Watfordttblog tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1853305 2010-03-10T00:26:05+00:00 TypePad Watfordttbloghttp://feedburner.google.com WATFORD & DISTRICT TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e55219031d88340120a91cc6dd970b 2010-03-10T00:26:05+00:00 2010-03-10T00:26:05+00:00 Things are hotting up in Div One now that West Watford ‘B’ have caught up on matches played. Post Office who have held a good lead for months are now only two points ahead after both have played 17 matches. Gazelles and Eagles in 3rd and 4th spots are 7pts and 11pts behind. Oxhey Hall ’A’ are certain to be relegated. In Div Two, Hounds continue to dominate only needing 3pts to be certain to be champions. Iguanas look good to stay in second place. In Div Three, Audit ’B’ need 1pt to be crowned champions, whilst Lions and Meerkats... Chris Ogle

Things are hotting up in Div One now that West Watford ‘B’ have caught up on matches played. Post Office who have held a good lead for months are now only two points ahead after both have played 17 matches. Gazelles and Eagles in 3rd and 4th spots are 7pts and 11pts behind. Oxhey Hall ’A’ are certain to be relegated.

In Div Two, Hounds continue to dominate only needing 3pts to be certain to be champions. Iguanas look good to stay in second place.

In Div Three, Audit ’B’ need 1pt to be crowned champions, whilst Lions and Meerkats fight out the last few matches for second place.

In the Premier Div, West Watford ’A’ are almost home although should they collapse Fullerians are only 6pts behind. Both have four games to play.

In matches played this week there was a very good win for Oxhey Hall ’B’ of Div Two, who recorded only their second win in defeating Audit ’A’ Dave East the Oxhey star. Hounds also of Div Two, had a 7-1 victory over Jaguars.

In Div Three, Lions gained a point on Meerkats. Lions winning 8-0 vs. Watling ’D’, whilst Meerkats dropped a point in beating Panthers 5-3. Ospreys beat Newts 6-2.

In Div One, West Watford ’B’ had a double header vs. Oxhey Hall ’A’ 8-0 to WW. Gazelles and Eagles played the Watling teams. Gazelles beating ’B’ 6-2, and Eagles beating ’A’ by the same score. Post Office dropped a point to Falcons winning 6-2.

In the Premier Div, Fullerians beat Abbots Langley 6-2, Dennis Robinson their star. Aardvarks had a comfortable win vs. Cougars 6-2 the score, Antony Budden back to form. Bats strengthened by Stuart Seaholme saw off Dolphins 5-3.

Results:

Premier Div: Bats vs. Dolphins 5-3; Abbots Langley vs. Fullerians 2-6; Aardvarks vs. Cougars 6-2.
Div One: Oxhey Hall ‘A’ vs. West Watford ’B’ 8-0 (Double Header); Falcons vs. Post Office 2-6; Gazelles vs. Watling ‘B‘ 6-2; Watling ‘A‘ vs. Eagles 2-6.
Div Two: Audit ‘A‘ vs. Oxhey Hall ‘B‘ 2-6; Hounds vs. Jaguars 7-1.    
Div Three: Ospreys vs. Newts 6-2; Panthers vs. Meerkats 3-5; Watling ‘D‘ vs. Lions 0-8.

Postponed games now played: Oxhey Hall ‘A‘ vs. Falcons 1-7; Meerkats vs. Ospreys 5-3; Cougars vs. Abbots Langley 4-4; Cougars vs. Dolphins 4-4.

Match reports by : Geof Bax

 http://www.watford.tabletennisblogs.com/2010/03/watford-district-table-tennis-league.html POST OFFICE V WATLING 'A' - 8TH MARCH 2010 tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e55219031d883401310f8332ce970c 2010-03-09T23:47:28+00:00 2010-03-09T23:47:28+00:00 With West Watford making a late run for the championship, every point counts, so Post Office knew they would need at least three or four points from this match to stay ahead. Les Leach played Graham Spooner and the first two games were very close with Les winning both 11-9. The third game was not so close with Les securing a 3-0 win. (1-0) Abdul Rahim faced the all out attack of Wayne Meisel but managed to contain him winning 3-0. Again the first two games were close but the third was more convincing. (2-0) David Edwards played Graham Roland... Chris Ogle

With West Watford making a late run for the championship, every point counts, so Post Office knew they would need at least three or four points from this match to stay ahead.

  1. Les Leach played Graham Spooner and the first two games were very close with Les winning both 11-9. The third game was not so close with Les securing a 3-0 win. (1-0)
  2. Abdul Rahim faced the all out attack of Wayne Meisel but managed to contain him winning 3-0. Again the first two games were close but the third was more convincing. (2-0)
  3. David Edwards played Graham Roland in what is always a close games as both players play a similar style. David led 1-0 and 2-1 before Graham took the match to the deciding game. David trailed 3-5 at the change of ends but at 9-9 it was Graham to serve. Two good serves to different parts of the table secured the win for Graham. (2-1)
  4. Abdul versus Graham was a close match but after losing the first game, Abdul came through in four games. (3-1)
  5. Les played Graham next and was forced into a more attacking role than normal but won in straight games. (4-1).
  6. David played Wayne and managed to contain Wayne’s heavy loops with some consistent blocking. David served well and Wayne became frustrated with looping the ball off the end of the table. David kept his concentration and managed to secure a fine 3-0 win. (5-1)
  7. Abdul played Graham next and won the first two games fairly easily but lost his concentration and Graham played well to take the next two games to force a decider. Abdul had a good start and maintained his form to win 11-6. (6-1)
  8. Les and David played Graham and Wayne and there was still an extra point available for both teams. Also, there was additional pressure as Les and David wanted to maintain their 100% doubles average and also time was running out to meet the 10.30pm deadline. After a disastrous first two games and a stern talk from captain Abdul, David and Les played better and managed to win the next two games. David and Les had a great start and changed ends at 5-0 but Wayne and Graham fought back valiantly but could not prevent David and Les winning 11-7. (7-1).

This was a tough match for Post Office but the match was much closer than the score of 7-1 would suggest.

Again, the match was only just completed in time. In fact it finished at 10.35pm. This was not because of time wasting but because of the length of the rallies and the number of games played.

This was another good example of keeping the format as it is perhaps. Not everyone wants to or is able to be still playing at 11.00pm or later.

Match Report by : David Edwards.

http://www.watford.tabletennisblogs.com/2010/03/post-office-v-watling-a---8th-march-2010.html Handicap Cup Draw - Semi finals / Outstanding fixtures tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e55219031d88340120a91c8e8d970b 2010-03-09T23:33:16+00:00 2010-03-09T23:33:16+00:00 Home team first Monday 15th March Jets Eagles vs Jets Hounds Wednesday 17th March WWCC "B" vs Watling "A" WWCC "A" vs LMR Audit "B" Thursday 18th March Jets Aardvarks vs Watling "C" For those teams not in the cup it is an ideal opportunity to catch up on any postponed fixtures. All league fixtures must be completed by the 9th April. Post submitted by : Stuart Seaholme Chris Ogle

Home team first
 
Monday 15th March
Jets Eagles vs Jets Hounds

Wednesday 17th March
WWCC "B" vs Watling "A"
WWCC "A" vs LMR Audit "B"

Thursday 18th March
Jets Aardvarks vs Watling "C"

For those teams not in the cup it is an ideal opportunity to catch up on any postponed fixtures. All league fixtures must be completed by the 9th April.

Post submitted by : Stuart Seaholme

 http://www.watford.tabletennisblogs.com/2010/03/handicap-cup-draw-semi-finals-outstanding-fixtures.html Table Tennis Equipment Exchange tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e55219031d883401310f74ac41970c 2010-03-07T10:09:38+00:00 2010-03-07T10:09:38+00:00 Chatting to a few people last night after my usual thrashing at the hands of Stuart Seaholme, it was apparent that some players enjoy experimenting with different blades and rubbers but are put off by the high cost of doing so. Consequently, they waste loads of their hard earned wages trying to buy the answer to all their problems only to find its doesn't make a blind bit of difference! So an idea struck me (but not quite as hard as Stuarts backhand which left a mark the size of a football!), how about we chuck any old blades and... Chris Ogle

Chatting to a few people last night after my usual thrashing at the hands of Stuart Seaholme, it was apparent that some players enjoy experimenting with different blades and rubbers but are put off by the high cost of doing so. Consequently, they waste loads of their hard earned wages trying to buy the answer to all their problems only to find its doesn't make a blind bit of difference!

So an idea struck me (but not quite as hard as Stuarts backhand which left a mark the size of a football!), how about we chuck any old blades and rubbers that we no longer use or need into a box which could then be tried out by other players free of charge? I'm sure we'd all welcome the chance of trying something different before splashing out on a rubber that turned out to be unsuitable? You never know, there might be something there that makes a vital point or two's difference to your game.

Is there any mileage in this idea? I'm happy to start the ball rolling if that helps. Maybe one of you clever computer literate people could devise a simple sign in/out form including the name of the donor and recipient. If the recipient likes whatever he has tried then the donated rubber could be returned to the box for someone elses benefit?

Post submitted by : Kevin Williams

 http://www.watford.tabletennisblogs.com/2010/03/equipment-exchange.html Bats V Dolphins on 03/03/2010 tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e55219031d883401310f74a51a970c 2010-03-07T10:03:03+00:00 2010-03-07T10:03:03+00:00 First off was Ricky Tarani against Neil Seaholme. Ricky started well with his usual unstoppable loop working well. It looked like he would sail through the first match. But Neil kept a positive attitude and turned the tables in the second game. (We suspect after some good tactical advice from Stuart). Almost inevitably it became a 5-setter with Neil showing the better consistency to win through. Next Stuart Seaholme against Ralph Taylor, Ralph was using his usual tactic, throwing in every variation of serve he could think of. This did win a few points but not enough to cancel out... Chris Ogle

First off was Ricky Tarani against Neil Seaholme. Ricky started well with his usual unstoppable loop working well. It looked like he would sail through the first match. But Neil kept a positive attitude and turned the tables in the second game. (We suspect after some good tactical advice from Stuart).
Almost inevitably it became a 5-setter with Neil showing the better consistency to win through.
 
Next Stuart Seaholme against Ralph Taylor, Ralph was using his usual tactic, throwing in every variation of serve he could think of. This did win a few points but not enough to cancel out the winners from Stuarts deadly backhand flick. Maybe in a momentary laps in concentration Ralph took 1 game, but the outcome was not in dispute. Ralph left the table muttering something about developing a forehand loop.....
 
David Warren v Kevin Williams. Kevin's nice smooth Forehand loop was working well. Though the first game was close, Kevin never looked troubled and took it 3 straight.
 
Stuart Seaholme v against Ricky Tarani. Was a good tactical match, with Ricky trying to select the right shot to hit and Stuart keeping the ball nice and low. Ricky was getting a reasonable percentage of loops on the table with Stuart returning some (much to Ricky's surprise!). Stuart won 3 straight.
 
Neil Seaholme v  Kevin Williams. Close well fought match, with Kevin winning one or two extra points each game. Kevin won 3 straight.
 
David Warren v Ralph Taylor. Ralph started solidly, getting a good advantage from his serve. David seemed rather nervous and was struggling to get his attacking shots going. Ralph took the first two sets but in the third set David started to play more freely. The fourth set was a nail-biter with Ralph winning with rather a lucky serve that seemed to hit the side edge on both sides of the table (Pheeeww!).
 
Stuart Seaholme v Kevin Williams. Stuart won 3 straight but match was closer than the scoreline suggests. Stuart using his experience and guile to win the important points.
 
Doubles: David Warren/ Neil Seaholme v Ricky Tarani / Ralph Taylor. David and Neil ran away with the doubles using good offensive tactics. Rick and Ralph started to get a handle on the game in the third set but it was too late.
 
Match report by : Ralph Taylor

 http://www.watford.tabletennisblogs.com/2010/03/bats-v-dolphins-on-03032010.html Watford Table Tennis Nostalgia - Sports Relief tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e55219031d883401310f59d8f6970c 2010-03-03T18:31:00+00:00 2010-03-10T00:19:31+00:00 Are there any young persons who are up for a challenge? Fifty years ago come April, two youngsters from Watford set a new National Table Tennis endurance record of Non stop playing for TWENTY SIX HOURS. This is a summary of an article from the West Herts Post dated April 7th 1960: At 9.45pm on Saturday evening, (April 1st.) two eighteens-year olds played the final game in a marathon test of endurance and downed their table tennis bats in triumph. Sally Eade (Bax) and Freedie Bridgeland had done it. They had beaten the previous record of twenty five hours and... Chris Ogle

Are there any young persons who are up for a challenge?

Fifty years ago come April, two youngsters from Watford set a new National Table Tennis endurance record of Non stop playing for TWENTY SIX HOURS.

This is a summary of an article from the West Herts Post dated April 7th 1960:

At 9.45pm on Saturday evening, (April 1st.) two eighteens-year olds played the final game in a marathon test of endurance and downed their table tennis bats in triumph.

Sally Eade (Bax) and Freedie Bridgeland had done it. They had beaten the previous record of twenty five hours and eight minutes, by playing for twenty six hours. They had beaten the record held by a Welsh Club. The original challenge came from a club from Hatfield, who had played for twenty four hours non-stop. It was at 7.45pm on the Friday night, that the twosome had taken up their positions in the small, green painted room of the St Michaels Youth Fellowship in Mildred Avenue, Watford. Three overhead arc lights illuminated the green table in the center of the room. Soft music played in the background. And so began the first of two hundred and fifty games.

On into the night with the umpires keeping vigil in half hour shifts. Just another crazy stunt? No. There was motive and justification behind this record. Because they were a Church Fellowship, they could not get outside assistance to help them get new premises, and so this was to raise funds towards their goal. So Sally and Freddie volunteered to have a go.

After their marathon, with the only breaks being toilet breaks, as they ate and drank as they played, they faced the Press cameras and received congratulations from the onlookers. When the excitement had died down they went into an adjoining room and put their weary feet in bowls of water. Freddie who had cycled to the event, was grateful for a car lift home. For Sally it was a short walk home.

They raised over two hundred pounds, a lot of money in 1960.

Is there anybody in Watford who thinks they could do better. As Sports Relief happens this month, what a way to raise money and get Watford and Table Tennis on the map again.

Sally 
Super photo from back in the good old days!!

Photo care of : Geof Bax

Photo reproduced with the permission of the Watford Observer (hopefully!!)

 http://www.watford.tabletennisblogs.com/2010/03/watford-table-tennis-nostalgia.html Presentation evening and AGM tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e55219031d883401310f57c721970c 2010-03-03T09:27:30+00:00 2010-03-03T09:35:29+00:00 Our end of season Social and Presentational evening will be at West Herts Sports and Social Club, Park Avenue, Watford on Saturday 8th May. Tickets will be on sale soon but we want you to put the date in your diary now. The ticket price is likely to be about £7.50 and will include a buffet. A bar will be available. trophies presented to league winners, runners up, cup winners and runners up and tournament winners. This is an evening for eveyone to join in even for those who haven't won anything so come along have some fun. Table Tennis... Chris Ogle

Our end of season Social and Presentational evening will be at West Herts Sports and Social Club, Park Avenue, Watford on Saturday 8th May. Tickets will be on sale soon but we want you to put the date in your diary now. The ticket price is likely to be about £7.50 and will include a buffet. A bar will be available. trophies presented to  league winners, runners up, cup winners and runners up and tournament winners. This is an evening for eveyone to join in even for those who haven't won anything so come along have some fun. Table Tennis players in clothes other than track suits, weird somehow! We look forward to seeing you there... don't forget as always grab your ticket well in advance, numbers are restricted and last year we had turn some disappointed late comers away.

N.B. If you don't have a ticket please DO NOT come to the venue on the hope of picking up one on the evening from Ticket Touts operating in the area, the authorities have been notified about the event and a strong police presence is expected!

Another date for your diary is Monday 24th May. This is the night set for the Watford & District League Annual General Meeting. All are invited. A formal notice will be issued later but now is the time to consider if there are to be any rule changes, these will need to be notified to David Edwards or me at least 28 days prior to the meeting. Even if you do not want change this is the ideal opportunity to comment on what you consider has been done well, could be improved on or has been done poorly.

Post submitted by : Stuart Seaholme (and slightly doctored by Chris)

 http://www.watford.tabletennisblogs.com/2010/03/presentation-evening-and-agm.html Baker Tilly sponsor Watford Tournament! tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e55219031d88340120a8f0ca68970b 2010-03-03T08:08:31+00:00 2010-03-03T08:09:31+00:00 Watford Closed Championships gains top sponsorship Local firm of accountants and business advisers Baker Tilly have kindly agreed to sponsor this season's Closed Championships, now due to take place in April. This support will mean trophies for the winners and runners-up in each event as well as spot prizes for impressive performances (details to follow). Baker Tilly work with local businesses providing a range of accounting, advice and administration services and they are keen to support the community in which they operate. So please make the effort to enter the tournament, making it a big event to respond to the... Chris Ogle
Watford Closed Championships gains top sponsorship
 
Local firm of accountants and business advisers Baker Tilly have kindly agreed to sponsor this season's Closed Championships, now due to take place in April. This support will mean trophies for the winners and runners-up in each event as well as spot prizes for impressive performances (details to follow). Baker Tilly work with local businesses providing a range of accounting, advice and administration services and they are keen to support the community in which they operate.
 
So please make the effort to enter the tournament, making it a big event to respond to the commitment of our sponsors. An entry form is available by following this Watford Tournament Entry Form - get your entries in to Geof pronto!
 
PLEASE NOTE EVERYONE MUST SUBMIT NEW ENTRIES FOR THE TOURNAMENT, EVEN IF YOU HAVE PAID BEFORE!! (clearly if you have already paid you do not need to do so again)
 
Click here for the full sponsorship Press Release.
 
Post submitted by : Stuart Seaholme
 http://www.watford.tabletennisblogs.com/2010/03/baker-tilly-sponsor-watford-tournament.html Watford Tournament - New Dates tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e55219031d88340120a8eaba9c970b 2010-03-02T07:55:25+00:00 2010-03-02T08:05:43+00:00 New dates set for remaining events in Watford League Tournament Wednesday 14th April - Veterans Singles Thursday 15th April - Mens Doubles Monday 19th April - Mens Singles Tuesday 20th April - Ladies Singles and Mixed Doubles Wednesday 21st April Handicap Singles Thursday 22nd April - Finals night for all events including juniors and divisional singles. All events are at Queens. All entries to be sent to Geof Bax. Entry form required even if you entered previously but of course you do not have to pay a second time. Note we are pleased to have secured some sponsorship from Baker... Chris Ogle
New dates set for remaining events in Watford League Tournament

Wednesday 14th April - Veterans Singles
Thursday 15th April - Mens Doubles
Monday 19th April - Mens Singles
Tuesday 20th April - Ladies Singles and Mixed Doubles
Wednesday 21st April Handicap Singles
Thursday 22nd April - Finals night for all events including juniors and divisional singles.

All events are at Queens. All entries to be sent to Geof Bax. Entry form required even if you entered previously but of course you do not have to pay a second time.

Note we are pleased to have secured some sponsorship from Baker Tilly. A press release will be made.

Post by : Stuart Seaholme
 http://www.watford.tabletennisblogs.com/2010/03/watford-tournament-new-dates.html Handicap Cup - WWCC 'A' vs Ospreys - Feb 24th tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e55219031d88340120a8ea9d05970b 2010-03-02T07:44:54+00:00 2010-03-02T07:44:54+00:00 Chris and Roger arrived early to get the table set up and to get a practice in... the night before had been an OK knock in the dark over at Ravesncroft, so it was nice to play in the light! Howard arrived and after 15 minutes began to look like a 1st division player again... seriously he needs to get some practice time in! The guys from Osprey arrived a little before 7:30pm athough one arrive a bit later. Now below is the tale of the tape! At WWCC 'A' we were predicting that we would need to keep the... Chris Ogle

Chris and Roger arrived early to get the table set up and to get a practice in... the night before had been an OK knock in the dark over at Ravesncroft, so it was nice to play in the light! Howard arrived and after 15 minutes began to look like a 1st division player again... seriously he needs to get some practice time in!

The guys from Osprey arrived a little before 7:30pm athough one arrive a bit later. Now below is the tale of the tape!

Cup - Ospreys Web 
At WWCC 'A' we were predicting that we would need to keep the scores down to 3 per leg, when we opend the dreaded brown envelope it was 7 per rubber not 9 as we predicted. A quick countback revealed that WWCC 'A' had won by a mere 7 points overall!  Had it not been for some very low scoring in a couple of the games Ospreys would have had their day... as it was WWCC 'A' move onto fight again!

A good game played with good spirit that took a little over 1 hour to play out! 

Match report : Chris Ogle

 http://www.watford.tabletennisblogs.com/2010/03/handicap-cup-wwcc-a-vs-ospreys-feb-24th.html