THE ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

Tuesday 31st March at CPC

 

by Ron Kemp

The Island Championships took place on 31st March at the IW County Table Tennis Centre.

 

The men’s singles was contested by 22 men split into six groups (2 of three players and 4 of four players), and it was at this group stage that one of the favourites for the title, Lee Orton did not make it through, being beaten by Andy Ely and P Chainiyom (PC). Other than that, the seeded players took their respective places in the first round draw proper. Pick of the round 1 results saw Mark Knowles beat Jim Hall having been 2-0 down, winning 11-6 in the fifth. Deane Whittingham (a player returning to the game) squeezed through against Ron Kemp 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 17-15 to take his place in the quarter finals.

 

Quarter Final 1 (QF) saw favourite Alex Rorke beat Andy Ely 11-9, 11-7, 11-6

QF 2 Don Hobbs beat Mark Knowles 11-5, 11-4, 10-12, 11-8

QF 3 A thrilling match saw Deane Whittingham just get by PC 4-11, 13-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-9

QF 4 Father and Son put on an interesting display, George Downing finally beating Steve 11-8, 11-7, 11-5

 

There were two contrasting Semi Finals, both in terms of style of games and scores, and once completed, the two top seeds took their place in the final.

SF 1 saw defender Alex cruise by the spluttering attack of Don by 11-9, 11-7, 11-8

SF 2 George and Deane put on a splendid display of attacking table tennis, and a thrilling climax saw George just hang on to take the match 11-8 in the fifth 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8

 

The final was played to a hushed crowd who had stayed to watch the action, and the players put on an excellent match for them. George attacked well, with strong forehand loops interspersed with clever drop shots, but it was Alex who played the steadier match, and always seemed to be in control.

 

Final: Alex Rorke bear George Downing 11-8, 11-8, 11-5

 

Congratulations to both players for an outstanding final match!

 

 

The ladies singles tournament attracted 5 entrants, and the ten scheduled games were played on two tables, with all five entrants playing each other. The rules stated that the player with most wins would be declared the winner. Surprisingly, of the ten games, only one went to more than three sets, this was the exciting encounter between Pauline Rorke and Maggie Preston. Pauline was 2-1 up, but Maggie came back to triumph 11-4 in the fifth set. The final results saw Julie Thorne win 4/4, Jill Fothergill 3/4, Karen King 2/4, Maggie Preston 1/4 and Pauline Rorke 0/4.

 

Julie Thorne was therefore pronounced winner of the title!

 

Well done to Roger Hookey for organising the tournament! (Seemed strange for Roger not to be playing!!)