So Swell Patel!

Fifteen year old Jared Patel from the Batts Club in Harlow has that magic “X” factor by stealing the show on day one of the Bribar London Grand Prix which was held at the Redbridge Sports Centre, Barkingside, Essex on Saturday the 14^th of May.

Winning both events he had entered, firstly his morning’s work took him to the Men’s band 4 title at the expense of yet another cadet superstar, Danny Lawrence in the final. Jared just had too much experience for his year younger opponent in the last match coming through in straight games. Patel played the big points better and kept the ball in play when it mattered most with his superb use of good soft hands blocking interspersed with counter hitting at every opportunity which in the final analysis proved decisive. Jared will take great comfort from his dominant play throughout this event and in his words his hardest match came from his last four opponent Aiden Ranftleur whom he overcame 3-1 and can take the positives of his play through to next week’s Cadet Masters to be held in the Draycott and Long Eaton club in Derbyshire. Young Danny Lawrence the losing finalist continues to impress having fought through the rounds after suffering at the hands of Aiden Ranftleur in his group match (going through as group runner up) then bounced back to reach the final overcoming Josh Robinson, Dominic Schaufelberger and semi finalist Matt Rogers. Whilst Jared had to get the better of Gary Young, Mike Fraser and semi finalist Aiden Ranftleur on his way to the trophy after outplaying Lawrence in the final.

Later in the day the 11^th ranked England junior Jared Patel took his second in a brace of superb competition victories by sealing the tougher Men’s band 3 event with a super display from brave finalist Ryan Maynard. Patel’s cool, calm and controlled game where he exudes confidence and never allows any emotion to stifle his progress was always totally focussed on the job in hand. His pathway to double glory was never going to be a stroll in the park as he was made to work hard for his superb glassware trophies accounting for players the calibre of Conor Edwards, Andrew Warner and then enduring a five game marathon coming through against an on song semi finalist Liam McTiernan to set up his final with Maynard. Good luck Jared for next week’s Cadet Masters!

Full time table tennis coach Chris Lewis who works at St Michaels Camberwell for the Greenhouse Charity program took the Men’s band 2 event after a titanic tussle against Owe Karlsson who plays for the Whymondham club in Grantham in British league in a five close games final. Chris had to be on top of his game to reach the last match and en route to the title had displaced Andrew Warner, Ryan Maynard and last four opponent Sherwin Remata. Owe’s pathway to runner up spot was gained by victories over John Magnall, Rob Hansell and losing semi finalist Dan O’Connell.

Sixteen year old “pocket rocket” Nicole Hall from Tonyrefail deep in the Welsh Valleys won Women’s band 2 but had the fortune of using her “get out of jail card” in the final with Evangeline Collier. Nicole was facing defeat being 1-2 down in games and 8-10 down facing two match points against her. She weathered that storm as Evie served off the table with her first match point and rushed her next match point hitting the ball off the table, which let her Welsh opponent back into the match which she took with both hands taking the fifth leg 11-4. Des Norbury and Jurate Brazaityte were the losing semi finalists.

The next band to finish involved the 44 player entry of Men’s band 6 which eventually was won by Frenchman Fabien Mauroy who had the necessary va va voom to outstay Adam Gigli in the final by 3 games to 1. Fabien who incidentally won the corresponding band 6 event last year at London did the double by getting his revenge over Adam Gigli (who he lost to in his group) beating him in the final. Fabien progressed to the last stage by overcoming the challenges posed by Thomas Jeffcote, Daniel McTiiernan, Jens Salvesen, and losing semi finalist Lee Barnes, whilst Adam’s trail to the last match saw him outplay Kjell Soeiland, Rajan Waterman, Steve Fagan and last four opponent Joseph Langham –Ferriera.

Next on the agenda to report was the Women’s band 3 tournament which was won by eighteen year old Helen Rutherford from Brighton. Helen represents the St Andrews club who were victorious this year in division two of junior British league and had a tough four game title victory against finalist Charlotte Spencer. What was even more remarkable was that in her earlier epic five game first round win over Emily Standing she survived match point down eventually coming through with a score that read 14-12, 4-11, 8-11, 11-7, 16-14! Losing last four competitors Lucy Zhu and Emma Tovey (both playing in their first ever grand prix) enjoyed a great tournament in reaching the latter stages.

In terms of numbers with 60 participants the toughest of events was Men’s band 5 which was yet again taken by whirlwind Adam Gigli (who did so well at Blackpool). Adam the left hander that has a unique shaped racket was in supreme form to dispose of Trond Skeie, Andre Dunkley, Josh Robinson and last four opponent Lobsang Lama to face Lee Barnes in the final. Lee to his credit had also endured six matches on his route to the final but just ran out of steam against the versatile Gigli in the last match.

The blue riband events on a hectic day’s play involved the Men’s and Women’s band 1 competitions that were last to finish.

Having just returned the day before from the World Championships in Rotterdam, Charlotte Carey from Wales stood firm to deny Evangeline Collier in a gripping all action final that went to a photo finish five game thriller! Charlotte just had the edge with her ability to mix heavy topspin with her trademark strong smashes to take yet another band 1 title. You had to feel for Evie Collier who had earlier in the day lost the band 2 final, however in reaching the top banded last match she had the satisfaction of gaining a 3-0 games win over Nicole Hall in the semi final. Evie has gained that all important factor that will eventually make her a future champion by learning from her losses and be stronger and even more determined to perform better next time.

The last match to finish off the day ended up as a battle of the Academies with the new kid on the block from Korea, Jekwon Choi representing Filton against Emran Hussein from the Grantham academy in a grand finish to a super day’s play. A packed centre court crowd surrounded the final that had everyone on the edge of their seats with the Korean star taking the Men’s band 1 title in four very close games. Emran gave it his best shot however Jekwon proved the stronger at the vital points. Emran had earlier displaced Daniel Basterfield and French star Quentin Pradelle in the semi final whilst Jekwon held all the aces over Jon Hall and his last four opponent Mark Smith going on to take a well deserved winner’s cheque for £60.