GLOUCESTER TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION

Thursday 8th January 2009

Warner Shield Report

Cheltenham reclaimed table tennis’ Warner Shield!

The Shield is a competition played between the Gloucester and Cheltenham Associations since 1950, but it was last competed for in 1986.

It has been won by Gloucester since 1963, but the trend was bucked with a long awaited win.

The match was played at Gloucester College in their magnificent sports hall.

The match commenced with the Under 18s event which saw brothers Dominic James and Simon James putting family ties aside and competing against each other Dominic for Gloucester and Simon for Cheltenham.
Some find shots were played which resulted in Dominic winning 12 – 10, 11 – 7, 11- 9.

The next match was contested by two division two players. Alan Churchill represented Gloucester, whilst Keith Ferguson represented Cheltenham. In this tremendous battle of wills and after some outstanding rallies Ferguson emerged victorious.
The final score was 17- 15, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10.

The next event was the mixed doubles, playing for Gloucester was Russell Hayward and Lesley Dewick whilst for Cheltenham old partners Graham Slack and Jacqui Carver teamed up to try to rekindle their form of the past.
The Gloucester pair started off very strongly winning the first set, but they were no match for the Cheltenham due who won the next three games, with some outstanding shots from Slack and Carver.
The final score 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-9

The ladies match saw Choi Sze To, a former Hong Kong champion, playing for Cheltenham against County champion Ann Barnes representing Gloucester.
The match started with some closely fought games, but the talent of Choi finally dominated.
The final score was 12 – 10, 9-11, 11- 3, 11-6

The final match was the open which saw Michael Harvey representing Cheltenham against Michael Kiff for Gloucester.
This was a thrilling five setter, which saw some exhibition style rallies.
Harvey won the first two games 11- 6 , 11-7 and then lost the next two, 16- 18, 9-11, he then gained control in the final set and cruised to victory winning 11 – 6.

The matches were close, exciting and all of an impressive standard. It is hope that there can be a re match next year and that eventually it can be extended to the four associations.

Lesley Dewick
Press Officer
Gloucester Table Tennis Association
lesley.dewick@blueyonder.co.uk

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