Table tennis opener

The Marlborough winter table tennis season is underway.

Thirty-three players took part in the recent pipe-opener singles tournament.

The top seed, Matt Millar, won the singles title, beating second seed, Jacqui Wood, in the final by 11-9, 11-7, 12-10.

Matt beat Nathan Cross in one semifinal, while Jacqui beat the hard-hitting Ken Thompsett in the other semi. In the quarterfinals, Ken beat third seed Michael Kamson 11-6, 11-7, 4-11, 10-12, 11-6. The other quarter finalists were Rob Honour, Zac Cowdrey and Ping Muanwong.

The special plate was won by Billy Hebberd, who downed the consistent Graeme Jackson in the final by 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8. In the semifinals Billy beat top junior, Ollie Phipps, 11-4, 5-11, 10-12, 11-7, 11-8. Graeme beat Kylie Hurren in the other semi.

David Stephens took out the plate final from Ray Zinsli. He beat Supreya Prasertsakda in one semi-final while Ray had a four set win over Marion Wood in the other semi.

Juniors were to the fore in the consolation plate. The left-handed Sophia Dillon beat Billy Hurren in the final 11-6, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9.

The interclub competition starts last Thursday with the Marlborough Open on May 11-12.