South West Restricted U 15 Championships, Sunday 20 April 2008, Poole

 

In one of the final events at the Dolphin Sports Centre in Poole, Avon celebrated with a runner up, and a championship win. However, the day started quietly as we all arrived at a deserted and dingy sports centre. The lights in the hall were only half on, the former café area was empty, and the place had a ghost town feel to it.

 

Avon was represented by Mike Armstrong, Harry Burgess, Kieran Gibbons, William Hollis, Dennis Perry, Emma Bailey and Rebecca Ewing.

 

The girls came fourth and fifth in their singles boxes, with Emma winning two of her games, and Rebecca one. They battled hard, and showed great
persistence against tough opponents. In the girls doubles they played together and took two of their group games, so they did very well overall.

 

In the boys singles, Mike came fourth in his box, Harry, Kieran and Dennis all coming third in their boxes. However, Will won his box comfortably, giving away no more than ten points in any game. His semi final was against Adam Dochniak from Dorset and was a hard battle which Will won 21 - 20. In the final there was another Dorset player, this time Ollie Baczala, and
whilst Will competed hard, he narrowly lost, 17 - 21.

 

The doubles had Mike and Harry together who took one of their three games, and Dennis playing with a scratch partner also winning one game. Will and Kieran won all their games to top their box and give themselves a bye into the semi finals. There they met the Somerset pair of Cornelius and Edwards, winning 21 - 16. This set up a return for Will in the final as they took on Ollie Baczala and James Middleton from Dorset. It was a game of two halves, up until 11 the Dorset pair had a clear three point lead for most of the time, but after changing ends, Will and Kieran pulled back to take a 15 - 13 lead. That was quickly eliminated by the strong Dorset pair who came back to 15 -15, and then 17 - 17. Avon pulled away to take a match point lead of 20
- 17, but saw the Dorset pair once more battle hard to make it 20 - 20. In a heart stopping final rally Will hit a magnificent winner which gave the title to the Avon pair. Well done to all four for a magnificent final.

 

Congratulations to Will and to Kieran, and well done to all the Avon players who competed.

 

Wills singles silver.

 

Wills and Keiran Doubles winners.