Lesley Dewick

Press Officer

Gloucester Table Tennis Association

Wednesday, 22 August 2007

Glittering Griffin Gains Glory

Four of Gloucestershire Table Tennis players ventured of to the City of Liverpool last weekend to participate in the first Grand Prix event of the 2007-2008 Table Tennis Season.

Darren Griffin, Gordon Shaw, Mike Kiff and Dan Kolesnik who all play in the Gloucester, Cheltenham and Stroud leagues picked up their blades and ventured into battle at the Liverpool tournament.

Star of the week end was Darren Griffin was favourite from the start of the Veterans competition and seeded number 1. Griffin glided to the final only losing two sets this being in the semi final to Chris Beckley from London. In the final there was no doubt who would be champion at Liverpool this year as Griffin crushed Mark Simon from Middlesborough in a three sets to nil game.

There was another fantastic performance for Gloucestershire coming from Dan Kolesnik. Dan powered his way to the final of the Band 4 mens competition only to be very unlucky and run out of steams in the final. Dan should be congratulated in gaining the runners up spot in this competition.

Gordon Shaw and Mike Kiff played extremely well during the week ends events and were both very unlucky not to progress to the latter stages of the competition, however they played with passion throughout the event and also supported there follow Gloucestershire players which was greatly appreciated by all.

If this is only the beginning of the season I cannot wait to see what is going to happen later in the year when all the players are finely tuned and ready for some intense Table Tennis action.

Lesley Dewick