Both Titan and Onslow clubs ended their seasons last year with club championships. Malcolm Wong kindly wrote up some reports…
2015 Titan Club Championships
The Championships were held on 4 consecutive Sundays (November 15, 22, 29 and December 6).
The Club Singles (15 November) was won by Ben Collins who defeated the 16 year old former Hong Kong Cadet Representative Ricky Yeung in the Final 4-2 (11-5 11-9 5-11 5-11 11-8 11-5), regaining the title he won in 2013. In the semi-finals Ben beat Jason Granville 4-0 (11-5 11-8 11-8 11-1) and Ricky recovered from a 3 game deficit to beat the titleholder Lindsay Ward 4-3 (3-11 8-11 9-11 11-8 11-7 11-8 11-6). In the Quarter Finals Lindsay Ward beat the Empire Club Singles Champion Depak Patel 4-3 (15-13 8-11 11-7 10-12 8-11 11-6 11-6). In the Singles Plate Final Zhidong Yu beat Andy Maquire 4-1. The Second Round Plate Final was won by Ian Talbot against Depak Patel 4-2.
The Club Doubles (22 November) was won by Rob Chung and Ricky Yeung who beat Lindsay Ward and Zhidong Yu in the final 4-1 (7-11 11-3 11-8 11-4 11-9). Ricky was the dominate player in winning his first club title. Robert had won the doubles previously with Bryan McConnochie in 2005. In the semi finals Chung/Yeung beat Chris and Ian Talbot 4-1 and Ward/Yu beat Ben Collins/Hui-Ling Vong 4-2.
The Over 40 Singles (29 November) was won by Depak Patel who beat the titleholder Lindsay Ward 3-1 (7-11 12-10 12-10 11-8). It was Depak’s first Over 40 Singles Title. In the semi finals Patel beat Ian Talbot 3-1 (11-7 11-6 9-11 11-6) and Ward beat Chris Talbot 3-0 (11-4 11-7 11-8). In the quarter finals Ian Talbot beat Jason Granville 3-2 (9-11 12-10 11-8 7-11 11-8).
The Over 70 Singles (29 November) was won by Nha Nguyen in a round robin (3). Nha won both his matches. The other match was not played.
The Over 40 Doubles (6 December) was won by Ian Talbot and Lindsay Ward who beat Depak Patel and Ryan Cronin in the final 4-2 (11-9 12-10 9-11 11-7 4-11 11-9). In the semi finals Talbot/Ward beat Tony Tziakis/Nha Nguyen 4-0 (11-4 11-3 11-3 11-8) and Patel/Cronin beat Kung Tepp/Barrin Das 4-0 (11-9 11-2 11-6 11-5).
Lindsay Ward is the Titan record holder with 21 titles, well ahead of Malcolm Wong (10) and Ian Talbot (10).
The trophies were presented at the Titan breakup on Sunday, 13 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 to Raewyn Young for the club sandwiches.
-Malcolm Wong
2015 Onslow Club Championships
The Onslow Club Championships were held at the Ngaio Town Hall on Thursday nights (October 8, 15 and 22).
John Gan retained the Club Singles title by defeating 2012 winner Matthew Hobbs. Matt started strongly, with good looping and blocking, winning the first 2 games. Then less attacking and more pushing by Matt resulted in more errors in his play. John’s consistent chopping resulted in him winning the next 4 games to win 4-2 (7-11 10-12 11-6 11-5 11-2 11-5). It was John’s 7th club singles title, which brings him level with Gerald Bell, with only Keith Aldersley (11) ahead of him.
Dianne Taylor retained the Women Singles against 2012 winner Michelle Kan, where her consistent returning overcame Michelle’s hard hitting in a tough struggle 4-2 (11-7 9-11 14-12 15-13 7-11 12-10). The result may have been different if Michelle had not lost the 3rd game in which she lead 10-3. It was Dianne’s 27th singles title, which is well ahead of Ruth Futter (13) and Audrey Hughes (9). Diane was originally from Christchurch where she played for the Papanui Club and was a Canterbury Junior Girl and Women’s Representative. Diane moved to Wellington (1965) where she played for the Technical Club and from 1973 the Onslow Club. Her highest Wellington Women’s ranking was 5th (1966) and she represented Wellington against Canterbury (1966 & 1977) and Hutt Valley (1966).
John Gan also retained his Over 40 Singles title 31 against former winner Matthew Hobbs (20102012). It was John’s 3rd successive singles win.
Matthew Hobbs and Malcolm Wong reversed the result of last years club doubles final when they defeated John Gan and Virgil Kan 32 (7-11 12-10 2-11 11-9 11-7). Matthew and Malcolm were lucky not to lose 3-0 as they were well down in the second game which they won. Malcolm has now won 8 doubles titles which brings him level with Ivan Houghton and Keith Aldersley, and one behind John Warrington (9).
The mixed doubles was won by John Gan and Dianne Taylor against Virgil and Michelle Kan 30 (11-4 11-7 13-11). This was Diane’s 18th mixed doubles title, with Ruth Futter (9) and Mary Vere-Jones (8) next.
The club under 40 singles was won by Adam Slocombe, with Jeremy Roger second in a round robin. The Onslow Club Championships was first held in 1935. The first singles winners were Arnold Bradshaw (Men) and Margaret Gardiner (Women). This was Arnold’s only club singles title. Margaret was to win the Women Singles again in 1936 and 1937.
The club breakup was held on October 29. Those attending included former Wellington Coach and Life Member Paul Escott and fellow Wellington Life Member Brian Hearfield.Thanks to Virgil and Michelle Kan who have been running the Thursday club night, and the Friday junior club night, for the last 5 years Also thanks to Kevin Haines who is the treasurer.
-Malcolm Wong
Table Tennis Wellington 