We welcome back Tim Shears who leads a Kestrels side which also includes Bruce Freeman. Dale Fabian, looking for more match time, has taken on the Harriers and is joined by rising star Keith Haslam and old stager Ivor Copley.
Division Four – Rob Ferguson leads a new look Ospreys, with Ken Ramsden giving it a go for the first time, Marc Winstanley and Mark Dulling joining from other teams. Derek Stratton again leads the Kites who also have a new look, Clare Northcott joins us for her first season and Anton Shirt has stepped up from the Vultures. The more settled Merlins, led again by David Olver, are joined by Jasem Abu Ali this season. Young Katie Thain has taken on the Vultures this time out who are joined by Tom & Monty Burston helping us out from Brixham TTC. Katie also has new recruits in Dominic Ozuna-Montero and Remy Wilson, both youngsters who show a lot of promise.
Best of luck to all the teams and hope you have an enjoyable and competitive season.
BRITISH LEAGUE
Kevin Nicholls leads a team of top local players representing Newton Abbot TTC in the senior British League – National C (5). Kevin is joined by Mike Hugh, Simon James, Lauren Loosemore, Wim Faassen and Charlie Usher.
Newton Abbot TTC Senior Team – Simon James, Wim Faassen, Kevin Nicholls, Mike Hugh
We also have a team representing Newton Abbot TTC in the Veterans British League (Men) – Div 3 (Group 1) – Kevin Nicholls is again joined by Mike Hugh and Simon James with Kevin Taylor also signed up for the vets team.
EXETER PRE-SEASON TOURNAMENT
Newton Abbot players featured strongly in the first local tournament of the season at Okehampton. With Dennis Gibbs, Kevin Nicholls, Naomi Jackson, Rory Harries and Mike Hugh all winning their groups. Mike Hugh came through to take the top prize defeating Dennis Gibbs in the final.
ALBANY FLORISTS CUP
Over 3 weeks and 6 sessions the Albany Florist’s Cup eventually found its way to Keith Haslam. Congratulations to Keith who was undefeated in the third and final sessions and finished with 125 points, 5 points clear of Rob Ferguson who finished runner-up.
Ivor Copley finished third, just a point behind Rob, but picked up the trophy for Division Two champion. David Olver collected the Division Three title.
Many thanks to Sonja Ryland, Albany Florists, for again supporting this competition as well as helping to run it and present the awards.
Sonja Ryland (Sponsor) Keith Haslam (Winner)
SINGLES SHIELD
An excellent competition played over two Fridays in late September. There were some notable performances from many of the lower division players. Curtis Sage and Martin Dilkes winning their groups and the Cyron brothers and Keith Haslam also fighting through to the knockout stages.
Dennis Gibbs saw off Giles Tushingham in the first Semi-Final to reach his third consecutive final, while Dan Webster-Hall defeated Martin Dilkes.
In the final Dennis got on top early on, taking the first two games, then Dan fought back winning the third. Dennis picked up his game to take the fourth and the shield, although Dennis felt if Dan had been on his game it would’ve been a lot closer! 11-3, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7.
Dan Webster-Hall & Dennis Gibbs presented with their trophies by club sponsor Sonja Ryland
DON BLATCHFORD CUP
Our junior competition for the Don Blatchford cup produced some superb table tennis. The semi-finals pitched James Kitchen against Fin Humphreys and Remy Wilson against Anton Shirt.
All four attacking players provided an excellent spectacle with some impressive rallies. Fin and Anton both winning 3 straight but close games throughout.
Anton overcame Fin in the final, getting ahead in all the games, and holding off spirited fight backs from Fin. 11-7, 11-8, 11-7.
Congratulations to Anton.
The CLUBMARK Challenge plate was won by Anton’s brother Aleks who got the better of Ryan and Leo. Congratulations to all three youngsters who all enjoyed the experience of competitive play.
Tony Halse presenting the Don Blatchford Cup to Anton Shirt
SOUTH DEVON & TORBAY TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE - Early season tournament
Sunday 13th November 2022 at the Torbay Leisure Centre, Clennon Valley, Paignton.
Although taking place in Torbay the tournament is run by Newton Abbot TTC's Tony & Sonja, who could supply you with further details and entry forms.
Four events take place during the day which commences at 9 o’clock:
Handicap Singles for the Collins Cup
Handicap Doubles (partners assigned based on handicaps)
Excell hard bat challenge (21 up, with hard bats supplied)
Family doubles (parent or grandparent with child under 18)
A fun day with lots of matches guaranteed. It would be great to have a good contingent of Newton Abbot TTC players taking part.
Link to entry form below::
https://www.tabletennis365.com/SouthDevonAndTorbay/MediaLibrary/Download/WamKLRJAEkuY0kU9KRNFrg/63275
CLUB SESSIONS DURING THE LEAGUE SEASON
Our Friday night club session will be slightly different during this coming season as all our Friday league matches will now take place in the Sports Hall where we are hiring the whole hall.
Although we are currently unsure of the best way of organising this it is expected that the top 3 league matches will take place behind the curtain at the entrance end of the hall while the remaining 1 or 2 matches will take place at the far end of the hall behind the curtain. Only when matches are rearranged should it be necessary to use the centre part of the hall where 8 tables will be available for the normal club session.
Saturdays will not be affected at all during the league season.
Please note that the Match Room is still being used on Tuesday nights and there are several dates where there is space for you to play re-arranged or cup matches. You must book the space with Tony.
Dates available – 4th October, 18th October, 15th November, 6th December, 14th January, 7th March
NEW CLUB KIT
We have a good number of purple club match shirts in all sizes at just £8 each. Why not look the part while representing the club!
NA BUZZARDS
Newsletters have traditionally ended with the latest Buzzard exploits which had been seriously curtailed due to Covid. However, we have just returned from a mid-week break in the South Downs National Park just south of Winchester. Team building was the order of the week from our skipper who failed to invite our two youngest recruits but instead stuck with the old Buzzard hanger-on!!
A landrover safari around the military playground that is Salisbury plain kicked the week off that saw us learning to fly in a wind tunnel, watching the experts fly at the Hawk Conservancy Centre, making chocolate bars, truffle and lollipops, visiting the primates at Marwell Zoo, attempting the assault course and crazy golf at Marwell resort, visiting an upside down house and finally a concert from the Lady in Red man, Chris De Burgh. All interspersed with a great deal of merriment, excellent food, cocktails and a Hot Tub!
