Clacton and District Table Tennis League

“CHAMPIONSHIPS OF CHANGE AT CLACTON CLOSED”

It may have been the warmest weekend of the year outside but there was some red-hot table tennis action inside the Clacton Coastal Academy’s Sports Hall when the Clacton and District Table Tennis League held their 2010 Closed Championships.

And after two day’s of intense competitive play – 72 players and 243 individual matches - only one of the twelve holders managed to retain their title.

Twenty-year old Greg Green is the new Mens Singles champion, taking the crown with an 11-8, 11-1, 11-9 victory over Martin Hogg, three times a winner in 1997, 2000 and 2002.

The margin of victory indicated the final was a match too far for Hogg after a superlative 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6 semi-final win over doubles-partner and reigning champion Colin Stallwood – without doubt, one of the matches of the weekend.

And though the final was something of an anti-climax, take nothing away from Green, an elegant player with an admirable temperament, who had produced early-round wins over dad Martyn Green, Neil Crook and, in the quarter-final, David Hall.

And Green had followed this with a superbly-controlled 13-11, 3-11, 13-11, 11-9 semi-final victory over 2004 champion Gary Young. It was their sixth meeting in major competitions in North Essex over the past twelve months – and the score is now level at 3-all.

It was a first Mens Singles title for Green - possibly the first of many.

The Mens Doubles event was turned upside-down when the unfancied duo of Kevin James and Gary Stallwood came from nowhere to oust reigning champions and top seeds, Martin Hogg and Colin Stallwood, 12-10, 11-13, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9 in the semis.

But though they battled hard, they were always second-best in the final to the competent and composed pairing of Greg Green and Gary Young - who had sailed through the earlier rounds - Green and Young winning the final 11-5, 10-12, 12-10, 11-4.

It was nevertheless a fine performance from Gary Stallwood who was able to steal the limelight from his brother Colin in the Mens Doubles, as well as unexpectedly reaching the quarter-finals of the Mens Singles by defeating seeded player Alan Burgess.

Jenny Binns moved up to second-place in the all-time list of Clacton’s women players when she took the Ladies Singles trophy by defeating Annabelle Rodriguez 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8 in a repeat of the 2008 final.

In a match of contrasts, Jenny’s defence proved steadier than the Annabelle’s attack. It was a fifth Ladies Singles title for Jenny but a third consecutive final defeat for Annabelle.

The Ladies Singles and Doubles had been thrown into some confusion when Sheila Howe had fallen badly during practice and had to withdraw from all events - happily the injury turned out to be nothing more than bad bruising.

Sheila’s absence opened up the Ladies Doubles where Hazel Blanche was conscripted as a substitute partner for Jenny Binns.

And although Hazel proved she is a better player than she thinks, it was Isabel Barton and Sandie Isaac who took the title 11-4, 11-7, 12-10 - a first-ever Closed title for Sandie.

There was further disappointment for both Colin Stallwood and Annabelle Rodriguez in the Mixed Doubles where, seeded number one, they lost with surprising ease, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9, to second seeds Alan Burgess and Jenny Binns.

The event proved highly competitive with Round One producing two lively matches, David Hall and Janet Beech beating Tony and Pauline Edmonds 11-7 in the fifth, James Denyer and Sue Watson edging out Ferdy Rodriguez and Iris Howlett 11-9 in the decider.

The final of the Junior Singles was a high-quality encounter between the League’s top-two youngsters but, for a second year running, Mark Smith ended up as runner-up, losing 6-11,

13-11, 11-9, 11-7 to his Windsor team-mate James Denyer.

It was a high-class performance from thirteen-year old Denyer who had also shown prodigious talent in the Mens Singles, defeating Martyn Green, Phil Smith and John Pattrick before losing to Colin Stallwood in the quarters.

And to cap a marvellous weekend, James was also presented with the Brian Hogg Trophy, an award made annually to a junior player of whom the League is proud to have among its members.

There was a measure of revenge for Mark Smith in the Junior Doubles where, with partner Adam Wilkin, they beat Denyer and Ian Porter 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-3, another hard-fought match played in excellent spirit by all four players.

It was a second Junior Doubles’ success for Smith but a first-ever Championship trophy for Wilkin.

Martin Hogg was the only player in the Championships to retain his title when he beat David Hall 11-5, 11-3, 11-8 in the Veterans Singles.

Hall - in his first Championships’ final since 1989 - had enjoyed a good run with victories over Alan Burgess and Neil Crook but Hogg it was who cemented his position as the League’s top veteran.

The top seeds made it to the final of the Super-Veterans Singles where, in the closest of the twelve finals, 2008 champion Alan Burgess came from 5-2 down in the fifth set, to beat reigning champion John Rice 7-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-9.

The most heart-warming story came in the Division Two Singles where the seemingly-ageless Terry Kirby rolled back the years to beat Frank Burbidge, Chris Petrou, Matt Wright and, in the final, Bob Sawyer.

It was a completely unexpected triumph for the unseeded Kirby whose amazing resurgence of form sees him become the oldest winner in Clacton Closed history.

The Division Three Singles went to form where hot favourite Colin Beaumont took the title in three-straight against Jack Bruce - although he nearly stumbled in his semi-final where he beat Mike Hillier 11-5 in the fifth after being two sets and 9-5 down!

But credit to the unseeded fifteen-year old Bruce - also a surprise semi-finalist in the Junior Singles - who had beaten Sandie Isaac, Gerald Batt and James Swabey on his way to the final.

Finally, the Restricted Singles went to John Pattrick who won his trophy the hard way by defeating Division One players Jason Gale, John Rankin, John Barton and, in the final, John Rice, a worthy victory for an often under-rated player.

Paul Newbould Planning and Building Design Services once again sponsored the Championships, efficiently organised as usual by Peter White, Brian Rowlen and the Tournament Committee.

* Holders of raffle tickets blue 521 and blue 611 should contact Viv Rodriguez to collect their prizes.

CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS

Mens Singles : G Green beat M Hogg 11-8, 11-1, 11-9.

Ladies Singles : J Binns beat A Rodriguez 11-8, 10-12, 11-9,

11-8.

Mens Doubles : G Green/G Young beat K James/G Stallwood

11-5, 10-12, 12-10, 11-4.

Ladies Doubles : I Barton/S Isaac beat J Binns/H Blanche

11-4, 11-7, 12-10.

Mixed Doubles : A Burgess/J Binns beat C Stallwood/A Rodriguez

11-4, 11-9, 11-9.

Veterans Singles : M Hogg beat D Hall 11-5, 11-3, 11-8.

Super-Veterans Singles : A Burgess beat J Rice 7-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-9.

Junior Singles : J Denyer beat M Smith 6-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-7.

Junior Doubles : M Smith/A Wilkin beat J Denyer/I Porter 11-7,

7-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-3.

Division Two Singles : T Kirby beat B Sawyer 11-9, 11-9, 14-12.

Division Three Singles : C Beaumont beat J Bruce 11-5, 11-8, 11-8.

Restricted Singles : J Pattrick beat J Rice 11-7, 7-11, 11-9, 11-7

LEAGUE RESULTS

Division 1

Brotherhood A 8 Windsor Condors 2;

Red Triangle 3 Walton B 7;

Windsor Hawks 10 Brotherhood D 0;

Windsor Eagles 7 Nomads Jaguars 3;

Brotherhood B 5 Nomads Panthers 5;

Walton A 9 Windsor Falcons 1;

Walton B 7 Brotherhood D 3;

Nomads Panthers v Walton B (void).

Division 2

Windsor Kestrels 9 Brotherhood E 1;

Windsor Magpies 2 Walton C 8;

Nomads Cougars 8 Windsor Harriers 2;

Lawford 5 Brotherhood C 5;

Nomads Lions 0 Brotherhood F 10.

Division 3

Nomads Wildcats 3 Brotherhood J 7;

Nomads Pumas 10 Windsor Penguins 0;

Brotherhood I 3 Nomads Lynx 7;

Brotherhood L 3 Nomads Tigers 7;

Windsor Swallows 1 Nomads Bobcats 9.

“CHAMPIONSHIPS OF CHANGE AT CLACTON CLOSED”

It may have been the warmest weekend of the year outside but there was some red-hot table tennis action inside the Clacton Coastal Academy’s Sports Hall when the Clacton and District Table Tennis League held their 2010 Closed Championships.

And after two day’s of intense competitive play – 72 players and 243 individual matches - only one of the twelve holders managed to retain their title.

Twenty-year old Greg Green is the new Mens Singles champion, taking the crown with an 11-8, 11-1, 11-9 victory over Martin Hogg, three times a winner in 1997, 2000 and 2002.

The margin of victory indicated the final was a match too far for Hogg after a superlative 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6 semi-final win over doubles-partner and reigning champion Colin Stallwood – without doubt, one of the matches of the weekend.

And though the final was something of an anti-climax, take nothing away from Green, an elegant player with an admirable temperament, who had produced early-round wins over dad Martyn Green, Neil Crook and, in the quarter-final, David Hall.

And Green had followed this with a superbly-controlled 13-11, 3-11, 13-11, 11-9 semi-final victory over 2004 champion Gary Young. It was their sixth meeting in major competitions in North Essex over the past twelve months – and the score is now level at 3-all.

It was a first Mens Singles title for Green - possibly the first of many.

The Mens Doubles event was turned upside-down when the unfancied duo of Kevin James and Gary Stallwood came from nowhere to oust reigning champions and top seeds, Martin Hogg and Colin Stallwood, 12-10, 11-13, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9 in the semis.

But though they battled hard, they were always second-best in the final to the competent and composed pairing of Greg Green and Gary Young - who had sailed through the earlier rounds - Green and Young winning the final 11-5, 10-12, 12-10, 11-4.

It was nevertheless a fine performance from Gary Stallwood who was able to steal the limelight from his brother Colin in the Mens Doubles, as well as unexpectedly reaching the quarter-finals of the Mens Singles by defeating seeded player Alan Burgess.

Jenny Binns moved up to second-place in the all-time list of Clacton’s women players when she took the Ladies Singles trophy by defeating Annabelle Rodriguez 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8 in a repeat of the 2008 final.

In a match of contrasts, Jenny’s defence proved steadier than the Annabelle’s attack. It was a fifth Ladies Singles title for Jenny but a third consecutive final defeat for Annabelle.

The Ladies Singles and Doubles had been thrown into some confusion when Sheila Howe had fallen badly during practice and had to withdraw from all events - happily the injury turned out to be nothing more than bad bruising.

Sheila’s absence opened up the Ladies Doubles where Hazel Blanche was conscripted as a substitute partner for Jenny Binns.

And although Hazel proved she is a better player than she thinks, it was Isabel Barton and Sandie Isaac who took the title 11-4, 11-7, 12-10 - a first-ever Closed title for Sandie.

There was further disappointment for both Colin Stallwood and Annabelle Rodriguez in the Mixed Doubles where, seeded number one, they lost with surprising ease, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9, to second seeds Alan Burgess and Jenny Binns.

The event proved highly competitive with Round One producing two lively matches, David Hall and Janet Beech beating Tony and Pauline Edmonds 11-7 in the fifth, James Denyer and Sue Watson edging out Ferdy Rodriguez and Iris Howlett 11-9 in the decider.

The final of the Junior Singles was a high-quality encounter between the League’s top-two youngsters but, for a second year running, Mark Smith ended up as runner-up, losing 6-11,

13-11, 11-9, 11-7 to his Windsor team-mate James Denyer.

It was a high-class performance from thirteen-year old Denyer who had also shown prodigious talent in the Mens Singles, defeating Martyn Green, Phil Smith and John Pattrick before losing to Colin Stallwood in the quarters.

And to cap a marvellous weekend, James was also presented with the Brian Hogg Trophy, an award made annually to a junior player of whom the League is proud to have among its members.

There was a measure of revenge for Mark Smith in the Junior Doubles where, with partner Adam Wilkin, they beat Denyer and Ian Porter 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-3, another hard-fought match played in excellent spirit by all four players.

It was a second Junior Doubles’ success for Smith but a first-ever Championship trophy for Wilkin.

Martin Hogg was the only player in the Championships to retain his title when he beat David Hall 11-5, 11-3, 11-8 in the Veterans Singles.

Hall - in his first Championships’ final since 1989 - had enjoyed a good run with victories over Alan Burgess and Neil Crook but Hogg it was who cemented his position as the League’s top veteran.

The top seeds made it to the final of the Super-Veterans Singles where, in the closest of the twelve finals, 2008 champion Alan Burgess came from 5-2 down in the fifth set, to beat reigning champion John Rice 7-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-9.

The most heart-warming story came in the Division Two Singles where the seemingly-ageless Terry Kirby rolled back the years to beat Frank Burbidge, Chris Petrou, Matt Wright and, in the final, Bob Sawyer.

It was a completely unexpected triumph for the unseeded Kirby whose amazing resurgence of form sees him become the oldest winner in Clacton Closed history.

The Division Three Singles went to form where hot favourite Colin Beaumont took the title in three-straight against Jack Bruce - although he nearly stumbled in his semi-final where he beat Mike Hillier 11-5 in the fifth after being two sets and 9-5 down!

But credit to the unseeded fifteen-year old Bruce - also a surprise semi-finalist in the Junior Singles - who had beaten Sandie Isaac, Gerald Batt and James Swabey on his way to the final.

Finally, the Restricted Singles went to John Pattrick who won his trophy the hard way by defeating Division One players Jason Gale, John Rankin, John Barton and, in the final, John Rice, a worthy victory for an often under-rated player.

Paul Newbould Planning and Building Design Services once again sponsored the Championships, efficiently organised as usual by Peter White, Brian Rowlen and the Tournament Committee.

* Holders of raffle tickets blue 521 and blue 611 should contact Viv Rodriguez to collect their prizes.

CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS

Mens Singles : G Green beat M Hogg 11-8, 11-1, 11-9.

Ladies Singles : J Binns beat A Rodriguez 11-8, 10-12, 11-9,

11-8.

Mens Doubles : G Green/G Young beat K James/G Stallwood

11-5, 10-12, 12-10, 11-4.

Ladies Doubles : I Barton/S Isaac beat J Binns/H Blanche

11-4, 11-7, 12-10.

Mixed Doubles : A Burgess/J Binns beat C Stallwood/A Rodriguez

11-4, 11-9, 11-9.

Veterans Singles : M Hogg beat D Hall 11-5, 11-3, 11-8.

Super-Veterans Singles : A Burgess beat J Rice 7-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-9.

Junior Singles : J Denyer beat M Smith 6-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-7.

Junior Doubles : M Smith/A Wilkin beat J Denyer/I Porter 11-7,

7-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-3.

Division Two Singles : T Kirby beat B Sawyer 11-9, 11-9, 14-12.

Division Three Singles : C Beaumont beat J Bruce 11-5, 11-8, 11-8.

Restricted Singles : J Pattrick beat J Rice 11-7, 7-11, 11-9, 11-7

LEAGUE RESULTS

Division 1

Brotherhood A 8 Windsor Condors 2;

Red Triangle 3 Walton B 7;

Windsor Hawks 10 Brotherhood D 0;

Windsor Eagles 7 Nomads Jaguars 3;

Brotherhood B 5 Nomads Panthers 5;

Walton A 9 Windsor Falcons 1;

Walton B 7 Brotherhood D 3;

Nomads Panthers v Walton B (void).

Division 2

Windsor Kestrels 9 Brotherhood E 1;

Windsor Magpies 2 Walton C 8;

Nomads Cougars 8 Windsor Harriers 2;

Lawford 5 Brotherhood C 5;

Nomads Lions 0 Brotherhood F 10.

Division 3

Nomads Wildcats 3 Brotherhood J 7;

Nomads Pumas 10 Windsor Penguins 0;

Brotherhood I 3 Nomads Lynx 7;

Brotherhood L 3 Nomads Tigers 7;

Windsor Swallows 1 Nomads Bobcats 9.

© Copyright Clacton Table Tennis League 2004