Watfordttblog

POST OFFICE V OXHEY HALL 29TH MARCH 2010

Post Office knew they only needed a draw to secure the division one championship from West Watford who has games in hand.

1. Les Leach played Dave Fynn and his strong defence was too good for Dave and he won in straight games. (1-0)
2. Abdul Rahim faced Richard Carter next and also won in straight games, although the third game was won by the narrowest of margins. (2-0)
3. David Edwards played John Batisovsky and neither player was at their best with many unforced errors from both players. David just managed to secure the victory winning 11-9 in the fourth after losing the opening game. (3-0)
4. Abdul versus Dave was a good open game with some very good rallies. Abdul managed to win the critical points in the second and third games to win 3-0, thus securing the championship. (4-0)
5. Les played John next in what should have been a difficult match for Les. In the corresponding fixture John won, inflicting one of Les’s very rare defeats. This time John was not at his best and Les ran out an easy winner in three straight games. (5-0).
6. David played Richard in what proved to be a very difficult match for David and a somewhat controversial one. David won the first game convincingly but lost the next two. David was not able to return serve well, allowing Richard to smash the ball past him consistently. David managed to win the fourth game but still could not contain the very strong hitting of Richard. Richard started the final game well and was leading 5-2 at the change of ends. David managed to claw himself back into the game and drew level at 8-8 and then 9-9. The next point was where the controversy started as Richard hit a shot wide of David’s backhand, which he claimed touched the edge of the table. Neither the umpire nor David or any of the players on the bench saw the touch. The point was eventually awarded to David who finished the match off with the next point. (6-0) A bitter sweet victory for David in what had been a hard fought match.
7. Abdul played John and won the first two games well before John mounted a comeback in the third and led 10-6. Unfortunately for John this was the last point he would win as Abdul won the last six points for a 12-10 win. (6-1)
8. Les and David played Dave and Richard in the doubles wanting to finish the season with their 100% record intact. The first game was very close with Les and David sneaking it 11-9. The second and third games were not so close with Les and David playing much more positively to secure a 3-0 win and finishing the season with a 12/12 win ratio. (8-0).

Is this a record for the number of doubles played in a season?

The match was played in good spirit and finished at 9.50pm.

Match Report by : David Edwards

WATFORD & DISTRICT TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE

With the season nearly completed, there is only one promotion spot to be decided. As predicted Lions and Meerkats meet to decide the runners up spot in Div Three. They are equal on points and whoever wins this last match goes up. If it is a draw Lions will take the prize.

The other end of the tables is not quite so clear. In the Premier Div, Abbots Langley and Dolphins are battling to avoid becoming bottom of the division, and have two games left.

In Div One, Oxhey Hall ‘A’ are bottom, with the two Watling teams trying to avoid joining them in Div Two next season.

In Div Two, Oxhey Hall ‘B’ are bottom, with Jaguars second from last.

In Div Three, Newts are at the bottom.

Results:

Premier Div: Abbots Langley vs. Dolphins 5-3; West Watford ‘A’ vs. Bats 5-3;  
Div One: Watling ‘B’ vs. Post Office 1-7; Gazelles vs. Eagles 3-5;
Div Two: Audit ‘A’ vs. Kangaroos 2-6; Watling ‘C’ vs. Jaguars 7-1; Hounds vs. Oxhey Hall ‘B’ 5-3;
Div three: Newts vs. Panthers 6-2; Panthers vs. Lions 1-7; Newts vs. Meerkats 0-8; Audit ‘B’ vs. Watling ‘D’ 5-3; Ospreys vs. Lions 0-8.

Have a good Easter!!

Match report by : Geof Bax

Bats V Abbots Langley 29th March 2010

Steve, Neil and Dave at home and Ken, Peter and Mick away.
 
Match started 7-45 with Steve against Peter a had fought game with Steve taking the 5th set 1-0. Dave then played Mick and won 3 straight 2-0. Neil was a bit late due to trains but played Ken in the 3rd set and lost in 3 straight, 2-1. Steve then played Mick which was pretty close but Steve won 3 straight so 3-1. Dave lost out to Ken in the next so 3-2. Neil then took on Peter and narrowly prevailed to make the score 4-2. 1 important point for Abbots. Then it was Steve against Ken where Ken got the upper hand and won in straight sets to make the score 4-3.

The doubles was a big game for both teams Neil and Dave against Peter and Mick, the first set went to the home team, the 2nd set the away team were in the lead til 9-9 and lost so 2 sets down. Peter and Mick took the lead in the 3rd set and saw it out well to make it 2-1. The 4th set was comfortable for the away team to draw level a 2-2. the final set was a seesaw, the home team went in to a 5-1 lead at change of ends, then Peter and Mick dug in to drag themselves back to 8-7 down the next 4 points were brilliant with Peter making all  to give Abbots the game, and the match result 4-4 which looks to have given Abbots Langley the initiative in the relegation battle.
 
Match Report by : Mick Lowens

Watfords own 2nd Olympic hopeful Jack Pegram making great progress!

At the beginning of March Jack played in the English Nationals at Ponds Forge.  Although he didn’t medal, he did manage to take two ends off a current Paralympian player and Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist with the 5th set finishing at 10-12, a great result.

The Disability Table Tennis Nationals at Crewe on 20th and 21st March saw Jack winning Silver in the Class Singles,  again taking 2 ends off another current Paralympian.  He also won Silver in the Open Doubles where he and his partner Shaun Newcomb came up against a very strong Paralympian team of Robertson/Rawson.

Jack is currently concentrating on his A Levels at Bushey Meads, having made Loughborough his firm choice university to study Sport & Exercise Science.  His next Grand Prix tournament is the DSE Tournament in Grantham in June.  He is looking forward to playing in the Watford & District Tournament sponsored by Baker Tilly and the Greater London Championships, both in April.  He has really enjoyed his Watford League Season this year and particularly playing against new opponents.

Post submitted by : Jill Pegram

No Double Header Match Reports

Eagles vs Gazelles 15th March

 

Needlessly rearranged from snow flake night. I predicted Eagles would win every contest at deuce in the fifth and win 8-0! Sadly Gazelles seemed determined to be the 8-0 winners and raced to a 5-0 lead against a lethargic and  below par Eagles. Why does the admirable Jackie Channell seem astonished when she wins a game? In my opinion everybody should beat James and Brian :)

Sensing a whitewash encouraged me to more effort and took the contest vs S. Bax by 3-1 producing a remark from the loser of "not bad from somebody supposed to be injured" !! Thanks for that compliment. I also took part in the doubles win that snatched a point from Gazelles, tho I forget who my partner was and who it was a against so If anybody wants to know what pain killers, anti inflammatory gel and pills I take then pls ask. Eagles lose 2-6

 

Gazelles vs Eagles 22nd March

 

A pretty routine match that doesn't immediately bring to mind a match report. Eagles win 5-3.

James determined to get more 100 mph shots on than off, did just that against ace master tactician Ian Hamilton who surprisingly was unable to change tactics and James was more confident and aggressive against Jackie and won in four.

Ian moved about for once and reflexes enabled a bit of counter attacking against a slightly below par Ian Hamilton to win i think 3-0.

Performance of the night was Jackie and Gerry producing a mistakeless and perfect fifth set to take the doubles against ian and Brian.

 

Match reports by : Ian Banfield

Double header? Never!

As captain of Eagles I have the power to accept, or not accept the offer to play a double header. I never will accept such a request unless it is 100% certain that no alternative is possible because I take the view that the idea is to actually play.

 

Why do people want to play double headers? I know that it can be awkward trying to re arrange fixtures especially when people dont reply to messages or say "that day should be ok" and then dont bother confirming it, etc but I only play in one team and dont want to waste a match even if both teams can neither get relegated or promoted.

 

Am I right to feel annoyed at criticism for not accepting a double header? Should I demand an apology?

 

Post submitted by : Ian Banfield

HERTS JUNIOR CLOSED entry form

Here is the Hertfordshire Junior Closed Table Tennis Tournament entry form. The Tournament will be held on the 5th June 2010 at Barnet Table Tennis Centre.

Entries must be received by the tournament organiser on or before 29th May 2010.

Post submitted by : David Edwards

Watford players on County Duty

I am sure that other Watford players (Glen and Stuart) were also on duty for Hertfordshire over the weekend, but Chris Ogle and Roger Pyle were playing for Herts 3rd Vets team over at Barnet on the 27th March 2010. The 2nd and 3rd teams are actually playing in the same division and that match is the only game remaining, likely to be played now on either the 6th or 7th April 2010.

This weekend saw the 3rd team take on Surrey 4, and Norfolk 2. The line up for Herts was Chris at 1, Mark McCarthy at 2, Roger at 3 and June Nelson the lady in the team.

The first match was an emphatic 8-2 victory for Herts. Both June and Roger losing out in the 5th set of their matches otherwise it could have been a maximum for the Herts side.

The second match was a 9-1 victory against Norfolk 2nd team. Mark losing out to the Norfolk no.1 being the only blip in another good performance for the Herts side.

Herts 3 have now lost 2 matches 6-4 and won 4, 8-2, 8-2, 9-1 and 10-0, so probably lying 3rd in the 8 teams in that division. An excellent days table tennis and a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Match report : Chris Ogle

p.s. Could do with some other reports of players from Watford playing in national events or representing the county... please forward to chris.ogle@ipsx.co.uk and let's get that news other there! 

WATFORD CLOSED TOURNAMENT!

I would like to remind all players to enter the Tournament being played in April. Please send entry form with the correct fees. Players who have already paid should still send an entry form, so I am sure they intend to play. The closing date is 5th April. I hope we get a good entry so that we can show our new sponsors BAKER TILLY that we are worth their effort, and if all the eligible players enter we should be sure of a very good finals night on Thursday 22nd of April, starting at 7pm. Thank you!

All events are at Queens. All entries to be sent to Geof Bax. Watford & District Table Tennis League Annual Tournament - Entry form required even if you entered previously but of course you do not have to pay a second time.

Post submitted by Tournament Referee : Geof Bax

Abbots Langley ease relegation worries 25th March 2010

Abbots Langley gained revenge for their defeat earlier in the season to the Dolphins with a hard-earned 5-3 win.

Abbots Langley were spearheaded by Ken Stonebridge, who was ably supported by the evergreen Peter Groves and Alan Jones. Dolphins put out a team of Kevin Williams, Ricky Tarani and Gordon Cape.

Ricky Tarani had to dig very deep to finally overcome the 77 year old Peter Groves 11-9 in the fifth – Peter’s short pimple attacking play creating all kinds of trouble to the big hitting Ricky. Ken then despatched Gordon in a one-sided contest 3-0 to level the scores before Kevin beat Alan fairly comfortably despite the close scoreline. Ricky then had to contend with Ken’s deceptive style and clever use of long-pimple and Sriver combination. 3-0 to Ken was a very fair result. So, half way through the contest and the match was level at 2 matches each. Kevin restored the lead for the Dolphins with another close win against Peter by 3 games to 2. There was a little controversy looming when Peter lost the point on what he believed was a let service on Kev’s game point in the 4th. Despite the fact Peter walked round to Kev’s end to start the fifth game, because Kev and Peter have know each other for many years,  Kev insisted Peter go back to his end of the table and demanded the point be replayed so not to spoil the evening. Kev won the replayed point and went on to take the fifth in fine style. 3-2 to the Dolphins and only one more win was needed to guarantee the draw. When Gordon went two games up on Alan it looked for all the world a draw at least was in the bag. Inexplicably, Gordon’s game collapsed and he squandered a number of match points before Alan completed a remarkable recovery. Kevin then had the dubious honour of trying to stop Ken grabbing a full house for the evening, and having never even got close to Ken before wasn’t relishing the prospect. After a tight first game which was won by Ken, Kev took the next two at deuce and started to believe a first ever win was on the cards. Fatal mistake!! Ken upped his game, Kev couldn’t cope with the change of style and all of a sudden Abbots hit the front for the first time in the match. Gordon and Ricky teamed up for the final doubles against Alan and Peter. At 2 games to 1 up, and at 10-6 up in the 4th, surely the Dolphins were home and dry for the draw? Almost unbelievably, the Abbots team rattled out an incredible 17 points on the trot to win the 4th and then the 5th 11-0! A massive win by Abbots Langley which lifted them off the bottom of the table and dumped the Dolphins there and staring relegation in the face. However, the two teams have to meet once more before the end of the season and the Dolphins will be all out for revenge. A fine match played in great spirit!

Match Report by : Kevin Williams