Week Commencing 15 November 2004

Swindon Table Tennis: The Pickett Trophy
GWRSA C 489 / GWRSA B 485

There’s something very satisfying about winning an antique trophy. It’s not so much the physical grandeur of the object (although they tend to be much more impressive than today’s veneer and plastic counterparts) – it’s more to do with the list of names. Winning any trophy makes you feel successful, but when it’s previously been won by the league’s elite, you get to feel like you are one of them and part of a sport history.

So it is with Swindon Table Tennis’ Pickett Trophy. Those hoping to have their team name against 2004/5 include GWRSA teams C and B (descendants of “BR Staff” who were the first winners of the trophy in 1963). The C/B play-off was fought on Thursday 19th November at GWR Sports and Social club. This being a team handicap event, GWRSA C started with a 34 point lead, which they would have to claw back over 18 games.

First up were C team’s John Carter and Andrew Jarvis of B. John’s defensive play was shook up slightly by Andrew’s left handed loop play, leaving Andrew to win 21-15 / 21-13. This was a confident start from GWRSA B and left Chris Howell in no doubt that a loss against B’s Colin Gore would not be good enough. A tough fight ensued with two very close games, but in each case Chris just tipped the balance in his favour at 22-20. The home team’s captain Paul Sore then took on Andrew again. Andrew’s loop play was again decisive in the first game, winning 12-21, but in the second Paul changed tactics and fought back resiliently to Andrews backhand, winning 21-19.

With Chris Howell beating Colin Gore 21-6 / 21-14 in the next set, things were not going well for GWRSA B, but a turn-around in fortune ensued as Colin went on to beat John Carter (13-21, 14-21) and Paul Sore (10-21, 18-21). Latecomer Colin Bendall also had success against Paul (16-21, 13-21) and Chris (6-21, 14-21).

Last set of the evening was the home team’s John Carter against Colin Bendall. With the points standing at 456/445, it was still very possible for the B team to win although God seemed to be on John’s side when he won the first game 21-19 with the ball clipping the net. Colin realised that new tactics were required, and changed from backhand blocks to strong under-spin. This did the trick and Colin won the second 21-12 ... not enough for GWRSA B to win, but a very close call none the less with only 4 points separating first from second.
 

UPDATE: This article was subsequently edited and published by the Evening Advertiser on Tuesday Nov 23rd 2004