Leicestershire Schools Individual Table Tennis Championships
Below is the report on the Leicestershire Schools Individual Table Tennis Championships, note some of the excellent performances by students from Leicester City Schools.
These Championships were held on February 27/28 at Leicester Grammar School who were our generous hosts; given anticipated numbers, we held 3 half day sessions as against the previous one full day
Saturday morning saw 49 under 13 players play initially in groups before playing in similar ability groups for the final stages apart from the main event which was on a progressive knock out basis; all this ensured a good number of games for each player over the session. The winner of the main event was Sam Mabey of Lutterworth High School overcoming Tobit Dehnen of St Pauls Catholic, Leicester in a competitive encounter belying the nearly 200 places difference in their national rankings. Semi finalists were Adam Cross and Eddie Lyons – both of South Wigston High School. Abby Amos of Welland Park, Market Harborough was regrettably the only girl competitor but came second in her mixed group and took away the girls trophy.
On to Saturday afternoon when the under 16 event took place, 29 boys and 5 girls competed in the similar format to the morning session. In a high standard event, the winner was Alastair Hawthorn of Castle Rock High School, Coalville who defeated fellow county player Adil Rashid of Bushloe, Wigston in the final. Semi finalists were Jake Crocker of Beauchamp, Oadby who only just lost to Adil – his league team mate- and Sam Rossi of Bosworth College, Hinckley and Bosworth who impressed watchers. The girls had their own event with the winner being Zainab Ali of Madani, Leicester just beating Sigourney Ducksbury of Ashby GS, in the fifth 11-9.
Sunday morning saw a contrast in size with both the under 11s and under 19s playing. The Under 19 boys saw the 2 top class players compete in the final with Joel Carton of English Martyrs defeating the excellent Jonas Dehnen of Wyggeston QE 1, Leicester. Third was Kent Matsumato of Ashby GS and fourth was Sam Burgess of Robert Smyth, Market Harborough; 9 boys were involved but no girls. The under 11 event attracted 17 boys and 3 girls – a major increase on last year. Aman Rashid of Bushloe , Wigston retained the title with Max Thorpe from Bringhurst PS the runner up . Third equal were Usama Vania of Linden PS, Leicester, Amaan Ebrahim of Stoneygate School and Adam Pettitt of Newbold Verdon PS. The girls proved to be an all Danemill PS, Enderby event with Alex Baines winning, Lauren Bracey second and Hannah Yates third.
Overall an excellent weekend’s table tennis in a great venue; although 112 played there were actually 163 entries and if the players who only were in the preliminary event in Oadby and Wigston SSP are added in, the figures rise to 123 players and 174 entries- far more than last year and respectively more than double and nearly three times two years ago. 47 schools were involved. Many thanks to all the helpers and parents who supported the event and players
Mike Smith Secretary LSTTA