Press Correspondent:   Peter Thompson      
ETTA Senior Coach
Tel or Fax 0113 2047082   

Smith Retains Title

On Sunday, Pudsey TTC held their club championship at Richmond Hill table tennis centre.  The day comprised of a mixture of table tennis events for players whose ages ranged from 10-60 years of age and of varying standards from beginners to county players.
The main event was the open singles which was played as a straight drawn knockout. Last year’s champion Richard Smith was made to work all the way with a fifth end victory in the quarters over Simon Pugh. Smith beat Sarah Noutch in the semi – final before retaining his title with a victory over Joanna Roberts.

All players took part in a banded singles event which saw groups of six or seven players of similar ability. In the last match of band one with both Smith and Pugh unbeaten it was Smith who grabbed the title with another fifth end win.
In band two Sarah Noutch took the title by the fact that she had beaten Mick Lowe as both players finished on equal number of wins. This scenario was repeated in band three with the experienced John Ainley taking he title from 13 year old Nicole Finn. Band four was won by cadet boy Reuben Hainsworth.

Nicole Finn having this week been informed of selection to attend an England training camp in Sheffield in June came through to win the handicap singles over Simon Pugh.

The novelty mini bat competition produced some amazing play from all players using these quarter sized bats. The final was contested by Chris Parker and veteran Ray Rider and it was Parker who triumphed by two games to one.

The hard bat competition which saw the clock turned back to times long ago when rallies seemed to go on forever should have favoured the veteran players. It was not to be the case as Sarah Noutch contested the final with Lee orange and it was Orange who came through to take the hard bat title.