In what was probably the biggest match (by number of players) in the club’s history, Portishead retained the PortiGwent Trophy with a narrow victory over the Gwent League in Cwmbran on Tuesday (June 4th). 
The annual match – this was the third year it has been played – featured 39 players on each side contesting 351 singles matches on 13 tables. The match features players of all standards, from Bristol Prem all the way down to Division 6.  
Thirty-four Portishead club members (well over half the club’s players) were supplemented by five guests from around the Bristol League. All five – Joe Ratajczak (Table Tennis Daily), Jake and Colin Tucker (Failand), Ade Dayo (St George), Mike Cox (Nailsea, a late replacement for the injured Steve Hicks) and Pete Salisbury (Westbury) – had either played for Portishead in the past or train with the club at Gordano.  
In a format that saw every set won counting to the final tally, Portishead scored a narrow 235-219 victory.  It was a tense finish as, with three matches outstanding, the scores were locked at 180 - 180. However, victory in those last three matches saw Portishead snatch the win. 
Portishead captain, Steve Knight, said: "We had young school children playing, plus people in their 70s and everything in between. There couldn’t have been a better advert for our sport than this. It was a magnificent night that was superbly staged by the Gwent club. Our thanks to everyone who helped organise the event and who took part. "Next year’s match is already being planned and we know that Gwent will be determined to win back the trophy. The match is a great way to end the season."