Ben and Jack win silverware as Norwich juniors take centre stage
Fred Hornsby winner Ben Hawes and NCTTC's Stuart Laws. Picture: Vuong Ngo. - Credit: Archant
Norwich City Table Tennis Club hosted the annual Co-op and Fred Hornsby competitions, with the trophies open to juniors who have yet to play at league level.
Co-Op winner Jack Connell and NCTTC's Stuart Laws. Picture: Vuong Ngo - Credit: Archant
The under-12 Fred Hornsby competition was played in two groups, the winners and runners-up of each facing off for a place in the final.
In group one, Eva Eccles hoped to replicate her success in the Junior Champs, and was unlucky to lose out to George Stolworthy in an exciting final game deuce.
Stolworthy then faced a stern test in Oli Mclean, who played well to take the lead before losing out in a tough third set.
The second group was equally tight, with every player winning at least one match.
Torben Swan and Belle watkins. Picture: Vuong Ngo - Credit: Archant
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Kieran Weston came flying out of the blocks, keeping his cool to beat Belle Watkins in straight sets.
Watson then played Billy Eccles in a high-quality encounter, with Watson taking the win in the final set.
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The first semi-final saw reigning champion Ben Hawes face Oliver Andrews.
After battling well in a tough group, Andrews was unlucky to find Hawes in form, Hawes progressing in straight sets.
Matthew McRobie. Picture: Vuong Ngo. - Credit: Archant
In the other half of the draw, Matthew McRobie played Jake Andrews for a place in the final.
McRobie took the first set well before a determined Andrews won the second in deuce. After many tight rallies McRobie managed to pull through and take the match.
With both Hawes and McRobie in good form, it was no surprise when the final went the distance.
In a nail-biting first set, Hawes managed to pull through in deuce, before McRobie fired his way back into the match in the second set.
Perhaps drawing on last year's win, Hawes held his nerve to come through in the final set 11-8 and regain his title.
The final of the under-18 Co-op trophy was contested by Jack Connell and Torben Swan.
The first set was tight, but Connell managed to pull away at the crucial moment to take the lead.
Swan produced a superb effort in the second set, but Connell was too good on the day and claimed the title.
