RYAN CATES WINS ISLAND ECHO CENTENARY CUP IN TABLE TENNIS FINALS NIGHT AT SMALLBROOK

A large crowd witnessed Ryan Cates win the Island Echo Centenary Cup at Smallbrook at The Isle of Wight Table Tennis Association’s Finals Night. Altogether, 15 finals took place, including Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles, along with the Junior and Cadet finals, and the Island Echo Centenary Cup semi-finals and final.  A large crowd attended to enjoy the evening and some exciting and quality matches. The Island Echo Centenary Cup originally had 36 entrants -of many ages and abilities – who had competed in group and knock-out stages in January. In the 1st semi-final, 17-year-old Ryan Cates – one of the new generation of young Island players – met fellow British Senior League player, Alex Rorke and beat him in 4 sets. In the 2nd semi-final, another young player Ethan Millward defeated Shane Cates in an excellent match which was won at deuce in the final set. In the final, Cates overcame Millward in 3 sets to take the title, the 2nd junior player to do so after Zak Holbrook won the inaugural tournament in 2023.

The Cadets title was won by up and coming Division 2 player, Jye Lock, who defeated Thane Taylor in straight sets, whilst in the Junior Championship, Lewis Johnstone took the title for the 3rd year running, beating Joe Chapman in 4 sets. The Mixed Doubles was won by Anna Joyce and Don Hobbs, who beat the title holders Pat Thorley and Tim Giles in a very close 5 set thriller, whilst Thorley was more successful in the Women’s Doubles with her partner Elaine Mills, and they took the title for the 2nd year running, winning in straight sets against Nicky Dando and Nikki Turner. The Men’s Doubles proved a match of top quality table tennis, with all the contestants being current British Senior League players. After a tense and exciting match, Ryan Cates and Paul Rainford beat Lewis Johnstone and partner Hugh Idle in 5 sets. The Women’s Singles was won by Pat Thorley for the 3rd year running, after a straight set win against Nicky Dando, whilst in the Men’s Singles, a new name went on the trophy as Steve Mills took the title after victory over Mark Turner in 4 sets. IW Table Tennis Association chairman, Alex Rorke, said:

“The IW Table Tennis Association was delighted with the success of their annual Finals Night on 1st May. “It was good to see an increased and enthusiastic crowd witness some closely-fought matches in a variety of different tournaments – handicapped and age-restricted, in both singles and doubles events. “Table tennis is gradually increasing in popularity and, here on the Island, we have some excellent facilities at Smallbrook Stadium”.