IDTTL 2013 Championships

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IDTTL Championships Report

Well another weekend that started with set-up on Friday evening, to finally loading the van late Sunday night, just seemed to fly by. Before you get to read the report for the Finals, I would like to say a few thank-you's, and add a few comments about the weekend........
Firstly thanks to Jim 'Oussa' Farrow for all his work before the Finals in organising the entries, seeding, schedules and sending out times for everyone. This Championship would not happen without Jim's effort, and dedication, and he puts on loads of hours of his own time in making this happen, as does our chairman John Leith.
Friday night & Sunday night helpers for setting up on Friday evening, and helping pack up Sunday we do appreciate this, apologies if I have forgotten anyone (Richard H, Richard G, Aimee, Nigel, Pauline, Elliot, Steve, Dave F, Colin, Paul).
Thanks for all those who helped me on the control desk, especially Pauline who kept us in check, and provided a constant flow of coffee & biscuits, as well as doing excellent job recording results!
Steve for all your photos, and help with the IT set-up, and to Mark, Nigel, Wayne, Richard & Karen who assisted us in umpiring at Finals night.
On to the Table Tennis, and once again we had a weekend, where despite the weather we had good turn-out, with very few players dropping out. Games were played in good competitive spirit all week. Unlike last year, there were very few surprises during the weekend with most of the finals going as per seeding.
Our performance award, for the weekend, went to Katherine Shaw, who I am sure we will be seeing at future finals nights shortly.
Other notable performances over the weekend were Brian Page, who not only got to the Div 1 Final, but also beat Premier player Carl Ashton in the Men's event. Another two players who had excellent weekends were Tim Diss & Richard Hutchinson. I believe we also saw our youngest entry with 6 year old Henry Shaw playing in the junior events.
Must also mention 'Wobbly' Warner winning his seventh Vets title (when Henry qualifies for vets, Warner will be in his 80's!!!)
Also thanks for Jake & Ryan for a superb Final, played in excellent spirit, and on winning your seventh Doubles in a row.
The only regret of the weekend, was I did not get to play (in the snow that is).
Hope we see you all next year.
Regards
Mike Wright

Ryan Collins wins Fourth Ipswich Title
Ryan Collins won his fourth Ipswich Men's title, beating reigning and Number 1 seed Jake Collins in an absorbing final that went the full distance.
Having last won this event in 2009, Ryan started as the more aggressive of the two, winning a close first game 12-10, and then taking the second 11-8, recovering from a terrible start having being 4-0 down. Jake turned things around at the start of the third, racing in to a 10-5 lead, only for Ryan to pull back to 10-9, before a net handed Jake the game. Jake took full advantage of his luck, to race through the next game 11-7 to take the match into a deciding set. The quality of play was exceptional in the final game, as both players upped the tempo further, with a backhand block down the line played by Jake being the shot of the night. It all looked over as Ryan went 10-8 up, only for Jake to pull back to 10-10, before Ryan finally won on his third match point, to take the final game 12-10.
Progressing to the final Ryan beat Steve Joslin, 3-1 in the Semi-final, whilst the other Semi-final saw Jake defeat Richard Hutchinson in a 3-2, with Jake having to come from 2-1 down.
The ladies final saw No. 1 seed Aimee Sparkes up against No. 2 seed Claire Westlake. Sparkes' backhand spin, and pace, proved too much for Westlake to cope with in the first two games, which Sparkes took easily. The third look to be heading a similar way, before Westlake showed some aggressive intent to pull the game back to 4-4, having been 4-1 down. However, this proved to be a temporary reprieve as Sparkes then ran away with the rest of the game to claim her 2nd Ladies title.
The Men's Doubles also featured the No. 1 & 2 seeds, saw the Ryan & Jake Collins comfortably beat Gary Bloomfield & Richard Hutchinson 3-0, and in doing so win the event for the seventh consecutive year .
The Ladies Doubles saw Aimee Sparkes, and Claire Westlake up against Sonja Talbot & Rosemary Curtis. With Talbot & Curtis winning the first game, Sparkes & Westlake then took control to race through the next 3 games to take comfortable 3-1 win.
In the Mixed doubles, Ryan Collins & Claire Westlake surprised the Number 1 seeds Jake Collins & Aimee Sparkes in 5 sets, coming from 2-1 down, to take the decider 11-8.
The Junior Final was a repeat of last year, with Will Hall facing Elliot Branton. Having gone through the first 2 games, it looked as if Will was in for an easy win, but Elliot fought to take the third game 14-12. The fourth could have gone either way, before Will retained his title taking the fourth game 11-9.
Earlier in the evening the Restricted Final saw two players making their first appearance at finals night, Rex Manning & Paul Cannon. This saw some very competitive rallies, before Manning finally saw off the challenge of Cannon winning in 5 games.
The Vets final, once again provided one of the matches of the night, eventually saw Andy Warner, winning his seventh title as he beat Richard Hutchinson 3-2.

Corn Exchange, 2013


IDTTL Championships 23rd & 24th March Preview

This year's Championship is fast approaching and we have over 100 players again entered, playing in 17 events over the two days. Finals night takes place on Sunday evening.
These championships, do not run themselves, so thanks for all those on the committee who have given up their time to help organise this year's event, and for our small army of helpers who help set up everything on the Friday (especially Jimmy & Peter for transporting all the tables etc), and at the end of Sunday night when we pack up (we don't get home until past midnight each year!!).
We would also like to thank our three sponsors this year, Chips away, LB Group & JM Finn, which without their financial support we would not be able to hold the event at the Corn Exchange.
This year we have over 300 games, all of which will be played in the main hall (7-8 tables). These events always run smoothly with your help, so please help us by being available at your required times, and umpiring when requested to (we particularly like volunteer umpires!!).
In the Mens Singles, No 1 seed and defending champion, Jake Collins will be looking to make in 3 titles in a row. He is likely to face stiff opposition from brother Ryan, and playing in his first season in Ipswich, the undefeated Steve Joslin. Andy Warner is no 4 seed, with Dave Cole, Richard Hutchison, Wayne Shaw and last year's superstar Paul Broxton taking seeding 5-8. Outside of the top eight, the top seeds will be hoping to avoid the likes of Nigel Hodder, Gary Young, and playing in his first season in Ipswich the ever improving youngster James Denyer.
In the Ladies Singles, we will have a new champion this year, with current holder Lauren Spink not playing. Favourite to win the Ladies, will be Aimee Sparkes looking to win the event for the first time since 2007. Making up the other Ladies seedings will be Sonja Talbot, Claire Westlake and Rosemary Curtis.
In the Junior events, reigning champion William Hall will face a tough challenge to prevent the No. 1 seed James Denyer, winning his first Ipswich title, whilst in the girls, the title is likely to be fought out between Katherine Shaw and Natalie Wills
In the Mens Doubles, reigning champions Jake & Ryan Collins will be looking for their seventh title in a row, with their main challengers being Richard Hutchison & Gary Bloomfield, the last pairing to win before the Collins dominance. Look out for new pairing Paul Broxton & Steve Joslin, whilst the normal suspects of Warner & Young and Shaw & Hodder will feel they can make the final.
In the Ladies Doubles Aimee Sparkes and Clare Westlake are the No. 1 seeds, with new pairing of Sonja Talbot and Rosemary Curtis the 2nd seeds.
The Tournament gets underway, on Saturday with all the Divisional events, with Charlie Fulcher, Richard Hagger, Ray Zhu, and Kieran Bean the respective No. 1 seeds in the Premier, Div 1, Div 2 & Div 3 events. Saturday's schedule also includes various Junior/Cadet events as well as the Restricted and Super Vets.
Sunday we have all the Senior Singles & Doubles events, as well as the Veterans and Junior Girls.
See you all Saturday & Sunday
Mike Wright, Press officer

IDTTL 2013 Championships Forum

Discuss the Ipswich 2013 Championships

Poster

The Venue!

The 2013 Championships will again be held at the Corn Exchange Ipswich on Saturday 23rd March and Sunday 24th March 2013
The League returns to the venue for the fourth year running after the previous years successes.
The 2013 championships will include a finals night on the Sunday as has been traditional for many years when we played at the Corn Exchange in the past.

How to Enter

The Championships are FREE to enter, please send your entry in early to help with the scheduling of matches. Entry can be made online from this web site or by filling in the Handbook insert.
If we clash with an ITFC home match state this on your entry form and Jimmy will try his best to accommodate Ipswich FC fans.

Family Attraction

We encourage all players to invite friends and family along to this enjoyable evening, where you will see a high level of TT by our best local players. Its all FREE so come along and don't forget to pop in during both days and cheer on the players, sit back have a coffee or something stronger because the bar and kiosk will be open for refreshments.