There were 46 entries at the tournament, with players travelling from Canterbury, Marlborough, Otago and Wellington. Only 7 juniors played on the Sunday with no outside players.
Simon Fenwick (C) won the Men’s Singles against Tavish Voight (O) 4-0 (6 1 4 4) and Kris Alisch (C) won the Women Singles against Jackie Wood (ML) 4-3 (-9 -12 7 9 -9 2 7). The Men’s Doubles was won by Craig Dye/Simon Fenwick (C) against Nathan Watson (MN)/Tavish Voight (O) 3-1 (3 -9 4 4).
Sabine Westenra won 5 events. The Open Women Doubles with Kris Alisch (RR3), Over 40 Women’s Singles (RR3), Over 40 Mixed Doubles with Malcolm Wong (RR3), Over 50 Women’s Singles against Marion Wood (ML) 3-0 (2 2 2) and Over 50 Women’s Doubles with Marion Wood against Chris Cole/Patricia Martin (N) 3-0 (5 5 2). She was runner up with Jessie Wilson (C) to Simon Fenwick/Kris Alisch in Open Mixed Doubles 1-3 (-12 7 -7 -7) and lost in semi finals of Open Women’s Singles 1-4 (-8 -9 -11 10 -14) to Kris Alisch. Unfortunately there is no photo of Sabine from the tournament.
Malcolm Wong’s win in the Over 40 Mixed Doubles was his 10th Nelson Mixed Doubles Title (He last won the O40 XD with Glenda Ferguson in 2001). He also won the Over 50 Men’s Doubles with Mark Nalder (N) against Gregg Davey/Alan Moore (C) 3-1 (3 -7 4 11) which was their 10th Nelson Over 50 Men’s Doubles Title together. They were runner up in the Over 60 Men’s Doubles to Gregg Davey/Alan Moore 2-3 (-8 -6 8 4 -5). Malcolm’s best singles result was beating the second seed David Watson (N) 3-1 (9 -9 4 7) in winning his group in the Over 60 Men’s Singles. Malcolm has now won 32 Nelson Open Titles.
Mark Nalder and Malcolm Wong – Nelson Over 50 Men’s Doubles Champions for the 10th time
Thanks to Paul Op den Buysch, Robin Knight and the other Nelson people who assisted in running the tournament and the cafeteria.
Malcolm Wong and Martin Young participated at this tournament held at the Edgar Centre, Portsmouth Drive, Dunedin. There were 18 tables (16 Butterfly and 2 Stiga Tables). 75 players entered in the novice and Over 35, 45, 55, 65, 70 and 75 age groups. Singles were in the morning and Doubles and Mixed Doubles were in the afternoon. Malcolm wins a gold in the Over 65 Men’s Doubles and bronze in the Over 65 Men’s Singles and Over 65 Mixed Doubles. Martin wins bronze in the Over 45 Men’s Doubles.
On Saturday Martin Young qualified second in his group behind John Fogarty (Dunedin) losing 2-3 to him and lost in the semi finals of the Over 45 Men’s Singles to Wang Qi (Dunedin) 0-3. In the bronze medal match in the Over 45 Men’s Singles he lost to John Fogarty 2-3. Martin Young with Peter Williams (Auckland) lost in the semi finals of the Over 45 Men’s Doubles to Willie Brocks and Zahid Hanif (Dunedin) 1-3. They won the bronze medal match in the Over 45 Men’s Doubles 3-1 against Richard Keen (Dunedin) and John Keenan (Masterton).
By Malcolm Wong on the 2019 Oceania Junior Table Tennis Championships – Nuku’alofa (7-10 August) at which he a part of tournament’s team of officials.
I arrived on Monday afternoon (5 August) on a Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Fua’amotu International Airport, Tonga. Siaoski Faka’osi (Tournament Director) was there to meet me. His day job is Team Operations Coordinator for the Tonga Rugby Union and he has been to the last 2 Rugby World Cup as a Tongan Official. He transported me to the Atele Indoor Stadium where the 3rd Elevate Performance Training Camp (4-6 August) for Fiji (4) and Tonga (6) juniors was being run by Patrick Wuertz (former Oceania High Performance Officer).
Later I was taken to my accommodation at Villa Ishadora Hotel, which is by the Pacific Ocean. This was where the overseas referees and umpires stayed. Barry Griffiths (General Manager – ITTF Oceania) and Ryan Wiegand (Events Officer – ITTF Oceania) who was the ITTF Competition Manager for the tournament, were also staying there. Jessica Macaskill (Development Officer – ITTF Oceania) was also in Tonga to assist with the tournament.
Andrew Maguire, Paul Solt, Malcolm Wong, & Tomos Christie travelled to the Marlborough Open while Paul Solt & Malcolm travelled to the Nelson Open. See the attachments for Malcolm’s reports now that I’ve finally posted them!
21 Men and 9 Women entered this tournament. There were singles, doubles and mixed doubles events. From overseas were Rohan Dhooria (AUS), Vicki Wu (FIJ), Wang Qi (FIJ) and Gary Nuopula (SOL) in the men’s competition. Also Jian Fang Lay (AUS), Parleen Kaur (AUS), Grace Yee (FIJ) and Loata Neli Duncan (FIJ) in the Women’s competition. This is one of a series of 6 Tournaments in Oceania.
The others are in Tonga (Nuku’alofa) 29-30 June, Australia (Gold Coast) 25-26 August, Fiji (Suva) 8-9 September, Tahiti (Papeete) 3-4 November and Vanuatu (Port Vila) 9-10 February 2019. The players, in the singles, earn points towards qualification to the 2019 Oceania Cup Tournament.
Joachim Kusche and Alan Moore were the Referees. There were 12 umpires, with only Ron Garrett (Southland) and Malcolm Wong (Wellington) not from Canterbury. They were International Umpires Alan Moore, Ron Garrett, Hamish Rennie and Malcolm Wong. National Umpires were Mimi Walle , Akiko Goto and Gregg Davey. The other umpires were Lydia Mercer-Beumelburg, Suniko Yoshioka, Ruhi Advilker, Ulrike Kusche and Steve Moore.
The schedule was light for the umpires. On the Saturday I umpired a mixed doubles match between Nathan Xu/Jiayi Zhou and Wang Qi/Loata Neli Duncan won by Xu/Zhou 3-0 (6, 7, 3,). Also the Women Singles Group A which was won by Jian Fang Lay, with Jiayi Zhou 2nd and Lisa Yue 3rd. Play finished at 4pm on Saturday.
On the Sunday I umpired the last 16 Men’s Singles match between Teng Teng Liu and Simon Fenwick won by Liu 4-0 (3, 6, 1, 2 ). Then the Women Singles Semi Finals between Jenny Hung and Jiayi Zhou won by Hung 4-1 (3, 7, 8, -9, 3 ). My last match was the Women Doubles (Last match in a round robin of 3 pairs) between Parleen Kaur/Jiayi Zhou and Zhiying Cheng/Lisa Yue won by Kaur/Zhou 3-1 (3, -3, 5, 13 ). Play finished at 4.45pm on Sunday.
Lisa Yue was the only player from Wellington. She was 3rd in her Women Singles group. She had another chance of qualifying as the 3 third place players in the groups were put into the Women Singles Stage 2 Qualification Group. Lisa won the group to qualify for the Quarter Finals where she lost to Jenny Hung 4-0 (3. 3, 3, 2 ). Lisa, with Zhiying Cheng, lost both her Women’s Doubles matches (Round Robin of 3 Teams). In the Mixed Doubles, Lisa with Kelsey Amor, reached the finals where they lost to Rohan Dhooria/Parleen Kaur 3-0 (6, 4, 8).
Other final results (below).
Men’s Singles
Teng Teng Liu (NZL) beat Rohan Dhooria (AUS)
4-1 (6, 5, -9, 5, 2)
Women Singles
Jian Fang Lay (AUS) beat Jenny Hung (NZL)
4-0 (2, 3, 8, 7 )
Men’s Doubles
Dean Shu/Nathan Xu (NZL) beat Rohan Dhooria (AUS)/ Paul Innnes (NZL)
3-2 (-4, 8, 8, -7, 10)
Women Doubles (Round Robin)
1st Paurleen Kaur (AUS)/Jiayi Zhou (NZL)
2nd Loata Neil Duncan/Sally Yee (FIJ)
-Malcolm Wong
Mixed Doubles presentation. Gary Williams (TTNZ Chairman), Lisa Yue (WGN), Rohan Dhooria, Parleen Kaur, and Yi-Sien Lin (Tournament Director)
Standing: Gary William (TTNZ Chair), Malcolm Wong (Ump), Grant Wilson (Media and Broadcast Liason). Seated – Yi-Sien Lin (Tourn Dir) and Joachim Kusche (Tourn Ref).
The tournament was held for the first time in Australia in Bendigo, Victoria. It is a city of 95,587 population (June 2016). Bendigo was a former gold rush boom town (1850s). The tourist attractions include the Central Deborah Gold Mine and the Golden Dragon Museum which is dedicated to the history and culture of the Chinese people who immigrated to the region.
Bendigo is 91 minutes (135.3 km) away from Melbourne Airport. The venue was Bendigo Stadium and held on 8 tables with live streaming on Tables 1 and 2. There were 4 Referees and 35 Umpires (19 from Australia). Malcolm Wong was the sole New Zealand Umpire at the tournament. The umpires were provided with 4 short sleeve shirts and 2 long sleeve shirts, sponsored by Li-Ning (China).The umpires were accommodated in apartments at Quest Bendigo, as was the New Zealand Boys and Girls Teams. Unfortunately Quest Bendigo was miles away from anywhere. Malcolm was in an apartment with Jonathan Whitaker (Scotland) and Bruce Doughty (Australia). He had previously umpired with Jonathan at the 2009 Commonwealth Championships (Glasgow). Malcolm umpired mainly with Jonathan Whitaker (3 days) and Ben Cao (China) for 2 days. He also umpired with Rahul Jaiswal (India) and Mark Patane (Australia). There was air conditioning in the Stadium. Temperature outside reached 39 degrees Centigrade.
In team matches Malcolm umpired Australia v Singapore (Boys) won by Singapore 3-0 (Table 1) on 2 Dec. Also Belarus v Brazil (Girls) won by Brazil 3-2 (Table 6) on 3 Dec. And Poland v Singapore (Boys) won by Singapore 3-2 (Table 4) on 4 Dec. China won the Boys Team Final v Japan 3-0 and the Girls Final v Japan 3-1. See here for all results.
Malcolm umpired players from 20 countries. In the Boys Singles Quarter Finals he umpired Xu Haidong (China), the Boys Singles and Doubles winner. Also the Mixed Doubles Quarter Finals he umpired Xu Yingbin/Shi Xunyao (China) who would win the event. Shi was also the Girls Singles runner up and Girls Doubles winner. China won all 5 individual titles.
The umpiring schedule meant the lunch and tea breaks were often late. Malcolm had lunch once at 3.15pm and tea once at 9.10 pm. 8 days is a long time to be umpiring. Malcolm was also on racket control duty twice. Averil Roberts, formerly from Wellington, and now living in Melbourne (Australia), umpired the Junior Girls Doubles Final.
The NZ Girls Team finished 3rd out of 3 teams in Group 1. NZ lost to the Russian Federation 3-0 and to Belarus 3-1. Hui Ling Vong beat Marharyta Baltushite (BLR) 3-1 (11-9 13-11 7-11 11-6). For team positions 9 to 16 NZ lost to France 0-3. They then beat Australia 3-0 (team position 13 to 16) with Hui Ling Vong beating Parleen Kaur 3-1 (11-8 3-11 11-5 11-8). NZ finished 14th when they lost to Belarus 3-0 in the playoff for team position 13 to 14.
In the individual events Hui Ling Vong lost all 3 singles matches to finish 4th in Girls Singles Group 16. Her best match was against Anastasi Bondareva (Germany) who won 4-2 (11-8 8-11 11-9 12-10 6-11 11-9). In the Girls Doubles she and Jianyi Zhou lost 0-3 (9-11 5-11 4-11) to Jokic Tijana /Sabina Surjan (Serbia). In the Mixed Doubles with Nathan Xu, they beat Nikhill Kumar/Rachel Yang (USA) 3-2 (9-11 14-12 11-3 10-12 11-2) in the Round of 64 before losing to Guilherme Teodora/Bruna Takahashi (Brazil) 0-3 (7-11 7-11 5-11).
An after tournament function was held at the All Seasons Hotel (Bendigo) on the evening of Sunday Dec 9, which was attended by many officials, coaches and players.
Thanks to the Oceania Table Tennis Federation who organised the tournament. Also to the volunteers. I was meet at Melbourne Airport and directed to the mini bus that took me to Bendigo. There was a continental/cooked breakfast at the hotel. Lunch and tea was provide at Bendigo Stadium. There was a bus from the hotel to Bendigo Stadium every half hour from 7.40 am to 7.40 pm and from the Stadium to the hotel from 8.30 am to 8 pm.
It was a great experience to be at the World Junior Championships. Meeting new people and umpiring many exciting matches.
Standing (Back Row) Samuel Miller, Shaun Koh (SGP), Pak Hong Lee (HKG), Evgenii Klykovski (RUS), Klara Vaculovicova (CZE), Jan Vrabec (CZE), Bruce Doughty, Mark Patane, Kirsty Whitaker (SCO -Volunteer), Kameron Chan, Stephen Gillespie, William Almasi, Joseph Fung, John McMullan, Ahmad Almasri (JOR). Standing (Row 2) Tatiana Kamenskaya (RUS), Hau Yi Lau, Rahul Jaiswal (IND), Cyril Sen (MAS -Evaluator). Seated (Row 2) Ben Cao (CHN), Paul Schiltz (LUX – Evaluator) Neil Montfort, Malcolm Wong (NZL), Glenn Errington, Marie Pinkewich, David Villalta (ESA), Boggdan Barrientos (GUA), Insook Park (KOR), Mijung Bong (KOR), Wing Au. Seated (Front Row) James Lew, Jonathan Whitaker, Averil Roberts, David Delpratt (Deputy Referee), Steen Anderson (DEN – Referee), Niwat Semangern – (THA – Deputy Referee), Yini Yang (CHN – Deputy Referee), Yuka Braun, Arnold Puts, Jock McNeil, Satheese Attoor (IND). NB: Umpires (light blue Shirts), Referees (Dark Blue Shirts). Only country abbreviations for non Australians officials.
North Island Open Mixed Doubles Champions Sean Hanson and Fiona Zhai Ye.
Wellington won 10 gold medals achieved in the Open (1), Grades (1), Juniors (3), and Veterans (5). In the Open events Wellington had success in the Mixed Doubles where Sean Hanson and Fiona Zhai Ye beat Yuhan Gao (North Shore)/Hui-Ling Vong 3-0 (12-10 11-7 11-5). This was the Wellington area’s first victory in the Open Mixed Doubles since Shane Laugeson (A) and Tracey McLauchlan (HV) won in 2001. Hui-Ling Vong was runner up in the Women Singles to Jin (Kim) Wang (Auckland) 4-2 (11-13 11-3 11-7 13-15 11-4 11-5. Vong had defeated fellow Wellington player Fiona Zhai Ye in the semi finals 4-3 (12-14 11-7 11-6 11-7 9-11 10-12 13-11). In the Men’s Doubles Sean Hanson/Dinyar Irani (A) were runner up to Kelsey Amor/Victor Pollett (WT). In the Women Doubles Fiona Zhai Ye/ Lisa Yue were runner up to Jin (Kim) Wang/Tianyu Zhang (A) who won 3-0 (12-10 11-7 11-5).
In the B Grade Men’s Singles James Harter was runner up to Mark Page (WK) who won 3-1. Together they won the B Grade Men’s Doubles against Depak Patel/Yang Low 3-0 (11-5 11-4 11-8). Yang Low won a bronze medal in the B Grade Singles, losing in the semi finals to James Harter 3-1 (11-9 11-9 5-11 11-8). Darrell Brown had upset Yang Low in B Grade Group play 3-0 (13-11 11-9 11-9). Martin Young won a bronze medal for reaching the semi finals of the C Grade Men’s Singles, losing to Jimmy Caunter 3-0 (11-7 11-9 11-4). In the Women C Grade Doubles Anna Wilson/Erin Huang were runner up to Emily Jin/Minette Whitehead (WK) 3-0 (11-7 11-9 11-9).
In the Juniors, Hui-Ling Vong won the Under 18 Girl’s Singles defeating Zhiying Cheng (NS) 3-0 (11-5 11-8 12-10). This is the first Wellington victory in the U18 Girls Singles since Michelle McCarthy won in 2005. In the Under 15 Girls’s Doubles Mei Mun Teh with Vanessa Wood-Lin (ML) won the round robin (3 pairs) with the crucial match against Emily Jin / Minette Whitehead (WK) won 3-2 (10-12 11-4 11-7 8-11 12-10).
Aaron Lan won the Under 11 Singles (round robin of 3) upsetting Yufeng Wang in the crucial match 3-0 (13-11 11-9 11-7). Yufeng Wang was runner up in the Under 13 Boys Singles to Alex Liu Cao who won 3-1 (8-11 11-4 11-3 11-5) and in the Under 13 Combined Doubles with Tomos Christie.
Depak Patel won the Over 40 men’s Singles against Miko Kirschbaum (MN) 3-2 (7-11 10-12 11-6 11-5 11-5). This was his third win as he had previously won in 2006 and 2009. Martin Young won the Over 60 Combined Singles for the first time by beating Dave Scott (BP) in the last round 3-1 (8-11 11-5 12-10 14-12). Both made 4 wins and a loss. As Martin had beaten Dave he won the gold. Martin’s only loss was to Malcolm Wong who won 3-1 (14-12 11-6 9-11 11-8).
Bryan McConnochie won the Over 65 Combined Singles (Round Robin) by defeating Dave Scott (BP) 3-2 (15-13 5-11 10-12 11-4 11-9). This was his third win as he had previously won in 2015 and 2016. Bryan also won the Over 70 Combined Singles for the first time by defeating Jim Jarmin (MN) 3-0 (11-6 11-4 11-5).
In the Over 30 Men’s Doubles Harry Chen/Martin Young were runner up to Andrew Leonard (WK)/ Tim Seaholme (MN) 3-2 (12-10 3-11 11-6 6-11 11-5). The Over 40 Men’s Doubles Final was won by David Jarvis (BP)/ Paul Kyle (WK) who beat Darrell Brown/Depak Patel 3-2 (9-11 11-8 5-11 13-11 11-5). The Over 50 Men’s Doubles was won by Harry Chen with Paul Whitehead (WK) who won against David Jarvis (BP)/Paul Kyle (WK) 3-0 (11-5 11-5 11-8). The Over 60 Men’s Doubles was won by Russell Winkley (HB)/ Dave Scott (BP) who defeated Malcolm Wong/Martin Young 3-0 (11-4 12-10 11-2).
North Island Under 18 Girls Singles Champion – Hui-Ling Vong
North Island Under 11 Boys Singles Champion Aaron Lan
Under 15 Girls Doubles Champions – Mei Mun Teh and Vanessa Wood-Lin (ML)
Martin Young, Harry Chen and Malcolm Wong
Martin Young won the Over 60 Singles, runner up in the Over 30 and Over 60 Men’s Doubles and a bronze in the C Grade Men’s Singles. Harry Chen won Over 50 Men’s Doubles and was runner up in the Over 30 men’s Doubles. Malcolm Wong was runner up in the Over 60 Men’s Doubles.
North Island Over 65 and Over 70 Men’s Singles Champion Bryan McConnochie
Daniel Rosner, Harry Chen and Ian Talbot were Wellington’s three representatives at the 19th World Veterans Championships (18-24 June) in Las Vegas, NV (USA). Ian Talbot was the only player to make the main draw in the singles. He lost to the winner Jianjiang Huang (CHN) in group play and to the semi-finalist Zhang Hua Pang (CAN) 2-3 in the second round of the main draw. Ian Talbot and Harry Chen qualified for the main draw of the Over 55 Men’s Doubles but had to default when their match was changed from Thursday to Friday as Harry had left Las Vegas.
Daniel Rosner in Over 40 Mens Singles Group action Harry Chen – Over 55 Men’s Singles Group 106 Ian Talbot and Harry Chen – Over 55 Men’s Doubles Group 28Ian Talbot with Zhan Hua Pang (CAN)
Malcolm Wong wins 4 Doubles Events and reaches 100 Tournament Titles
Mark Nalder and Malcolm Wong – Nelson Open Over 50 and Over 60 Men’s Doubles winners. They have won 24 Doubles Titles together.
The tournament was held at Saxton Stadium in Stoke, Nelson. There were 30 Males
(1 junior) and 7 Females (no juniors) playing on the Saturday. On the Sunday there were 13 juniors, including 1 girl. Malcolm Wong, Paul Solt and Andrew Maguire were the Wellington players in this event.
Malcolm with Mark Nalder (N) won the Over 50 Men’s Doubles against Alister Morice (C)/ Phil Osborne (N) 3-1 (-3 11 9 6) and the Over 60 Men’s Doubles final against Graeme Mathieson/Gary Basher (N) 3-0 (9 8 4). Malcolm with Glenda Ferguson (N) were runner up in the Over 40 Mixed Doubles to Daniel Astle(N)/Mimi Walle (C) 0-3 and they won the Over 60 Mixed Doubles against Peter Welsh (ML)/Melody Nicholls (N) 3-0 (7 6 -4 4). Malcolm, with Melody Nicholls (N) won the Over 50 Mixed Double against David Watson/Debbie Watson (N) 3-0 (6 8 9). He was also semi finalist in the Over 40 Men’s Doubles, Over 50 and Over 60 Men’s Singles. In winning the 4 doubles titles Malcolm has reached 100 Tournament Titles. It takes his Nelson Titles to 30 and it was also his 10th Nelson Over 50 Men’s Doubles Title. Malcolm’s first title was the 1995 Wellington Regional Men’s Over 40 Men’s Doubles with the late John Lelliott where they defeated Adrian Lust/Nha Nguyen.
Paul Solt won the Second Grade Singles defeating Phil Osborne (N) 3-0 (11 9 9).
These two were in the Wellington College Table Tennis Team in the late 1970s. Paul was also a semi finalist in the Men’s Singles losing to the winner Jessie Wilson 0-4. He defeated this year’s Marlborough Open Men’s Singles winner, Nathan Watson, in group play 3-0 (11 7 7).
Paul with Andrew Maguire were runner up in the Second Grade Men’s Doubles to Phil Osborne/Alan Vigar (N) who won 3-1 (8 -3 7 7) and in the Over 40 Men’s Double to Daniel Astle/Paul Op den Buysch (N) who won 3-2 (-7 -6 6 5 9).
Andrew Maguire was unfortunate to play Paul Solt 3 times in the singles (once in MS Group and in knockout in the 2nd Grade (SF) and O40 MS (QF)), with Paul wining each time. This should not have happened as they were the only two Wellington players in those events. They should not be in the same group in the MS and should have been on the opposite side of the draw for the knockout in the 2nd Grade and O40 MS). Andrew’s best win was beating the Over 50 Men’s Singles winner Phil Osborne in the last 16 of the O40 Men’s Singles 3-1 (8 -5 10 7).
Over 50 and 60 Men’s Doubles Champions Mark Nalder and Malcolm WongMalcolm Wong was the only Wellington player at the Marlborough Open which was held at the Simcox Stadium (Blenheim). There were 37 males (15 juniors) and 8 females (3 juniors) entered. On the Saturday (12 May) Malcolm was runner up in the Over 60 Men’s Singles to Mark Nalder (Nelson) who won 3-1 (11-6 11-5 9-11 11-8) and losing semi finalist in the Over 50 Men’s Singles to Derek Partridge (Canterbury) who won 3-1. The other Over 50 Men’s Singles semi finals was won by Phil Osborne (N) who defeated last year’s winner Mark Nalder (N) 3-1. Derek Partridge won the Over 50 Men’s Singles final 11-7 11-7 11-7.
Mark Nalder/Malcolm Wong won the Over 60 Men’s Doubles defeating Pietro Cannata/Gary Basher (N) 3-0 (11-7 11-5 11-5) and the Over 50 Men’s Doubles defeating Warren Haszard (Marlborough)/Derek Partridge (C) 3-1 (14-12 12-14 11-5 11-8). It brings their doubles titles together to 22.
In the Over 40 events Daniel Astle (N) won 3 titles. The Singles defeating Paul Op den Buysch (N) 3-0 (11-7 11-5 11-7). The Men’s Doubles with Phil Osborne (N) defeating Paul Op den Buysch (N)/Derek Partridge (C) 3-1 (6-11 11-9 11-7 11-5). The Mixed Doubles with Mimi Walle (C) defeating Warren Haszard/Marion Wood (ML) 3-0.
A combined Women’s Over 40/50 Singles resulted in 1st Mimi Walle, 2nd Glenda Ferguson and 3rd Marion Wood.
In the Second Grade David Walle (C) won 3 titles. He defeated Jay Zhu (C) 3-0 (11-4 11-5 11-6) in the Men’s Singles. With Allan Villar (N) they won the Men’s Doubles against Paul Op den Buysch/ Derek Partridge 3-1 (11-9 9-11 12-10 11-9). With Glenda Ferguson (N) they won the Mixed Doubles against Rob Honour /Megan Stratford (ML) 3-0 (11-5 11-4 11-9 ). The Women’s Singles was won by Glenda Ferguson from Marion Wood in a round robin. The Women’s Doubles was won by Vanessa Wood-Lin /Hannah Smit (ML) defeating Glenda Ferguson/Marion Wood 3-2 (11-8 11-6 8-11 3-11 11-7).
A report was in the Marlborough mid week paper and report sent to Table Tennis Nelson.
Mixed Doubles – David Walle/Mimi Walle (C) beat Daniel Astle (N)/Marion Wood (ML) 3-0 (11-6 11-6 15-13).
Thanks to Chris Hood and Debbie Stratford from the Marlborough Association who have run the tournament for many years. Chris was the 1984 Marlborough Open Men’s Singles Champion. He became a Table Tennis Marlborough Committee Member (1982) and has been Secretary since 2009. Chris has been on the Committee for 34 years. He had 4 years off late 1990s-2000s).
Debbie Stratford (nee Looms) was on the Table Tennis Marlborough Committee prior to Chris Hood. Debbie had a break when she had her 2 daughter and may have been on the committee for nearly 40 years.
Debbie Stratford has won 7 Marlborough Open Women’s Singles (1975-1981), 9 Women’s Doubles (1972-74 with Christine Cootes (ML), 1975-76 with Stephanie Bing (ML), 1978 with Ruth Lee (HV), 1979-80 with Julie Dawkins (ML), 1981 with Janet Johnson (ML)) and 2 Mixed Doubles (1978 with Wayne Adamson (C), 1979 with Michael Hamel (C).
Debbie won the 1981 North Island Women Singles and 5 North Island Junior Titles. The 1977 Under 18 Girls Singles, 2 Under 18 Girls Doubles (1976 with Stephanie Bing (ML), 1977 with Ruth Lee (HV) ), and the 2 Under 18 Mixed Doubles (1976-77 with Stuart Armstrong (C).
In the South Island Championships Debbie won 4 Women Singles (1978-81), 4 Women Doubles (1978-81 with Jan Morris (C) and the 1981 Mixed Doubles with Michael Hamel.
She won 16 South Island Junior Titles. 3 Under 18 Girls Singles (1975-77), 3 Under 18 Girls Doubles (1975 with Stephanie Bing (ML), 1976 with Mary-Jane Gardiner (ML) and 1977 with Ruth Lee (HV). 3 Under 18 Mixed Doubles with Stuart Armstrong (C). 2 Under 16 Girls Singles (1973 & 1975), 3 Under 16 Girls Doubles ( 1973-74 with Stephanie Bing (ML), 1975 with Katherine Bing (ML)), and 2 Under 16 Mixed Doubles (1974-75 with Stuart Armstrong (C).
Debbie was twice runner up the NZ Women Singles (1978 and 1981). She won the 1979 NZ Women’s Doubles (with Jan Morris (C)) and 7 NZ Junior Titles. The 1977 Under 18 Girls Singles, 2 Under 18 Girls Doubles (1972 with Linda Smith (BOP), 1977 with Ruth Lee (HV)), 1977 Under 18 Mixed Doubles (with Lloyd Richards (W), 1975 Under 16 Girls Singles, 1975 Girls Doubles (with Ruth Lee (HV)) and 1975 Mixed Doubles (with Stuart Armstrong (C).
Debbie was ranked 6 years in a row in the NZ Under 18 Girls Ranking List. She was 4th(1972-74), 2nd (1975), 3rd (1976) and 1st (1977). In the NZ Women Ranking List she was ranked 1976-81 and 1985. 7th (1976), 4th (1977, 1978, 1980) 2nd (1979), 1st (1981) and 3rd (1985). Debbie was 1975 Marlborough Sportsperson of the Year in recognition of her becoming the first Marlborough Player to win a individual NZ Table Tennis Title (Under 16 NZ Girls Singles). She was also 1975 NZ Junior of the Year.
In 1978 Debbie represented NZ at the first Oceania Championships (Individual events) held in Auckland and the Australian Open (Melbourne). She and Shelley Palmer were runner up the 1978 Oceania Women Doubles to Jan Morris and Angela Brackenridge. Debbie was in the 1979 NZ Invitation Team (with Jan Morris and Shelley Palmer) that defeated the touring NSW Women 5-4. Debbie was in the 1981 NZ Women’s Team (with Jan Morris (C), Angela Brackenridge (A) and Shelley Palmer (A)) at the NZ Summer Games in Auckland that finished 5th out of 6 teams. Debbie was selected for the 1982 Asian and Commonwealth Championships but withdrew because of a back injury. This injury caused Debbie to retire just as she was reaching her peak. She made a temporary cameback in 1985 and won 3 Titles at the Nelson Open. The Women Singles, Women Doubles with Sally McCulloch (ML) and Mixed Doubles with Jack Taylor (ML). Debbie also won the 1985 Wellington Open Women Singles and was runner up in the NZ Mixed Doubles with Barry Griffiths (Auckland).
This was the 71st NZ Chinese Sports Tournament which is held in Wellington (30 March – 2 April). The table tennis was held at the ASB Sports Centre in Kilbirnie on Friday afternoon (30 March) from 1pm to 5pm. There were 6 Donic tables from the Newtown Stadium and 2 Hart tables from the ASB Stadium. Robert Chung was the Tournament Controller. Only the Men’s Teams were held as there was not the 3 centres entry required to hold the Women’s and Mixed Teams. Wellington won the overall Trophy with 23 points (13 official) from Auckland 7 points (4 official).
There were 12 Men’s Teams from Auckland (2), Canterbury (1), Hawke’s Bay (1) and Wellington (8). In the main draw there had a knockout format (2 person team) with each player playing 1 singles and a doubles (3 matches). The top 4 seeds had a bye in the first round. In Round 2 Hawke’s Bay (4th seeds) lost to Wellington 6 by 2-1 when they lost the doubles 2-0 (11-4 11-5). Hawke’s Bay also lost in the First Round of the Second Round Consolation to Wellington 3 when they lost the doubles 3-2 (11-7 13-11 6-11 7-11
12-10)
The first round consolation (round robin) was won by Wellington 7 (Dave Chan, Peter Hewitt). The second round consolation (knockout) was won by Wellington 3 (Norman Chan, Jason Zhao). The losing semi finalist were Wellington 6 (Wai Chung, Phil Chin) and Auckland 1 (Xiao Jin, Sarwindar Sandhu).
The final was between Wellington 1 (Yang Low, Min Su) and Wellington 2 (Malcolm Wong, Martin Young). In the opening match Min Su beat Martin Young 3-2 (8-11 11-8 11-8 7-11 11-6). Then Yang Low defeated Malcolm Wong 3-0 (11-5 11-1 11-5). The doubles was won by Yang Low/Min Su 3-1 (11-9 11-5 6-11 11-5). A 3-0 win to Wellington 1 who received trophies for winning the tournament.
Thanks to the organisers, Robert Chung, Malcolm Wong and Lisa Yue. Also thanks to Martin Young who transported barriers and flip charts from the Empire Club. There were 6 tables, barriers, flip charts and stands for the flip charts from the Newtown Stadium. Members from the Tournament Committee with Robert Chung and Malcolm Wong were involved in setting up the table tennis area on Thursday night (29 March). These people with Martin Young helped to dismantle the area at the end of the tournament.
Table Tennis NZ has a page on the Umpires & Referees Committee check it out if you’re curious or interesting in progressing your umpiring skills. There’s a lot of good material up there. You may or may not know that when Malcolm Wong turns up at at tournaments like the recent Autumn open that while he might pick up his bat and play – he is also there in a more official capacity. Malcolm is indeed an International Umpire and a National Referee!
Malcolm is also the TTNZ Umpires and Referees Committee Convenor so has work in between tournaments too. For example.
Malcolm travelled to Palmerston North last September to present Jim Jarmin with his 50 Year Umpiring Service Award (1967-2017).
Jim was born in Manchester, England. He started playing table tennis at the age of 19 in Birmingham. In 1966 Jim moved to New Zealand where he joined the Mount Albert Table Tennis Club in Auckland and qualified as a provincial umpire that same year. Jim later moved to Palmerston North in 1980. He has served on the TTNZ Umpires and Referees Committee and the Table Tennis Manawatu Committee and was also a founder member of the Manawatu Table Tennis Veterans Club. Jim was awarded Life Membership of Table Tennis Manawatu (14/11/2014). Jim, with Chip Eade (Waitemata), won the NZ Men’s Over 45 Doubles in 2005 and the Over 65 Men’s Doubles in both 2005 & 2006. He was selected for the NZ Men’s Over 70 Team in the veterans test against Australia in 2008. Jim said his proudest achievement was winning the 2014 World Veterans Consolation Men’s Doubles with Werner Krafft (Australia).
The 18th Manawatu Veterans Doubles Tournament, sponsored by Himatangi Transport, was held on the same day as Jim’s award. There was a morning session (62 entries) where players played with their selected partners (6 groups round robin). In the afternoon session (58 entries) players were matched with another player (6 groups round robin). Prizes were given for the first and second place pairs in the morning and to the first place pair in the afternoon. Players came from Wanganui. Stratford, Taumarunui, Edgecumbe, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington. Only Tony Rutledge came from Wellington. He played in the morning session. Former Waterloo player, Ian White (83), who now lives in Levin also played.
Jim Jarmin receiving his umpiring service award from Malcolm Wong (Sep 2017)
Ian White at the Manawatu Veterans Doubles Tournament.
The 1967 Wellington Men’s Team won the Kean Shield (Inter Association Men’s A Grade Teams) at the New Zealand Championships held in Wanganui.
1967 Wellington Men’s team to NZ Championships. L/R: Denis Thorner, Murray Borlase (captain), Ivan Houghton (manager), Harrison Waterhouse, Barry Cross.
New Zealand A Grade Men’s Team (Kean Shield).
1st - Wellington Men 4 wins 1 loss
v Canterbury won 9-2
v Hutt Valley won 9-2
v Auckland won 6-5
v Northland lost 4-7
v Otago won 8-3
Wellington narrowly won from Auckland with both teams having a 4 win 1 loss record, Wellington won 36 matches to Auckland’s 35. This was the 9th time Wellington had won the Kean Shield. Previously Wellington had won in 1940,1941,1946,1954,1961-64. Murray Dunn (Trojan Club) has been in the most winning team (5) in 1954 and 1961-64. He was the team captain in all 5 teams. The 1967 team is the last Wellington Men’s Team to win the Kean Shield.
Murray Borlase and Denis Thorner had been in the Wellington Team to the NZ Championships since 1964 which was the previous time the Kean Shield was won. Harrison Waterhouse was selected in 1965 and Barry Cross in 1966.
1961 Murray Borlase and Denis Thorner
Murray Borlase (Onslow Club) was a top Hutt Valley Junior, as was Denis Thorner and Barry Cross. They all started playing at the Upper Hutt Club. They moved to Epuni and then the Silverstream Club and played Hutt Valley interclub for both clubs. They had moved to the stronger Wellington Interclub competition once they had left the juniors. Murray had won the Wellington Under 16 Boys Singles (1959), Wellington Secondary Schools Singles (1960) and Hutt Valley Boys Singles (1961). Also the 1959 NZ Under 16 Boys Doubles and the 1961 NZ Under 18 Boys Doubles with Denis Thorner.
Murray represented Onslow (1963-68) in Wellington Interclub and the Wellington Team (1964-68). He was the top ranked Wellington Man (1965 & 1967). The 1964 Team ( with Murray Dunn, Ron Foster and Denis Thorner) won the NZ Men’s A Grade Team Competition. He was the Onslow Club Singles Champion (1964,1966-68). In 1969 Murray joined the Empire Club and played in the Hutt Valley A Grade Competition. Murray was in the 1969 Empire team (with Warren Evans and Joan Brown) that won the Hutt Valley A Grade Competition. He won 26 out of 27 interclub matches played. He was the Empire Club Singles Champion (1969-70) and represented the Hutt Valley Men’s Team at the NZ Championships (1969-70). He was ranked 7 times on the NZ Men’s list (1964-70) with a highest ranking of 3rd (1967). He won 19 Open Men’s Singles Titles.
Manawatu (1963,1964,1965,1966,1968), Wellington (1965,1966,1968), Marlborough (1965,1967), North Taranaki (1966,1967), Wairarapa (1969,1971), Bush (1968), Hawkes Bay (1969), Hutt Valley (1966), Kapiti (1970) and Wanganui (1964).
1964 Wellington Men’s Team to NZ Championships. Kean Shield winners. Dick Moffat (Manager), Ron Foster, Murray Borlase, Murray Dunn, Denis Thorner.
Murray won the 1967 North Island Men’s Singles and the 1970 South Island Men’s Doubles with Denis Thorner. He reached the semi finals of the 1967 NZ Men’s Singles losing to Stuart Gibbs (England). He had knocked out the 1966 Singles Champion Bryan Foster (Otago) in the quarter finals. Murray represented NZ against England (1967) in the 5th and final test at Wanganui where he and Alan Tomlinson played the singles, and Murray with Gary Few the doubles. England won 5-0. He was also in the NZ team to the1968 SEAPATT Tournament in Melbourne, Australia. He died at the age of 61 in 2005.
Harrison Waterhouse (Victoria University Club) was a top Bay of Plenty Junior. He started playing at primary school at the Tauranga Table Tennis Club. In 1961 he won the Bay of Plenty Under 16 Boys Singles, and also the Franklin and Rotorua Boys Singles. Harrison won the Waitako Boys Singles (1962) and in 1963 the Bay of Plenty, Hamilton and Northland Under 18 Boys Singles and the North Shore and Thames Valley Boys Singles. Also the 1964 Wanganui Boys Singles. He won the 1961 NZ Under 16 Boy’s Doubles with Peter Salmon and the 1962 & 1963 NZ Under 18 Mixed Doubles with Dawn Wade. Harrison also played cricket and represented Bay of Plenty Colts as a batsman while at high school.
Harrison represented Victoria University (1964-69) in Wellington Interclub and the Wellington Team (1965-69). He was the top ranked Wellington Man (1966,1968,1969). He was ranked 5 times on the NZ Men’s List (1965-69) with a highest ranking of 4th (1968). He was undefeated in 72 matches in Wellington Interclub (1965-67) which was second only to Murray Dunn who won 97 consecutive matches (1962-64). Harrison was NZ University Men’s Singles Champion (1964-66) and Men’s Doubles (1964-65 with Barry Cross and 1966 with Barry Coley). His Victoria University Team (with Barry Cross, Barry Coley, Robert Armstrong, Maeve O’Flynn, Cusha Roberts) won the NZ University Team Title in 1965. He was selected for the 1966 NZ University Team that toured Australia where he won the Australian University’s Men’s Singles and Mixed Doubles with Margaret Bridson. He was awarded a Victoria University Sporting Blue for Table Tennis for 3 successive years (1964-66). Harrison was twice awarded a New Zealand University Sporting Blue for Table Tennis (1965 & 1966). He was in the 1967 Victoria University Team (with Barry Cross and Peter Hall) that won the Wellington A Grade Interclub competition. Harrison won the Open Men’s Singles at Wanganui (1967), Marlborough (1968), Hutt Valley (1969) and Wellington (1969).
1966 NZ University Team to Australia. Harrison Waterhouse (VUW), Susan Craw (LC), Peter Salmon (AU), Margaret Bridson (AU), Barry Cross (VUW), Patricia Otway (OU), Doug Stewart (Manager). Front – Barry Coley (VUW).
Harrison defeated Alan Tomlinson 3-1 in the 1966 NZ Men’s Singles quarter finals and lost to the winner Bryan Foster in the semi finals 21-7 21-10 4-21 10-21 21-15. He was runner up in the NZ Men’s Doubles with Barry Cross to Gary Few and Murray Dunn 3-1. He represented NZ at the 1967 World Championships in Stockholm (Sweden). He lost in the 2nd round of the Men’s Singles to Istvan Jonyer (Hungary) 18-21 22-24 22-24. Istvan would win the World Championship Men’s Singles in 1975. With Murray Dunn they lost in the 3rd Round of the Men’s Doubles to Antun Stipancic/Dragutin Surbek (Yugoslavia) 21-14 21-16 21-8. Their opponents would win the World Championship Men’s Doubles in1979. Harrison retired from table tennis after 1969 due to work commitments.
Barry Cross (Victoria University Club) was the only defensive player in the team. He won the 1961 Manawatu Boys Singles, Wellington Under 16 and 18 Boys Singles and the Wellington Secondary Schools Boys Singles. He won the Hutt Valley Boys Singles (1962 & 1964) and Wellington Under 18 Boys Singles (1962). Barry won the 1961 NZ Under 16 Boy’s Singles and the 1962 & 1963 NZ Under 18 Boy’s Doubles with Gary Stewart (Wanganui).
Barry represented Victoria University (1963-67) and the Technical Club Team (1971) in Wellington Interclub. He was in the Wellington Team (1966-67, 1971) and ranked 5 times on the Wellington Men’s list with a highest ranking of 3rd (1967 & 1971). He was ranked 3 times on the NZ Men’s List with a highest ranking of 6th (1972). His Victoria University Team won the NZ University Teams Title (1965). He won the NZ University Men’s Doubles with Harrison Waterhouse (1964-65) and Mixed Doubles with Maeve O’Flynn (1965). He was twice awarded a Victoria University Sporting Blue for Table Tennis in 1964 and 1965. Barry was selected for the 1966 NZ University Team that toured Australia. He returned to the Hutt Valley interclub in 1968 and played for Petone Catholic. In 1971 he played for Technical in Wellington Interclub. Barry won the 1967 Wellington Open Men’s Singles. Also the 1968 Hutt Valley Open Men’s Singles where he beat Harrison Waterhouse in the Semi-finals 21-19 21-19 21-13 and Murray Borlase in the Final 21-18 12-21 21-18 23-21. Barry with Harrison Waterhouse won 8 Provincial Open Doubles Titles, including Hutt Valley (1967 & 1968) and Wellington (1967 &1969).
While at Teachers College in Christchurch (1972) Barry played for the Avonside team (with Maurice Burrowes and Graham Rhind). He won 33 out of 36 singles in Canterbury interclub which was only equalled by John Armstrong. He won the South Island Men’s Singles in Dunedin that year, beating Ling Nan Ming 3-2. Barry captained the 1972 South Island Men’s Team in the match against the North Island. Barry with (Ling Nan Ming, Loke Sim Wong, John Armstrong and Neville Brightwell) was in the 1972 Canterbury Men’s Team that won the Kean Shield (NZ Men’s A Grade Teams) for the first time. He moved to Levin in 1973 and stopped playing table tennis as there was no interclub there.
Barry ran the Rotorua Marathon 4 times (1985-8). Barry, at age 40, started playing outdoor bowls at the Central Levin Club and later moved to the Levin Club. He won the Centre Levin Club Singles (1999), Pairs (1992, 1995-96, 1998-99), Triples (1993) and Fours (1992,1995-99). He won the Levin Club Men’s Singles (2012), Men’s Pairs (2011 & 2013), Men’s Triple (2003) and Men’s Fours (2002). Barry was a Kapiti Coast Bowling Centre Representative. He won the Kapiti Coast Singles (1996), Pairs (1993 & 1995), Triples (1996 & 1999), Champion of Champions Pairs (1993 & 1995) and Triples (1993). He was awarded the Kapiti Coast Bowling Centre Gold Star (1996) for winning 5 Centre Titles.
Denis Thorner (Colonial Mutual Life Club) won the 1959 NZ Under 16 Boy’s Doubles with Murray Borlase. Also the 1961 NZ Under 18 Boy’s Singles, Boy’s Doubles (with Murray Borlase) and Mixed Doubles (with Neti Davis). Unseeded he beat Murray Borlase in the semi finals and Harrison Waterhouse in the final to win the 1961 NZ Under 18 Boys Singles held at Lower Hutt. Denis was the 1963 Onslow Club Singles Champion. He was in the 1965 Johnsonville Team (with Ron Foster and Ken Howe) and the 1966 & 1968 Colonial Mutual Life Team (with Ron Foster, Alan Harrington and Ray Foster) that won the Wellington A Grade interclub competition. He was ranked 5 times on the Wellington Men’s list and had a NZ Men’s ranking of 9th (1969). He represented Onslow (1963), Philips (1964), Johnsonville (1965), Colonial Mutual Life Club (1966-68) in Wellington Interclub and Wellington (1964-68). In 1969 he returned to the Silverstream Club and played in the Hutt Valley Interclub Competition and was a Hutt Valley Men’s Representative (1969-70).
Denis won the Open Men’s Singles at Wanganui (1962), Bush (1964), Wairarapa (1970), Kapiti (1971) and Northern Hawkes Bay (1971). Denis with Murray Borlase won 18 Provincial Open Men’s Doubles Titles, which included Wellington (1964) and Hutt Valley (1965 &1966). Denis later ran for Trentham United Harrier (1978-83) until an archilles injury ended his running. He ran 10 marathons, winning Mangaroa (1979) and Hastings (1982). Denis had a best time of 2 hours 29 minutes at Rotorua (1983).
Ivan Houghton (Manager) was a former Wellington Men’s Representative to the NZ Championships (1954 &1955). The 1954 Team (with Murray Dunn, John Crossley, John Sigley, Colin Shewan and Tony Darroch) won the Kean Shield. He was a defensive player and was playing A Grade for the Onslow Club in 1967 (8th on the Wellington Men’s Ranking List). He played A Grade until 1979. Ivan played for the Onslow Club (1947-56, 1962-75). He was in Hamilton (1957-60) and the Wairarapa (1960-61). Ivan played for the Titan Club (1976-1985). He was in the 1975 Onslow A Team (with Frank Beasley, Dick Moffat and Lloyd Richards) that won the Wellington A Grade Interclub Competition. He won the Onslow Club Championship Singles 6 times (1951,1952,1956,1962,1965,1971).
Ivan was one of the main workers for Wellington acquiring its own stadium in Newtown (1972) and was instrumental in setting up the Titan Club to increase the stadium’s use. Ivan became a Provincial Table Tennis Umpire (1955) and a International Table Tennis Umpire (1980). He was on the NZ Table Tennis Executive Committee (1964), Wellington Association Committee (1956, 1962-1973, 1977-81, 1983,1994-96) and Onslow Club Committee (1952-56, 1962-77). Ivan was the Wellington Table Tennis Association President and Chairperson (1964-69, 1977-81, 1983) and Treasurer (1994-96). He was Onslow Club President (1974-1999). Ivan was made a Life Member of the Wellington Table Tennis Association (1973) and the Onslow Table Tennis Club (1983). He was also involved in tennis and was a long time committee member of the Khandallah Club, Wellington Association and NZ Tennis. He was a Life Member of the Khandallah Tennis Club, Wellington Junior Tennis Association and the NZ Tennis Umpires Association. Ivan died in at the age of 67 in November 1999.
Information in this report was provided by Robert Armstrong, Susan Barlow, Barry Cross, Robin Radford, Denis Thorner, Harrison Waterhouse, Empire Table Tennis Club, England Table Tennis News, Kapiti Coast Bowling Centre, Levin Bowling Club, NZ University Sports, Onslow Table Tennis Club, The Alexander Turnbull Library, The Salient (Victoria University Student Newspaper), TTNZ Annual Reports, TTNZ Website and Wellington Table Tennis Association Annual Reports.
1967 NZ Team in England – Harrison Waterhouse is third from left
NZ Mixed Team to South East Asia Pacific Area Table Tennis Championships Melbourne Australia L/R back: Dawn Wade, Murray Borlase, Cathy Tadema front: Alan Tomlinson (captain), Alan McCallum (manager)
There were 88 competitors (66 males and 22 females) at the Saxton Stadium (Stoke) in Nelson. There were players from Auckland, Canterbury, Manawatu, Marlborough, Nelson, Otago, Southland, Waitako and Wellington. 5 players came from Wellington. Yau Yang Low, Andrew Maguire, Depak Patel, Paul Solt and Malcolm Wong. There were 12 tables. Results are on the TTNZ site.
Table Tennis Wellington President, Malcolm Wong, had Wellington’s sole success when he and Mark Nalder (N) won the Over 60 Men’s Doubles (Round Robin). They beat Alastair Naysmith/Stanislav Petrovic (N) 3-0 (11-8 11-9 11-6) and Kevin Neumann (N)/ Mark Wilson (C) 3-1 (9-11 11-7 14-12 11-9). It was their 20th title together. Depak Patel was runner up in 3 events. He lost to Daniel Astle (N) in the Over 40 Men’s Singles 0-3 (9-11 10-12 6-11) and the Over 40 Men’s Doubles with Julian Main (C) to Daniel Astle/ Paul Op den Buysch (N) 1-3 (9-11 8-11 12-10 7-11). Also the Over 50 Men’s Singles to Stuart Armstrong (C) 0-3 (5-11 5-11 7-11).
Over 60 Men’s Doubles Champion Malcolm Wong
No Wellington players qualified from their Open Men’s Singles Group. The closest was Paul Solt who was in a 3 way tie for 2nd in his Men’s Singles Group. He beat Rajitha Samaraweera (MN), a former Sri Lankan Junior Representative, 3-1 (11-9 8-11 11-8 11-7) and lost to Grant Wilson (C) 1-3 (5-11 13-11 6-11 6-11). Rajitha beat Grant Wilson 3-0 (11-6 11-7 11-4) and qualified with the best win/loss ratio (4/3) from Paul Solt (4/4) and Grant Wilson (3/4). Yau Yang Low beat this years Marlborough Open Men’s Singles winner, Alex Wilson (C) in his Men’s Singles Group 3-1 (10-12 11-7 11-8 11-7).
Depak Patel/Yau Yang Low lost in the Men’s B Grade Doubles semi finals to Rajitha Samaraweera/Nathan Watson (MN) 0-3 (9-11 11-13 13-15). Paul Solt was a semi finalist in the Over 40 Singles, losing to Depak Patel 0-3 (2-11 8-11 7-11). Depak Patel/Paul Solt lost in the semi finals of the Over 50 Men’s Doubles to Grant Wilson/Mark Wilson (C) 2-3 (11-8 7-11 7-11 11-9 6-11) as did Malcolm Wong/Mark Nalder to Stanislav Petrovic (N)/Paul Whitehead (WK) 1-3 (9-11 9-11 11-4 9-11).
Thanks to the Tournament Referees, Hamish Rennie and Ron Garrett, and the Tournament Director, Paul Op den Buysch. Also all the Nelson people involved in helping to run the tournament.
– Malcolm Wong
Over 40 Men’s Doubles Finalists: Simon Hoey-Burns (Umpire), Depak Patel, Julian Main (Runner up), Daniel Astle, Paul Op den Buysch (Winners).
Ben Collins (Men’s Singles winner) and Jason Granville (Runner up) There were 43 players on Saturday and 23 juniors on the Sunday. The juniors were up significantly due to the coaching programme carried out by Gordon Stackhouse and Alistair Naysmith. A report on the tournament is attached.
In the Men’s Singles Ben Collins and Jason Granville meet in the final. In a high quality match with many good rallies Ben’s attack was able to overcome the mid range defence of Jason. Ben prevailed 4-2 (8-11 11-6 11-9 12-10 10-12 11-6). These two won the Men’s Doubles against Daniel Astle and Paul Op den Buysch (Nelson) 3-2 (9-11 11-8
9-11 11-8 11-6).
Malcolm Wong, with Mark Nalder (Nelson), were runner up in the Over 50 Doubles against Gregg Davey and Derek Partridge (Canterbury) 0-3 (7-11 4-11 9-11). Malcolm and Mark won the Over 60 Doubles final against Alistair Naysmith and Gary Basher (Nelson) 3-0 (11-8 11-9 11-9).
Ex Titan player Alistair Naysmith won the Over 60 and Over 70 Singles, and the Over 70 Doubles. He beat Mark Wilson (Canterbury) in the Over 60 Singles final 3-1 (7-11 11-7 11-9 15-13) and he beat Gary Basher in the Over 70 Singles 3-0 (11-3 11-7 11-2). Alistair and Gary Basher won the Over 70 Doubles (Round Robin).
Thanks to the Nelson Table Tennis people involved in running the tournament and the cafeteria. Mark Nalder, Malcolm Wong (Over 60 Doubles winners), Alistair Naysmith, Gary Basher (Runner up)
Over 60 Singles Semi Finalist Alistair Naysmith, Tony Rutledge, Malcolm Wong and Mark Nalder
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 Alistair 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 Alistair 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.
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.
Over 75 Mixed Doubles Bronze Medal Match won by Robert Dunn/Trish Sinkinson 3-1.
Miki Snell, Peter Snell, Trish Sinkinson, Robert Dunn, Malcolm Wong (Umpire).Over 30 Men Team Match for 5th/6th place won by Royal Air Force One 3-1.
Mervyn Funston, Tony Stead (Royal Air Force One), Malcolm Wong (Umpire) Ben Collins, Ken Yap (Hidden Mix).Over 30 Men’s Doubles Final won by Josh Alexandre/Nathan Lowe 3-1.
John Cordue, Chen Rong, Malcolm Wong (Umpire), Josh Alexandre, Nathan Lowe.Over 75 Men’s Singles Medalist. Gerard Lucas (Silver), Wes Willis (Gold),
Malcolm Wong (Umpire) and Lee Thong Teck (Bronze)Malcolm Wong (Umpire) with the Over 60 Women Singles winner Rieko Wakimura (Japan).Malcolm Wong (Umpire) wearing the volunteers jacket and cap, with the Pit Crew Baton and the Certificate of Appreciation, which were given to all volunteers.
Table Tennis Wellington 