The senior Worcestershire schools individual table tennis competition was held at St Egwin’s School in Evesham and Bromsgrove School. The players provided some memorable table tennis.
U16 Boys: Harvey Gough of Prince Henry’s High school, Evesham showed great determination on the day. After going 2-1 down to Johnny Blakely of the De Montfort School, Evesham in the semi final he fought back to secure a 2-3 win. The final proved just as tough against Howard Wong of Bromsgrove School. With the match level at 2-2 Gough got his strong forehand drive working to power to victory and take the match 3-2. There was no consolation for Blakely in the third place play-off when he let another 2-1 lead slip to Danny Norman of Prince Henry’s losing 2-3.
Winner: Harvey Gough; Second: Howard Wong; Third: Danny Norman
U16 Girls: Beth Pye of Prince Henry’s was in dominant form. Playing seven other girls from Prince Henry’s in a round-robin format she secured 7/7 victories. Sophie Arrandale took second place with six wins and Emily Grove third with five wins.
Winner: Beth Pye; Second: Sophie Arrandale; Third: Emily Grove
U19 Boys: Whilst there were only a few entries in the U19 boys’ competition, the calibre of the top three players was of a very high standard. Darren Hui of Bromsgrove faced Ali Witheford of Prince Henry’s in the final. The contrasting styles of the players made for an exciting match. Witheford with rapier thrusting drives against Hui’s exquisite topspin looping. It was Hui who held his nerve to take the match 3-2. Lyons secured third place with a 3-0 win over Adriano Barralio of Abbey College, Malvern.
Winner: Darren Hui; Second: Ali Witheford; Third: Jonathan Lyons
U19 Girls: The U19 Girls was an all Bromsgrove affair with seven girls playing each other. Despite losing to the eventual fifth-placed player, Jenna Wong came first by winning her other 6 matches. Three other girls were left on four wins and two losses and so second and third place were decided on count back of sets won.
Winner: Jenna Wong; Second: Sanniva Chang; Third: Rosika Gurung
Alladin Caliskan and Damir Gritsinenko of Abbey College, Malvern won the U16 & U19 Boys consolation medals respectively.
‘ Senior Player of the Tournament’ was awarded to Beth Pye for her outstanding performance.