Week Commencing 7th March 2005

Swindon Table Tennis: The Swindon Closed

Boys Singles Events

In both the under 18 and under 15 events the finals were between Matthew Lloyd and Jason Viola. In the under 18s, Matthew won his group and the match, with Jason in second place, Ethan Gunton in third position and Owen Gallagher in fourth.

In the under 15s, Matthew Lloyd just beat Jason Viola 14/12 in the first game, which seemed to unnerve Jason as he lost the next game 11/4. In the third though he regained his form and at one stage was 8/3 up, but Matthew played consistently and eventually won the third as he did the first at 14/12.

The finalists of the Under 13 Junior Boys singles were Ethan Gunton and Thomas Jeffcott. Thomas, who has only been playing a year, is already developing a good style and shows promise for the future, but Ethan's 5 years of experience showed through and it was he who was in control of the games, winning the match 11/6, 11/3 and 11/7.

Under 18 Boys Doubles

The final of the Under 18 Boys Doubles was contested between the team of Ethan Gunton and Matthew Lloyd (an unusual combination of two left-handers) and Jason Viola/Daniel Skudlarz.  Ethan and Matthew won the first game 11/7, but Jason and Daniel fought harder in the second and almost won it 11/13. In the third and last game though Ethan and Matthew won convincingly 11/5 to win the match.

Matthew Lloyd, winner of the Under 18 Boys Singles

Men's Over 40 Singles

With Gary Baldwin becoming a father just 3 days ago, the usual number 1 seed was absent from the this year's event, leaving the field clear for others to take the initiative. Alan Duke, Brian Rayment, Ray Hughes and Eddie Shoemark were all in with a chance having got through to the quarter finals. In the first semi Hughes comfortably beat Shoemark 11/3, 11/5, 11/4, but things were a lot closer in the other semi. Rayment beat Duke 11/8 and 11/3, but then Duke turned the tables and beat Rayment in the next 3 games 11/4, 11/6 and 11/9. In the final between Hughes and Duke, it was Ray Hughes who again dominated the games and became the overall winner (11/4, 11/4, 11/3).

Ray Hughes, receiving his trophy from Roy Hazell
for winning the Over 40s Singles Event

Men's Over 50 Singles

Having already played a close match in the over 40s semi finals, Brain Rayment and Alan Duke faced each other again in the Over 50s final. This time it was Duke that won the first two games 11/8 and 11/9, but Rayment replied in the 3rd 13/11. The fourth game was as close as the others, but Duke just won it 12/10 and therefore won the match.

Men's Over 60 Singles

The over 60s was contested between Dave Morgan, Brian Rayment and Brian Hey. Having played well in both the over 40s getting through to the semis, and even better in the over 50s getting through to the final, this was to be Brian Rayment's event and he comfortably beat the other two players in 3 sets each. The final outcome was Brian Rayment first with the runner up being Brian Hey.

Brian Rayment, receiving his trophy from Roy Hazell
for winning the Over 60s Singles Event

Men's Consolation Singles

In probably the closest final of the tournament, Andy Hurley beat Trevor Bannister in the first game 11/8, Bannister replied in the next beating Andy 11/9, and Hurley won the third 11/5. With the odds now in Hurley's favour, Bannister fought on and just won fourth game 11/9. The decider was again close, but Trevor Bannister kept the initiative and won the game 11/8, winning the match. 

Over 40 Doubles

Division 2 players Andy Hurley and Eddie Shoemark had a challenge ahead in the doubles finals against Division 1 players Alan Duke and Brian Rayment, as the first game showed when they lost 11/6. But Hurley and Shoemark dug in and in the second game the outcome was closer at 11/8, with Hurley attacking Rayment with fast topspin shots. In the third though Rayment changed tactics and used the other side of his bat, which with it's "anti-spin" rubber made things even more difficult for Hurley and stopped his attack dead in it's tracks. In good hearted desparation, Hurley lunged at the last ball and sent it into space, with the final game of the match ending 11/2, and victory to Alan Duke and Brian Rayment.

Swindon Table Tennis : Latest League tables

UPDATE: This article was subsequently edited and published by the Evening Advertiser on Tuesday 15th March 2005.