The
Ted Harris Trophy
The Club have a tremendous
record for junior table tennis in recent years, and some of
our very best juniors were on display in this event
including the trophy holder Bradley Hudgell - who has
enjoyed a tremendous season - together with one or two other
potential stars of tomorrow.
13 juniors took part in the
event, slightly down on what might have been expected but
nevertheless it was clear from the start that some of
the best were present. It is worth mentioning one noticeable
un-enforced absence. 17 year old Laura Pyman, who might have
expected to reach the latter stages of the event, was unable
to play having been rushed into hospital earlier in the
week. She has since undergone major surgery on her back (not
sure whether this has made her shorter or taller!) and early
signs are that she has come through the surgery well.
Nevertheless it seems likely she will be out of sport for
the next couple of months at least. We wish her well.
The players were placed into
4 groups from which the 1st and 2nd placed person would
proceed to the quarter final knock out stage. All matches
being played off handicaps. No.1 seed Bradley Hudgell lined
up in the first group along with Stevie Pell and Aled Upson.
And what a run for his money he was given in the opening
match by Stevie, just coming through 21:17 in the third
setting him up to take the group winner spot with Stevie
coming through as runner-up after ousting Aled.
Group 2 produced a slight
surprise. Adam Pitt faced the higher ranked Phil Twite and
Haydn Upson. But in the opening game Phil was soundly
trounced by Adam, not even recovering his handicap. Indeed
it was not a good afternoon at all for Phil who then lost
comprehensively to Haydn in the next match. Adam completed
the demolition of his seniors in the third match to finish
on top of the group with Haydn taking the second spot.
Another surprise was in store
in Group 3, where the much improved Matthew Davis - not yet
in the league - came through in the final group came against
the much higher rated Sam Pitt in a nerve tingling 22:20,
19:21, 14:21 encounter to snatch the group leadership from
Sam having already edged out Damien Laverty in his preceding
match.
The final group had four
players, Hannah Pitt, James Austin, Matthew and Rebecca
Skeoch. The surprise here was how decisive the games were
despite the range of handicaps. Just the opening game went
to three with Matthew shaving it at 16 in the third. That
would prove enough to ensure that Matthew got at least
runner up spot. But there is no doubt that the star of the
group was 12 year old Hannah who blazed through each of her
three opponents 2 straight hardly putting a foot wrong. And,
apart from Matthew, she was giving each of them points
advantage on handicap! Maybe we were a little light on her
handicap? Not on this occasion I think, she just played
exceptionally well.
This then is how they lined
up for the quarter final:
| Bradley
Hudgell |
bt |
Matthew
Skeoch |
-13, 14,17 |
| Haydn Upson |
bt |
Matthew
Davis |
17,19 |
| Hannah Pitt |
bt |
Stevie Pell |
15,15 |
| Adam Pitt |
bt |
Sam Pitt |
18,15 |
As you can see, Bradley faced
yet another tough examination needing to go deep into the
third before pulling clear. He was showing great strength
and depth especially giving away significant numbers of
points on handicap.
|
What
a face! As Adam and Hannah line up for the semi-final
|
Bradley
& Haydn completed the semi final line up, at least
you can see their eyes! |
The semi finals were two
excellent matches displaying some of the best in junior
table tennis. Taking on Haydn Upson, Bradley had a tough
opponent especially giving away a few points. This was a
very even contest with some adventurous attacking play from
both players and the score line shows just how close it was,
Bradley coming through 18 & 19. Just a point separated
Hannah and Adam Pitt in the second semi final and what a
tussle this proved to be. Aggressive attacking play from
Hannah with never say die solid defending from Adam, with a
few hard hit winning forehands thrown in. Hannah struck
first with Adam fighting back in the second. The third end
ebbed to and fro with Hannah sneaking through in the end,
21:17, 19:21, 21:19.
|
The
crowd look intently on as County Umpire Arthur Clark
gets the Junior Final underway between Bradley and
Hannah. And a super match it was too. |
The final was an absolute
thriller. Probably one of the best matches of the day and
the small crowd that had stayed on to watch the final games
were fully appreciative of the quality of play from both
players. Hannah made full use of her handicap in the opening
game racing through with some inspired counter hitting
feeding off Bradley's heavy spin forehand loop. But with
sheer grit and determination Bradley fought back in the
second to even the score. And once he was back in the match
it seemed as if there was no looking back. The third end
continued at a furious pace, but by now Bradley was seeing
the ball well and matching Hannah's aggression with some of
his own. Some high class rallies ensued. Gradually working
of the handicap Bradley slowly took control to climax a fine
season retaining the trophy with a worthy 12:21, 21:17,
21:18 win. An excellent match with highest quality play from
both players.
|
The
finalists, Bradley Hudgell (left) & Hannah Pitt (right),
can certainly take a bow for staging a first class
match in the final of the Ted Harris Trophy. Bradley
just coming through 12:21, 21:17, 21:18 to take
the trophy for a second year. |
You can now go to reports on
the main event The
Tom Burns Trophy, or the fun doubles The Purkiss Robinson Doubles Trophy
