Double delight for Richard (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Open and Vets table tennis wins for dominant Richard

11:44am Tuesday 19th March 2013 in Andover By Sports editor Kerry Miller

The ladies’ events and some finals of the Andover Closed Tournament were held last Friday. Unfortunately the Ladies Final between Marie Dyke and Jill Cook had to be postponed until this evening (Friday). The Open Singles and the Veteran’s Finals were both contested by Richard Fettes (Open Singles defending champion) and Steve Harris. Richard won the Open Singles 11-6, 12-10, 11-3, then proceeded to mop up with the Veteran Singles title 11-7, 12-10, 5-11, 11-5.

The Ladies’ Doubles title went to Marie Dyke and Jill Cook who defeated Val Fox and Jessie Yi 11-4, 11-7, 11-7. The Mixed Doubles came up with a surprise result when the Division Two pair of Zac Hine and Jessie Yi defeated the more experienced Lionel Coles and Jill Cook, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7.

In Division One of the Andover Table Tennis League a relaxed Tigers comfortably defeated Hanson C 9-1 with three each for Malcolm Cummins and Andy Snelgrove. Nick George found some rare good form by beating Jerry Holt 4-11,11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 9-11 and also became the only player this season so far to take a game off both Malcolm and Andy in the same match. This demonstrates how dominant they have both been and the win for Tigers puts them five points behind the leaders Hanson A, with two games in hand.

Hanson B, who are just five points above Hanson C in the table also lost 1-9, to Pumas. Ray Carver and Richard Fettes recorded three each. Brian Fox of Hanson B played very well in beating Danas Kairys 11-8, 9-11, 15-13, 5-11, 11-8 and only just losing to Ray 12-10, 5-11, 11-5, 5-11, 5-11.