As a heads-up Table Tennis Wellington’s latest junior training for beginners & intermediates targeted for ages 8-13 (primary/intermediate school students) will be underway for six Thursdays from 6.30pm to 8.00pm. Notices went to primary & intermediate schools in the Hutt Valley area for inclusion in their school newsletters.
Fun
Fast
Goal Orientated!
When Term 2: Six Thursdays, 1 June – 6 July inclusive (6.30pm–8.00pm)
Fees Term 2: $30 per player for the term (payable at the start)
Coaches ITTF level 1 qualifying coaches
Equipment Sports shoes. Bring your Table Tennis bat if you have one (or borrow one and return it at the end of the session). Comfortable sports clothes (e.g. shorts and t-shirt).
Venue Empire Table Tennis Clubrooms, Marine Parade, Petone.
Enrol Online or contact Gabrielle by email to enrol or for more information.
Flyer Here is the flyer
A travel report from Malcolm Wong
Tony Rutledge, Malcolm Wong and Tomos Christie travelled to this tournament which was held at the Simcox Stadium (Blenheim). Only 3 players came from Christchurch as the closure of the Kaikoura road meant a 6 hour trip to Blenheim instead of 4 hours previously. On Saturday there were 20 Men and 7 Women players. On Sunday there were 24 Boys and 5 Girls in the junior events. Results of Wellington players who reached finals are listed below. A tournament report was also published in the Marlborough Express.
Paul Op den Buysch (Nelson) won the Over 40 Men’s Singles against Tony Rutledge 3-2 (12-14 11-6 11-6 10-12 11-9). Paul had big leads in every game but had problems in finishing off Tony. Last years winner Mark Nalder (Nelson) lost in the first round to Alister Naysmith (Nelson) who is an ex-Titan player. Derek Partridge (Canterbury) and Paul Op den Buysch won the Over 40 Men’s Doubles against Tony Rutledge and Warren Haszard (Marlborough) 3-1 (11-9 9-11 11-3 11-9).
Derek Partridge and Warren Haszard won the Over 50 Doubles against Malcolm Wong and Mark Nalder 3-1 (8-11 11-8 11-6 11-6).
Tony Rutledge retained the Over 60 Singles Title by beating Mark Nalder 3-1 (3-11 11-8 11-6 14-12). Both the semi finals went to 5 games. Tony Rutledge beat Alister Naysmith 3-2 (11-7 13-15 8-11 11-3 11-4) and Mark Nalder beat Malcolm Wong 3-2 (12-10 11-8 10-12 11-13 11-3). Malcolm Wong and Mark Nalder won the Over 60 Doubles against Tony Rutledge and Peter Welsh (Marlborough) 3-2 (10-12 11-8 6-11 12-10 11-6).
Tomos Christie was runner up in the Under 13 Singles to Rory Osborne (Marlborough) 3-2 (5-11 12-10 10-12 11-7 14-12) and won the Under 15 Singles against the same opponent 3-1 (11-9 11-9 8-11 11-6).
Thanks to Chris Hood, Debbie Stratford and Daryl Jones from the Marlborough Association who ensured the tournament ran efficiently.
– Malcolm Wong
241 participants (127 from NZ) played in teams and individual events from Friday 21 April to Sat 29 April at the Auckland Table Tennis Stadium, Gilles Avenue in Newmarket. The age groups ranged from Over 30’s to Over 80’s, with A and B Grades in each age group.
There were 6 official umpires. International Umpires Val Scarr, Malcolm Wong and Ben Hurr. 3 Junior Umpires from St Kentigern College. Fraser McEwen, Jesse Nui and Kayla Yang. The Umpires umpired team matches on Wednesday (26 April), doubles on Friday (28 April) and singles (29 April). Play commenced 8.30am and finished about 6pm followed by the medal presentation. They umpired in every round with only a break for lunch. Umpiring up to 17 matches in a day requires good concentration and stamina over a long period of time. All the umpires were smartly dressed. either in their International Umpires Uniform or in the St Kentigern School Uniform. Malcolm Wong umpired the last match to finish the tournament on Saturday. The Over 75 Men’s Singles won by Wes Willis against Gerard Lucas 3-2 (6-11 5-11 11-6 11-8 13-11).
The only Wellington player, Ben Collins, played in the Over 30 events. He won a Silver Medal in the Mixed Doubles with Melissa Nottle (Australia). Ben lost in the semi-finals in the Singles to eventual winner John Cordue 0-3 and in the bronze medal play off match to Nathan Lowe 0-3.
Thanks to Alan Moore (Tournament Referee), Paul Jackson (Tournament Deputy Referee), Shane Warbrooke (Tournament Director). David Jackson (Technical Delegate), Cathy Moore (Tournament Controller) and Andrew Jackson (Tournament Control Desk Operator), who ensured the tournament ran efficiently. Also thanks to the volunteers in the table tennis: Eberhard Kleiser, Yi-Chern Lee, Phillip Xiao, Terry and Linda Warbrooke. Lastly thanks to all the umpires for their great work in the tournament.
Miki Snell, Peter Snell, Trish Sinkinson, Robert Dunn, Malcolm Wong (Umpire).
Mervyn Funston, Tony Stead (Royal Air Force One), Malcolm Wong (Umpire) Ben Collins, Ken Yap (Hidden Mix).
John Cordue, Chen Rong, Malcolm Wong (Umpire), Josh Alexandre, Nathan Lowe.
Malcolm Wong (Umpire) and Lee Thong Teck (Bronze)
On the last weekend in April a larger than normal entry made for a very good tournament. Good support from locals and outsiders from many parts of the North Island made for an intriguing couple of days. Thanks to all players and tournament sponsors 
and 
for their support.
| Results | Winner/s | Runner/s Up |
| Men’s singles | Bruno Imizu | Matthew Ball (MN) |
| Women’s singles | Natalie Paterson (MN) | Michelle McCarthy |
| Men’s doubles | Bruno Omizu & Lindsay Ward | Sean Hanson & Hayden Tapp |
| Women’s doubles | Michelle McCarthy & Lisa Yue | Natalie Paterson (MN) & Abbey Webb (MN) |
| Mixed doubles | Matthew Ball (MN) & Natalie Paterson (MN) | Rajitha Samaraweera (MN) & Janice Kent (HB) |
| Under 21 singles | Sean Hanson | Jack Webb (MN) |
| Under 21 doubles | Jack Webb (MN) & Abbey Webb (MN) | Liam Buckrell & Calvin Li |
| Over 25 singles | Matthew Ball (MN) | James Harter (WAIK) |
| Over 25 Doubles | Matthew Ball (MN) & Rajitha Samaraweera (MN) | James Harter (WAIK) & Zhidong Yu |
| B Grade singles | David Buckrell | Darrell Brown |
| C Grade singles | Jimmy Caunter (WAIK) | Andrew Maguire |
| D Grade singles | William Hunter (MN) | Om Thakur |
| Over 35 singles | Depak Patel | Martin Young |
| Over 35 doubles | Bryan McConnochie & Depak Patel | Harry Chen & James Wang |
| Over 45 singles | Lindsay Ward | Depak Patel (23-21 in the fifth set!) |
| Over 45 doubles | Ian Talbot & Lindsay Ward | Bryan McConnochie & Depak Patel |
| Over 55 singles | Lindsay Ward | Dave Scott (WAIK) |
| Over 55 doubles | Ian Talbot & Lindsay Ward | Paul Solt & Zhidong Yu |
| Over 65 singles | Dave Scott (WAIK) | Tony Rutledge |
| Over 65 doubles | Dave Scott (WAIK) & Kevin Haines | Tony Rutledge & Wayne Upjohn (MN) |
| Under 18 singles | Liam Buckrell | Thomas Sun (MN) |
| Under 18 Doubles | Liam Buckrell & Calvin Li | Thomas Sun (MN) & Changhee Cho (MN) |
| Under 16 singles | Thomas Sun (MN) | Liam Buckrell |
| Under 16 Doubles | Liam Buckrell & Calvin Li | Callum McKinnon (MN) & Emma Hanson |
| Under 14 singles | Callum McKinnon (MN) | Yufeng Wang |
| Under 14 doubles | Akshay Aneesh (MN) & Callum McKinnon (MN) | Erin Huang & Mei Mun The |
| Under 12 singles | Akshay Aneesh (MN) | Yufeng Wang |
| Under 21 consolation | Abbey Webb (MN) | Scott Lochhead (MN) |
| Over 25 consolation | David Buckrell | Nabe Tioti |
| Over 45 consolation | Andrew Maguire | Darrell Brown |
| Over 55 consolation | Craig Gear | Janice Kent (HB) |
| Under 14 consolation | Mei Mun Teh | Jerry Zhao |
The full results are here.
Player Profile by Malcolm Wong
Tony was born in Blenheim (1946). He was the youngest of 6 Children (2 boys and 4 girls). He started played rugby (1955) and tennis (1956) while at primary school. Tony was a second five eight in rugby and was selected for Marlborough Intermediate School Boys Rugby Team (1958) against Nelson.
His father, Jack, was a champion rower. He was in the Wairau (Marlborough) Cox Four (Wally Gibbons (stroke), Harry Rutledge, Jack MacDonald, Jack Rutledge, G Elsmore (cox)), at the 1934 NZ Championship held in Picton, which won the New Zealand Title. Also in the crew was his uncle Harry. Jack also raced motor cycles and later speedboat racing, where he has won the Pelorus Jack Cup (1964) and South Island unlimited championships on “Excuse Me Too”. Tony also raced on this boat. His uncle, Harry, was also a competitor in speedboat racing and won NZ’s Premier Speed Boat event, the Masport Cup twice (1968 & 1969) on “Tru-Jen”.
Tony started playing table tennis interclub in Marlborough (1962) at age 16. He played 2 years in B Grade and then A Grade (1964). His brother, David, also played A Grade. Tony was coached by Nigel Perry, a great stalwart of Marlborough tennis and table tennis. Tony has always played with a hard bat, with short pimple rubber on both sides. He had a all round style. Tony was Co Dux at Marlborough Boy’s College (1964) and won the Marlborough Open under 18 Boys Singles and Doubles (with Bill Cockram) that year.
In 1965 Tony moved to Christchurch to study engineering at Canterbury University (1965-69) where he completed a BE and ME degree. He played Canterbury A Reserve Grade Table Tennis (1965-66) and then A Grade (1967-69).
Tony worked for NZ Electricity at Marsden (1970) near Whangarei and played A Grade Table Tennis for the Kamo Club. He then moved to the Wairakei geothermal power station (1971-72) and played Taupo A Grade. In 1973 Tony moved to NZ Electricity Head Office in Wellington and played for the Hospital Club (1973) and Te Rama Club (1974-80). Tony was in the winning 1975 Te Rama Team (with Alan Eng, Dick Coker) in the Summer (After Christmas) 1st Division B. Tony ( with Graeme Jourdain and Murray Talbot ) was in the 1977 Te Rama A Reserve Grade winning team and won the A Reserve Grade Doubles with Murray Talbot. In his Te Rama B Team in A Grade (1978-80) were Ann Gyongyos, and Kay Kelly. List of players in teams did not exist in the Wellington Table Tennis Association Annual Report, except for winning teams, prior to 1978. He also played in Kapiti A Grade interclub (1976-80). He won the 1976 Porirua Table Tennis Club Singles and was in the Porirua Red Team (with Murray and Chris Talbot) that won the 1980 Kapiti Division 1 Competition ( P Ngan Cup). Tony was selected in the Kapiti Men’s Team for the 1977 NZ Championships.
Tony moved to the Hutt Valley (1981) and has played for the Empire Club since then.
He played Premier 1, Premier 2, A Grade, A Reserve Grade and Division 1, for Empire. He was in the Empire winning Premier 2 Team on 7 occasions, and in 2 Empire Teams that has won Division 1. In winning 2015 Division 1 (Series 1) his Empire Team became the first winners of the Chris Williams Cup. Tony also won the Division 1 Grade Singles (2015 & 2016). His best season was in 2008 where he was headed the interclub averages in Premier 2 with 100%, winning all his 36 singles.
Winning Empire Interclub Teams
| Year | Grade | Players |
| 1981 | Premier 2 | John Lelliott, Chris Clegg, Tony Rutledge, Paul Ridley |
| 1982 | Premier 2 | John Lelliott, Chris Clegg, Tony Rutledge, Paul Ridley, Albie Roberts |
| 1985 | Premier 2 | Michael McCleary, Brendon Pearson, Kristen Phillips, Tony Rutledge |
| 1993 | Premier 2 | John Lelliott, Heath Murdoch, Tony Rutledge |
| 1994 | Premier 2 | John Lelliott, Heath Murdoch, Tony Rutledge |
| 2006 | Premier 2 | Stephan Gershewski, Thom Nguyen, Tony Rutledge, Dzeung Nguyen |
| 2008 | Premier 2 | Chris Williams, Bruce Connolly, Uy Tang, Tony Rutledge |
| 2015 | Division 1 (Series 1) | Tony Rutledge, Bob Leeming, Bruce Connolly, Russell Buchanan |
| 2016 | Division 1 (Series 2) | Tony Rutledge, Andrew Maguire, Brendyn Shaw |
Up to the end of 2015 Tony has played the most times for Empire at winter interclub (413). At the Empire Club Championships Tony has won the Men’s Singles twice (1993 & 1996), Men’s Doubles 7 times (1985, 1986, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2007) and Mixed Doubles twice (1994 & 1995). Tony had the best interclub record at the Empire Club (2008, 2012, 2013, 2015) and won the Best Sportperson Trophy twice (1985, 2003).
Tony was a Hutt Valley and Wellington Veterans Representative at the NZ Championships and NZ Veterans Championships. He was in the Wellington Team (with Warren Evans and Bryan McConnochie) that won the NZ Men’s Over 55 Teams (2003).
At the NZ Masters Games (Wanganui). Tony has won 7 Golds in table tennis, which were for the Over 35 Teams (2007), Over 45 Teams (2003), Over 35 Men’s Doubles 1999), Over 35 Mixed Doubles (1999) and 3 Over 55 Men’s Doubles (2005, 2009, 2015).
Tony has won the Kapiti Over 35 Men’s Singles (1988), Wellington Open Over 50 Singles (1997) and Wairarapa Over 40 Men’s Singles (2002).
In Tennis Tony has been runner up in the club singles at the Kilbirnie Tennis Club (1981) and Avalon Tennis Club (1982). He was in the Avalon Men’s Team that the Hutt Valley Men’s Division 1 (2009-2010). At the NZ Masters Games (Wanganui) Tony won the Gold Medal in the Over 60 Men’s Tennis Singles (2007 & 2011).
Tony ran for Aurora Harriers in Petone (1984-89). In 1986 he ran the Rotorua and Masterton Marathons. His best time was 3 hours 25 minutes and 25 seconds at Masterton.
Tony has a keen interest in model power boat racing. He was the secretary of the NZ Model Power Boat Association (1979-87, 1990-91) and was made a Life Member in 2002. He has won the Presidents Cup 12 times for being best overall results at the NZ Model Power Boat Championships (1979, 1987-1991, 1997, 1999, 2001-2004). Tony holds a number of speed and matrix records for model power boat racing. He has represented New Zealand at the 1979 NAMBA Nationals held at Monterey, California (USA) where he was placed 1st (1 hour endurance and ½ hour endurance overall) and 2nd (1/2 hour race). Tony set 2 endurance records at the NAMBA Nationals for 1 hour and ½ hour. Tony went to the Indy Down Under near Sydney in 1991 where he placed 3rd (6 lap race).
Today Tony continues to play tennis, table tennis, build and race model speed boats. At the 2016 Antique and Classic Boat Show held at Lake Rotoiti (Nelson Lake District Park) he won the Eventiac best theme display, a model boat display. Tony played for Wellington at the 2016 NZ Table Tennis Veteran Championships where he won silver in the Over 65 teams with Bryan McConnochie and was unbeaten in the over 70 teams event. In 2016 Tony has won the Wellington Autumn Open Over 65 Singles, Wellington Veterans Over 70 Singles and the Marlborough Open Over 60 Singles and Doubles.
Information for this article came from the following. Table Tennis Wellington Annual Reports and TTW website, 1980 Kapiti Table Tennis Association Annual Report, Empire Table Tennis Club 75th anniversary book and website, The NZ Model Power Boat Association website, The Marlborough Pictorial (Feb 1971), The NZ Power Boat Association website and The Manukau Power Boat Club website.
by Malcolm Wong
owned by his late father, Jack.
Back – Bob Leeming, Russell Buchanan, Tony Rutledge
Front – Bruce Connolly with the Chris Williams Cup
Wellington players recently travelled to the TTNZ Vets event and also the Wanganui Open.
In the New Zealand Vets Teams representing Wellington…
- Over 40s: Depak Patel, Zhidong Yu, & Simon Jung
- Over 50s: Lindsay Ward, Depak Patel, & Zhidong Yu
- Over 60s: Lindsay Ward & Ian Talbot – WON this event!
- & Over 65s (President’s team/draft): Bryan McConnochie – RUNNERS UP in this event!
In the TTNZ Vets Singles events:
- Lindsay Ward won the Mens O60s singles.
- Ian Talbot & Lindsay Ward were runners-up in the Mens O60 doubles.
Congratulations to all our teams and also to the individual successes too.
Wanganui Open results in full are here the Wellington contingent also came back with fantastic results…
- Hui-Ling Vong won the Women’s Open singles.
- Hui-Ling Vong & Anita Crowe were runners-up in the Women’s Open doubles.
- Bryan McConnochie (with Dave Scott) were runners-up in the Men’s Open doubles.
- Hayden Tapp & Lisa Yue were runners-up in the Mixed Open doubles.
- Hui-Ling Vong won the U18 Girls’ singles.
- Liam Buckrell & Calvin Li were runners-up in the U18 Boys’ doubles.
- Liam Buckrell won the U15 Boys’ singles.
- Emma Hanson was runner-up in the U15 Girls’ singles.
- Liam Buckrell & Calvin Li won the U15 Boys’ doubles.
- Emma Hanson (with Abbey Webb) won the U15 Girls’ doubles.
- Mei Mun Teh won and Erin Huang was runner-up in the U13 Girls’ singles.
- Mei Mun Teh & Erin Huang won and Sifan Huang & Anna Wilson were runners-up in the U13 Girls’ doubles.
- Paul Solt was runner up in the O40 Men’s singles.
- Paul Solt won and Bryan McConnochie was runner up in the O50 Men’s singles.
- Paul Solt (with Dave Scott) won the O50 Men’s doubles.
- Bryan McConnochie was runner up in the O60 Men’s singles.
- Mei Mun Teh won the Novice Any Age singles.
We had a special guest at the Newtown Table Tennis Stadium – you may have seen him on the news! Sir Peter Snell and his wife Miki were in Wellington for his memorabilia presentations to Te Papa and popped in for some hits to keep their eye in for the upcoming Masters Games where they will be competing in table tennis. A number of us there took some photos and below is a selection (thanks to those who sent in some pictures already including Phillip, David M, Yang, Malcolm, & Rob).
Sir Peter’s messages on TVNZ are a powerful endorsement of the ability of table tennis to engage us at all ages. Age is no barrier! Here are two links to news items – spot a few background guest appearances!
The Table Tennis Wellington TTSports Autumn Open (April 29-30) is a TTNZ Rating Tournament – we have Open, Junior, and Senior events with age groups for everyone. If you’ve never entered a tournament before the Autumn Open is a great opportunity!
Read the Conditions & Details and enter:
Email for entries: tournament@ttwellington.org.nz.
| Time | Saturday April 29 | Sunday April 30 |
| 9:30am | Under 21 Over 25 |
Under 12, Under 16 Over 45, Over 65 |
| 12:30pm | Open Events | |
| 1:30pm | Under 14, Under 18 Over 35, Over 55 |
Venue: Empire Table Tennis Stadium (Marine Parade, Petone, Lower Hutt).
Entries close Wednesday 26 April at 8pm
A special thanks to our sponsors:
The Wellington Veterans Tournament on 18 March was boosted by a good sprinkling of visitors from Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and Kapiti, plus Dave Scott from further afield. Thanks to them all for coming and contributing to a pleasant day. Special mention of the work done by Rob Chung both before and during the tournament and Maggie Dyer during the event!
Results as follows
| Event | Winner | Runner Up |
| Over 40 | Depak Patel | Martin Young |
| Over 40 consolation | Andrew Maguire | Craig Gear |
| Over 40 doubles | Robert Chung & Paul Solt | Andrew Maguire & Martin Young |
| Over 50 | Lindsay Ward | Depak Patel |
| Over 50 consolation | Wayne Upjohn | Janice Kent |
| Over 50 doubles | Ian Talbot & Lindsay Ward | Bryan McConnochie & Martin Young |
| Over 60 | Lindsay Ward | Ian Talbot |
| Over 60 consolation | Kevin Haines | Peter Jones |
| Over 60 doubles | Ian Talbot & Lindsay Ward | Kevin Haines & Bryan McConnochie |
| Over 70 | Jim Jarmin | Bob Knight |
| Over 70 consolation | Val Scarr | Russell Clement |
| Over 70 doubles | Peter Jones & Heather Paul | Bob Knight & Val Scarr |
Grant Wilson recently completed running an ITTF/PTT Level 1 coaching course here in Wellington attended by 13 including 11 from Wellington. See the ITTF report.
The first program of the year is underway with a beginner Term 1 Junior Training on Thursday night with more in the works TBD (watch this space)…
Special thanks to Grant & also John Marrable for making this event happen and to all participants!
The 2017 Table Tennis Wellington Veterans Open is being held on Saturday March 18 the conditions and form documents are below or use the online form to enter. Please enter by 6pm on Wednesday March 15.
There are over 40/50/60 and 70 age groups (if you turn that age on or before Dec 31, 2017) – singles and doubles. The tournament will be held at the Empire Table Tennis Club Hall, Marine Parade, Petone. Round up your friends and car-pool in! Please pass this information on to anyone else you know who may be interested.
This is also a good lead up for those competing in the NZ Open Vets (Apr 14-17 in Christchurch) & the World Masters Games (Apr 22-29 in Auckland)
Details and Entry Form
Online form or as a pdf (email to tournament@ttwellington.org.nz or mail as per the form – also as a spreadsheet).
Also refer to the Tournament Conditions.
Schedule
| Time | Saturday March 18 |
| 10:00am | Over 50, Over 70 (please enter only one of these) |
| 12:30pm | Over 40, Over 60 (please enter only one of these) |
Entries Close Wednesday March 15, 6pm
Results: Summer 2017 Results (final)
Summer Interclub 2017 finished on a night anything but Summer. The Division One final went to the last singles match with Jo Larsen prevailing over Ian Talbot to give Young and Young a 3-2 victory over Empire Talbot.
Division Two saw another tough final fight before Onslow Budden won against Misfits, the final score also being 3-2.
Division Three finishes their round robin with Waterloo Thomas going down 3-2 to The Decrepits leaving Caesars Pride to come out on top of the grade following a 5-0 win over One and A Half Asian.
Thanks to all players who participated in the competition. We look forward to mid May when Winter Interclub commences.
Continue reading “2017 Summer Interclub – Update with Final Results”
Table Tennis Wellington is running a junior training programme for beginners aged between 8 and 13 years of age (primary/intermediate school students) on Thursdays from 6.30pm to 8.00pm commencing Thursday 2 March 2017.
Fun
Fast
Goal Orientated!
When Term 1: Six Thursdays, 2 March – 6 April inclusive (6.30pm – 8.00 pm)
Fees Term 1: $30 per player (payable at the beginning of the programme on Thursday 2 March 2017, cash or cheque)
Coaches ITTF level 1 qualified coaches and plus other top coaches.
Equipment Sports shoes. Bring your Table Tennis bat if you have one (or borrow one and return it at the end of the session). Comfortable sports clothes (e.g. shorts and t-shirt).
Venue Empire Table Tennis Clubrooms, Marine Parade, Petone.
Enrol With the flyer or online
For more info please contact Gabrielle by email or see the flyer.
This tournament was first held in 2003. So this was the 14th tournament which was held at the Empire Club in Petone. There were 22 entries for the Singles. Unfortunately the Women’s Singles was not held due to a lack of entries.
In the Singles Hui-Ling Vong beat Min Su in the final 3-1. The Semi-Finals saw Hui-Ling Vong beat Martin Young 3-0 (11-1 11-8 17-15) and Min Su beat Harry Chen 3-1 (11-7 11-7 9-11 11-7). Martin Young won the playoff for 3rd place when he beat Harry Chen 3-1 (11-5 11-8 9-11 11-6). Two close Quarter Finals were Martin Young beating Zidong Yu 3-2 (12-10 11-13 12-10 9-11 11-9) and Harry Chen beating Sam Bui 3-2 (7-11 12-10 8-11 11-9 17-15).
Hui-Ling Vong won this years NZ Under 15 Girls Singles and Doubles. At the Oceania Championships she won the Under 18 Girls Doubles, and Under 15 Girls Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles. She was in the NZ Women’s Team at the World Championships and in the Oceania Girls Team at the World Cadet Challenge.
The Singles Plate was won by Yisu Wang.
Last years singles winner Ricky Yeung (now at high school in Cambridge, Waitako) and runner up Rob Chung, did not enter this year.
The teams event was not held this year, Last years team winners were Harry Chen, Martin Young and Zhidong Yu.
Thanks to Martin Young for preparing the draw. Stephen Wang, Chairperson of the New Chinese Friendship Association, presented the prizes.
-Malcolm Wong
The Club Championships were held at the Ngaio Town Hall on Thursday nights (October 6, 13, 20 and 27).
The Men’s Singles was a repeat of the previous 3 years. The result was the same as John Gan won in a very tough struggle against Matthew Hobbs 4-3 (11-4 11-9 3-11 11-13 7-11 11-7 11-5). John started well to win the first 2 games. Matthew then lifted his game to win the next 3 games to lead 3-2. John then regained control in the last 2 games to win his 8th Club Singles. In the semi finals Matthew beat Darrin Wilkinson 4-0 (11-9 11-5 11-3 11-2) and John beat Malcolm Wong 4-2 (11-4 11-2 10-12 12-10 8-11 11-7).
The Women’s Singles was won by the Dianne Taylor, for the 28th time, against Michelle Kan. Her consistent returning overcame Michelle’s hard hitting in a tough struggle 4-3
The Men’s Doubles was won by John and Jonathan Gan, against the titleholders Matthew Hobbs and Malcolm Wong 3-2 (4-11 11-4 7-11 11-3 11-8). This is the second father and son combination to win the doubles after Bryan and Phillip McConnochie (2001 & 2002).
The Mixed Doubles was won for the first time by Matthew Hobbs and Beth Tait against the titleholders John Gan and Diane Taylor 3-1. Beth is a former Wairarapa Junior Girls Representative and won at the Wairarapa Open, the Under 15 Girl Singles (2003), Under 17 Girls Singles (2005) and Under 19 Girls Singles (2006).
The Over 40 Singles had 3 round robin groups of 3 with the group winners playing off for the title. John Gan won, with Matthew Hobbs 2nd and Malcolm Wong 3rd. The Over 40 Singles Plate 1 was won by Virgil Kan and Plate 2 by Lei Chen. The Over 40 Doubles (Round Robin) was won by Matthew Hobbs and Malcolm Wong from John Gan and Lei Chen (2nd) and Virgil Kan and John Haswell (3rd). The Over 40 Doubles has been held only once before in 2013 when John Gan and Zhidong Yu won.
The Under 40 Singles (Round Robin) was won by Andrew Budden with Jonathan Gan 2nd. The Under 40 Doubles was won by Andrew Budden and Daniel Wilkinson against Jonathan Gan and Michelle Kan 3-2.
Andrew Budden (Wellington Under 15 Boys Representative 1995-96) was playing for the first time since 1996 when he played Premier 2 for Onslow (with Andrew Hunt and Mark Freeman). He was in the Raroa Schools Team (with Mark Freeman and Edward Szeto) that won the 1993 NZ Primary/Intermediate Schools Tournament. Andrew won the 1994 Wellington Intermediate Schools Boys Singles and 1995 Wellington Open Under 15 Boy’s Singles. He and Mark Freeman won the 1994 Wellington Open Under 13 Boy’s Doubles. Also the 1995 Under 15 Boys Doubles at the Hutt Valley, Kapiti, Manawatu , Wairarapa and Wellington Open. In 1996 they won the Hutt Valley and North Island Under 15 Boy’s Doubles. Andrew won the 1996 Wairarapa Open Under 15 Boys Doubles with Cameron Gordon.
The club’s breakup was held on October 27. Thanks to Virgil Kan and his daughters, Michelle and Kimberly, who have been running the Thursday club night, and the Friday junior club night. Next year the junior night will be changed to Thursday.
-Malcolm Wong
Most clubs are offline for the summer (excepting Empire & Titan) but I’m reminded of Malcolm’s Titan report following the club champs that I need to post (& Onslow Club next)…
The Titan Championships were held on 4 consecutive Sundays (November 13, 20, 27 and December 4) at Newtown Stadium.
The Club Singles (13 November) was won by Lindsay Ward who defeated Depak Patel in the Final 4-1 (11-7 11-6 11-4 2-11 13-11), which was his 10th Club Singles title. Lindsay has won the most club singles followed by Nha Nguyen and Win Nguyen (3) and then Depak Patel and Ben Collins (2). The other winners have been Malcolm Wong, Catherine Zhou and Ian Talbot. In the semi finals Lindsay beat Ian Talbot 4-2 (5-11 11-7 11-9 11-5 9-11 12-10) and Depak beat Paul Brown, the Empire Club Singles Champion, 4-1 (11-3 10-12 14-12 12-10 12-10). It was unfortunate that last years winner, Ben Collins, was not available to defend his title. In the Singles Plate Final Tony Tziakis beat Ryan Cronin 3-2 (11-8 12-10 13-15 5-11 11-5).
The Club Doubles (20 November) was won by Paul Brown and Depak Patel who beat Chun Kiet Vong and Hui-Ling Vong in the final 4-0 (11-6 11-3 11-4 11-6). This was their 3rd win in 4 years. Depak Patel has won the most club doubles (6) followed by Malcolm Wong and Ian Talbot (4) and then Nha Nguyen and Paul Brown (3). In the semi finals Brown/Patel beat the Empire Doubles Champions Chris and Ian Talbot 4-1 and Vong/Vong beat Rob Chung/Lindsay Ward 4-1. In the Quarter Finals Vong/Vong were fortunate to beat Martin Young/Zhidong Yu 4-3 (11-7 6-11 8-11 10-12 11-8 11-7 11-9). Young/Yu were up 3-1 and then lead 7-3 in the 7th game.
The Over 40 Singles (27 November) was won by the defending champion Depak Patel who beat Lindsay Ward 4-3 (9-11 11-9 11-9 12-14 7-11 11-6 14-12). Lindsay lead 10-7 in the 7th game but was unable to convert his match points. Lindsay has won the most Over 40 Singles titles (9) followed by Ian Talbot (3) and then Malcolm Wong, Nha Nguyen, William Yang and Depak Patel (2). The only other winner has been Geoff Fletcher. In the semi finals Patel beat Ian Talbot 4-0 (12-10 11-2 11-3 11-2) and Ward beat Paul Brown 4-3 (8-11 8-11 10-12 14-12 11-6 14-12 11-6) where he saved a number of match points. In the Quarter finals Paul Brown beat Bryan McConnoche 4-2 (11-9 11-6 11-5 9-11 9-11 11-9).
The Over 40 Doubles (6 December) was won by the defending champions Ian Talbot and Lindsay Ward who beat Depak Patel and David Buckrell in the final 4-1 (13-11 11-5 8-11 11-4 11-6). In the semi finals Talbot/Ward beat Tony Tziakis/Ryan Cronin 4-0 (11-9 11-8 12-1 11-7) and Patel/Buckrell beat Martin Young/Zhidong Yu 4-3 (8-11 11-4 11-6 11-7 11-13 6-11 11-7). The Over 40 Doubles title record is held by Malcolm Wong, William Yang and Ian Talbot (3).
The Over 70 Singles was not played this year.
The trophies were presented at the Titan breakup on Sunday, 18 December. Tony Tziakis was awarded the Presidents Cup for services to the Titan Club. Thanks to Tony Tziakis for organising the food and drinks, and Rendall Conwell for the club sandwiches.
-Malcolm Wong
Joy Shirley (nee Warwick) died 19 October, 2016, in Nelson.
Joy was a former Wellington Women’s Representative (1956-59, 1961-65, 1967, 1969). She played interclub for All Saints (1955), Technical (1956-65), Northland (1967) and Kilbirnie (1969). Joy was selected for Wellington Under 18 Girls against Hutt Valley in 1955 (won 12-0) and 1956 (won 11-1). She won the 1956 Wellington Open Under 18 Girls Singles and was selected in the same year for Wellington Women’s Team against South Taranaki (won 10-2).
Joy was first ranked on the Wellington Women’s List in 1956 (6th). She was ranked in all the following years she played (1956-65, 1967 and 1969). The highlight was being ranked number 1 in 1964. Joy was in the Wellington Team that won the Clapshaw Trophy against Canterbury (1963, 1969) and the Croudis Shield against Hutt Valley (1962-64)
Joy was in the Wellington Women B Team (1958) and the Wellington Women’s Team (1962-65, 1969) at the NZ Teams Championships. They reached the semi finals in 1963 against Auckland (lost 3-7).
Joy’s two younger sisters, Rae and Susan were also Wellington Juniors Girls and Women Representatives. They were also on the Wellington Women Ranking List. Susan was in the Wellington Junior Team that won the 1962 Calder Cup against Waitako 8-4. In 1962 all 3 sisters were in the Wellington Women’s Team against Kapiti (won 11-1).
– Malcolm Wong
The November competition wrapped up after week 4, again with a few replacements helping out.
Grade A saw some good matches which could have gone either way but the two top rated players pulled away from the pack in the end.
Grade B, which had experienced promotional/relegation at both ends after the first two weeks finished with ten of the eighteen matches going to five sets with three to advantage including a 21-19 result!
Grade C was affected by withdrawals but those who played had some tight games.
Leading players in each grade:
A Grade 7 wins J Harter 6 wins V Kelly 4 wins B Shaw, S Higham B Grade 7 wins M Hobbs 6 wins L Johnston, C Gear 5 wins A Budden, S Eguchi C Grade 6 wins R Buchanan, H Pan 5 wins L Sweeney, M Stechman 4 wins T Wilson, R Cullen
