West Somerset Table Tennis Association

Many thanks to Martin Reading for setting up and organising a Saturday league for developing players. It’s mainly aimed at the under eighteens but there was a smattering of `oldies’ taking part too. The League has been split into two divisions of six teams, each team has two players. Each player plays the two opponents at singles and there’s obviously just the one doubles, five sets in all. All games are best of five with a quick death at 11 except for set five. ALL games are counted, so the maximum to be won from each match is 15 games. Each team plays two matches on a Saturday morning.

West Somerset has two teams – The Hobby Horse and The Woodlanders – both were placed in the First Division.

Hobby Horse v Double Crossed.

Marcus and Mathew Short for The Hobby Horse were pitched against another brother combo of Jack and Sam Cross. Older brother Marcus beat Sam 3-1 but lost 3-0 to Jack. Matthew also lost 3-0 to Jack but beat Sam by the same score so they were 6-7 down before the doubles, but they won that 3-0 giving them a 9-7 victory.

Hobby Horse v High Flyers.

The Short brothers were up against much older opposition in this match but kept their cool against adults Peter and Linda Stiles. Peter plays in the Taunton First Division and although winning both his matches 3-0 and 5-2  he didn’t have it all his own way and said “it was jolly hard work, Marcus really stretched me". Both boys beat Peter’s wife Linda 3-0 so it was 6-6 as they went into the doubles. They were just pipped at the post losing 11-7 in the fifth set to give them a very creditable overall score of 8-9.

Woodlanders v Saints B.

Harry Woodland (11) & Charlie Elliott (16)

This was 11 year old Harry Woodland’s baptism of fire, having never played a competitive game of table tennis but he enjoyed himself hugely – despite coming up against two players who represented Somerset!

15 year old Martin Taylor made short work of both his opponents, but Harry played out of his skin against the father of the Cross brothers beating him 3-0. Charlie just lost out going down 11-10 in the fifth. The doubles went the way off the opposition. The Woodlanders put up stiff resistance in the doubles losing 11-9 in the fifth.

Woodlanders v Saints A

Another very tough match. 16 year old Alexis Girardin could be guaranteed a place in most West Somerset first division sides. He had a clean sweep but, in gentlemanly fashion kept the ball in play so Harry could demonstrate some excellent forehand smashes. Somerset under 13 player Clare Sykes also won all her games. Again The Woodlanders took two games in the doubles.

Six tables were in continuous use from 9.30 to 12.30 and it was a great experience. Matthew Short said “it was great because I got lots of people to play”. He also said Linda Stiles had a weird pen holder method of holding the bat so it was good to beat her.” What did you learn? “I can’t beat everybody, I didn’t realise that before.” Welcome to our world Matthew.

Quote of the morning.

Report and Pictures supplied Courtesy of Dave Woodland - Thank you Dave 

League Positions after 4 matches

FIRST DIVISION

Results Saturday 5th December

In division one High Flyers narrowed the gap at the top of the division by one point with  fine performances from Peter Stiles and Linda Yang. Mathew and Marcus Short who play for Hobby Horse from Minehead gained 21 points from 30 to consolidate their mid table position. 
 
In Division Two Hotimi Adiniji and Sam Stratton from Saints C moved into second place after gaining 28 points from 30 to put the pressure on Blackbrook Archers who also had two fine wins.  
 
The next round to be played will be on the 9th January at Saint Augustine School. 

Final Results of Junior Saturday League Taunton

Saints A are the new champions of the first division in this year’s development league. The Strong trio of Ricky King, Zach Denton and Clare Sykes have put in consistent performances since the start of the season and remained unbeaten. The runners up were High Flyers for whom Peter Stiles and Linda Yang pushed the winners all the way. Hobby Horse from Minehead finished equal third with Marcus and Mathew Short looking very promising for next years title.5^th and 6^th place went to Double Cross and Woodlanders. The two Cross brothers from Bridgwater are also candidates to push for the title next season. Young Harry Woodland found it tough this season in the first division but I am sure he will shine next year showing the best potential from all the newcomers.  

      James Entwistle from Heathfield School, partnered by Norman Steel are the champions of the second division with good wins all season. Saints E were very worthy runners up, quietly picking up steady points and the pairing of Dave O’Connell and Chris Denton proving an effective team. Saints D AND C have ended their season mid table. Dianne and Lewis court are now showing promise for the D,s and Lin Kirby and Elliott Denton who make up the C,s will be pressing for the title next year. Finally we have the young players from Trinity Primary School who make up the Wasps and the Vipers. It will only be a matter of time before these little darlings start pushing all the other players. A big thank you to John Clarke and Paul Bovet for all the work they have done for the youngsters of Trinity.    

             Finally there will be the St Augustine’s league finals on March the 13^th starting at 9 30. Entry forms will be sent out.  Martin Reading