Collins Cup victory at Torbay Leisure Centre

The Torbay Tennis Table League’s early-season tournament, sponsored by Albany Florists, was held at the Torbay Leisure Centre and attracted a good number of players who took part in three different events.

First up and the main event was the handicapped Collins Cup. A very competitive field of 27 players from many different clubs and with mixed abilities took part, with handicaps stretching to as much as +8 points/game for the weaker player.

The seven group winners were Dan Webster-Hall, Jim McIvor, Gustaw Adamczak, James Kitchen, Lewis Lavery, Nick Kitchen and Curtis Sage. Two third division players, Issy Brown and James Kitchen, along with two first division players, Dan Webster-Hall and Clive Banham made it to the semi-finals.

The Newton Abbot club supplied the first semi-finalists as Dan Webster-Hall defeated James Kitchen, while the Brixham TTC provided the other two semi-finalists, which saw Issy Brown defeat Clive Banham.

Dan Webster-Hall, despite giving away a 5-point start to his Division Three opponent, Issy Brown, was in control throughout as he lifted the Collins Cup with a 13-11, 11-9, 11-7 scoreline.

Ed Damanskas picked up the Consolation trophy in a really close final defeating Dylan Sadler, 11-4, 7-11, 11-9, 4-11, 13-11.

Next up was the Handicap Doubles, where the pairs are matched up according to their ability. Some excellent pairs were thrown together for the first time with many exciting close encounters taking place.

The four group winners were Rob Williams and Ed Damanskas, who lost out to Jackie Whitehorn and James Kitchen in the first semi-final, and Clive Banham and Eve James who were defeated by Pete Sercombe and Chris Dunn in the second semi-final.

The scratch pairing of Jackie Whitehorn and James Kitchen, thrown together due to a late withdrawal, eventually prevailed over Pete Sercombe and Chris Dunn 11-9, 11-3, 5- 11, 11-4.

The Final event takes us back to the ‘Good old days’ playing up to 21 points with a traditional hard bat, the Excell Shield. Matches of unpredictable length often played with safety in mind do tend to go on a bit!

It was good to see some of the more aggressive players winning through the early rounds. Chris Dunn lost out to a dominant Dan Webster-Hall in one semi-final, while Clive Banham defeated Curtis Sage in the other semi.

Dan Webster-Hall, pretty much unstoppable on the day, saw off Clive Banham in an excellent hard bat final 21-10, 21-12.