The annual tournament of the Bournemouth & District Table Tennis Association came to its conclusion with the Finals Night at the Grange School, Somerford on Friday 4^th April. Three players from the New Milton Table Tennis Club had made it through to the Finals in one form or the other.

First up, Milton’s 18 year old Toby Staddon had teamed up with 15 year old James Roberts from Bournemouth Sports for the Men’s Doubles Semi-Final, and faced the Premier combo of Stephen Gennari (Bournemouth Sports) and Ian Johnstone (Winton YMCA).  Gennari & Johnstone saw off the Milton pairing 3-1, but went on to lose the final to long-gone ex New Milton brothers Umit & Ahmet Kaya in three straight sets.

Staddon picked himself up to take on another ex-Milton player Graham Underwood (Bournemouth Sports) in the Division 2 Singles Final.  Duly warmed up from the Doubles, Staddon dismissed Underwood in three straight sets.  Most impressive, given that this was Toby’s first year in the Bournemouth & District league!

Milton’s 20 year old Max Bannon faced the wily Adam Elcock (Winton YMCA) in the Division I Singles Final.  Bannon went two sets down but came back to narrowly win the third 12-10.  That proved to be a false dawn however as Elcock scraped the fourth 11-9 to take the spoils.

Two New Milton players had made it to the Bournemouth Closed Handicap Final, Toby Staddon and Max Bannon (those two again!).  Staddon benefitted from a +6 start, which Bannon struggled to surmount, and Staddon saw his clubmate off 21-17, 21-16.  The photo shows Toby (left) and Max, still mates after the match.

In the Bournemouth Closed Final, Milton’s Matthew Daish faced fellow Premier player, 15 year old James Roberts from Bournemouth Sports.  Daish, unbeaten in the Premier League this season, brought his skill and experience to bear as he powered to a two sets lead 11-4, 11-4.  Roberts remained calm in the third set and was able to match Daish’s powerful forehand and backhand drives to take it to deuce at 10-10.  It was a bit nip and tuck, but Daish won it 13-11 to get his hands on the prestigious trophy.

Matthew Daish (pictured) is now back home in Lymington after playing professionally in the German table tennis league.  An ex-England Under-21, Daish is now offering coaching in the area.

The New Milton Table Tennis Club is always on the lookout for new members, ranging from absolute beginners to experienced players. Anyone interested in joining our very friendly club should give Club Secretary Bev Scott-Johns a call on 01425 619552.  

Author: Malcolm Floyd