Table Tennis: Southport League

Julian Quirk

Written by Jim Booth

A very successful Championship Sunday was held at Crosby TTC, with Finals Night being held at Argyle the following Tuesday night, and what an evening it turned out to be.    

First up were the semi-finals of the Main Event the Open Singles, and favourite Colin Turner (Princes St) showed how it was done with a three straight win over his teammate Michael Stewart. Julian Quirk (Argyle) was up next to face Crosby ‘Young Gun’ Charlie Williams, which provided the first surprise of the night with Charlie winning through to the final in five magnificent attacking games 9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 8-11.  S

Mind you, the Young Gun had his fair share of nets and edges, but nevertheless victory was his in the end.  Colin then stayed put to contest the Over 40’s Final against Ben Aiken (Argyle). Some great attacking play from both players saw the advantage swing one way and then the other, 9-11, 11-3, 7-11, 11-8, until Ben clinched it 6-11 in the fifth, fabulous contest. Julian then returned to the fray to face Susie Venner (Formby) in the Over 55’s Final, and put his disappointment from earlier behind with a three straight success.

Always a special encounter, the Open Doubles Final was next on the agenda, between Crosby pair Adam and Stefan Schober Thomson and Sam Pierce and Michael Stewart (Princes St), and again it did not fail the entertainment test. Sam and Michael took the first game 9-11, and then the second 10-12. But it all changed in the third as the brothers certainly clicked and took it convincingly 11-2. All square after the fourth 12-10, and into the fifth and an air of inevitability gave the brothers the title taking it 11-7, What a contest and what a turnaround, breathless!

Susie returned to the table for the Ladies Final, and an interesting one this, it being against another Crosby ‘Starlet’  Isabella Hamer who had narrowly missed out to her opponent in the fifth game of an earlier qualifying round. But nerves certainly had an effect on the young player, (who is 13yrs later this year), with Susie winning this one in three straight. What a great evening of table tennis so far, just the Open Final left, and this ‘Finale’ had everything.

Favourite versus Crosby Young Gun, and let's not forget Charlie is just 14 years old and it was a great start from him with some outrageous hits and returns helping him win the first game 7-11. Even better in the second, 9-11, and he’s 0-2 up.  Down to earth again in the third as Colin seemed to gain control winning it in style 11-6. Colin started well again in the fourth, but Charlie fought back courageously and took a narrow lead which he never gave up… 9-11 and he had actually won it.

Outstanding performance young man. All that was left was the presentations of the trophy’s by Chairman Nick Foss, apart from Charlies, which was left to past champion Rhys Davies, who as well as presenting the Trophy, looked like he was ‘Passing on the Baton ’ to a possible future star. What an occasion and great entertainment!

There was also a program of league fixtures, so here we go with ‘whistle stop, review. Premier Division leaders Princes St A were held to an entertaining draw against the young guns of Crosby B, whilst Argyle B narrowly lost out 4-6 at home to Crosby A

In Division 1, leaders Princes St C again won the ‘Bragging Rights’ with a close 6-4 victory over their B team, as well as at the same time keeping their noses in front in the title race.  Southport A also kept in the hunt for the said ‘title’ after a very good 8-2 home win over Argyle C, but with just three to play, will they run out of matches? and Crosby D edged past Formby Village B 6-4.

Rainford didn’t do their ambitions any harm in their late assault on the Division 2 title, a commanding 1-9 away win at current leaders Princes St D has certainly put them in the mix for honours. Princes St E beat Crosby D 7-3, and Waterloo B won by the same margin at home to Argyle D.

At the top of Division 3, Southport C suffered only a slight hic-up in their quest to secure the title after being held to a fighting draw away to Argle E, whilst Carlton suffered a 3-7 home loss to Southport B, where Alan Nolan playing up from the C team, with full quota of wins looked to be the deciding factor. Argyle F’s home game against Crosby F was postponed to accommodate Finals Night. So, next week's match between the top two Southport A and Argyle F, has ‘showdown’ written all over it.

Briefly, just to return to the story of the week, it was such a lovely touch that Rhys Davies presented the Trophy to Charlie Williams. Well, Rhys has gone on to great things since his triumph at the 2019 Championships, He is currently in the England Junior Squad being ranked number 7, and his current Senior (Mens) ranking is 17th, there you have it Charlie dreams can come true!

All information can be found here.

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