Windsor Condors are the new holders of the Clacton and District Table Tennis League’s Handicap Knock-Out Cup.
The Condors’ trio of Colin Stallwood, Gary Young and John Pattrick recovered from being 3-2 down to win the last three singles of the evening to defeat Red Triangle B 5-3 in a final of high-quality table tennis.
The Condors took an early lead when Young and Pattrick (-5) out-gunned Graham Buxton and Claude Snell (+1) in the opening doubles, Pattrick’s outstanding hitting in the third and fourth sets proving crucial in the 16-14, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8 win.
The Triangle side bounced back when Martin Hogg (+1) edged out Colin Stallwood (-1) 9-11, 14-12, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9 in an enthralling see-saw match, one that would have graced any Mens Singles’ final
Both players responded to the occasion, producing quick-fire attacking rallies as well as some exhibition-like play with Stallwood the aggressor and Hogg defending away from the table.
Young (-5) put the Condors back in front in match three, clinically disposing of Claude Snell (+1) 11-7, 11-6, 11-6.
But a particularly sharp-looking Graham Buxton (+1) restored parity before the interval with an impressive display to beat Pattrick (-3) 11-7, 11-5, 13-11 in an entertaining encounter peppered with rat-a-tat rallies played close to the table.
Immediately after the break, the Triangle team took the lead for the only time of the final, Hogg and Snell (+1) unexpectedly defeating Stallwood and Pattrick (-3) 6-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-9 to give their side the first sniff of victory.
But Red Triangle’s optimism was to be short-lived, Young (-1) maintaining his unbeaten record in all Cup matches this season by defeating Hogg (+1) 14-12, 12-10, 11-8 in a match that was closer than even the score-line suggests in another top-class match.
Then Stallwood (-5) gave the Condors a 4-3 lead when he beat Buxton (+1) 11-9, 7-11, 12-10, 11-5, Buxton’s busy and bustling style unable to thwart the all-round ability of his Windsor opponent.
Finally Pattrick (-3) inflicted the coup de grace when, with a generous helping of nets and edges, he beat the luckless Snell (+1) 11-7, 11-8, 2-11, 11-6, Snell only briefly coming to life in the third set with a series of outlandish, uncharacteristic forehand winners.
So Windsor Condors emerged worthy Cup winners in a final that provided plentiful entertainment for the healthy band of spectators.
Final results (Condors’ players first): Young/Pattrick (-5) beat Buxton/Snell (+1) 16-14, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8; Stallwood (-1) lost to Hogg (+1) 11-9, 12-14, 9-11, 11-6, 9-11; Young (-5) beat Snell (+1) 11-7, 11-6, 11-6; Pattrick (-3) lost to Buxton (+1) 7-11, 5-11, 11-13; Stallwood/Pattrick (-3) lost to Hogg/Snell (+1) 11-6, 5-11, 5-11, 9-11; Young (-1) beat Hogg (+1) 14-12, 12-10, 11-8; Stallwood (-5) beat Buxton (+1) 11-9, 7-11, 12-10, 11-5; Pattrick (-3) beat Snell (+1) 11-7, 11-8, 2-11, 11-6.
* The League’s “Come and Try” sessions will take place every Thursday evening in June at 7.30 pm at the URC Hall, Carnarvon Road, Clacton. The sessions are free. Bats will be provided.
Any player, young or old, who would like to take up competitive table tennis next season, is welcome to attend. For more information, contact the League’s Development Officer Ferdy Rodriguez on 01255 221259.
* The League’s Annual General Meeting takes place on Tuesday 14th June at the Brotherhood Hall.
LEAGUE RESULTS
Division 1
Brotherhood A 7 Windsor Condors 3.
Division 2
Brotherhood D 4 Windsor Owls 6.
Division 3
Windsor Kites 0 Brotherhood K 10.
2010/11 SEASON
(Final tables)
DIVISION 1 P W D L PTS
Brotherhood A 24 21 2 1 192
Condors 24 18 0 6 170
Walton A 24 16 1 7 153
Roosters 24 16 4 4 144
Eagles (1) 24 16 0 8 136
Panthers 24 11 5 8 135
Red Triangle B 24 11 3 10 131
Red Triangle A 24 11 4 9 119
Jaguars 24 7 3 14 105
Brotherhood B 24 5 5 14 98
Falcons 24 6 1 17 76
Hawks 24 2 4 18 73
Lawford 24 0 0 24 27
DIVISION 2 P W D L PTS
Kestrels 22 19 2 1 173
Cougars 22 16 4 2 156
Brotherhood C * (2) 22 16 3 2 135
Walton B 22 11 2 9 117
Ravens 22 11 5 6 115
Brotherhood D 22 9 6 7 113
Harriers * 22 11 1 9 106
Owls 22 7 4 11 93
Brotherhood F (2) 22 6 3 13 89
Lions 22 3 3 16 74
Tigers 22 2 2 18 74
Brotherhood E 22 1 3 18 61
DIVISION 3 P W D L PTS
Magpies 24 24 0 0 218
Lynx 24 20 2 2 177
Brotherhood K 24 16 1 7 165
Brotherhood G (2) 24 19 2 3 162
Swallows 24 12 2 10 132
Brotherhood H 24 13 2 9 129
Pumas (6) 24 12 3 9 122
Brotherhood J 24 8 1 15 109
Leopards (2) 24 8 3 13 105
Brotherhood I 24 5 3 16 100
Brotherhood L 24 5 0 19 64
Penguins 24 3 3 18 60
Kites 24 0 0 24 7
Points deducted in brackets
* Record includes one void match
By Tony Oswick