Simon Pugh and Sue Collier were the big winners in the recent XLNT-sponsored Halifax Veterans’ Summer Championships with both players taking singles and doubles titles in this fun two day event at Halifax Table Tennis Centre.

In the men’s event Pugh took the title from fifth seed although top seed Andy Trott was a late withdrawal.

It was new vet Darren Lindley who took group one as on the Saturday it was group play with seven groups of eight or nine players, with the top two in each group qualifying for the followings day’s elite groups and the remainder of players qualifying for the band B knockout.

The top two in each group and the top two third placing went into four groups of four players and it was the top two in each of those groups who qualified for a top eight straight knockout.

In the first quarter-final Dave Randerson of Hull beat Chris Tarr from Stafordshire 11-3, 11-9, 11-9 and he was  joined in the semi-final by fellow Yorkshireman Pugh who had beaten five-time winner Keith Williams of Lancashire 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 12-10.

The third semi-final place was taken by Jason Thompson of Worcestershire who had recorded the shock win of the event as he put out reigning champion Chris Clinton in four (6-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7) and he was joined by Dave Robson of Durham who took the remaining semi-final place with a hard-fought five-game win over Lindley (9-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 11-5).

The first semi saw Pugh beat Randerson 11-8, 11-8, 11-5 and he was joined in the final by Robson who beat Thompson 11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 11-4.

In the final it was Pugh who  took his second Halifax title with a four-game win. It was the third game which proved pivotal as with the final standing at one game each it was Pugh who took the third 12-10, which boosted his confidence as he pulled away in the fourth to take victory 11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 11-5.

The ladies’ singles was played in two groups of seven players under the same format as the men and saw the top two seeds in the event contest the final, which saw Collier beat Denise McEvoy in a three game match 11-6, 11-8, 12-10.

Collier also was part of the winning ladies’ doubles pairing as, partnering Helen Shields, they eased to victory with a final win over Christina Wright and Chrissy Sykes (11-2, 11-6, 11-2), while in the men’s doubles Pugh also claimed his second title of the day when he partnered Randerson to a thrilling five-game win over former champions Clinton and Ivan Lewis (11-7, 9-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9).

The men’s band B event was won by Ray Hurst, who scored a five-game win over Steve Kosmowsky in the final (7-11, 11-6, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9) and the ladies’ event was won by Christine Burke who beat Celia Hooker in another five-game thriller (6-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9).

As well as prize money for each event the sponsors XLNT donated gift vouchers for winner and runner-up in each event as well as men’s singles semi-finalists and shirts to each event winner.

As usual the doubles events saw some pairings in fancy dress and the prize for the best pair went to Chrissy Sykes and Christina Wright who both generously donated their prize back to the fundraising of the centre.