COUNTY JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Knighton Park Table Tennis Club hosted the County Junior Championships for which there was a decent entry list, although it would be nice to see the number of girls competing rise with a few eligible not entering.
Khalid Gaffer won the Under 11’s after some terrific tussles with Michael Parker runner up. Others in order were 3rd: Ben Fleetwood, 4th: Om Patel, 5th: Jaylan Chauhan.
The Under 13’s event was a combined boys and girls and taken by the ever improving Jack Rogers who did very well in his first senior league season just ended. The others in order were, 2nd: Oscar White, 3rd : Sufyaana Begum Djanji, 4th: Daniel Andrews, 5th: Hufaziah Gaffar.
Probably the best event from a competitive angle, which augurs well for the future, was the Under 15’s, again using a mixed format. Adam Pettitt won this close tussle ahead of Jack Kermode, Gurnak Singh, Will Baggott, Asher Abraham and Rayan Kotecha, who were all breathing down the winner’s neck.
Also taking part and prominent in the final placings were Ben Clarkson, Rafe Walton, Alex Jefferis, Robbie Bowsher, Kelsey Andrews, Ali Can Nas and Ollie Cooke.
Not such a good entry, disappointing in fact, for the Boys Under 18’s, albeit after a busy period of time for this age group. Ben Smulczynski took the title ahead of Max Huggins and Will Cooke.
ROSE JOHNSON MEMORIAL (Ladies Handicap Singles)
A very good young prospect has come through in local circles this season in the form of 14 years old, Shreya Mehta, who came through her qualifying group in this popular annual Ladies event played at Knighton Park. Her handicap mark was tough for one so young as a result of an excellent record in Division Four of the Leicester League and she had to fight hard to win the group and progress to the final.
Abbots Road club mate, Shabnam Ahmed, proved one tough obstacle which was overcome but the toughest was Leicester’s top female player for many years, Karen Smith, who gave her opponent 12 points. At 18-18 in the third it seemed the more experienced player had done enough, but some absolutely stunning attacking play gave the youngster a place in the final.
There she met the County’s junior coach, Shirley Pickering, and showed her full potential receiving five against her Division Two opponent to win 21-13, 21-15 to lift the trophy.
John Bowness
Publicity Officer.