Table tennis report
"Exactly 2102 days before the Olympics Games and Paralympic Games come to London, the Black Lion Leisure Centre in Gillingham, hosted two exciting table tennis tournaments.
On 23 January 2007 more than 100 children took part in a tournament for Medway schools and another for Kent schools. It was a great opportunity for so many young people to get involved in the sport.
Several schools took part in the Medway tournament including Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, the Hundred of Hoo School, Rainham School for Girls, The Howard School, Rainham Mark Grammar School and Chatham Grammar School for Boys. There were many tightly fought matches.
The organizer, Steve Waud from the Howard Table Tennis Centre, said: "Only one girl, Rosie Waud, took part in the year 7 category.
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She got to the semi-final losing to Adam Masters of Sir Joseph Wiliamson's Mathematical School. He then went on to play Harry Lumb of Chatham Grammar in the final. Harry, a keen table tennis player at the Howard club and ranked number nine in England for under 13 boys, came through to win. |
"The final in the year 8 and 9 category was fought out between Alex Blow and Paul Welsh. Alex and Paul, both representing The Howard School and both from the Howard Table Tennis Club, provided a highly entertaining final with Welsh proving to be the stronger of the two.
"In the years 10, 11 and 12 category Aaron Scott of Rainham Mark Grammar School and Tom Burford from Chatham Grammar School for Boys had a very close semi-final match which saw Aaron move through to the final. The other semi-final was between Martin Birley, also of Chatham Grammar, and Michael Swaine of Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School. Birley chopped and attacked his way to the final where his consistency proved too much for Aaron.''
Later in the day it was the turn of pupils from Kent schools to play. Schools from all over the county took part. These included Antony Roper Primary School, Dartford; Aylesford Sports College; Holmesdale School, Snodland; Angley College, Cranbrook; Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Girls, St Gregory's School, Tunbridge Wells; Benenden School, Cranbrook and Simon Langton School, Canterbury.
Steve Waud said: "There was only one participant for the under 11 boys. That was Helshan Weerasinghe of the Antony Roper Primary School. The under 11 girls competition was won by Daniella Gray of Benenden School, who beat Lauren Beaumont of St Maragret's Junior School in the final.
"In the under 13 boys category Harry Lumb of Chatham Grammar School beat Ross Wilson in the semi-final and went on to play Lewis Gray in the final. Lewis, ranked the number one under 13 boy in England, beat Harry in three straight sets in an entertaining final. Lauren Beaumont featured again, this time in the under 13 girls competition, narrowly losing to Jasmine Ould of St Gregory's School.
"In the under 16 boys several schools were represented. Ross Wilson, aged 11 and ranked number two for under 12 boys in England, had a tough semi-final match against Philip Thomas of the Howard School. Ross beat Philip to progress to the final.
"The other semi-final was between Harry Lumb and Andrew Head. The game had many exciting rallies and both players played excellently. Harry came through beating Andrew by three sets to two.
"Harry, ranked the number nine under 12 boy in England, went on to have another brilliant five setter in the final against Ross. unfortunately for Harry, Ross won the final game 12-10 to clinch the match by three games to two.
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"The under 16 girls champion was Kirsty Wilson. Kirsty is Ross's sister and is currently ranked the number 11 under 15 girl in England. "The under 19 boys tournament allowed Andrew Head, Philip Thomas and Harry Lumb to take centre stage once again. This time they were joined by James Glass of Simon Langton School. |
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"The first semi-final saw Andrew Head beat Philip Thomas. Head then went on to the final where he played James Glass, who had seen off the challenge of Harry Lumb in the other semi-final.
"Glass produced some beautifully-executed loop shots which combined with topspin were very effective. However, it was Head's timing and accuracy that proved to be the greater weapon as he went on to win.''
All the winners from the day will now go on to represent Kent and Medway in the National School Finals in Stoke, due to be held on Saturday, 21 April.
Steve Waud said: "I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at the Chatham Table Tennis Club and the Howard Table Tennis Club for supporting the event and also to Medway's sports development team and all the volunteers and helpers for all their hard work on the day."
Steve Waud, Manager, the Howard Table Tennis Centre