Table tennis update – April 2022
Despite a valiant maximum from Vulcan ‘D’s Mick Brooks, Crookes ‘B’ notched up a 6-4 result in Division Two thanks to two wins each from Chris Mortimer, Andy Hepworth & Andy Baxter. This result leaves both sides comfortably in mid table positions and Mortimer in fourth place in the leading scorers list.
Simon Ryalls took a Division Two treble for Abbeydale ‘D’ during a trip to Crookes ‘C’ which resulted in a 7-3 win for the visitors. Nigel Coward supported Simon’s maximum with a brace and the pair combined to take the doubles. Paul Lewis fared best for the hosts with wins over Coward and Steve Cross.
In Division Four, Alan Scott and Ron Watson went unbeaten as they hosted High Green ‘B’ when their victims were Lorraine Swift, Dave Engledow and Nick Hill. The Crookes pairing also took the doubles giving them a 7-3 result in their pursuit of promotion.
Rob Loxley Press Officer
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Table tennis update 16 March 2022
Northern General ‘C’ continues to pursue the promotion places in Division Three and their recent visit to Albert ‘B’ increased their sets tally by ten, in overwhelming the opposition. Lee York, Theo Bishop and Grace Williams were the beneficiaries for NGH as they outgunned Martyn Symons, Louise Reasbeck and Hazel Young. Also in Division Three the Crookes ‘derby’ was dominated by John Kobierowski’s maximum for the ‘E’ team. John Firth made up the balance with a brace and the pair teamed up to take the doubles for a 6-4 triumph. Sean Lawson provided the sternest resistance for the ‘G’team with wins over Chris McHale and Firth.
In the second flight, Crookes ‘C’ hosted Scorpions ‘B’ and Paul Lewis, Steve Chu and Jochen Kortlander provided a 7-3 win by registering two wins each for Crookes. Chu and Kortlander combined to successfully add the doubles. Aaron Radford ended with a maximum for the visitors.
Abbeydale ‘C’ inched towards the Division Two title as they returned from Crookes ‘D’ with two points and eight sets. Jordan Greenwood took the plaudits with three wins and a share of the doubles with Tim Wright who ended with a brace. Scott Hollowood accounted for John Helliwell in a set which went the distance and he overwhelmed Alan Waistnidge in straight games.
Rob Loxley Press Officer
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3rd March 2022
Recent results in Division Three have produced the following outcomes.
Vulcan ‘E’ ran out comfortable winners against Crookes ‘G’ as Terry Charles and Vicky Johnston racked up hat tricks over Pete Webster, Sean Lawson and Stephen Ellis-Pearson to produce a 9-1 for the visitors. Lawson spared the hosts blushes as he narrowly despatched Andy Dawson over five ends. It was an unhappy visit to NGH ‘C’ for this Vulcan squad as they suffered a 6-4 loss thanks largely to a hat trick from Theo Bishop. Lee York and Grace Williams both defeated Martin Green to ensure victory for the hosts. Andy Dawson and Terry Charles both ended with braces.
Dan Gray featured for Crookes ‘F’ with a maximum and a share of the doubles with Gary Rains to ensure the points were shared with Hallam Grange ‘B’. Martin Kraus and Joonbin Doh both ended with two wins for the visitors.
Crookes ‘E’ accounted for Abbeydale ‘E’ in a 7-3 victory which was dominated by a John Firth treble over the visitors. Firth’s maximum was bolstered by braces from John Kobierowski and John Helliwell.
In Division Two, NGH carded a 7-3 score line against Crookes ‘C’ thanks to two wins each for Scott Robertson, Rick Harris and Sue Bailey. Steve Chu’s treble was the only consolation for Crookes. Additional punishment was meted out by NGH ‘B’ to Crookes ‘B’ as Scott Robertson led with a treble and a share of the doubles with Sue Bailey who defeated Tony Jacklin in the singles. Jamie Rusling added to the visitors' woes with wins over Andy Hepworth and Chris Mortimer.
In Division Four, Abbeydale ‘G’ emerged victorious during a trip to Crookes ‘H’. Jack Smith provided a maximum for the visitors which was supported by a Charlie Duke brace. The pair combined to add the doubles to their tally. Alan Scott provided the strongest resistance for Crookes with a brace of wins over Emma Ryalls and Duke.
Rob Loxley Press Officer
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2022 Sheffield Closed summary
Garry Dodd is the new Sheffield Open TT Champion, following his 3-2 win in the final on Sunday at the EIS. Jai Fu Tham provided stiff opposition for the channel islander from Guernsey, taking the final to a deciding game 5-11 11-4 10-12 10-8 10-4. It was Garry’s second singles title and he made it a double celebration by taking the doubles alongside Abbeydale’s Zoltan Kulics, and defeating Simon Pugh and Pete Morgan 3-1 in the final.
Judi Walker took the women’s crown for the seventh time by overcoming Sue Bailey 3-11 11-9 11-6 11-1. Sue derived some consolation in taking the mixed doubles 3-1 in tandem with Scott Robertson.
The junior’s event was won by Jake Shepherd who defeated Tom Clough in a close match which went the distance. Simon Pugh claimed his second veteran’s singles title with a narrow win over Tim Dyson 11-5 in the fifth end.
Bill Grant edged out David Rayner in a marathon over ‘60’s final 11-8 6-11 7-11 10-8 10-8.
Ethan Lynn emerged as the cadet’s champion having dominated a four player round robin without the loss of a set. Maxwell Meggitt claimed the runners up spot.
William Freeston is the Handicap champion having narrowly defeating John Firth 21-18 in the final.
Special thanks go to Jim Kenny, Cheryl Mckeown, Ian Folger and Liz Ford for their sterling efforts at the control desk for 11 hours! Mention must be made of Eddie Fogg who umpired umpteen matches throughout the day until 8:00pm!
Rob Loxley Press officer
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In Division Two of the STTL, third placed Northern General ‘B’ eased past Crookes ‘D’ with a 6-4 result thanks to braces from Rick Harris and Sue Bailey. Fliss Pickard added to the hosts score line with a 3-0 win over John Helliwell; then teamed up with Bailey to take the doubles. Rami Naji responded with a hat trick for Crookes and Alan Waistnidge completed Crookes’ tally with a win over Pickard.
In the third tier, further success came NGH ‘C’s way as Lee York and Theo Bishop dominated proceedings with maximum returns over Vulcan ‘F’. They also combined to take the doubles and register a 7-3 victory. York and Bishop followed up their success with a 6-4 result over the visiting Vulcan ‘E’ side. Bishop went unbeaten and took the doubles alongside York and Grace Williams and York and Williams nullified Vicky Johnston. Vulcan’s best responses came via Terry Charles and Andy Dawson who both ended with braces. Also in Division Three, Crookes ‘F’ took maximum points with a 6-4 win over a visiting Cricketers team. Dan Gray (3) and Gary Rains (2) did the heavy lifting and were supported by Rob Hulubei’s win over Dave Cooper. For the visitors, the evergreen Mark Pickersgill weighed in with a brace and a share of the doubles in partnership with Cooper.
Back to the second division, where Vulcan ‘D’ rescued a point from 5-3 down as Russ Clayton despatched Crookes’C’s Steve Chu 11-9 in the decider and Eddie Fogg defeated Paul Lewis in straight games. Fogg ended with two wins as did Clayton who earlier got the better of Abid Raja 11-9 in the decider. Raja fell foul of Fogg in another lengthy battle 11-8 in the fifth end. The result leaves Crookes in 9th place and Vulcan in mid-table.
Rob Loxley Press Officer
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It is with profound sadness I am reporting the recent passing of our friend Shaun Bibby following his courageous battle with cancer.
Shaun (56) was an ebullient character who was much loved in the wider table tennis community. He was a player of some repute who was also willing to shoulder the burden of administration, a rare breed indeed these days.
Shaun served the Sheffield committee for a number of years specifically as chairman of the “formation of divisions” committee. In addition he found time to cover the role of captain of the South Yorkshire senior’s team in division two of the County Championships, which added to his responsibilities as our county chairman. He built a thriving coaching business over the past few years and was always on hand to pass on advice, gleaned from his forty plus years in the sport.
Shaun formed a successful doubles partnership with Richard Lightowler – the 2003 Sheffield singles champion, winning the doubles title in 2002 and 2010. They also reached the final of the doubles at the English Closed at Pond’s Forge and took the Sheffield veteran’s doubles crown in 2009 and 2013. In addition Shaun partnered Michael Oakley to victory in the top section of the “Wembley Pairs” competition in 1996.
Finally, Shaun answered the call to join the “Redtooth Legends” group which raised £1000 for the St. Luke’s charity on 30 October 2016 at the EIS in the company of the then Lord Mayor - Councillor Denise Fox.
Shaun will be hugely missed by his family, friends and the wider table tennis community.
Rob Loxley Press Officer 19 Feb. 2022
Sheffield table tennis league update.
The Channel Islanders of Vulcan ‘B’ despatched Stocksbridge ‘A’ in a much anticipated clash at the Rugby Club. Garry Dodd (Guernsey) and Luc Miller (Jersey) each posted maximums for the visitors with wins over Simon Pugh, Paul Cichelli and Jack Grant. A Tim Dyson brace completed Vulcan’s scoring giving his team two points and eight sets in the race for the Division One title. It was good to see former England No.1 junior Kevin Beadsley and three time Sheffield champion Kevin Thompson in the audience, showing their approval of the many dynamic rallies which the adversaries conjured up.
In Division Two, Crookes ‘B’ hosted Abbeydale ‘C’ and slumped to a 4-6 loss. Jordan Greenwood featured strongly for the visitors by notching a hat trick which was reinforced by a Winston Campbell brace and a win for Tim Wright over Andy Baxter. Crookes ‘E’ fared better than their senior team by virtue of a 7-3 result against Albert Premier ‘B’ in Division Three. John Firth and John Kobierowski successfully shouldered the heavy lifting by taking all of the host’s sets with their maximums and a winning combination in the doubles.
Also in the third tier, Abbeydale ‘D’ led by Ian Freeston’s treble and the doubles with Steve Howard, eased their way past Crookes ‘G’ which was hosting. Howard weighed in with a brace and Jonny Earnshaw completed the scoring for a 7-3 result to the visitors.
Rob Loxley Press Officer
With thanks to John Helliwell for providing copy score cards.
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Sheffield table tennis league update.
Abbeydale’s Ian Freeston maintained his lead in the race to become the heaviest scorer in Division Three following a hat trick of wins against Northern General C. In a closely contested match, Abbeydale ‘E’ stormed into a 4-1 lead but quickly saw their advantage evaporate as the visitors rallied to share the points. Theo Bishop’s brace provided the platform for the visitor’s revival and to move his team to within two points of the third placed hosts.
A “derby” contest took place in the same division at Crookes where the ‘F’ team had a 6-4 result over Shaun Lawson’s ‘G’ team. Dan Gray was the star of the show with a treble and a win in the doubles alongside Gary Rains. Peter Webster and Lawson replied with a brace a piece for the “away” side.
Further success for Crookes came by way of a 9-1 hammering of Clifton ‘B’ in the second tier. There were maximums for Jochen Kortlander and Steve Chu while Chris Thompson prevented the whitewash with a narrow victory over Mo Arshid.
Northern General ‘B’ maintained its automatic promotion place with a 7-3 result over Hallam Grange ‘A when Fliss Pickard featured with a hat trick supported by a Jamie Rusling brace. A further victory for NGH came at the expense of bottom placed Abbeydale ‘D’ when Sue Bailey and Scott Robertson inflicted a 9-1 outcome on the hosts and paired up to take the doubles.
In the top flight, Andy Henry, Rowan Jones and Jamie Smith delivered a pedestrian whitewash to Crookes ‘A’ for whom relegation appears to be a threat with less than half the campaign remaining.
Rob Loxley Press Officer
With thanks to Roger Hales & John Helliwell for providing the grist to the mill.
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Prelude to Lesley Proudlock by Robert Loxley
Whilst wading through the historical Sheffield handbooks, I repeatedly came across the name of a player who notched up a tremendous number of titles and I never saw her play as she retired in 1967. The player is Lesley Proudlock whose legendary achievements locally consisted of seven women’s singles titles, two women’s doubles titles and five mixed. In addition she took three consecutive Girls singles crowns. In 1961 she was awarded the prestigious “Special Youth’s Award”, by the Sheffield Executive Committee.
LESLEY PROUDLOCK – a brief history.
Most players start playing table tennis at either a youth club, a school or for a works team but one person who scarcely fell into this category was Sheffield's Lesley Proudlock.From the time she was born she was destined to become a table tennis player. Her Parents Ken and Audrey were more than useful table tennis players and were determined that ifshe showed any prowess at the game she should have every opportunity to make good.Lesley's first real interest came when she was taken to Pwllheli Holiday Camp and was spotted by Scottish International Helen Elliott. The following season found Lesley playingin the Sheffield League at thirteen years of age for the club she played for ever since...Albion. At that time Lesley played in the bottom team in the bottom division but fortunately she shared her parent’s enthusiasm and soon started to make a rapid improvement.Three years 1ater in 1960 Lesley had really arrived on the table tennis scene. During the 60-61 season Lesley (who had already represented Sheffield and Yorkshire Juniors) achieved thenumber six England junior ranking. By the end of 1962 season Lesley had been made "Girl of the Year" during a national holiday competition. Lesley’s fine form was also beingnoticed on the tournament circuit and in her debut tournament (the North of England championships) she reached the final of the Ladies Doubles alongside Marjorie Harrison.Having reached such a high position in the junior ranking list, Lesley was unluckynot to get the Junior International badge which she really wanted, but it didn’t quell her enthusiasm for the game.Lesley was one of the best-known personalities on the tournament circuit and one of the most successful. Her finest tournament win was in the Mixed Doubles at the English Open at Brighton in 1965, which she won alongside Mike Symonds. The 1965-66 campaign saw Lesley become the undisputed Yorkshire number one, and her fine form went a long way towards making Yorkshire the county champions. Her Sheffield club, (Albion) won the first division for the third year in succession, with Lesley being the only female playing in the top flight, in a team consisting of Maurice Simpson, Doug McGarry and Brian Broadhurst.Since her earliest days Lesley was an attacking player and when in a tight corner Lesley usually attempted to hit her way out of trouble, however she was able to defend better than she gave herself credit for. In the summer of 1967 Lesley branched out into a new venture; she closed down her Sheffield Boutique for five months whilst she tried her hand at coaching. Lesley’s loyalties were always to the Albion club, Sheffield and her county Yorkshire.
Rob Loxley Press Officer SYCTTA, with thanks for the historic contributions from Table Tennis News.
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TABLE TENNIS NEWS...9/12/21
County Championship Report
South Yorkshire Veterans Division 1A.
The first weekend of the county veteran’s competitions was held at Draycott, Derbyshire on December 4/5th with South Yorks being represented by Stephen Horsfield, England Vetts Ranked 13; Andrew Horsfield, England Vetts Ranked 64; Bill Grant, England Ranked 93; David Rayner, England Ranked 411 & Sue Bailey, England Vetts Ranked 121.
Our opening match was versus Worcestershire who fielded Jason Thompson (England No.14), Stephen Horton (England No. 63), John Collymore (England No. 139) & Sue Horton (England No.74). South Yorks went into a 5-1 lead which included an exceptional win by Sue Bailey 9 in the 5th game against Sue Horton. A mini come back by Worcestershire taking the men’s doubles and a fantastic attack versus defence match between Bill Grant and Steve Horton, which the latter won 11-7 in the 5th. With the match score at 5-3 to South Yorks, the battle of the number 1’s (England no 13 & 14) finished with a 3-0 victory for Stephen Horsfield to take South Yorks into a 6-3 winning lead. The mixed doubles saw Stephen Horsfield and Sue Bailey overcome the “Horton’s” husband & wife partnership 12-10 in the 5th end resulting in a 7-3 triumph for South Yorks.
The match against Somerset proved to be a close affair with the west country team being represented by Rob Millard, (No.221), Scott Cooper (No. 224), Andy Cox (No.325) and Julie Byrne (No.17). South Yorks took a 5-2 lead with Somerset winning the ladies match in 4 games and the battle of the number 3’s (Cox and Rayner) with Cox wining 9 in the 5th game. Somerset pulled another one back to 5-3 with Cooper beating Dave Rayner over 4 games. Stephen Horsfield again won the critical match against Millard 3-1 to give South Yorks a winning lead of 6-3. Andrew Horsfield & Sue Bailey lost the last mixed 3-0 giving the tykes a 6-4 result.
Our opposition from Avon comprised of Dave Reeves, England No.15, Martin Gunn, England No.122, Gary Baldwin England No.134 & Emma Harradine England No.4 and former National champion. This was a tough match, as the defensive play of Dave Reeves demonstrated against Andrew Horsfield, who took the first blood for Avon. Bill Grant levelled the score winning 3-0 against Baldwin and Stephen Horsfield continued his unbeaten record with a straight games win over Gunn. Avon levelled the match with the first mixed doubles with Gunn and Harradine being too strong for Stephen Horsfield and Sue Gilroy winning 3-0, Andrew Horsfield beat Baldwin 3-1 to edge South Yorkshire in front 3-2. Emma Harradine levelled the match with a 3-0 victory over Sue Bailey. The Horsfield then took the doubles winning 3-1 against Gunn and Reeves and restoring South Yorks lead at 4-3. In the battle of the hard hitters between Bill Grant and Martin Gunn, there were glimpses of the standard Gunn can play at taking the first two games 5 and 6, then Grant hit back with some hard hitting of his own to win the next three 6, 8 & 3. With South Yorks leading 5-3, a classic attack versus defence battle Stephen Horsfield and Reeves, saw the inform Stephen dominating the first game winning 11-1. The second was a closer affair with Reeves changing his tactics however Stephen won 14-12 and lead 2-0; then Reeves took the 3end 11-7. Stephen came back stronger in the 4 game winning 11-4 to secure a winning 6-3 lead. Again the last mixed was a great tactical battle between Bill and Sue against Baldwin and Harradine, with Avon wining 11-7 in the 5th game.
Warwickshire provided the final challenge with a team consisting of Adrian Pilgrim (No.20), Ben Willson (No.55), Ryan Stockham (No.41) & Dawn Sagoo (no,31). Stephen Horsfield gave South Yorkshire the perfect start beating the defensive but hard hitting Ben Willson 3-1. Up next the explosive and huge serving Stockham took out Dave Rayner in four games, to level the score. Andrew Horsfield battled hard but lost 11-9 in the 4th to Pilgrim to give Warwickshire a 2-1 lead. Stephen and Sue pulled one back with a 3-0 victory in the mixed and levels the match at 2-2. Dave was up next against Willson and struggled with his unpredictable style of defence or hard hitting and went down 3-0 as Warwickshire restored their lead 3-2. Up next was the ladies singles which resulted in a 3-1 loss, as Warwickshire extended their lead to 4-2. This was followed by the Horsfield brothers winning in 4 games. At 4-3 to Warwickshire, Stockham then produced a serving and third ball exhibition winning comfortably against Andrew Horsfield - Warwickshire 5-3 up. Stephen Horsfield pulled once back with the battle of the number ones and kept his 100% record over the weekend. The final match was the mixed and the first experience for Dave Rayner playing with a wheelchair player. Although totally confused and leaving balls because of the alternate normal doubles rules, they actually did very well and although levelling the game at 2-2 with an 11-2 4th game lost their way in the 5th and lost 11-7. MATCH RESULT WARWICKSHIRE 6 SOUTH YORKSHIRE 4. Stephen Horsfield’s magnificent contribution which resulted in a 100% winning total keeps our county in the hunt for county championship honours.
Rob Loxley – Press Officer
With sincere thanks to Andrew Horsfield, without whose cooperation this article would not have been possible.
TABLE TENNIS NEWS...9/12/21
The South Yorkshire county senior squad turned out on Sunday 28th at the Ravenshead leisure centre near Mansfield with matches against Leicestershire 2 and Durham 1. Shaun Bibby (County senior selector) reports that our outstanding players were Joshua Stacey and Felicity Pickard with both winning 2/2 maximums in both matches. It was a great team effort with both matches ending in 7-3 wins for South Yorks thanks to further valuable contributions from Jack Grant 3/4; Sue Bailey 2/4 and Luke Tattersall 1/4.
In the Sheffield league, there were mixed fortunes for Crookes in recent weeks, starting in Division 2 when Crookes ‘D’ defeated Abbeydale ‘D’ 7-3. Rami Naji featured for the hosts with a treble over Steve Cross, Nigel Coward and Simon Ryalls. Alan Waistnidge took a brace and John Helliwell overcame Cross 11-7 in the fifth end. Nigel Coward’s brace was the best that the visitors could muster.
Crookes ‘C’ suffered a Division 2 beating from the visit of Abbeydale ‘C’, when they succumbed 9-1 to Jordan Greenwood, Winston Campbell and Noah van Hoorebeek. Campbell and van Hoorebeek took maximums and Greenwood added two more wins. The whitewash was averted when Jochen Kortlander narrowly accounted for Greenwood 13-11 in the fifth game.
In Division Three, Crookes ‘E’ fell to the leaders - Vulcan ‘E’ when Terry Charles took a solid treble against Ron Watson, John Kobierowski and John Firth. Andy Dawson and Vicky Johnston both notched braces and Charles rounded off a perfect night with a doubles win alongside Dawson. John Firth took a brace for the hosts as they went down 8-2.
A change of personnel failed to improve the Crookes ‘E’ performance as they slipped to a 6-4 loss at NGH ‘C’. Kevin Plowman featured for the NGH with a hat trick which was bolstered by wins from Mike Prendagast and Roger Hales over Chris McHale. John Helliwell and John Kobierowski replied with braces for the visitors.
Rob Loxley
Press Officer
Table Tennis update – 23 November 2021.
Abbeydale ‘A’ have reached the final of the higher section of the 3 a side competition having ousted Vulcan ‘B’ 5-3. Despite Garry Dodd’s maximum which included a 3-1 result over Andy Henry; the hosts were unable to match Abbeydale’s strength in depth as Rowan Jones and Steve Mason accumulated the requisite number of sets to send the visitors through.
Vulcan ‘D’ cemented its position in the middle of the second flight by easing past Abbeydale ‘D’ in S17. Their 6-4 result came largely via braces from Eddie Fogg and Mick Brooks who also combined to take the doubles. Simon Ryalls fared best for the hosts with wins over Fogg and Russ Clayton.
In Division Three of league competition, Abbeydale ‘E’ continued its pursuit of the Vulcan teams by overcoming Cricketers 7-3, and in so doing the hosts maintained a precarious grip on the third place. Ian Freeston was installed as “player of the match” thanks to his treble over David Cooper; Alan Firth and Mark Pickersgill. Freeston rounded off a perfect match as he partnered Stephen Howard to a 3-1 doubles win. Howard posted a brace and William Freeston completed Abbeydale’s scoring with victory over Cooper. Pickersgill provided the strongest resistance for the visitors with wins over Howard and William Freeston.
Joe Barker had a perfect outcome in Division Four as he took a maximum for Albert Premier ‘C’ during a visit to Wadsley Bridge ‘B’. He disposed of Harrison Brearley and Jim Kenny without the loss of a game, however Matthew Cooke-Fox provided a sterner challenge as he pushed Barker into a fifth end which the Albert star took 11-9. Patrick Marsden bolstered the visitors tally with narrow wins over Brearley and Kenny. Cooke-Fox took a brace but both points eventually went to the visitors.
Rob Loxley – Press Officer.
3 a side KO update
As the 3-a-side Knockout competition celebrates its 79th anniversary, the unseeded second round draw threw up a heavyweight clash in the top section with four time winners Abbeydale ‘A’ hosting multiple winners Stocksbridge ‘A’. Andy Henry opened his account with a 3-0 result over Jack Grant, but the hosts lead was quickly diminished as Stephen Horsfield outgunned Rowan Jones 3-1. Andrew Horsfield launched the visitors ahead as he defeated Jamie Smith in straight games; however parity was restored as Jones compounded Grant’s misery with a 3-0 result. Andrew Horsfield then fell to the imperious Henry 3-0 before Stephen levelled the match at 3-3 with a 3-1 win over Smith. Rowan Jones regained the lead for Abbeydale by taking out Andrew Horsfield 11-2 in the fifth end, and then Grant – a two time Sheffield champion – levelled the tie by overcoming Smith in a set which went the distance. Andy Henry finally administered the Coup de Grace to send Abbeydale through to the 3rd round with a straight games win over Stephen Horsfield, where they will encounter Vulcan ’B’ at Attercliffe.
In the lower section, Alan Scott (Crookes ‘H’) registered wins over Phil Wright (Abbeydale ‘H’) and Ian Gardner to ensure the hosts had a comfortable passage into the next round. Alan Garnett momentarily halted Crookes’ progress having outlasted David Read over five ends. This was followed by a brace of wins for Alex Smith which propelled Crookes into round three having crossed the five set finishing line, where they will travel to Wadsley Bridge ’A’.
Rob Loxley Press Officer
TABLE TENNIS NEWS...4/10/21
The long awaited commencement of the Sheffield league’s programme is underway even though membership has declined reducing the number of divisions to four as a consequence of the Pandemic.
In Division Three, Hallam Grange ‘B’ has made a positive start by turning in two winning performances. There were two wins each for team captain Ian Folger, Joong Bin Doh and most notably Sango Park who took out the experienced Ian Freeston in a five game thriller as the visitors totted up a 6-4 victory over Abbeydale ‘E’. This success was followed up with a similar score line in S10Hallam with the visit of High Green ‘A’. There were braces for Folger and Park and a solitary but eye opening win for Joon Bin Doh as he overcame Rob Vaughan 11-4 in the fourth end. High Green’s best response was registered with a brace from Mick Large who accounted for Doh and Folger in an epic five game encounter.
In the top flight, the newly designated Vulcan ‘B’ side of Garry Dodd, Tim Dyson and David Rayner narrowly defeated the defending champions who turned out a depleted team due to recent Paralympic commitments. Shaun Marples took out Dodd in five ends and Rayner in straight games, but succumbed to Dyson 3-0. Shae Thakker, an 18 year old psychology student from High Wycombe scored a 3-1 win over David Rayner and the hosts took the doubles. Garry Dodd ousted Luke Tattersall 3-0 as did Rayner in a five game tussle, but the star of the show was Tim Dyson who ended on a hat trick.
Stocksbridge ‘A’ are unbeaten following a tricky visit to Quickplay where Pete Morgan Jr notched a brace with wins over Simon Pugh and Paul Cicchelli. Richard Lightowler took the host’s third set with a 3-1 result over Andrew Horsfield. Pugh and Cicchelli got the better of Lightowler and Sarah Short and Horsfield added to the visitor’s tally with the win over Morgan and combined with Pugh for success in the doubles and a 7-3 result.
Rob Loxley – Press Officer
Derek Burden
I am extremely sad to report the passing of Derek Burden – the long time stalwart of the Cricketers table tennis club.
Derek recently passed away aged 85 and leaves his son – Richard and daughter Annette.
Derek spent his formative years in the Hillsborough area and soon became an all-round sportsman, in particular as a cricketer and footballer playing for the well known Ecclesfield Red Hose football team. He became interested in table tennis alongside his friends – Mick Frith and Bill Naylor, who with Derek mobilised a table tennis club at Frecheville. In 1978 the trio entered the Sheffield & District table tennis league taking the Division 6B title at the first attempt. This was followed by six consecutive promotions together with back to back third tier knockout cups in 1982 and ’83.
Mick Thorley was recruited into the Cricketers ‘A’ team and they swept into the “Super Division” and finished fourth in their inaugural season. Most of these achievements occurred during Derek’s tenure as club secretary and in 2001 Derek was presented with one of the league’s most prestigious awards - the Norman Lee Jubilee trophy for the “club secretary of the year”.
He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and the local table tennis community.
Derek’s funeral will take place on Friday 24th July at the Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium, S8 0HP at 2.30pm. Social distancing will be observed.
A wake will be held at the Sherwood Pub and Restaurant, 67 Birley Moor Road, Sheffield S12 4WG.
Rob Loxley – Press Officer – with thanks for the contributions from Dave Cooper.
At the weekend in the Derby arena three young lads from the Sheffield league played in the Junior British League. They won their section outright, beating teams from Corby Smash TTC, Cheltenham, North and South London, Cardiff TTC, Birmingham and Kent.
They also were awarded the prize of being “team of the weekend” for their fair play, team spirit and outstanding results. The team of Lewis Ellams (Rotherham Scorpions), Aaron Radford (Rotherham Scorpions), and Jack Cross (Abbeydale) were placed fourth going into the weekend, hence it was a huge achievement to end as winners and a further example of young players joining together from different clubs across the Sheffield region.
Pictured left to right are Tom Purcell (Table Tennis England board member), Lewis Ellams, Aaron Radford and Jack Cross.
It was standing room only at Attercliffe in the top flight of the Sheffield league for the highly anticipated face off between Vulcan’s leading teams. The contest ended in victory for the ‘B’ team thanks largely to a “player of the match” performance from Para athlete Billy Shilton. Shah Masoudi caused Billy the most difficulty, stretching him to a fifth end which Shilton took 11-6. He also swept aside Tim Dyson and Garry Dodd in straight games to complete his hat trick. Earlier at game five, Dodd ended Josh Stacey’s remarkable forty three set undefeated run in the division with a demonstration of power and retrieving to win 3-1. Shilton and Stacey paired up to take the doubles set which went the distance against Dodd and Masoudi. Shaun Marples took a brace as did Stacey to capture eight sets and almost certainly the top flight title for the Vulcan ‘B’ team.
In Division Four, leaders Shiregreen ‘C’ continued their pursuit of the title with a 6-4 win at home to Clifton ‘D’. Ryan and Peter Henger and Rob Hulubei each scored twice, yet the “player of the match” accolade went to Clifton’s Jim Pugh (36/41) who took his customary maximum and the doubles with Geoff Sanderson.
Wadsley Bridge ‘A’ is guaranteed promotion from Division Five but the battle for the runners up spot rages on. The two contenders met at Hallam Grange when the visitors from HSBC took the spoils. “Player of the match” Chris Thompson fashioned the victory with a treble and a share of the doubles with Adam Smithson. Sangdo Park fared best for the hosts with wins over Smithson and Keith Thomas and Thompson’s efforts were supported by a Smithson brace to give the bankers a 6-4 result.
Rob Loxley Press Officer STTL
1st March 2020
Crookes ‘B’s “player of the match” Steve Chu wrested the deciding set from Clifton’s Mick Foster and took a hat trick, ensuring honours finished even during the battle to avoid the top flight’s wooden spoon. Having led 3-1 and 5-3 thanks to a brace from Alex Bland, Crookes rallied as Liam Carson overcame Craig Straw to allow Chu to deliver the knockout blow.
In Division Two, Andy Hepworth (34/45) the division’s leading scorer, took a maximum for Crookes ‘C’ on a visit to second placed Vulcan ‘C’. However two wins each for Chris Cattell and Cliff Glaves, added to Mark Seddon’s 3-1 victory over Tony Jacklin gave the hosts two points and six sets in the race for a place in next season’s top flight.
In the third tier, relegation threatened Hallam Grange ‘C’ took a hard earned point from Vulcan ‘F’ in an epic encounter in which half of the sets went the distance. Martin Green drew first blood for the visitors with a 3-1 result over John Daniels. John Whitchurch levelled by defeating Terry Charles in straight games before “player of the match” Vicky Johnston reclaimed the lead in sweeping aside Hock-ann Chia. Daniels ended on a brace and took the doubles in tandem with Whitchurch. Green and Johnston both registered braces for Redtooth as the points were shared.
In a Division Six encounter, even the resurgent Phil Cockayne’s hat trick was insufficient to stave off defeat for Vulcan ‘J’ at the hands of Hallam Grange ‘F’. John Skinner and John Hallam both registered twice for the visitors and Hallam took the doubles alongside Dave Shaw who had earlier accounted for Graham Daly.
Rising star Maxwell Meggitt has qualified to represent South Yorkshire at the 29th Butterfly Schools’ Individual Table Tennis Championships National Finals.
Maxwell (10) attends the Westbourne School in Sheffield and will take on some of the best young players in the country at the Aldersley Leisure Village, Wolverhampton on Saturday April 25th. He earned a place at the event by battling through county qualifying stages at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield. Maxwell first started playing table tennis in the summer of 2018 and is based at the Abbeydale Sports Club playing in the local league. Maxwell says “I’m really looking forward to playing against people my own age at the National Finals. I’m busy putting lots of practice in so that I can progress as far as I can.”
Rob Loxley Press Officer STTL
21st February 2020
In the battle for the Division Two title, the advantage swung in Abbeydale ‘C’s favour as Jack, Cross, Jordan Greenwood and Tim Wright each scored twice during a visit to second placed Vulcan ‘C’. The hosts led 3-2 and 4-3 until Wright got the better of Chris Cattell in an epic set which went the distance. The visitors took the lead as Cross defeated Cliff Glaves 3-1 and the points were secured by Greenwood who cruised past Phil Beresford. Chris Cattell’s brace was the strongest resistance that Vulcan could offer.
Also in the second flight, Northern General ‘B’ eked out a draw against Hallam Grange ‘B’ when Adriano Baldi featured by taking a treble with wins over Dave Aspinall, Pete Mannion and Petr Polacek. Mannion and Polacek both notched braces by getting the better of Rick Harris and Jamie Rusling. The Hallam pairing also combined to win the doubles and ensure the points were shared.
Wadsley Bridge ‘A’ maintained its grip on the top spot in Division Five by taking both points and six sets from the visit of Tapton Hill ‘A’. Wadsley’s Matt Hemstock was named “player of the match” by registering a maximum with wins over Terry Gallagher, Dennis Slater and Steve Charles. Pete Muscroft added to Hemstock’s tally with a brace and Jim Kenny overcame Slater.
Abbeydale ‘J’ are still in the hunt for promotion from Division Five following a hard earned point in S17 against Albert Premier ‘B’. Emma Hickman deserved to be “player of the match as she notched a treble against Ross Stewart, Harry Whales and Hazel Young. Emma’s efforts were supported by solitary wins from Chris Meek and Alan Purshouse. Stewart and Young both had two wins and teamed up to take the doubles for the visitors.
Rob Loxley
Press Officer STTL
British Para athlete Josh Stacey is the new Sheffield Open Singles champion following his overwhelming victory over defending champion Garry Dodd. The 19 year old southpaw from Cardiff produced a stunning demonstration of power hitting and speed, which he’s amassed during his sixteen hours a week of training under the guidance of Matt Kenny and Shaun Marples at the Institute of Sport. There were some exceptional displays of skill throughout the day, in particular in the quarter and semi finals of the Open Singles. The tournament fell silent as players and spectators alike stopped to watch Stephen Horsfield eliminate Billy Shilton in dramatic fashion during a five game thriller in the round of sixteen.
Josh is a European team bronze medalist and an individual Commonwealth bronze medal winner and is currently ranked eighth in the World in Class 9 on the Para ranking list. He is close to qualifying for the Paralympics in Japan later on this year and he doubled his success yesterday by capturing the men’s doubles title alongside fellow Para athlete Billy Shilton with a win over Bill and Jack Grant.
Judy Walker won her sixth women’s singles crown in 1977 and she made it seven titles with victory in a round robin group, in which Sue Gilroy finished in second place. Sue also took the mixed doubles title with Stephen Horsfield. Stephen won his second veteran’s singles crown by defeating his brother Andrew by three games to one in the final.
“Super veteran” David Rayner sealed victory in the over 60’s competition with a 3-1 result over Bill Grant.
Rowan Jones retained the junior title by overcoming Jack Cross over four games, while Noah van Hoorebeek retained his cadet title with a straight games victory over Ethan Lynn. Aden van Hoorebeek is the new under 12’s champion following his marathon win over Max Meggitt.
In the handicap singles Jack Fieldsend came through as champion in a hard hitting match against Noah van Hoorebeek 21-17.
Rob Loxley – Press Officer STTL
24th January 2020
Vulcan’s Garry Dodd, the defending Redtooth Open Singles champion has been allocated the number one seeding slot for this year’s championships. Dodd who originates from Guernsey is currently rated 28th in the England ratings list. Para athlete Josh Stacey, who is unbeaten in the top flight of the Sheffield league and Shaun Marples (both Vulcan) are seeded second and third respectively followed by Quickplay’s Pete Morgan Jnr. Five times champion Mark Short (Quickplay) occupies the fifth berth, followed by Billy Shilton (Vulcan); two times champion Andy Horsfield (Stocksbridge) and Tim Dyson (Vulcan) who is ranked eighth. A total of sixteen elite players have been seeded, the list includes two time champion Jack Grant (Stocksbridge), eight time winner Stephen Horsfield, Vulcan’s Luke Tattersall and Peter France, Abbeydale’s Zoltan Kulics and Matt Blake. Sarah Short (Quickplay) is the solitary female competitor to be seeded in the Open and last but not least is Bill Grant (Stocksbridge).
With over sixty entrants, the 82nd Sheffield championships promise to be a feast of high quality competition and entertainment.
Sarah Short, the multiple women’s title holder is favourite to add to her huge collection of singles titles.
Top seeds in the Men’s Doubles are Billy Shilton and Josh Stacey, followed by Garry Dodd and Peter France, Shaun Marples and Luke Tattersall and Mark Short and Pete Morgan.
Play begins at 8:35 at the English Institute of Sport when the groups of the Open singles commence.
Spectators are welcome and admission is free.
Rob Loxley – Press Officer STTL
12th January 2020
Northern General ‘B’s Sue Gilroy, Fliss Pickard and Jamie Rusling each got the better of Vulcan ‘D’s Helmuth Osborne and new-comer Chris Reeves-Croft during a hard fought Division Two contest in which five of the sets went the distance! The visitors led by Russ Clayton, are flirting with relegation but fought hard to stave off defeat as Clayton registered a defiant hat trick in winning each of his sets narrowly, in five game thrillers. The hosts lie in fifth place, clear of the relegation mire thanks to this 7-3 victory.
In Division Three, Kieran Alvey (27/32) took a maximum, as did his father Shaun, during Albert Premier’s visit to Abbeydale ‘F. The visitors are in the promotion battle, level on points and one set adrift of second place Abbeydale ‘D’. Ian Freeston and Steve Howard prevented a whitewash as they accounted for Ross Stewart.
Crookes ‘H’ narrowed the gap at the top of the fourth tier to two points with a creditable 6-4 result over the leaders – Shiregreen ‘C’. Ramy Naji (32/33) the division’s leading scorer posted his customary hat trick, which was backed up by a brace from John Firth and John Kobierowski’s 11-6 win over Ryan Henger.
The 82nd Sheffield closed championships are to be held at the English Institute of Sport on Sunday 2nd February. The closing date for entries is Sunday 19th January.
Rob Loxley – Press Officer
8th January 2020
On New Year’s Eve Peter Kay passed away at the age of ninety. Peter played for Hillsborough Tabs alongside Ken Urquhart; Pat Cutler (the 1964 women’s champion) and Sheila Barker for many seasons. He ended his career in the colours of Wadsley Bridge playing for twenty years in the company of Brian Cartwright, Pat Cain and Dave Bell. He often chauffeured youngsters to matches and offered them encouragement and valuable advice. Peter was a genuine “club man” and “one of the good guys” who will be fondly remembered by his team mates, his opponents and the local table tennis community.
Peter’s funeral will take place at 15:45 on Thursday 16th January at Christ Church, Stannington, S6 6DB.
Rob Loxley – Press Officer
With contributions from Rod Bly – President STTL
24th December 2019
As 2019 draws to a close, Joshua Stacey has reached the apotheosis of performance in the top flight of Sheffield table tennis, with his 100% winning record from twenty-four encounters. Some of his notable wins have been against the current Sheffield champion - Garry Dodd; eight times champion Stephen Horsfield; five times champion Mark Short; twice champions Jack Grant and Andy Horsfield and the 2003 winner Richard Lightowler. Stacey’s outstanding contribution has cemented Vulcan ‘B’ into the position of favourites to secure the Division One crown. The 19 year old left-handed Welshman has been supported by fellow Paralympian Billy Shilton (16/18); the Pathway Manager at British Para Table Tennis-Shaun Marples (22/24); Luke Tattersall (17/27) and James Houghton (8/12).
In Division Two, the lead of the race to become highest scorer is shared by Phil Beresford-Vulcan ‘C’ (20/22); Jack Cross-Abbeydale ‘C’ (20/24); Marcus Ka Lem Lai- Crookes ‘E’ (20/27) and Tim Wright-Abbeydale ‘C’ (20/27).
Simon Ryalls (Abbeydale ‘D’ leads the way in the Division Three top scorer’s list with 27/29, followed by Albert Premier’s Kieran Alvey (24/29) and Edward Fogg (Vulcan ‘E’) with 19 wins from 23 matches.
Ramy Naji heads the Division Four list with 29/30 for Crookes ‘H’, with Phil Powell (Hallam Grange ‘D’) with 22/27 in second place.
In the fifth tier, the lead is shared by three players who have each amassed 21 wins; they are Adam Smithson (HSBC); Ross Stewart-Young (Albert Premier ‘B’) and Matthew Hemstock (Wadsley Bridge ‘A’).
Last but not least, Abbeydale ‘K’ are top of Division Six by some margin and unsurprisingly Phil Wright and David Elliott are in front on the highest scorer’s list.
In the county championships, a weakened South Yorkshire veteran’s squad buckled due to being short of a female player to accompany Sue Gilroy who was only available for part of the weekend. It’s a woeful situation when our South Yorkshire County are unable to field two females to play for the veterans and the seniors in these championships. However, the veterans gave a good account of themselves despite their numerical disadvantage they managed to draw with Avon. Team captain Bill Grant won both of his singles including a good win over the England number 12th ranked over 40’s player-David Reeves. Stephen Horsfield also played well winning 2/2 and Dave Rayner romped to a 3-0 triumph over Rick Jemmott. On the second day another point was gained by the Tykes against Northumberland, as Stephen featured by beating England number 3 veteran – Andy Wilkinson 12 -10 in the fifth end. Grant took out Eddie Smith 3-0 then Andrew Horsfield overcame Martin Shapira 11-8 in the deciding end. Andrew then teamed up with Sue Gilroy to earn a hard fought point by winning the mixed 14-12 in the fifth game! South Yorkshire had a 6-4 result over Gloucestershire with Grant winning both his singles, and Andrew and Stephen notching one win each. Sue and Stephen won the mixed doubles for the win.
The veterans need at least one point from their final match to avoid relegation on February 29th. The senior’s team are closing in on promotion providing they can recruit their best players and ensure we turn out two female players for both teams.
It is a privilege for me to write about events in the South Yorkshire county and the Sheffield league. I hope we can pull together to keep our aspirations alive in the county championships in particular, but it can only be done with the support of our leading players - both male and female.
I hope most of you enjoy reading my efforts and that you will comment on your scorecards in order to assist with my contribution.
Wishing every one in the county and its leagues a merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy 2020!
Cheers,
Rob
Press Officer SYCTTA & STTL
18th December 2019
Successive hat tricks from Garry Dodd and Tim Dyson against defending champions Stocksbridge ‘A’ and Crookes ‘A’, have propelled Vulcan ‘A’ to within touching distance of the top flight leaders. Two matches in consecutive days gave Redtooth fourteen sets and four valuable points in the race for the title. The visit of Stocksbridge witnessed the Sheffield debut of Bradford based Shah Masoudi in Vulcan colours. “Shah” narrowly lost to Simon Pugh 11-9 in the decider and took one game from multiple Sheffield champion Stephen Horsfield; however he comprehensively dispatched Jack Grant in straight games. The doubles went to the visitors 3-1. Vulcan’s line up changed for the trip to Crookes when Peter France stepped in for “Shah”. Tim Denby opened the scoring for the hosts with a 3-1 win over France then Tim Dyson and Garry Dodd gave Vulcan the lead and it was extended to 3-1 courtesy of France’s win over Jake Meikle. Dodd and Dyson increased the lead with wins over Denby and Theo Cordara respectively. Despite the 7-3 result, Vulcan have not solved the conundrum of how to win a doubles set using an all southpaw partnership as Dodd and Dyson fell to Denby and Meikle as they did against Stocksbridge's Pugh and Horsfield. Maybe they should analyse the left handed pairing of Josh Stacey and Billy Shilton?
In Division Six, Tapton ‘C’ are level on points with fellow promotion rivals Vulcan ‘J’ but a recent encounter between the two belied their divisional positions. Martin Hill gave an exemplary performance by posting a maximum for the hosts and sharing a doubles win alongside Joe Barker. Peter Klein and Barker firmed up Hill’s contribution with a pair of braces. The visiting Redtooth side cut their losses thanks Phil Cockayne’s win over Klein and Keith Archdale’s success against Barker as Tapton ran out 8-2 winners.
Rob Loxley Press Officer STTL
8th December 2019
Four years ago, Vulcan table tennis club established an after-school club at the Birley Academy in partnership with Sheffield United community foundation. A four hour show-case event was delivered in January 2016, attended by the Lord Mayor - Councillor Denise Fox. Andrea Holt, the five time England women’s champion and veteran of two Olympic Games directed four, one hour sessions, assisted by David Rayner, Steve Parkinson and Dennis E Green. Birley’s head of sport Keith Cronin, facilitated the event which provided three hundred children with an introduction to table tennis. Last week, Andrea - a Vice President of table tennis England, returned to the Academy to lead a ninety minute session for fourteen members of the Birley after school club. Nationally, women and girls represent ten percent of the table tennis population; hence it was pleasing to note that thirty five percent of attendees at Andrea’s session were female! After school club regulars Callum Fisher, Braden Hoyland and Sam Voyce are currently enjoying their inaugural season in Division Four of the Sheffield junior league which is staged at the Institute of Sport, under the supervision of Phil Wright and Fay Buchan.
As the first half of the season draws to a close, the current Division Six leaders dropped a point during a visit to Telecom where they found Adrian Potts and Lynda Lowthorpe on form as they both got the better of Phil Wright and Michael Warwick. In response, David Elliott notched a treble and teamed up with Wright to secure the doubles set which went the distance.
Patrick Marsden took the plaudits by scoring a Division Six maximum for Tapton 'B' on their arrival at Wadsley Bridge 'C'. Dey Wilson registered a brace and teamed up with Marsden to take the doubles and two points. Connor Parsons made the biggest impression for the hosts with a brace of his own.
The hitherto unbeaten Shiregreen ‘A’ team were routed by Vulcan ‘C’ in a top of the table clash at Attercliffe. The under-strength visitors were whitewashed by Chris Cattell, Phil Beresford and Cliff Glaves who played particularly well to move his team into top spot in the second tier.
Rob Loxley – Press Officer
27th November 2019
On Monday, during my visit to Holbrook to view the “plum tie” of the quarter finals of the top section of the knock out cup, I witnessed the closest possible end to a tie between two of the fancied teams in the top flight. Quickplay were entertaining Redtooth ‘A’ in an eagerly anticipated encounter which a neutral observer would have relished. Mark Short ranked 8th in England’s veteran’s list kicked off proceedings with a straight games win over David Rayner. Pete Morgan jnr doubled the hosts lead by taking out the number 36 veteran Tim Dyson by three games to one, but Garry Dodd closed the gap for Vulcan with a pedestrian win over Richard Lightowler. Pete Morgan then restored the two set margin by narrowly defeating Rayner 11-9 in the decider. Dodd stepped up to beat Short 3-0 and the tie was levelled as Dyson eclipsed Lightowler in an atmospheric match-up which finished 11-5 in the fifth end. The visitors took the lead with Dodd claiming his hat trick in a comfortable win over Morgan then parity was restored as Lightowler cruised past Rayner. The deciding set was an epic with an anticlimactic conclusion, with Short drawing first blood 11-6 and Dyson responding well by taking the next two ends 11-8, 11-8. Short levelled in the fourth end 11-9 and at 10-11 down in the fifth Dyson served into the net to send Quickplay into the semi finals.
In Division Five, despite Hazel Young’s fine hat trick for Albert ‘B’ her achievement failed to realise a positive outcome for the hosts against the strugglers from Wadsley Bridge ‘B’. The visitors pulled off a 6-4 win thanks largely to the efforts of Stephen Lee and Jim Kenny who both took braces and combined to win the doubles 3-1.
In the top flight, Neil Marples and Steve Mason both took maximums for Abbeydale ‘A’ during the visit of Clifton ‘A’. Jamie Smith succumbed to Craig Straw, Mick Foster and Alex Bland during the 7-3 defeat of the visitors.
Abbeydale ‘H’s Tom Lee proved too strong for the Vulcan ‘H’ team of Dennis E Green, Stan Wainwright and Glyn Ward, as he led the hosts to a 7-3 triumph in Division Four. He teamed up with Louis Menzell to win the doubles and Oliver Barnett narrowly accounted for Wainwright and Ward during sets which went the distance.
Terry Charles (Vulcan ‘F’) notched a Division Three maximum as the hosts got the better of Hallam Grange ‘C’ at Attercliffe. Martin Green had earlier defeated Jack Deacon and Andy Dawson repeated the feat and overcame Hock-Ann Chia 11-9 in the decider. John Daniels ended with two wins for the visitors.
Rob Loxley – Press Officer
27 November 2019
Table tennis topics – 20 November 2019
In a three hour contest, Vulcan Redtooth ‘B’ battered Vulcan ‘A ‘into submission as they unleashed a phenomenal display of speed and power hitting to inflict a remarkable whitewash on their title rivals. Josh Stacey (19) and Billy Shilton (21) are members of the British Para table tennis squad and they, along with Shaun Marples, put Garry Dodd, Will Hornsey and Tim Dyson to the sword. Welshman Stacey is one of a handful of top flight players in the current Sheffield league campaign that remains undefeated and he demonstrated his current rich vein of form by taking his three sets without the loss of a single game.
In a reflective moment (over a pint of Coors) following the defeat, the ‘A’ team captain – David Rayner commented – “sometimes you have to acknowledge that the opposition was simply too good on the night and that was certainly the case today”.
At the South Yorkshire schools team event staged at the EIS, Totley ‘A’ (Adam Clayton, Daniel Webster, Danny Compton and Bruce Gray) won the under 11’s round robin boys event, having overcome Totley ‘B’ and Bramley Sunnyside.
In the girls competition Bramley Sunnyside came through to take the title. In the final of the under 13’s boys event, Birkdale ‘A’ (Nathan Allen, Gavin Lin, Alex Portius and Harry Stevens) got the better of Birkdale ‘B’ (Rowan Campbell-Pilling, Edward Burch, Ben Halsey and George Turner).
In the closest contest of the day, Notre Dame (Ross Stewart, Luke Hopkins, Leo James Orr and Fergal Harrison) narrowly edged out Silverdale on points count-back having finished level on sets and games!
Our thanks go to Jim Kenny and Phil Wright for administering the event in their usual assiduous way. The individual competition will take place at the EIS on the evening of Friday 7th Feb 2020.
The South Yorkshire seniors travelled to Wellingborough to compete in the county championships where they had mixed fortunes. First up was Leicester seconds who edged past the Tykes 6-4, with Jack Grant, Pete Morgan jr, Sue Gilroy and Emily Walker all winning one set each. South Yorkshire then took the honours with a deserved 6-4 win against Durham, thanks to Jack Grant and Shaun Bibby who both posted braces; while Pete Morgan and Sue Gilroy added a set each to ensure victory.
Rob Loxley – Press Officer - 20/11/19
4th November 2019
Simon Ryalls provided a flawless display as he claimed a hat trick to advance Abbbeydale ‘D’ into the third round of the knockout cup. He opened proceedings with a 3-1 win over John Daniels and extended the visitor’s lead to 3-1 with a 3-0 result against John Whitchurch. Hallam ‘C’ responded with Daniels’ win over John Gialluca and Hock-Ann Chia levelled with a win over Sarah Thorne. Gialluca got the better of Whitchurch and Ryalls brought this middle section match to a conclusion with the 3-1 defeat of Chia.
In the top section, Crookes ‘C’ entertained Vulcan ‘C’ and Andy Baxter put the hosts in front from the off with an unexpected win over Chris Cattell. Andy Hepworth doubled the hosts lead by overcoming Cliff Glaves before Tony Jacklin gave Crookes a 3-0 cushion by toppling Mark Seddon. Cattell led the visitor’s recovery with a 3-0 result over Hepworth and Seddon swept Baxter aside in straight games to close the gap to 3-2. Glaves levelled the tie at 3-3 as he overcame Jacklin but Hepworth’s win over Seddon and Jacklin’s ousting of Cattell saw the hosts over the finishing line and into round three.
In Division Five of league competition, Wadsley ‘A’ travelled to Tapton Hill ‘A’ and moved into second place with a 6-4 win thanks largely to an undefeated performance from Mark Raby. He made short work of Fred Woodruff and Dennis Slater and following a doubles win alongside Connor Parsons, Raby completed his night’s work with a 3-1 triumph over the improving Steve Charles. It was Charles who offered the sternest resistance by registering a brace for the hosts.
25th October 2019
This week I was privileged to witness at first hand, two exciting contests in the second
round of the 3 a side knockout competition. Whilst the playing standards were wide apart, the results were in doubt at the final set. In the middle section, Vulcan ‘F’ entertained fellow Division Three rivals Clifton ‘C’ and the hosts drew first blood as Vicky Johnston saw off Jim Jeickles 11-5 in the fourth end. Russ Drayton levelled for the visitors with a 3-0 win over Martin Green and Ian Henderson put Clifton in front by downing Andy Dawson 3-1. Martin Green restored parity as he defeated Jeickles in straight games. Vicky then pulled off the surprise of the match as she patiently got the better of Henderson winning 3-1. Drayton levelled the match as he dispatched Dawson 3-0 and the visitors took the lead as Henderson’s defence halted Green. Jeickles unhappy night was compounded as he went down to Dawson 3-1. With the match perfectly poised at 4-4, Vicky squared up to Russ Drayton in what turned out to be a ding-dong battle. She took the first two ends then Russ levelled and after a marathon battle Johnston prevailed 13-11 to record a memorable maximum and send the hosts through to the third round, in a match which was played in sportsmanlike fashion.
In the top section, Vulcan ‘A’ hosted Vulcan ‘B’ in a hard fought match which contained many spectacular rallies. Tim Dyson gave the ‘A’ team the lead with a 3-1 result over Billy Shilton and Garry Dodd doubled the lead by beating Luke Tattersall 3-0. Josh Stacey reduced the arrears with a 3-0 win over Peter France and Shilton levelled matters by defeating Dodd in straight games. The ‘B’team took a 3-2 lead as Stacey took out Dyson 3-0 then France levelled by beating Tattersall by a similar margin. Stacey then fell at the hands of Dodd and Shilton levelled the tie with victory over France. The deciding set which launched the ‘A’ team into the third round was a 3-1 win for Dyson over the luckless Tattersall. Despite the keen rivalry, this match too was played in a fair and competitive spirit.
Rob Loxley Press Officer
7th October 2019
Wadsley Bridge ‘B’ picked up their first point of the Division Five campaign during a tied match with Hallam Grange ‘E’. The hosts were led by Wadsley stalwart Pat Cain who had wins over John Hallam and Nigel Repper. Pat’s wins were backed up by Stephen Lee and Jim Kenny who both accounted for John Hallam. The visitors relied on Repper and Joongbin Doh who each took two wins against Kenny and Lee to ensure honours were even.
In Division Six, Tapton ‘C’ occupy second place thanks to a 7-3 result over a visiting Hallam Grange ‘F’ team. Darryl Lomas bossed the match for the hosts with a comfortable hat trick which was supported by braces from Joe Barker and Colin Brookes. Dave Shaw provided the sternest resistance for the visitors with two wins and a share of the doubles alongside Paul Shepherd.
An under strength Hallam ‘B’ side overcame Vulcan ‘G’ in a Division Three encounter when Eckart Lange took a maximum which was bolstered by a John Daniels double. The pair also took the doubles in an epic dual which ended 12-10 in the deciding game giving Hallam a 6-4 winning margin.
Rob Loxley Press Officer
23rd September 2019
Jack Grant led defending Sheffield champions – Stocksbridge ‘A’ to a 7-3
victory over title challengers Vulcan ‘A’. The two time Sheffield champion scored a maximum with straight game wins over Gary Dodd and Darren Lindley but was pushed to a fourth game by Tim Dyson. Simon Pugh took a brace for the hosts and partnered Andy Horsfield to a hard fought doubles win. Dodd fared best for the visitors with wins over Pugh and Horsfield.
In Division Two, Andy Hepworth (Crookes ‘C’) notched a comfortable hat trick during the visit of Vulcan ‘D’. James Chenery, Judi Walker and Helmuth Osborne were summarily dismissed by the in-form Hepworth. Tony Jacklin and Jack Murray both scored twice as the hosts posted an 8-2 result.
A further significant treble was registered by Redtooth’s Mick Brooks in a Division Three encounter in S17. Sarah Thorne and Simon Ryalls gave Abbeydale ‘D’ a 3-1 lead and combined to take the doubles, but Brooks' hat trick restored parity and Ryan Brooks and Chris Wallace both accounted for John Gialluca for a share of the points.
In Division Four, Ramij Naji won three sets and the doubles to secure a point for Crookes ‘H’ on a visit to High Green ‘A’. For the hosts, Mel Rowbottom and Mike Shelton both got the better of Chris McHale and John Koberowski.
Rob Loxley
Press OfficerTable Tennis topics
As the Sheffield league winter campaign approaches, Gary Dodd, Vulcan’s new signing, has been crowned the Scunthorpe One Star Open men’s champion following his victory over Peterborough’s Adam Jepson (22) who is ranked 35 in England’s men’s list. Gary burst onto the Sheffield table tennis scene by clinching the Sheffield title with a flawless performance back in March. The left-hander, who holds the 56 position in England’s rating list, was rewarded for his triumph in Scunthorpe with £200 in prize money. Redtooth’s Josh Walshe pocketed £60 having defeated Eric Green (Essex) in the final of the Band Three Prize-fighter event. Other Sheffield league players on show were Stephen Horsfield, Zoltan Kulics, Zaigham Mohammed, Dave Rayner, Phil Beresford, Richard Horsfield and Helmuth Osborne.
In an astonishing women’s final which may never be repeated, Hull’s Sally Clark nee Marling (43), emerged from a twenty five year lay-off to defeat 28 year old Sandra Kaczynska (Leeds) who is twenty six weeks pregnant! The former England number 3 and mother of three battled her way to victory in a hard hitting five game thriller to take the winner’s cheque following a 13-11, 10-12, 6-11, 11-7, 11-6 score line.
Immense credit goes to the tournament organiser/referee Andy Kelly and his hard working team of volunteers who supervised the thirteen hours of competition!
Rob Loxley
Press Officer
5th August 2019
Preparation is of paramount importance when readying oneself to compete in competitive sport and in an effort to produce an increase in her level of play, Vulcan’s Vicky Johnston enlisted six-time Sheffield champion Clive Guest for her recent pre match warm up. The title deciding match was between Division One leaders Vulcan ‘B’ who needed one point to secure the crown against second placed Hallam Grange ‘A’. Vicky needed to reverse a poor set of results which resulted in her team’s loss earlier in the season at Hallam. Her strategy proved successful as she comfortably dispatched Dave Aspinall and Jim Ferguson but fell short against Chris Guard. Her two wins, added to Chris Cattell’s customary maximum, together with Chris and Martin Green’s doubles triumph gave the hosts a 6-4 result and the title.
Abbeydale ‘A’ celebrated winning the Premier Division title with an 8-2 result against their ‘B’ team. Tim Wright had a tough but rewarding outing for the ‘A’ team winning his three singles and the doubles which all went to a decider! Jack Cross spared the ‘B’ team’s blushes as he toppled Jordan Greenwood 3-0 and Winston Campbell 3-1.
The League's thanks go to Stan Wainwright for organising the summer competition for a twenty fourth season!
Rob Loxley Press Officer - STTL
The titanic struggle to lift the Division Three summer league title continues as demonstrated by the latest results from the three strongest contenders. Tapton Hill have fifteen points from eleven matches, whereas Wadsley Bridge and Hallam Grange ‘C’ each have fourteen points having played one match less than the leaders. Tapton got the better of Hallam as Steve Parkinson unsurprisingly went unbeaten and took the doubles alongside Terry Gallagher. Denis Slater defeated John Stoddart to add to Gallagher’s brace and cement a 7-3 victory for the hosts. Hallam ‘C’ hosted Redtooth ‘E’s super veterans and registered an 8-2 win thanks to maximums from Sangdo Park and Bok Young Lee. Solitary wins from Redtooth’s Graham Daly and Brian Birch prevented the whitewash. Wadsley ‘B’ kept up their title challenge with a comprehensive 9-1 win over a depleted Abbeydale ‘E’ side in S17. Harrison Brearley, Ethan Lynn and Elena Ghervan inflicted the damage on the hosts.
Tapton took three points on a visit to Clifton ‘D’ thanks largely to hat tricks from Terry Gallagher and Dey Wilson. Pauline Ryan and Bill Harvey both notched wins over Tapton’s Peter Stacey.
In Division Two, Clifton ‘B’ comfortably wrapped up the title with the 10-0 drubbing of bottom placed Abbeydale ‘D’. Geoff Sanderson, Dave Asher and Ron Watson inflicted the damage on the visitors.
Rob Loxley - Press Officer
Andy Baxter’s Division One treble heaped further misery on the struggling Vulcan ‘B’ side which remains pointless. On a visit to Attercliffe, Crookes ‘B’ posted a 6-4 result thanks to Baxter’s contribution, which was supported by a Sean Lawson brace and Ian Burnell’s win over Phil Cockayne. Newly elected club chairman Cliff Glaves took a brace for the hosts and alongside John Bradshaw - influenced the doubles.
In the top flight, Abbeydale ‘A’ continued on their winning ways with an emphatic win over Vulcan ‘A’ at Attercliffe. Tim Wright took the plaudits for the visitors with a maximum and a win in the doubles in partnership with Matt Blake. Winston Campbell and Blake both took braces while Eddie Fogg offered the strongest resistance for Vulcan with two wins.
Division Two leaders Clifton ‘B’ drew on all of their experience to defeat Wadsley Bridge ‘A’ 7-3. Geoff Sanderson, Ron Watson and Stuart Element took braces for the visitors, but were unable to overcome Mark Newsham-Kent who notched a hat trick.
Rob Loxley Press Officer STTL 14-09-2019
Scoring a hat trick doesn't always guarantee success for a team as Clifton ‘D’ discovered on a recent Division Three outing to Hallam Grande ‘C’! Clifton’s club supremo Francis Lovell took a treble for the visitors, including a marathon win over Sang-Do Park and narrowly lost the doubles 13-11 in the decider in tandem with Bill Harvey. However, the host’s strength in depth gave them a 6-4 result as Park and Bok Young Lee both posted braces adding to John Stoddart’s win over David Sykes.
Brad Firth’s maximum did prove to be decisive for Vulcan ‘D’ as they eased past Abbeydale ‘D’ in Division Two. Brad also had a hand in the doubles win alongside Vulcan stalwart Dennis E. Green. Glyn Ward mustered two wins over John and Mick Warwick and Green scored a solitary singles success in a 7-3 win at Attercliffe. Emma Hickman fared best for the visitors with wins over Green and Ward.
In Division One, Hallam Grange’s Jack and Josh Deacon and Phil Powell all got the better of Jordan Taylor and Lewis Powell-Pepper during their visit to Attercliffe, which resulted in a 6-4 win to the visitors. John Bradshaw returned to winning ways as he posted a hat trick for Redtooth ‘C’.
Rob Loxley - Press Officer - STTL 03-09-2019
Dave Asher took the plaudits for Clifton ‘B’ as he swept aside all of the resistance which Albert Premier could offer in Division Two of the summer league. He accounted for Hazel Young, Ross Stewart-Young and Kieran Alvey and took the doubles alongside Ron Watson. Geoff Sanderson added one for the hosts as did Watson who both got the better of Stewart Young in a 6-4 win. Hazel Young and Alvey replied for the visitors with two wins each.
The youngsters of Scorpions ‘A’ were ruthless in dismantling their more experienced opponents in a one sided contest against a visiting Vulcan ‘A’ team. This top flight encounter produced hat tricks for Lewis Ellams and Alexander Bland as they led the romp to a 9-1 victory. Aaran Radford took a brace for the hosts and partnered Bland to triumph in the doubles set. The whitewash was saved by Eddie Fogg who made short work of Radford.
In Division One, Chris Cattell took a comfortable maximum for Vulcan ‘B’ during the visit of Crookes ‘B’. Martin Green took a brace and teamed up with Cattell to secure a 6-4 win. Ian Burnell faired best for the visitors with wins over Green and Terry Charles.
Vulcan ‘C’s youngsters in the second tier succumbed to Abbeydale ‘C’ by winning only two sets. The in-form winners were Mark van Hoorebeek and Jack Fieldsend who both registered trebles and combined to take the doubles. Oliver Barnett made short work of Lewis Powell-Pepper to help give the hosts eight sets and Jordan Taylor and Lewis Fox responded with solitary wins over Barnett.
Rob Loxley - Press Officer - STTL 21-08-2019
Sadly, points were hard to come by at the St.Neots’ regional table tennis centre for the South Yorkshire senior team at the County championships in Cambridgeshire. The squad, manfully captained by Shaun Bibby (Scorpions) stumbled to back to back defeats. In his post match comments Shaun said, “Division Two of the championships provides strong and determined opposition, yet our players gave their best to achieve a positive result”. However, plaudits were achieved by the “golden girls” of the team who gained the only sets for South Yorkshire over the two matches. Bibby predicted that the opening encounter against Staffordshire would herald the best chance of a result; however the Tykes challenge ended in a narrow 6-4 loss. Pat Thorley (NGH) and Vicky Johnston (Vulcan) both turned in fine unbeaten performances taking both sets against Georgia Harris and Lucie Hancock who are currently ranked 68 and 73 respectively in the England under 21’s women’s list. Chris Cattell (Vulcan), Steve Crosby (Crookes) and Bibby all failed to register despite some gritty performances.
Warwickshire seconds proved to be a step too far for South Yorkshire as they were whitewashed by the powerful Midlanders. Vicky came within a whisker of preventing the clean sweep when, during a nail biting contest against the current England no.67 - Lisa Rinnhofer, she held a match point but unfortunately overcooked a forehand smash.
Next term, captain Bibby hopes that he can call upon the support of some of our higher ranked local players, in order to mount a serious promotion challenge in 2020.
Rob Loxley – Press Officer - SYCTTA 09-04-2019
