FINALS AND AWARDS NIGHT 2023-24 SEASON
The South Devon and Torbay Table Tennis League showpiece event was staged tonight, Tuesday 16th April, at Stover School, Newton Abbot. Not only do we play off the finals from the weekend’s Closed Tournament, the awards for the whole season are presented, making it a fitting finale to the table tennis season.
Seven finals took place tonight starting with an excellent Veterans final. A real contrast of styles led to a game of smash and retrieve as the defence of Kevin Nicholls eventually wore down the attack of Simon James, Kevin winning 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7.
Event 2 was a very entertaining ladies doubles, included in finals night for the first time, it didn’t disappoint as the new pairing of Naomi Jackson & Issy Brown defeated the existing holders of the trophy Sonja Ryland & Jackie Whitehorn 11-9, 12-10, 9-11, 11-7.
Youngster Joseph Edwards showed all his attacking ability with a fine straight sets victory over David Davies in the division two final, 13-11, 11-5, 11-7, the only three straight win of the night.
The mixed doubles was up next, the first of three NA Batmen v NA Buzzards encounters. The Batmen took the honours in this one as Naomi Jackson & Shaun Gibbs defeated Sonja Ryland & Kevin Nicholls 12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10.
Revenge for the Buzzards came in the next event, the men’s doubles, Kevin Nicholls & Simon James just getting the better of Dennis & Shaun Gibbs in a brilliant doubles match. 12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-8.
A superb ladies singles encounter followed between Sonja Ryland and Naomi Jackson. Sonja took the first two games before Naomi recovered with the next two. It was neck and neck throughout the fifth set Naomi eventually prevailing 12-10 in the fifth. 9-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-6, 12-10.
Finally, the men’s singles for the Burton Cup. Holder of the Burton Cup, Shaun Gibbs, was up against Ross Saxby playing his first South Devon and Torbay Tournament. In an excellent open attacking game Shaun got off to the better start winning the first game, but gradually Ross took control and the match winning the next three games. 9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9.
An excellent night’s table tennis was rounded off with a special award to our retiring treasurer who first joined the league committee as an 18 year old. Maurece Travis has served our league for an incredible 65 years. A massive thank you to Maurece for his dedication to our sport both as a player and committee man, will shall miss you!
Our league sponsor, Sonja Ryland (Albany Florists) presents awards to all recipients at Finals & Awards Night.
More pics from Finals and Awards night can be found in the Gallery under ‘Finals Night 2024’
