The Isle of Wight’s annual table tennis tournament Finals saw a diverse range of achievements, with both experienced and young players emerging victorious across various events – handicapped, open, and age-related singles and doubles categories. The increased attendance to witness the closely contested and thrilling matches was a welcome sight.
Pat Thorley retained her Ladies’ Singles title, overcoming Nicky Dando in the final. In the Men’s Singles, island newcomer Steve Mills clinched the championship, defeating Mark Taylor. Steve’s path to the title involved overcoming last year’s winner, Hugh Idle, in the semi-finals, while the promising 17-year-old Ryan Cates provided a stern challenge before succumbing to Mills in a closely fought contest.
Later, Cates teamed up with Paul Rainford to emerge victorious in the Men’s Doubles event.
Isle of Wight Table Tennis Association chairman, Alex Rorke, expressed delight at the successful Finals Night, highlighting the growing popularity of the sport on the island and the excellent facilities available at the Smallbrook Stadium.
The full results from the evening’s events are as follows:
Gordon Burns Handicapped Singles:
- Winner: Jye Lock
- Runner-up: Ryan Cates
Island Echo Cup:
- Winner: Ryan Cates
- Runner-up: Ethan Millward
Handicapped Doubles:
- Winners: Joe Chapman & Ryan Cates
- Runners-up: Derek Pittard & Tom Flood
Vets Singles Over-70s:
- Winner: Dave Hilliam
- Runner-up: Keith Baker
Vets Singles Over-60s:
- Winner: Mike Turner
- Runner-up: Don Hobbs
Vets Singles Over-40s:
- Winner: Steve Mills
- Runner-up: Paul Rainford
Juniors / Cadets:
- Junior Winner: Lewis Johnstone
- Junior Runner-up: Joe Chapman
- Cadets Winner: Jye Lock
- Cadets Runner-up: Thane Taylor
Division 2 Championship:
- Winner: Charlie Stapeley
- Runner-up: Steve Gibbons
Division 3 Championship:
- Winner: Chris Gordine
- Runner-up: Shane Cates
Men’s Doubles:
- Winners: Paul Rainford & Ryan Cates
- Runners-up: Hugh Idle & Lewis Johnstone
- Winners: Pat Thorley & Elaine Mills
- Runners-up: Nicky Dando & Nikki Turner
- Winners: Anna Joyce & Don Hobbs
- Runners-up: Pat Thorley & Tim Giles
Men’s Singles:
- Winner: Steve Mills
- Runner-up: Mark Turner
Ladies’ Singles:
- Winner: Pat Thorley
- Runner-up: Nicky Dando
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