Interviews
Boys’ British League champions Ormesby
Girls’ British League champions Burton Uxbridge
End of Round 10 Report
Ormesby and Burton Uxbridge sealed the major gongs of the Junior British League season in epic fashion.
Ormesby played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with London Academy to take the Boys’ crown, whilst Burton Uxbridge defeated title rivals Ellenborough 4-2 in the Girls’ title tussle.
It was the game between Ormesby and London Academy that shall ultimately define the season. An utterly thrilling contest between the two sides ended with the pair unable to be separated, which handed Ormesby the title on sets difference. But this was more than a just a draw, but a match that makes the British League one of the most special and memorable events on the table tennis calendar.
Ormesby knew they needed just a point to clinch the title, and got off to a perfect start as Tom Jarvis won a superb encounter with Gabriel Achampong in the fifth, with the two players going back and forth in mid distance rallies, before Jarvis’ ability to create the angles finally saw him to victory.
The next decider was soon upon the expectant crowd as Chris Wheeler and Luke Savill went toe to toe, and this time it was Academy’s man, Savill, who clinched it in the final end, and the match was suddenly back on.
London completed a mini turnaround as Willaim Apelqvist comfortably dispatched of Huang Zehong, putting Academy just two sets away from the title.
Jarvis entered the arena with the burden of pressure weighing on his shoulders, and when he went 2-1 down to Savill, who was his only previous British League defeat of the season, most would have crumbled.
But he showed the mental toughness that separates him from the rest. His composure and control surpasses that of his age, and it was evident as he took the next two games 11-4 & 11-6 to give Ormesby a vital set.
Suddenly, the pressure shifted the way of London Academy, who needed the next two sets or the title was heading north to Ormesby. It didn’t affect Achampong, however, who defeated Zehong 3-0 to put the game level and the title on the line.
As Wheeler and Apelqvist prepared to do battle, whispers of the situation spread around the hall and spectators flocked around the surrounding courts, with well over 200 people ready to watch what would be the decider of all deciders.
And so it turned out. What panned out was a truly epic affair, with both players raising their game to the occasion. Stunning shots, tremendous courage and awe inspiring rallies were in abundance as both players hunted glory.
Ultimately, triumph fell to Wheeler, who battled through four incredibly tight ends to grasp the title to the delight of the Ormesby faithful.
The Girls’ title wasn’t quite as eventful as Burton triumphed 4-2 against Ellenborough. Needing just a point, Burton wrapped it up in the fourth end. Fittingly, it was Eva Wang who clinched the title with victory over Emily Bolton to secure the third set and title. Wang had previously given Burton the lead with a 3-0 victory over Denise Payet before Bolton put Ellenborough level with victory over Lois Peake. A crucial set between Burton’s Letitia McMullen and Ellenborough’s Zahna Hall went the way of McMullen 3-1, and with just a set required, it appeared inevitable that the unbeaten Wang would claim it, and she did so with victory over Bolton. Payet added a consolation with victory over McMullen before Peake, who only arrived in the country from the Czech Open at 3 AM, secured victory by defeating Hall.
Northfield’s Division 1 title year ended on a slightly disappointing note as they drew 3-3 with Greenhouse. Victory would have given them ten wins from ten, whilst Bournemouth Girls secured the Division 1 crown by overcoming rivals Munster 4-2. Munster had just two players.
St Mary’s TTC Hull wrapped up the Division 2A title with victory over second placed Pompey after Harry Dai and James Garrod won twice, whilst Fusion ended the season in style in 2B with a 6-0 win over Dublin. The same can be said of Fusion Ladies, with the Division 2 champions making it ten wins from ten with victory over Warrington.
The excellent Rasen Racers secured the Division 3A title with a 5-1 win over Ulster, with Carl Baldry and Nicholas Keast winning twice, whilst Division 3B champions are Boys’ Team of the Weekend Byng Hall. They defeated Halton to claim the title.
Cippenham’s wish was granted as Cardiff’s 4-2 victory over Urban handed Cippenham the title. Their 6-0 win over Leeds Ladies was enough to give them the championship after Urban’s defeat.
Cardiff TTC made sure of the Division 4A title with victory over Ormesby 2, whilst JOOLA Plymouth’s 4-2 defeat to 4B runners up Wales B was insignificant having already claimed the title.
Round 9 Report
The fate of both the Boys’ and Girls’ Premier Division shall be decided in the last round of fixtures as the top two sides in both leagues square off.
Wins for Ormesby and London Academy over Wood Green and EBATT respectively set up their date as a title clincher, with London needing a draw as they have an inferior sets record. Ormesby defeated Wood Green 4-2, with Tom Jarvis and Chris Wheeler winning two apiece, whilst London Academy beat EBATT 5-1, William Apeoqvist and Luke Savill winning two apiece.
Meanwhile, Burton Uxbridge and Ellenborough warmed up for their title match with 6-0 thrashings Draycott and BATTS. Burton’s one set advantage means they only need a draw to claim the title.
A Matthew Leete double helped Division 1 champions Northfield to their ninth straight win as they beat Ellenborough 4-2, whilst in Girls’ Division 1, Munster suffered a shock 4-2 defeat at the hands of Wales to give Bournemouth a two point cushion at the top of the league after they defeated Brixham 5-1.
Pompey and St Mary’s face a title decider of their own in Division 2A after the latter drew with Urban, meaning they lead Pompey by a point going into the match. Elsewhere, Fusion secured the 2B title with a 5-1 victory over London Academy 3, Shaquille Webb-Dixon particularly impressive on his way to two wins. The same can be said for Fusion’s girls team, who clinched the Division 2 title with a 6-0 victory over Burton Uxbridge 2.
Rasen Racers moved a step closer to the Division 3A title as they defeated Greenhouse 2 6-0. They need just a point against Munster to claim the league, who beat Kingfisher 4-2. Division 3B is slightly more complex, with Halton and Byng Hall having to fight off for the title after victories over Fusion and Guernsey left them level on points.
Cippenham are relying on Cardiff to do them a favour if they can win the Girls’ Division 3 title, they moved level with Fusion at the top of the league with a 4-2 over Northfield, whilst Urban drew with BATTS B. Urban now lead the division with a superior sets difference.
Ormesby crucially dropped a point in Division 4A as they could only force a draw against Westfield. They must now beat league leaders Cardiff to win the league, they beat Guernsey 6-0.
Finally, JOOLA Plymouth became the latest division winners as they managed to overcome RBTTC Hull. Josh Millman was the star as he won both matches.
Round 8 Report
Ormesby relinquished their lead at the top of Boys’ Premier Division after drawing 3-3 with EBATT.
In a repeat from the previous round of fixtures, EBATT managed to go one better having lost 4-2 previously. Alex Ramsden’s flourishing career hit another high note as he defeated Chris Wheeler, whilst it could have been so much better for EBATT had Jack Bennett managed to complete victory against Tom Jarvis, however Jarvis showed guts to claim victory, a set that could prove pivotal.
It gave London Academy the incentive to move level at the top of the league, and they did so with victory over Wood Green 4-2. Little separated the sides other than the magic of Luke Savill, who claimed another two victories to give his side victory. They now trail Ormesby on sets difference alone, their final round match appearing likely to be a championship decider.
Burton suffered the same fate as title rivals Ellenborough as they could only claim a 3-3 draw with Irish Girls. Despite another two wins for Burton’s Eva Wang, Ireland’s trio won a set each to take another point off one of the league’s high-flyers.
Burton still lead the division, but only on sets difference after Ellenborough defeated Draycott 5-1, with Emily Bolton and Denise Payet winning twice.
Draycott secured a big point in Boys’ Premier B as they drew 3-3 with leaders Wales. A win apiece for the Wales pair, including a superb win for Abhijay Mishra over Ryan Oyler saw them claim a point.
Northfield became the first champions of the season as they wrapped up the Division 1 title with a 5-1 win over London Academy 2. It was a comprehensive victory for Northfield, who go into Sunday with the aim of remaining unbeaten all season.
Bournemouth moved to the top of Girls’ Division 1 despite drawing with Wales 3-3. They moved top after Munster suffered defeat at the hands of Draycott, with Kate Cheer and Isabelle Joubeily bringing an end to Chloe O’Halloran’s unbeaten season.
St Mary’s TTC’s lead in Division 2A was stretched to two points as they beat Halifax 6-0, whilst Pompey could only draw with Urban, whilst in 2B Fusion shall wrap up the title if they can beat London Academy 3 on Sunday morning after overcoming BATTS A 4-2.
Fusion TTC shall also secure the Girls’ Division 2 title tomorrow morning if they can defeat Burton Uxbridge 2, following their 6-0 demolition of Ashford Brunswick.
Rasen Racers took the upper hand in the race for the Division 3A title as Ulster lost 4-2 to Sussex Blades. Ulster’s loss was to Rasen’s gain as they defeated Kingfisher 5-1. Meanwhile, Byng Hall reduced their arrears in Division 3B as they went joint top with a 5-1 win over Fusion 2, whilst leaders Halton only drew 3-3 with Burton Uxbridge.
Ormesby and Cardiff gave nothing away in the Division 4A title race with 6-0 wins over Ashford Brunswick and Westfield respectively, whilst in 4B JOOLA Plymouth moved to within one win from the title after defeating Ellenborough B 5-1.
Round 7 Report
With the top four already decided, Ormesby and London Academy kept their distance from the pack with victories over EBATT and Irish Boys respectively.
Ormesby will end the day with a rematch with EBATT, who they narrowly defeated 4-2.
Meanwhile, Burton charged to a 5-1 win over Ulster, with Eva Wang and Charlotte Bardsley winning two each.
Northfield require just one further victory to wrap up Boys’ Division 1 after their 5-1 win over Sussex Alliance Boys. With Greenhouse only drawing 3-3 London Academy 2, they have a five point lead with just three games remaining.
Chloe O’Halloran salvaged her side a victory as she continued her superb season with two wins in Munster’s 4-2 win over Sussex Alliance. The win keeps them top of Girls’ Division 1, a point ahead of Bournemouth Sports, who defeated Draycott 2 5-1.
St. Mary’s TTC were impressive as they retained their place at the top of Division 2A, defeating Rotherham 6-0, whilst Fusion move ever closer to winning Division 2B after overcoming Lillington 5-1.
As for Girls’ Division 2, Fusion TTC remain unbeaten and top of the league after their 5-1 victory over Draycott 3.
Ulster edged ahead once more in Division 3A after their 6-0 win over Bankfield, with rivals Rasen Racers managing just a 5-1 win against Sussex Blades, whilst Halton battled to a 4-2 win over Woodfield to ensure their place at the top of Division 3B.
Urban could secure the Division 3 Girls’ title with victory against Cippenham in the next round. Their 4-2 victory over Northfield puts them three points clear at the top of the table ahead of Cippenham, who beat Cardiff 5-1.
Ormesby 2 and Cardiff’s Sunday match fixture looks more and more likely to be a title decider after they both won again in Division 4A, defeating Guernsey and Greenhouse 3 respectively, whilst in Division 4B Wales made up for their morning defeat by defeating Ellenborough B 6-0, but they still trail JOOLA Plymouth by three points after they defeated Horsham Spinners 4-2.
Round 6 Report
London Academy, EBATT and Wood Green all secured their spot in the top four split of Boys’ Premier Division following victories in the opening round of fixtures.
They shall join Ormesby, who defeated Irish Boys 5-1, in contesting for the championship once the league splits into two after the next round of fixtures.
London Academy, were pushed all the way by Wales before eventually prevailing 4-2, with Luke Savill claiming two victories, whilst EBATT cruised to a 6-0 win over Draycott. Meanwhile, Alec Ward’s double for Wood Green saw them defeat Bournemouth 4-2.
Girls’ Premier Division joint leaders Burton Uxbridge and Ellenborough both got off to winning starts in typically dominant fashion. Both sides won 6-0, with Burton not dropping a single end against BATTS whilst Denise Payet’s five set victory over Hannah Lynch-Dawson were the only games dropped by Ellenborough against Munster.
Northfield moved four points clear at the top of Boys’ Division 1 after their 5-1 victory over Formby. Joseph Clark and Nuradin Muktar won two each, whilst Matthew Leete won one after a defeat to Robert Barker. Their victory coincided with Greenhouse’s 5-1 defeat to Sussex Alliance, with Tom Windram and Daniel Pound winning two for Sussex.
Munster Girls and Bournemouth Sports continued their chase for the title in Girls’ Division 1 after respective 6-0 wins over Brixham and Sussex Alliance Girls. Meanwhile, Kate Cheer’s double proved pivotal for Draycott Girls 2 as they defeated third placed Wales 4-2.
St Mary’s TTC maintained their one point lead in Division 2A with a 6-0 win over Wood Green 2, whilst Division 2B leaders Dublin suffered a shock 6-0 hammering by the league’s bottom side London Academy 3, cutting their lead at the top to just one point.
In Girls’ Division 2, Fusion still hold their three point lead following a 4-2 win over Ellenborough B. They largely had Sophie Barlow to thank, who won two games.
Ulster and Rasen Racers’ chase for the Division 3A crown appears set to go the full distance with just five games separating them. Ulster relinquished their solitary set advantage in a 5-1 win over Greenhouse 2, whilst Rasen thrashed Bankfield 6-0. Meanwhile, the five horse race in Division 3B was cut down to three for now as Fusion and Woodfield lost to Byng Hall and Burton Uxbridge respectively.
Urban TTC benefited from Cardiff’s 3-3 draw with Northfield to move three points clear at the top of Girls’ Division 3. Urban defeated Pudsey 4-2, despite Alice Rice winning two for Pudsey, Talia Banin-Reid was on hand with two victories of her own for Urban.
Ormesby’s hunt for the Division 4A title took another step forward with a 6-0 win over Guernsey, whilst Wales B’s 4-2 defeat to Horsham Spinners allowed JOOLA Plymouth to move four points clear in Division 4B, they defeated BATTS B 6-0.