English Schools Table Tennis- Oxfordshire Team Event
9th December 2011
English Schools Table Tennis –Oxfordshire Team Event
There were some very competitive matches as schools and players assembled at the Kidlington Table Tennis Centre to decide the County champions and the honour of representing the County at the Regional Zone.
U/13 Boys
This section was dominated by Larkmead School, Abingdon and it was their B team of George Smart, Harry Pearson, Harry O’Higgins and Patrick Kelly that were victorious. All the boys attend the Abingdon Schools Table Tennis Academy and are showing good promise.
U/16 Boys
This was a very competitive event with little to choose between the six teams.
In group1 the scores were as follows;
Larkmead A 5 v Bicester 3, BGN, Banbury 5 v Bicester 3 and BGN 5 v Larkmead A 3
Although Bicester had the County junior N0.1 Lewis Sumner, who won all his matches, he lacked support and it was BGN with a stronger squad that narrowly edged Larkmead to win the group.
In group 2 it was even closer with the following results:
Matthew Arnold 5 v Fitzharrys 3, Matthew Arnold 4 v Larkmead B 4 and Fitzharrys 4 v Larkmead B 4
Nothing to choose between the teams but Simon Price the number one County cadet led from the front for Matthew Arnold and was well supported by his team mates. The Larkmead teams had no County ranked players but have an excellent group of keen players.
The final was a titanic match with Simon Price remaining unbeaten. At one stage it looked like BGN would edge the tie but Scott Harris and Shaun Morton secured vital wins to claim a 4-4 draw. In a deciding tie break, Simon Price and Shaun Morton combined to win the doubles. Luke Jobling and Joe Shardlow both played well for BGN
U/19 Boys
This section was again dominated by the powerful squad from Cherwell School. Although most of the team can play in the younger age groups, the strength of Anthony Howgego, Jonah Stott, James Rowan and Solly Slim was too much for BGN in the final
Well done to all the winning teams.
Report courtesy of Karl Bushell (Oxfordshire ESTTA Rep)
