Press Correspondent:   Peter Thompson      
ETTA Senior Coach
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Pudsey Yorkshire Club Champions

Pudsey Table tennis club competed in the Yorkshire clubs finals at Heckmondwike on Friday night against Dewsbury. Pudsey were led by Yorkshire first team captain Simon Noutch and backed up with experienced county players of Simon Pugh and Richard Smith. Dewsbury consisted of county first team Richard Lightowler backed up with experienced county players, Mark Land and James Brown.

In a very nervy opening match which lacked fluency Rich Smith put Pudsey ahead with a 3-1 victory over James. What followed was a topsy-turvy game between Simon and Mark. Mark taking the opening leg before Simon hit back to level and then take the lead to 2-1. In the fourth leg it looked all over as Simon led 10-7 but a missed serve gave Mark a chance and he responded to take the leg 12-10. With Simon letting loose with his backhand against Mark’s left handed forehand some scintillating rallies ensued alongside some error strewn serving. Simon winning 13-11 in the fifth to put Pudsey 2-0 in the lead.

Simon Pugh faced his old adversary Richard Lightowler in the next game and after dropping the first end played very positively and dominated the game with his strong forehand topspins. Fourth match saw Simon get the better of James over four sets in an entertaining game with some exhibition play by both players.

With Pudsey now 4-0 in the lead Smith faced Lightowler and lost the two opening legs 11-3 and 11-4. Smith then took the third leg 11-6 and continued his form to level the games to 2-2. With the momentum in his favour and being more dominant with his forehand play he look the fifth end 11-7 to see Pudsey gain their first silverware of the season as Yorkshire Club Champions.

Posted 04 April 2011 11:22 BST