Zak Holbrook triumphed in the Island Echo Centenary Cup final last night (Wednesday) as some of the best young table tennis talent on the Isle of Wight put on a stunning display.
As previously reported by Island Echo, 35 players – aged from 12 to 91 – competed late into the evening back in January in what organisers described as “a successful event that was enjoyed by everyone”. Of those 35, 4 highly promising junior players made it through to the semi-finals with both games played simultaneously last night (Wednesday).
In a handicapped format, based on results throughout the season, it was a tale of 2 matches as on Table 2, Zak Holbrook easily strolled past Lewis Johnstone 3-0 making full use of his 6-point handicap advantage.
Johnstone, who this year made the National Finals of the English Leagues, made a spirited fightback in the 3rd set but it was too little, too late with the handicap proving too big a hurdle to surmount.
Over on Table 1, the other semi-final produced arguably the most thrilling match of the night between Jye Lock and Joe Chapman with the former given a 7-point advantage. The match meandered 1 way and another with Lock eventually finding himself 10-8 up in a dramatic deciding set before Chapman came back from the brink to seal the contest 3-2 and set up a final with Holbrook.
With the Island Echo Centenary Cup at stake, the handicap system gave Holbrook a 6-point advantage of which he made full use in sealing the first set in the Final.
Chapman responded strongly in the 2nd set but narrowly lost it 9-11, perhaps ending any hopes he may have harboured of another Lazarus-like comeback.
Sure enough, Holbrook managed to close out the 3rd set 11-4 and with it take home the trophy – the first table tennis cup to be sponsored by Island Echo, the Island’s news source.
Darren Toogood, Editor and Publisher of Island Echo, says:
“It was a wonderful evening with a high level of skill on show and demonstrated the resurgence of table tennis on the Island. The handicap system made the tournament inclusive, unpredictable and exciting.
“We look forward to supporting the sport for many years to come”.
The Isle of Wight Table Tennis Centre is located at Smallbrook Stadium on the outskirts of Ryde and is open 5 days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Players of all ages and both sexes are welcome.
The local Isle of Wight league comprises 3 divisions, allowing players of different abilities to play competitive games against opponents of appropriate levels of skill.
Isle of Wight Table Tennis Finals Night 2023 – Results
Semi-Final – Island Echo Handicapped Singles:
Joe Chapman beat Jye Lock – 13-11, 6-11, 6-11, 11-7, 12-10
Semi-Final – Island Echo Handicapped Singles:
Zak Holbrook beat Lewis Johnstone – 0-11, 0-11, 8-11
Final – Island Echo Handicapped Singles:
Zak Holbrook beat Joe Chapman – 11-9, 11-9, 11-4
Brian Warne Doubles:
Bryce Wilson & Neil Hedges beat Glenn Morley & Paul Cates – 7-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-1
Men’s Doubles:
Alex Rorke & Tim Giles beat Paul Rainford & Lewis Johnstone – 13-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-7
Handicapped Doubles:
Lewis Johnstone & Robert Pope – Won by default
Division Two Championship:
Barry Joyce beat Ethan Millward – 11-9, 11-9, 11-13, 11-5
Division Three Championships:
Robert Wendes beat Shane Cates – 11-2, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5
Women’s Doubles:
Pat Thorley & Elaine Mills beat Marlene Irving & Maggie Preston – 11-6, 11-6, 5-11, 11-7
Mixed Doubles:
Pat Thorley & Tim Giles beat Graham Evans & Elaine Mills – 15-13, 11-7, 11-13, 11-5
Gordon Burns Handicapped Singles:
Danny Burns beat Zak Holbrook – 6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9
Over 70’s Singles:
Pat Thorley beat Mike Lee – 11-2, 12-10, 12-10
Over 60’s Singles:
Glenn Morley beat Tim Giles – 11-13, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9
Over 40’s Singles:
Glenn Morley beat Don Hobbs – 11-5, 5-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7
SuperVets over 60’s Handicapped Singles:
Keith Baker beat Tim Giles – 11-5, 8-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5
Junior Singles:
Lewis Johnstone beat Ryan Cates – 12-10, 12-10, 11-4
Women’s Singles:
Pat Thorley beat Nicky Dando – 11-6, 11-4, 11-8
Men’s Singles:
Hugh Idle beat Alex Rorke – 11-5, 11-4, 11-8
Women’s Singles: Pat Thorley v Nicky Dando
Men’s Singles: Alex Rorke v Hugh Idle
Thanks for this excellent report on the first Island Echo Centenary Cup and the IWTTA finals night. Your support of Island table tennis is very much appreciated by the committee and all our members!