W.T.T.L. 2003 Championships

These were held at the St. John’s Sports Centre on Sunday 6^th. April and produced table tennis of the very highest standard. Seven tables were in use for the thirteen events under the control of referee Doug Young, chairman of the W.T.T.L.

The men’s singles event was played to the semi-final stage and on Finals Night, Dave Harvey will play Nick Mytton and Bill Dawe will play Mark Fiddian.

Four other events reached the final stage and in the ladies singles, Sarah Thatcher will play Helen Pogmore a repeat of last year's final.

In the men’s doubles, the holders Dave White and Alan Salisbury were beaten in the semi-final by Nick Mytton and Doug Payne who will now meet Dave Harvey and Bill Dawe in the final.

The veteran singles final will be between Dave Harvey and Bill Dawe, for the fourth consecutive year.

The mixed doubles final will be between the new pairing of Bill Dawe and Helen Pogmore and former champions, brother and sister, Nick Mytton and Mandy Sylvester.

All the other events were played to conclusion. The one with the largest entry, 28, was the Tyler Cup, a handicap event. Six juniors entered and were given handicaps of between 16–18 points start up to 21. Dave Harvey, the strongest player, started each game on minus 5. In the second round, Harvey played Jamie Mills (+17) and the youngster managed to win the necessary four points in the two sets to win and progress to the third round where he met John Stalker (+10). Jamie won this 21–16, 21–17 to reach the semi-finals where he played Steve Glazzard (+7). Jamie put up a good fight but lost 18-21, 21-15, 18-21.

In the other half of the competition, Mark Fiddian (scr.) played John Cawthra (+10) in the first round and had a very close two setter wining 23-21, 24-22. Fiddian went on to just get the better of Chris Hewitt (+4) in the semi-final 21-19, 23-21.

In the final, Fiddian beat Glazzard 21-12, 21-19.

The Intermediate Singles was won by Jamie Mills who beat Gemma Russell in a close final, 11-7, 6-11, 11-3, 7-11, 11-7.

The 2^nd. Division Championship was won by Mandy Sylvester with Steve Glazzard runner-up.

The 3^rd. Division Championship saw Simon Griffiths beat Stuart Richardson in the final 11-8, 11-5, 11-2.

Dave Harvey (-5) won the Veteran Singles Handicap beating Ian Bell (+5) in the final 21-19, 11-21, 21-17.

In the Veterans Doubles (draw for partner), Dave Harvey and Helen Pogmore beat Bill Dawe and Stuart Richardson, 7-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-5, 11-8.

The Ladies Doubles was won by Sarah Thatcher and Beryl Shammon who beat Helen Pogmore and Pascale Tonnard in the final.

In the Charities Doubles, another draw for partner event, Mark Fiddian and Helen Pogmore beat Dave Harvey and Brian Ovington 4-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-9 in the final.

Finals night and presentation of all league trophies will be held at Christopher Whitehead’s School, Bromwich Road on Saturday 26^th. April, commencing at 7 p.m. with the men’s singles semi-finals, spectators welcome.