Berkshire Closed Report Archive 

Berkshire Closed Report 2017-2018

Berkshire Closed Report 2016-2017

Berkshire Closed Report 2015-2016

Berkshire Closed Report 2013-2014

The championships were held at the Kingfisher table tennis club on 11th and 12th November 2017.

The overall entry this season was marginally up from 33 to 38 with some new entrants which was encouraging. As organiser I need to thank the local league coordinators and web managers for their help in spreading the word and to Wendy Porter for her efforts before and during the event.

Veteran singles

This season there were 19 entries with however only 2 of the more established top guns in attendance, but that did not detract from some lively encounters throughout the group stage.
Having 6 groups meant that the semi final stage was a further 2 groups of 3 round 1 winners, leading to a final of the 2 anticipated protagonists Martin Adams and Hari Gehlot. On this occasion it was Martin's day.

Under 21 singles

This competition was very much under subscribed with only 6 entrants, however the standard produced was good and most of the entrants were from the Reading youth league ,so this must auger well for the future
This competition was played in 2 groups of 3 with a winner and runner up from each group going forward to the semi-finals The final saw Joe Barraclough beating Rayaan Asghar and Ralph Philips overcoming Benedict Carless in 5 very competitive sets.
Very watchable table tennis chaps.

Men's singles

Men's singles This event started with 23 entries with some new names which was good news but without some of our regular entrants. We had a couple of last minute withdrawals from the previous days veteran event but started with 8 groups which sent 8 winners and runners up through to round 2 with the winners advancing to quarter finals and then to the final 4 semi-finalists. On the way there were a few competitive matches with some of the new faces and indeed a returning face making their presence felt .
The semi finals of Daniel Moses and Sagar Sawant and Martin Adams and Lyazid Wirkhani produced an expected final of Daniel and Martin, we all awaited that final in eager anticipation, however on this day and to be fair at the end of a long hard day, Daniel Moses was not in the mood to hang around as he swept Martin aside in 3 sets even though the whole match was one to watch and marvel at it's quality
Some match guys!!

Ladies single's

A small entry of only 7 ladies but what a competition, throughout the group stage and the semi-finals the standard was a treat to watch with Celia Hooker and Gwynne Penny dispatching Wendy Porter and Sue Purton to reach the final. The final was again not an easy win but Celia Hooker took the honours on the day.

Graded Singles

This event had 13 entries which included 5 new faces some who proved to be competing locally way below their actual playing standard but nevertheless perfectly entitled to participate at this time. Overall there were more 5 set matches in this event than in any of the others so very competitive and hard fought. 4 groups with the winnrs making the semi-finals with the eventual winner Vidhu Ravinath , new boy, overcoming Igor Sremac another new boy in a 4 set final .

Men's Doubles

Only 7 pairs in this event but some very useful pairings some by design and some by partners wanted and some quality matches ensued. The final between Daniel Moses and Sam Ricks were too good on the day for Martin Adams and Ian Cole but a good match nonetheless.

Mixed Doubles

This event had 7 entries, all the ladies had entered this and there were some established pairings as well as some new ones. Played as ever in groups one of 3 pairs and one of 4,and, as this event was toward the end of the day there were some very heavy legs out in the arena so the decision was taken to put just the group winners through to the final and what a final, 5 scintillating sets between Daniel Moses and Wendy Porter against Martin Adams and Sue Purton. Won by a whisker at 11-9 by Daniel and Wendy. A great match to watch.

Ladies Doubles

There were only 3 pairs in this competition so 1 group of 3 all play all final with some hard fought matches . Wendy Porter and Sue Purton beating Celia Hooker and Jenny Tanner in appropriately the final match of the group.

Allan Bruton (tournament organiser)

Veteran singles

There were initially 17 entries with 2 dropping out on the day due to health issues so the remaining 15 took to the tables with a fairly wide range of abilities in groups which ensured that all players got more than a single game for their entry fee.
The anticipated top 8 players fought their way to the quarter finals with Messrs. Adams, Cole, Baker and Gehlot then proceeding to the semi's. Both semi's were hard fought but the top 2 seeds Martin Adams and Hari Gehlot won through to contest the final. This was a very entertaining final and a 1-0 1-1 2-1 2-2 through to the fifth and final game match where Hari Gehlot managed to seal the last leg by the minimum 2 points necessary, a good advert for any age group of table tennis.

Under 21 singles

There was a disappointing 6 entries for this competition, so 2 groups of 3 where the the top 2 from each group went through to the semi-finals. Yonatan Slobodskoy and Joe Barraclough in one and in the other Sam Ricks and Johnson Xu. The final was contested between Yonatan and Sam with Sam coming out a comfortable winner in 3 sets.

Mens singles

With the same number on entries (17) as the veterans not a well-supported category but once again , at least, a smattering of lower division standard players who I am pleased to say did aat least enjoy their matches. Again we saw the anticipated top 8 players contesting the quarter finals where the first shock took place, the number 3 seed Hari Gehlot taken out by Sam Ricks in 4 sets.The semi finals were contested between Daniel Moses and Sam Ricks and Ian Cole with Martin Adams the top 2 seeds. The final produced some very good table tennis even though it was a straight sets victory to Daniel Moses but another superb example of quality Table tennis in our local area.

Graded Singles

A smaller entry than the previous year and with 2 dropping out on the day it didn't help matters, nevertheless the remaining 10 entrants did battle to reach the semi-finals, there were some well fought matches in these early group stages with some 5 setters and others over 4 sets so some well contested matches. The semi's saw Celia Hooker take on Zoltan Kelemen and Tamir Slobodskoy face Wendy Porter. The Hooker / Kelemen semi was a nip and tuck affair through to the fifth game when suddenly Zoltan surged ahead to take himself to the final where he faced Wendy Porter who had a straight sets victory over Tamir. The final was a good match but Wendy proved to be just too strong for Zoltan.

Ladies Singles

With an initial 8 entries only, we started with 2 groups of 4 but with one dropping out at the start. The top 2 in each group went through to contest the semi's with Liz Bookman facing Celia Hooker and Sue Purton facing Wendy Porter. Liz and Sue came through to the final which was a straight sets victory to Liz Bookman but not without some opposition from Sue.

Mens Doubles

There were 3 groups of 3 pairs in this competition, small in numbers but not in ability. As there was only 3 groups the final was contested as a group with the 3 group winners going through. Most of the first round group matches went to 4 legs so there were no real easy matches for any pair but the winners were Martin Adams and Ian Cole, Steve Miller and Antony Baker and Hari Gehlot and Mark Banks. In the final group the Gehlot / Banks pairing proved to be too strong for both other pairs and were the overall winners with Adams / Cole in second place.

Mixed Doubles

This final event saw 8 pairs from an original entry of nine take to the battlefield in 3 groups but as with the men's doubles the 3 group winners would contest a final group of 3. This event is usually a great leveller and in this case was indeed so. There were a few , but only a few, one sided matches but in the main it was a well contested event. The final three pairs were Wendy Porter/Daniel Moses, Gwynne Penny/Martin Adams and Liz Bookman/ Hari Gehlot. Overall this was a well fought final group with well-matched pairs giving those who stayed on to see the final events some good table tennis to watch but in the end the winners and retaining their 2015/2016 title were Wendy Porter and Daniel Moses.

Ladies Doubles

This was a small but very competitive group who played in one group of 4 , so all played all and as a category, overall, was probably the most hard fought and evenly matched competition of the day. The winners were Liz Bookman and Louise Forster beating Celia Hooker and Jenny Tanner into second place. There was some great table tennis from these ladies.

A very small entry to what should be a premier local tournament, but my thanks as organiser to those who did enter and my thanks again for your thanks to me on the day , it makes the work worthwhile.

Allan Bruton (tournament organiser)

The championships were held on 5th and 6th December at the Kingfisher table tennis club

Sat 5th Dec. Veteran singles

The veterans competition was down in numbers from previous seasons and further disrupted when some of the players were seconded to the senior first team for matches on the same weekend in the premier division of the county championships, however some lively competition took place and without some of the would be seeds missing there were more players of a similar standard. The event was eventually won by Martin Gunn who was the only true seeded player in the draw, the runner up Allan Bruton. Under 21, Only 7 original entries with 2 withdrawals on the day so an all play all round robin group of 5 took place and again the only recognised seed to enter was one of the withdrawals due to work commitments the other players had a very good and even tournament with Yonatan Slobodskoy coming out the winner with Thomas Perkins runner up.

Sun 6th Dec. Mens singles

Again a smaller entry than in previous seasons and again compromised by the loss of players, probable seeds, to the senior first team,this meant players promoted to seeded positions but 2 of those were non shows on the day so the whole competition was compromised, however there were 2 of the original seeds in place and actually the No 1 and No2 . There was some very good table tennis played by the participants and all enjoyed their table tennis the final was a well contested affair with the eventual winner being Martin Gunn and Daniel Moses as runner up.

Graded Singles

An initial entry of 17 a pleasing increase on previous seasons so this prompted the increase of prize money to match the senior singles level, obviously an area of growth and one where the participants do not face the higher level players so start off with a more level standard so more of a chance to proceed in the competition.. A couple of no shows again so last minute replacements were found on the day, overall a very good and hard fought competition with two juniors coming through to contest the final. Yonaton Slobodskoy just a little too strong for another of our junior girls in Anaya Patel, A young lady to wotch in the future I think.

Ladies Singles

With an initial entry of nine ladies there was a no show from one so 2 groups of 4 ladies contested this competition with the winners and runners up going through to the semi finals, this competition brought together all age group from juniors to veterans and the final was indeed played by one player from each of these categories. The eventual winner and defending champion Celia Hooker fending off the up and coming Scarlett Jones.

Mens Doubles

10 pairs contested this competition but as with all the events the missing players made quite a difference but some good hard fought matches took place with the eventual winners Daniels McTiernan and Moses were too strong for the Martin Gunn/Allan Bruton partnership although Martin tried very hard to carry his passenger home,it was a bridge too far on the day and being the final match on the sheet did not help.

Mixed Doubles

This attracted 8 pairs with 2 seeds who fought their way to the final. The winners Wendy Porter and Daniel Moses proving too strong for Gwynne Penny and Martin Gunn.

Ladies Doubles

This competition started with only 4 pairs which was down to 3 pairs due to one player failing to turn up. There were a couple of close fought matches in this very small entry and the final ended up with the repeat of a first round match between Sue Purton and Wendy Porter facing Katie Shepherd and Anaya Patel, but in the final the two talented juniors turned the tables on the senior pairing and Katie and Anaya were the winners.

My thanks to all the participants for entering I hope you all had two days enjoyable table tennis.

Allan Bruton ( organiser).

Viterbo wins maiden Berkshire Closed Title

The Berkshire Closed table tennis tournament took place over the first weekend of December and a number of new players made an impact with no fewer than seven new champions emerging from the eight events held.

With Berkshire's top three ranked players all away playing in the British League Premier Division, Italian player Federico Viterbo took maximum advantage to became the Berkshire Closed Men's Singles Champion at his very first attempt. The second seed beat the first seed and a multiple former winner Martin Adams in a very entertaining final by three sets to two.

In the first semi final Viterbo beat young Daniel McTiernan in straight sets. Sixth seed McTiernan enjoyed a terrific 3-1 win over the third seed Daniel Moses in the quarter finals. In the second semi final, Adams came through in a tight five set encounter with another newcomer, Chinese penholder Trung Tran, who was seeded fifth. Tran had earlier disposed of fourth seed Mark Banks in his quarter final.

In the Ladies Singles, second seed Clare Woodham overcame top seed Wendy Porter 3-2 in a pulsating final in which Porter was 2-1 up before finally succumbing to Woodham's consistent attack. The semi finalists were Diane Taylor and Poonam Gaur, who took Woodham to five sets.

The Mens Doubles was won by the two Daniel's (McTiernan and Moses) in some style with a 3-0 victory over top seeds Banks and Adams in the final, following another straight sets win over second seeds Viterbo and Tony Reynolds in the semi finals. The other semi finalists were the young pairing of Sam Liu and Gus Thomis.

The Ladies Doubles saw top seeds Porter and Woodham combine to win the title, beating Penny Gwynne and Poonam Gaur 3-1 in the final.

The Mixed Doubles was won by Woodham and Viterbo who beat Porter and Moses 3-0 in a final that including two deuce sets.

The Veterans event was well contested with fourteen entrants. The top two seeds met in the final and it was Tony Reynolds who overcame Ian Cole 3-1 in a well contested match to take his maiden Vets title.

The Under 21s event was won by defending champion Daniel Moses in his last year in this age group. Moses overcame Daniel McTiernan 3-2 in a see-saw match having been two sets down at one point. The losing semi finalists were Danny Ricks and his younger brother Sam Ricks.

The Graded event (for players not playing in the first Division of their Leagues) was won for the first time by Chinaman Xiao Huang who beat a battling Michael Houghton 3-2 in the closest finish of the weekend.

The tournament was very well organised and run by committee members Eric Van Looy and Allan Bruton on behalf of the Royal County of Berkshire TTA and supported by a large and appreciative audience. The Kingfisher Club did a fine job of hosting the event again, which will be the last time at the current venue due to redevelopment at the site.

Final Results

Mens Singles - Federico Viterbo beat Martin Adams 3-2 (1-11,11-9,11-7,7-11,11-6)

Ladies Singles - Clare Woodham beat Wendy Porter 3-2 (11-8,9-11,7-11,11-5,11-9)

Under 21 Singles - Daniel Moses beat Daniel McTiernan 3-2 (5-11,5-11,12-10,11-7,11-8)

Veterans Singles - Tony Reynolds best Ian Cole 3-1 (11-4,9-11,12-10,11-9)

Graded Singles - Xiao Huang beat Michael Houghton 3-2 (11-7,8-11,8-11,11-8,12-10)

Mens Doubles - Daniel McTiernan and Daniel Moses beat Mark Banks and Martin Adams 3-0 (11-7,13-11,11-5)

Ladies Doubles - Wendy Porter and Claire Woodham beat Penny Gwynne and Poonam Gaur 3-1 (11-8,11-3,9-11,11-4)

Mixed Doubles - Claire Woodham and Federico Viterbo beat Wendy Porter and Daniel Moses 3-0 (12-10,14-12,11-8)