Vetts Six Nations 2011

Transcription

1 Vetts Six Nations 2011 Report Sept 12th, 2011 Vetts /09/11 Vetts 2011 report, Page 1

2 Vetts 6 Nations Report 2011 Guernsey 2011 Travel time again and it was an early start to pick up England over 40's team captain Chris Bartram and get to Gatwick for an flight to Guernsey. Tom Adams, Mrs. Adams, Tony Needham and Willie Mabon were on the same flight and we were the lucky ones as virtually every flight was affected leaving people stranded in Manchester, London, Birmingham and Exeter due to heavy fog around the island. Poor old Paul beck had a 10am flight from Gatwick delayed until gone 4pm and we all smiled and waved goodbye to him as he sat there disconsolately. The friendly faces of Guernsey vetts table tennis were there to meet us after the short flight and we were whisked away to the hotel for lunch and gentle r&r before being picked up again at 4.30 for a knock before the matches started at England 40's played Scotland and with no sign of rich Lightowler Trott and Bartram took on Mabon and Gerry Campbell. The whole match was a struggle as in hot and humid conditions the Vetts /09/11 Vetts 2011 report, Page 2

3 ball reacted slightly differently to the same shots (some spinning, some not). Bartram took the first leg, Willie hit back to level but some fine forehands from Bartram took the lead and left Willie a little short in the end. Trott started ok against Campbell and looked to have the match won at 2-1 up and then 6-2 up in the fifth but back came Campbell to clinch it 11-9 as Trott missed a sitter at The doubles was close but Trott/Bartram came through in 4 and the match was over as Bartram bamboozled a bemused Campbell with serves and topspin 3-0. Mabon was not finished however and at 1-1 with Trott he led in legs 3 and 4 before Trott fired up with a couple of expletives came through 3-1, to make the final score 4-1. A nice meal followed with the only gripe being no showers at the centre, so plenty of refreshments were called for to cool the players down! We retired back to the hotel and after a couple of sherbets discussed how the vets could be improved in general, a long discussion which ended with the night porter closing the bar. Early start for day 2 and a slightly tired Bartram making way for Rich Lightowler as an understrength Ireland were dispatched 5-0. Bartram was still a bit tired and also missed the Guernsey match as again no legs were dropped and a 5-0 win followed. Over the road to the pub for a spot of lunch (soup, salad, cold meats and desert) and then Back to action to take on a demoralised Wales side fresh off a defeat from the isle of man. Trott sat out this time and Bartram cruised past Neil wright before Lightowler was too strong for the ever smiling Tony Collins. Trott/Lightowler were too steady for Steve buck/neil wright despite letting a leg slip, but the match of the round was Lightowler/wright with Richard willing himself through in 5 against the short pimpled slapper. Bartram completed the rout against Collins which meant a win against the isle of Mann would ensure gold. Lightowler dropped (well rotated) for this one and Bartram stormed through against Jason quirk and with Trott equally convincing in leg 1 versus Magnall it was looking good. Magnall used an unusual bat Vetts /09/11 Vetts 2011 report, Page 3

4 and Trott was bemused to lose the 2nd leg by ballooning the ball in the air off a normal rubber. After deciding to treat it as anti the third was taken 11-2 and a 5 point deficit turned round in the 4th to put England 2 up. Rich Lightowler confirmed the gold and put to bed his pimples phobia as he took the doubles with Trott 3-0, whilst Trott then made it 4-0 with a quick win against quirk. Bartram then really struggled with Magnall and a major shock was on the cards before Chris used mind over matter to come through in 5 and spark the celebrations. At the same time the smiling welsh (Tony Collins in particular) were inflicting the shock of the tournament to overcome the not so smiling scots 5-0 and snatch silver. Steve hall was the only player to take a point as the England 50's team of Johns and Romano cruised to gold and the 60's combined of Jackson, beck, Penny Perry and beck followed suit as did the 70's featuring Dixon, Powell and Tom Adams. The 40's women were very strong with collier, Clementsovich and Adams carrying all before them (even crushing last year s winners Wales 5-0) and the 50's of Shields and Johns were also looking good until Ireland spoiled the party. Devaney and Harrison played really well to take gold, but after a tough year it was good to see Jan Johns pick up a medal on her return to action. Trotty, Jackson and beck stayed for a couple with an old pal of Trotty s and then the party/meal/disco/raffle started back at the peninsula. It was another late night with Trotty winning whisky and golf clubs and Lightowler winning a night out with Maurice Newman which left people I'll prepared for the Sunday singles and doubles. After a quick checkout and breakfast we were taxied to the tennis club instead of TT and just avoided being scratched before advancing to a singles quarter line up of Trott/Hunkin, Bartram/McKay, Lightowler/buck and Campbell/wright. Trott and Bartram were straight set victors and wright repeated his team event victory over Campbell, but Lightowler was looking down and out versus buck before coming back from 10-6 down to break the Welshman's resolve. The semi between Bartram/Lightowler was a non-event and Trott used his experience of practicing with Dave Welsman to get past wright in 4 and also advance to the doubles semi before lunch was served at A leisurely stroll back and this was where the fun started as from until no forties matches were played and the plane was leaving at Finally Trott/Bartram got past Lightowler/Micky Finn in 3 to face Mabon/Campbell in the doubles final and both played at the top of their game to claim a 2nd gold 5, 2 and 6. Just the singles left and for once Trott away as a reaction backhand block gave him the first Trott also took the second with loops to the Bartram backhand when he could but Chris hit back to take leg 3 before Trott went 7-3 up in leg 4 and with the odd edge took it 11-5 for his first singles title. Brian Johns Vetts /09/11 Vetts 2011 report, Page 4

5 was too strong for Steve hall in the 50's final and ken Jackson played very well to get past Paul beck in 5 and then John Magnall in 4 to take the 60's title (Magnall bamboozling Newman 3-0 in the semi). Collier and Clementovich fought out a tremendous women's 40 final with Sanya just pipping sue at deuce in the fifth, Sanya also taking gold in the doubles with Janet Adams. It was then a mad dash to the airport for Trott, Bartram and Romano with Helen shields locked at 1-1 with the welsh/german Grech in the fifties final. A great trip and fantastic welcome and hospitality from the Guernsey hosts. Vetts /09/11 Vetts 2011 report, Page 5