The Titan club wrapped up for 2013 in December, holding the club championships over three consecutive Sundays (November 17, 24 and December 1).
The Club Singles was won for the first time by Ben Collins who won the final against the titleholder Lindsay Ward 11-7 12-10 13-11. In the semi finals Ben Collins defeated Paul Brown 11-3 11-5 11-6 and Lindsay Ward defeated Depak Patel 14-16 11-7 11-8 12-10
The Club Doubles was won by Paul Brown and Depak Patel who beat Bryan McConnochie and Lindsay Ward 13-11 11-8 11-13 11-7. This was Depak’s 4th Club Doubles Title equalling the record held by Malcolm Wong and Ian Talbot.
The Over 40 Singles was won for the 8th time by Lindsay Ward who defeated the 2012 winner Ian Talbot 11-7 8-11 11-8 11-9. In the semi finals Lindsay Ward beat Paul Longstone 13-11 11-3 11-6 and Ian Talbot beat Depak Patel 12-14 11-7 6-11 11-7 13-11. Depak lead 10-8 in the 5th only for Ian to come back and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Hugh McIlwrath was awarded the Over 80 Singles Cup (no other club member over 80). Also the Presidents Cup, due to him travelling all the way from Masterton to play at the club.
Ben had moved to Wellington from Auckland at the start of the year. He had started playing at Waitemata at age 11 and moved to Auckland at age 16. Ben was a Waitemata and Auckland Junior Representative and was in the Auckland team that won the NZ Under 19 Boys Teams Title (1997). Ben has travelled to China, Japan and Germany for training and played for clubs in France and Canada and has also played in Australia. Ben has won the Wellington, Manawatu and Counties- Manukau Open Singles.
Regarding the Gavin Dash Trophy, Gavin Dash was considered a high achiever with a very successful life ahead of him. He had gained a Master of Arts Degree with honours from Auckland University. Gavin moved to Wellington to study for a law degree at Victoria University, while working part time for Parliament writing select committee notes. He played for the Titan Club in the Premier 2 Grade (1998-99). Gavin was in the winning 1999 Premier 2 Team with Evan Kramer, Win Nguyen, David Buckrell and Malcolm Wong. He starred in the final, winning all his 3 singles in the 6-3 win against Waterloo. At the age of 24 Gavin’s life was tragically cut short when he was murdered on 27 September 1999 in Wellington. The Dash Family donated a trophy to the Titan Club in memory of him.
Hugh’s first tournament success was winning the Over 65 Men’s Doubles, with John Lelliott, at the 1996 New Zealand Masters Games in Dunedin. He won the Over 65 Singles and was runner up in the Over 65 Men’s Doubles, with club member Norm Bishop, at the 2000 Wellington Masters Games. For his other successes refer to his player profile.
-Malcom Wong
Table Tennis Wellington 