Posts in category: Masters

Ladies success rolls along

Picking up where they had left off in Turkey, Teresa Devaney and Audrey Robinson just could not be contained at the British Veterans Midland Masters tournament in Wolverhampton. Teresa was on fire, winning the Over 50s Ladies Singles. She beat Penny Perry in the final, having accounted for Jan Johns in the semi-final.

Audrey won the Over 70s event, beating Pauline Steel and Janet Hunt in the process. Furthermore, she had a tremendous victory over Maggie Welsman, the number 1 seed, in the Over 60s. Alas, she lost in the semi-final. What awaits in the next tournament, which is the Eastern Masters in Norwich?

Many thanks to Vivienne Barry for the above report.

Irish Lady Veterans bring home medals from Turkey

3 Irish Ladies travelled to the 17^th International Veterans Tournament, and all claimed medals.

 In the Singles Teresa Devaney won Bronze in the over 50’s and Audrey Robinson also won a Bronze, in the over 70’s. Both were beaten by the eventual winners in close matches.

 In the Doubles, Audrey won Gold, partnering an Australian player in the over 60’s.

Teresa, paired with a Russian player, claimed Silver while Vivienne Barry won the consolation doubles with a Swedish player.

 A good time was had by all.

GOLDEN GLAMOUR!

The Ladies team of Teresa Devaney, Jenny Harrison and Helena Dennett produced an outstanding performance under trying circumstances to win Gold in the Over 50s at the Veterans Six Nations Tournament in Guernsey recently. While Teresa was fog-bound in Exeter, Jenny and Helena accounted for Guernsey and Isle of Man. Arriving shortly before the match, Teresa combined with Helena to beat Wales. Against England, the holders and favourites, Teresa struck a rich vein of form. Playing with confident authority, she produced some outstanding winners to win both of her singles against Jan Johns and Helen Shields. However, the crunch encounter was in the doubles. Despite a painful back, Jenny Harrison made a vital contribution supporting Teresa to clinch the breakthrough doubles win and the title, which the ladies had worked so hard for. “Jenny was brilliant at keeping me focussed throughout the doubles” commented Teresa.

The Over 60s team of Tommy Caffrey, Martin Pickles, Barry Dickson and Audrey Robinson won a very commendable Silver Medal. The Scottish challenge was definitely weakened by Geoff Salter’s absence, and our best wishes go to him during his illness.

Though the other teams did not enjoy medal success, all agreed that the experience gained was beneficial. We would like to thank STIGA for their support.

A convivial time was enjoyed by all, despite some hiccups caused by travel delays. The Guernsey Table Tennis Veterans are to be commended for the manner in which they coped with such unforeseen circumstances in running the tournament.

The Irish Veterans international season gets underway this weekend with the Six Nations in Guernsey. 17 of Irelands top veterans will travel to Guernsey on Friday to take part in the three day event. The ITTA would like to take this opportunity to wish the team the very best of luck.   Check back next week for a full report.

Veterans Team Selection for Six Nations:

40s: K. Devaney, R. Davis, D. Gibbons; Sharon Brien, Gillian Richardson.

50s: K. Sabir, B. Finn; Teresa Devaney, Jenny Harrison, Helena Dennett.              

60s: M. Pickles, T. Caffrey, B. Dickson;  Audrey Robinson.

70s: T. Mahaffy, K. Ridsdale, M. Keogh .

Report by Vivienne Barry

3 members of Irish Vets played in the Turkey Veterans Invitation Tournament last week and all returned with medals. There was a strong entry, with players from England, Germany, Bulgaria, Russia, Greece and Turkey. Teresa Devaney was outstanding, winning gold in the over 50’s singles and, playing with Helen Shields (England) won the open Ladies Doubles. Audrey Robinson won gold in the over 60’s singles, and Vivienne Barry took bronze in this event. Veteran tournaments are very social and a great way of making new friends.