Junior Table Tennis Competition

Sixteen juniors entered this year’s table tennis competition (well done Jemima who was, disappointingly, the only girl to enter).

 

There weren’t too many close contests in the first round apart from the match between Mungo and Freddie W. which ended 21—18 in Mungo’s favour.

 

The next round did see some close matches: Jamie F. beat Sam P. 23—21 and Freddie Y. beat Mungo 21—18. In the meanwhile, Jock S. and George W. were progressing with some ease to the semi-finals and eventually to the finals.

 

The finals were held on Wednesday afternoon and the winner was to be the first player to win three sets (each set to 11 points). Despite an early lead in the first set, George ended up losing it to Jock, 11 –9. Jock then lost focus in the second set and George played some very powerful shots to win it 11—5. The third was a very tight set with both players taking the lead at various times. Some of the rallies seemed to go on and on with some remarkable return shots being played. Eventually George clinched it 14—12. Jock took an early lead in the fourth set and George was clearly feeling the pressure. His composure slipped a couple of times while Jock remained impassive. Jock won the set 13 –11 to leave the match perfectly poised at two sets all. It all came down to the fifth and final set. Once again, the lead went from one to the other and at one stage it looked like Jock would take it. George however, fought back and played some impressive shots to slip into the lead and finally a couple of errors by Jock meant that George emerged the winner by three sets to two.

 

It could barely have been closer with the difference between the players, over five sets being a meagre six points. It was a smashing game of table tennis; well done to you both and all who entered.