The annual Stroud Junior Closed Table Tennis Tournament took place at Stratford Park Leisure Centre on June 23rd with 23 entries across U11, BU13, BU15, BU18 and Doubles competitions.

U11 Singles

It was great to see four entries from the recent TTKidz programme taking part - Phoebe Purse, Penny O’Keefe, Ray O’Brian and Lando Story and all playing competitively for the first time.

In group 1, Max Wilder, playing in his first competition, beat Phoebe but lost to club mate Elliot Withers and also to Lando in a very close match 7-11, 11-9, 5-11. Lando went on to beat Phoebe and against the odds beat number two seed Elliot 6-11, 11-9, 11-9 to progress to the semifinals along with Elliot.

In group 2, Arthur Greenwood won all his matches comfortably to book his place in the semifinals. Ray O’Brien picked up a point with a win against Penny but was beaten by George Hill who also progressed.

In the semifinals, Arthur overcame Elliot 11-3, 11-4, 11-9 and Lando continued to impress beating George 11-9, 11-3, 11-9

However, number one seed Arthur halted Lando’s good run with a 3-0 win in the final to be crowned U11 champion.

Boys U13 Singles

Sixteen boys competed in four groups for the U13 trophy.

Group 1 favourite and number 1 seed Niall Walker eased his way into the quarter finals with comfortable wins over Arthur Greenwood, Max Widera & Austin McLelland.

Arthur beat Max and just got the better of Austin in a very match 12-10, 7-11, 11-8 to progress.

Jan Keller was on form in group 2 winning all his matches against Alfie Heffernan, Andrew MacKinnon and David Wong

Jan was joined in the quarter finals by group runner up David who had wins against Andrew and Alfie.

Sylvian Maher came top of group 3 with wins against Tom Hadley, George Hill and Oscar Wood although Oscar nearly caused an upset by taking the first game 11-9.

Tom beat Oscar and George to take second spot and go through to the quarter finals with Sylvian

Benji Day-Lewis was unbeaten in group 4 after wins against Elliot Withers, Louie Brady and Rumi Taylor. Rumi also got the better of Elliot and Louie to progress with Benji.

The quarter finals saw wins for Niall v Rumi, David v Sylvian, Jan v Tom and Benji v Arthur

In the first semifinal, Niall overcame David 11-1, 11-7, 11-13, 11-2. The second semifinal between Benji and Jan proved to be the closest of the tournament. Benji took the first two games 18-16 and 11-9 but Jan fought back well taking the next two games 11-6 and 11-5 and looked set to go all the way but it wasn’t to be as Benji sneaked it 12-10 in the fifth. A great contest!

The final between Niall and Benji served up another excellent match.

Niall took the first game 11-6 and Benji won the next two 12-10 and 11-5

The fourth game was a real battle and Benji found the energy from somewhere to pip Niall 12-10 to claim the trophy.

Boys U15 Singles

A strong U15 field produced several close matches as expected.

In group 1, Niall Walker recovered well from his U13 defeat and lived up to his top seeding with an unbeaten run to the semis with wins against Tom Hadley, Sylvian Maher and Jan Keller.

Jan Keller also won against Tom and Sylvian to go through.

There was a shock in group 2 as favourite Benji Day-Lewis surprisingly came unstuck against Rumi Taylor and David Wong going down 2-1 in each match and although winning comfortably against Harrison Woodham and Ethan Stacy, Benji was pipped for second place by Rumi who went through to the semis with David.

Niall continued his good form beating Rumi in the first semifinal 11-4, 14-12, 11-6.

The second semifinal between Jan and David went all the way in another very close match with Jan coming out on top 11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7.

The final didn’t disappoint.

Niall won the first two games 11-3, 11-8, Jan came back to win game three 11-9 but Niall took a hard fought fourth game 11-7 to seal the win and get his hands on the trophy.

Boys U18 Singles

Only three entries for the U18s – Fred Zanker, Harrison Woodham & Ethan Stacy.

Fred and Harrison were winners over the less experienced Ethan.

Fred beat Harrison 3-0 and the two of them went through to the final which Fred won comfortably to lift the cup in his first ever competition.

U18 Doubles

In group 1, the inexperienced duo of Andrew MacKinnon & Louie Brady found it tough going losing out to Tom Hadley & David Wong and also to Fred Zanker & Harrison Woodham.

Tom & David had a good win against Fred & Harrison to make the final.

Niall Walker & Benji Day-Lewis teamed up to win group 2 by beating Rumi Taylor & Sylvian Maher.

The final was a very close encounter which saw Tom & David eventually getting the better of Niall & Benji winning 12-10, 14-12, 18-16, 11-6.

Awards

BU11 Winner: Arthur Greenwood

BU11 Runner-up: Lando Story

BU13 Winner: Benji Day-Lewis

BU13 Runner-up: Niall Walker

BU15 Winner: Niall Walker

BU15 Runner-up: Jan Keller

BU18 Winner: Fred Zanker

BU18 Runner-up: Harrison Woodham

Doubles Winners: David Wong & Tom Hadley

Doubles Runners-up: Niall Walker & Benji Day-Lewis