Following the same format as last year the two nights at Westfield saw 19 players compete in 4 groups Thursday and then on to the knockout rounds yesterday, with many different players entering this year due to new members and holidays.
The quality of the group matches was of a very high standard & shows the growth of the club over the last 12 months.
Some of the highlights from the knockout rounds were:
Singles - Quarter Finals
Mike Funnell v Roger Pingram, always a tough battle here usually favouring Roger it was Mike getting the win this time taking the last two sets from deuce winning the match 3-1.
Next was John Boreham v Roy Funnell, with again John having to win the first two sets at deuce despite Roy on the constant counter attack, winning 3-0 but far from comfortable with Roy deserving at least a set!
Consolation - Quarter Finals
The only close match here was between Aaron Pain & Danny Rickaby who was last year’s finalist but couldn’t overcome Aaron’s consistency even after taking the first set to eventually lose 3-1.
Wooden Spoon - Round Robin
This saw our only divison three players competing for the title and Peter Lilja was desperately unlucky after leading in both games against Andy Holmes and John Quintos to finish 3rd and set up a final between his competitors!
Singles - Semi-Finals
After both Simon Phillipz & Mike Funnell were unbeaten in their last 5 matches they met to produce some great rallies with Mike trying his best to block the ferocious top spin from both sides and taking the last set to deuce ultimately to lose the match 3-0. Mike a veteran of Tackleway TTC played arguably as good as anyone we have seen across the two nights.
A repeat of last year’s final didn’t disappoint with the crowd seeing multiple rallies consisting of up to 10 shots regularly between John Boreham & James Gorridge . James once again saw himself 2-1 up this time taking the first set but John with his split game modes of chop to loop, fought back despite facing two match points in the 4th set. He finally repeated the 3-2 win of 2023 final with an 11-7 in the final set.
Consolation - Semi-Finals
Aaron Pain carrying a back injury didn’t have enough to match Sachin the trophy holder despite having a set point in the 3rd losing 11-13 and therefore the match.
In the other tie, a great performance from Max Foster who has shown a big improvement since last year winning Senior Div 3 and now reaching the consolation and the semi against a long standing player Andy Brown.
Andy himself back from a recent back operation and playing a handful of games at the end of the season only held his nerve against a barrage of attacks to win the first set 16-14 this changed the dynamic of the match to run away 3-0 improving with each set.
FINAL - Closed Singles
Simon Phillipz
John Boreham
A match that swung till the 5th set where we saw some real quality across all the best shots on offer from Table Tennis from John’s forehand chop and backhand loop this time to Simon’s forehand and backhand tocking either loading spin or where necessary no spin shots to claim the title in his first year at Tackleway like John himself in 2023! A real pleasure to watch the best our club now has to offer and pushes our players to work toward. Final scores.
7-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8 & 11-2
FINAL - Consolation Singles
Sachin Davis
Andy Brown
As last year’s consolation champion, Sachin had been there before and perhaps Andy’s only recent return after a year out was the difference.
Despite matching the 11-6 set score defeat in the 2nd levelling the match score to 1-1, It looked like it could go the distance at one point but Sachin’s more complete attacking play was the difference to win the match
11-6, 6-11, 11-8, 11-9
FINAL - Wooden Spoon
John Quintos
Andy Holmes
Huge well done to John one of our youngest players this season and the current past two year Senior Division 3 singles winner. He can now add another winner’s trophy to his collection as he looks to next season in Division 2 and playing National Junior League (NJL). Well done. Andy played his part in this final a 5 setter that could have easily gone the other way winning the crucial 2nd set and leading in the fifth set at the half way point but again as in the consolation the overly attacking style and bravery to push the game gained the victory!
11-4, 12-14, 11-9, 9-11 & 11-7
