IDTTL 2011 Championships
Videos
Video 1Report:
Jake Dominates to Join Elite Band in Ipswich
Jake Collins, having last month claimed his first Suffolk Senior Men's title, sweptall opposition away, as he remained unbeaten over the weekend winning four titles,including his first Senior Ipswich Men's Singles title.In winning the Men's Single Jake joined an elite band of players, in becoming onlythe seventh Ipswich player to have won both Junior Singles & Doubles titles, bothSenior Singles & Doubles titles, and the Mixed Doubles at the Ipswich Championships.
In the final, Collins was up against the Number 1 seed, and reigning champion, NeilCharles who knocked Jake out at the Semi Final stage last year. Looking for revenge,Collins seized the early initiative producing a series of forehand winners. Charleskept in touch, and looked like his experience might win him the first game, especiallyafter an amazing rally with both players hitting amazing forehand attacks away fromthe table, which brought him back to 10-9, but Collins held his nerve to close outthe game 11-9. In the 2nd game Charles upped his game, and started to dominate hisopponent running out an easy winner 11-5. The early stages of the 3rd game weredominated by serve, but Collins finally opened up advantage to lead 10-6 only forCharles to pull it back to 10-10. At this pivotal stage of the match, it was Collinswho closed out the game to take it 12-10. Now leading 2-1 Collins confidence was up,and he gradually pulled ahead of his opponent, before easily closing out the game11-6, and with in the match for his first Men's title.
In progressing to the finals Jake Collins beat his brother, and previous champion,Ryan 3-0 in the Semi-Final, whilst Neil Charles defeated another previous championAndy Warner 3-1 in the other semi.
The Ladies final, was a repeat of the previous two years as the top two seeds,Clare Lowe and Aimee Sparkes, again battling it out in a tight first game itlooked as if Sparkes would seize the initiative as her fast attacking play causedLowe problems, but Lowe fought back with some strong attacking play off the Sparkesserve to win the 1st game 11-9. Having won the 1st Lowe really started to controlthe game, restricting her opponents attacking options, whilst increasing her ownattacking play to easily win the 2nd game 11-5. In the third Sparkes had to trysomething different to get back into the match, but Lowe playing with the condifidenceof a 2-0 lead again restricted Sparkes to only a few clean winners, to comfortablywin the 3rd 11-8, to claim her 3rd Ladies title in a row.
The Men's Doubles was also a repeat of last year, as reigning champions Jake & RyanCollins, looking for a 5th title in a row, up against Paul Davison & Neil Charles.The first two games were tight affairs with each pairing winning a game 11-9. Fromthen on there was only likely to be one winner as the Collins' dominated with somefine attacking play, to take the next two games 11-6, 11-8, and with it the title.
The first 2 games of the Ladies Doubles could have gone either way as defendingchampions Aimee Sparkes and Clare Emmerson won both 11-9, against Clair Lowe &Sonya Talbot, before easily closing out the 3rd 11-4 for a 3-0 win. In anotherrepeat of last years final Jake Collins and Aimee Sparkes overcame Ryan Collins andClare Emmerson 3-1 in the Mixed Doubles.
The Veteran's final provided the most entertaining of the evening as Dave Cole cameup against 5 times reigning champion Andy Warner. Cole having lost easily to Warnerearlier in the day in the Men's Singles quickly found himself 2-0 down. Cole then gothis tactics right has he keep his opponent guessing with a combination of loops anddrop shots to win the next 2 games to take it into a decider. The 5th went right tothe wire with Warner eventually securing a superb game 12-10, and with it his sixthVets title.
In the junior events, Elliot Branton beat Kieran Bean 3-0 to take the Junior Boys,although Kieran playing 2 divisions below his opponent put in an excellent performance.The other junior event of the evening saw Kieran Bean & Tom Banham defeat Jared Bones &Ed Griffiths in the Junior Doubles.
In the Divisional events, played the previous day, Gray Bloomfield, Stuart Wadsworth,Mike Emmerson and Michael Williams won the Premier, First, Second & Third Divisiontitles respectively. The Cadet Boys was won by Jared Bones, the Under 13's by NatalieWills. Dave Halliday won the Super Vets, whilst Elliot Branton took the Restrictedcrown.
And finally the man of the tournament Jake Collins also won the Handicap event!
Preview:
This weekend the Ipswich Corn Exchange again hosts the Ipswich & District TableTennis Championships. With 440 matches scheduled over the two days this year'sChampionship again promises to provide some top class Table Tennis, with a total of13 events being contested.Spectators are welcome to come along, during the 2 days, and especially to ourfinals night which commences at 7.00pm on the Sunday, with the Mayor presentingwinners and runner ups, their respective trophies. Tournament commences at 8.00amon Saturday with play continuing to approx 5pm each day.
With most of Suffolk's top men & ladies playing, along with players from Norfolk &Essex this years singles events have some of the strongest line ups seen for a numberof years.
In the Men's Singles No 1 seed, and defending champion, Neil Charles' main threatwill come from last year's runner up, and previous champion, Ryan Collins and newlycrowned Suffolk Champion Jake Collins who this year may well obtain his first Ipswichmen's title. Making up the top 4 seeds is Andy Warner, runner up from two years ago.Other top seeds to watch out for are Tony West, former Suffolk No 1 Dave Cole, TonyZequiri, from Norwich, and runner up at this years Suffolk Championships Lee Barnes.
In the Ladies Singles, the No1 & 2 seeds remain Clare Lowe & Aimee Sparkes, with Aimeehoping to avenge last year's defeat, and prevent Clare from winning her third title ina row. Making up the 3rd & 4th seeds are Claire Emmerson & Sonia Talbot.
In the Junior events, Number 1 seed Elliot Branton will be looking to defend his title,with the main threat coming from James Hodder.
The Men's Doubles event is stronger than ever, with reigning championships Jake & RyanCollins again schedule to meet Paul Davidson & Neil Charles in a repeat of last yearsepic final. Looking to prevent this are 3rd & 4th seedings of Andy Warner & LeeBarnes, and Richard Hutchinson & Gary Bloomfield. Look out also for the pairings ofNigel Hodder & Gary Youngs, and Kit Lo & Tony Zequiri, who the top seeds will wish toavoid.
In the Ladies Doubles Aimee Sparkes & Claire Emmerson will be looking defend theirtitle. Their main threat coming from previous winners Claire Lowe & Sonia Talbot.Aimee Sparkes and Jake Collins are again number one seeds in the Mixed Doubles asthey look to defend their title, against last years runners up, and no 2 seeds,Claire Emmerson & Ryan Collins.
The Men's Veterans has another strong line-up with reigning champion, and Number 1seed Andy Warner the man to beat. The other top seeds consist of Tony West, Dave Coleand previous Ipswich Champion Richard Hutchinson, although all will be looking toavoid Suffolk Vets Champion Wayne Shaw.
There are seven other events being held over the 2 days, including all the divisionalchampionships, restricted and super veterans events. Sunday is the day to see thebest players, with both men's & ladies singles & doubles events being held.
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