14 year old Jack Trafford from the New Milton Table Tennis Club recently won his first 2-Star tournament in the Under 15s at Burgess Hill.

He won his group overcoming some very tricky opponents and then marched through his Quarter-Final and Semi-Final without even dropping a set.

And so to the Final – an initially nervous and subsequently thrilling encounter against an opponent one year older and with many years more experience. Wil Michel (15 Finals on his CV) took the first set before Jack’s powerful forehand loop began to take control of the rallies and the match … winning the next two sets. Wil bravely fought back countering with backhand slice and dogged determination. At 2 sets all they went ‘into the turn’ with Jack wrestling back control at 5-1. Wil then summoned all his experience and called a Time-Out..which seemed to have no effect on Jack as he raced to a 9-5 lead. Wil wasn’t beaten yet though and he fought ‘tooth & nail’ to bring the score back to 10-9 in Jack’s favour. Jack had one serve left…and he made it a ‘good one’..forcing Wil wide so he could then launch an attack with his ‘trademark’ forehand loop. Nothing Wil could do to return the shot and match WON to Jack.

Jack is in the middle, proudly wearing his winner’s medal. Thanks to Jack’s  proud Dad Paul for kindly supplying the report and photo.