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DATELINE |
C&DTTL PICTURE NEWS - Issue 39 |
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Welcome to the latest edition of Picture News. CLICK - KO Cup Teams from five different Clubs contested the semi-final stage of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League’s introductory competition CLICK, KO Cup competition held on Friday 19 December at the Melbourne Athletic Stadium. The semi-final was made up of six teams split into two groups of three. The teams being the five group winners from the first stage plus the highest placed runner up. And what an evening of fierce competition it proved to be. In Group A the current trophy holders Ingatestone Boys Club A (Michael Wood and James Dale) started off the evening in an almighty battle with newcomers William and Tommy O'Donnell for ECC A. Tommy played brilliantly for such a newcomer winning both of his singles including a tremendous 12:10 in the fifth success over Michael Wood - so far unbeaten in the CLICK League this season. But the ECC pair couldn't hold on for the doubles allowing the Boys Club to steal the match 3:2. The defeat seemed to drain the ECC pair who then succumbed to Danbury A (James Gatheral and Ben Bayley) 3:0. Although Tommy fought well to just miss out against Ben 11:6 in the fifth, giving Ben 2 points per game on handicap. So the scene was set for a group decider between the Boys Club and Danbury. In this game James Gatheral showed just how much he has improved since the start of the season, his first in competitive table tennis, as well as his awareness of tactics. Using his 'away' advantage to ensure that his Danbury side had the most favourable playing arrangement, James led his side convincingly through the match 3:0 to secure a place in the final in their first season in CLICK. Team manager, Gordon Gatheral, had nothing but praise for the boys and their efforts in pulling off what he thought a surprising result.
Group B featured the current leaders of the CLICK League, Baddow Village A (Adam & Hannah Pitt). But in the first game of the evening in the group they were caught completely cold by a rampant Excalibur Knights (Stewart Hiskey and Chris Butler). Stewart disposing of both Adam & Hannah with seeming ease. Chris, despite a sprained wrist gained in a football accident on the day, also played his part making the most of, it seems a slightly generous handicap, to take his singles. The 3:0 win for Excalibur being quite a shock result. Baddow then had to face outsiders ECC B (Fearghus Breen and David Hatwell). Both Fearghus and David are new to table tennis this year, but nevertheless grew in confidence as the match progressed. Pulling off an even bigger shock taking the final doubles for a tremendous 3:2 win. Only Adam was able to strike back for baddow this time taking his two singles. And so the stage was set for the show down for the remaining place in the final as ECC B faced Excalibur. This time it was Chris who came up with the goods for Excalibur, making light of his injury to take both singles, although not without a struggle against Fearghus who came back from 2 sets down to level the match, only to see Chris runaway with the fifth end 11:5. The 3:1 win giving Excalibur the place in the final. Several parents and spectators again watched an absorbing evening of entertaining and competitive table tennis. Well done to all concerned. The final table is below. The date for the Final between Danbury A and Excalibur Knights will be announced later.
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