The end of season Bolton closed championships staged at the Hilton Centre, concluded on finals night with some excellent table tennis.
After finishing runner-up on six previous occasions, the Ramsbottom A ace Mark Ramsbottom finally became singles champion in a pulsating match with last season’s winner, Tameside’s Jake Shaw. He clinched his title in a nail biting fifth game, where both players had winning opportunities. In the early games Mark won the first 11-8, and Jake responded by winning the next two at 9 and 7. In the dramatic last two games, which were very close, Mark won both 14-12 to finally clinch his title. The final which was played in a highly sporting manner featured some excellent and entertaining rallies.
Mark also won two other trophies, winning the doubles, and handicap doubles with team mate Mick Moir. In the doubles they beat Jake Shaw and Radcliffe CC’s Rob Hall in straight games, the first at 11-8 but, the next two were much closer and hard fought at 13-11 and 18-16. The handicapped doubles against Radcliffe CC’s Nigel Hallows and Ramsbottom C’s Graham Young who received two points start was much closer, and decided in the fifth game which Mark and Mick won11-7.
In a repeat of last years junior singles final Matthew Fields retained his title with a victory over his brother Tim. Tim won the first game 11-7; from there Matthew gained the upper hand winning the next three at 11-6, 11-6 and 14-12.
Wharton’s Barry Elliott featured in two finals, the veterans singles which he won last season, and the handicap singles. In the veterans singles against Little Lever A’s Graham Jeffries, he came out on top over four games. Winning the first two 11-5 and 11-9, Graham responded by winning the third 12-10 but he was unable to sustain his effort with Barry clinching his title in the fourth game 11-9.
In the handicap singles final, receiving two points start Barry came up against Mick Moir. He won the first game at a comfortable 11-3 but, Mick them moved up a gear, and played some superb quick fire attacking shots to clinch the next three games 11-5,11-9,11-6 and the title.
The veterans over sixty final winner was Nomad A’s Derek Watmough and the runner-up was Heaton D’s John Scowcroft.
Radcliffe CC’s Rob Wyle and Hilton‘s Jean Smart won the mixed doubles, with Hilton’s John Barker and Adele Spibey the runners-up
The ETTA North West development manager and former England number one ranked lady player, Andrea Holt, presented the trophies to the winners.
On the tournament circuit, Matthew Fields won the Cleveland Northfield two star junior open, beating the Cheshire number one 3-1 in the final, and Rob Hall was the category six winner at the Blackpool grand prix.
Results
Level Singles, Mark Ramsbottom beat Jake Shaw 11-8,9-11,7-11,14-12,14-12
Level Doubles, Mick Moir & Mark Ramsbottom beat Jake Shaw & Rob Hall 11-8,13-11,18-16
Handicap Doubles Mick Moir & Mark Ramsbottom beat Nigel hallows & Graham Young 11-9,4-11,11-6,3-11,11-7.
Junior Singles, Matthew Fields beat Tim Fields 7-11,11-6,11-6,14-12
Veteran Singles, Barry Elliott beat Graham Jeffries 11-5,11-9,10-12,11-9
Handicap Singles, Mick Moir beat Barry Elliott 3-11,11-5,11-9,11-6