The Valley Leisure Centre Ulster Junior Invitation Event Report

The Valley Leisure Centre Ulster Junior Invitation Event 2011/2012

The Valley Leisure Centre played the perfect host to the Ulster Junior Invitation Event or ‘Christmas Cracker’ as it is more affectionately known on 29^th December. After the Christmas festivities this was the perfect opportunity for players to work off the Christmas turkey and chocolates and back into a competitive table tennis environment.

Invited players were split into their own age category and played an energy sapping round robin event ensuring that all players did battle against one another.

This year for the first time, an U10 category was added for both girls and boys showing the increased numbers coming through at this age group.

U17 Boys

Kieran Reilly once again dominated this event going undefeated throughout to win this event for the second year running. Kieran was however made to work for his victory claiming a ferociously tight 5 set victory over Trevor Knox. Trevor in fact had match point at 10-9 in the final set, however Kieran showed excellent battling qualities to win 12-10 to secure the title. Kieran was also pushed to 5 sets by his younger brother Oisin who eventually finished in 4^th place. Knox was dominant in his remaining matches to finish in silver position with Kris Foster in bronze position.

U14 Boys

Zak Wilson really came of age in this event, defeating the higher ranked Jonathan Porter in 4 games. Wilson won his remaining 7 other games fairly comfortably to remaining undefeated to clinch this title. Porter gained silver losing only to Wilson however had an epic 13-11 win in the 5^th set against Ryan McConkey who finished in 4^th place. Eric Shekleton had a successful tournament losing only to the top 2 finishers.

U12 Boys

Owen Cathcart despite still qualifying as an U10 played superbly to defeat the current Ulster number 1 Iain Dick in 4 sets. Cathcart was dominant throughout in this event, losing only 2 sets the entire day. An excellent display from someone so young. Dick was dominant in his remaining 6 matches, recording a series of 3-0 victories to win the silver medal. Ethan Duffy who incidentally also qualifies as an U10 player finished in bronze position losing out only to Cathcart and Dick. James Magrath had a good tournament finishing in 4^th position defeating the higher ranked Adam Barr in 4 sets.

U10 Boys

Castlerahans Jason Zhang proved to be the surprise package in the U10 boys making a name for himself in this new event. Zhang remained undefeated throughout, with his toughest match against Philip Montgomery whom he defeated in 5 gruelling sets. Jack Dick had an excellent tournament losing only to Zhang and grinding out a series of excellent 5 set victories against Conor Nugent, Matthew Cherry, Philip Montgomery and Joshua Murdock. Philip Montgomery did well to finish in 3^rd position losing only to Zhang and Dick, with Joshua Murdock finishing in 4^th position.

U17 Girls

Emma Ludlow was dominant in this category remaining undefeated and in fact was the only player on the day not to lose a set. A very competent display by this young lady. Sally McConkey was in outstanding form to defeat Erin Thompson in 4 sets and thus win a well deserved silver medal. Thompson defeated Annalise Walker in another close 4 set match to claim bronze.

U14 Girls

Irish number 1 Hannah Lynch Dawson once again dominated in this age category remaining undefeated to win this title for a second year running. Laura Finn excelled losing only to Lynch-Dawson to successfully claim the silver medal. The greatly improved Elizabeth Cathcart defeated Emma McSorley for third position. It was a welcomed return for McSorley who has been out for several months with injury.

U12 Girls

This event went very much according to seeding with a repeat of last years results. Rebecca Finn defeated Leah Shekleton in 5 games in an excellent match. Both players proved to be too strong for the rest of the field with Finn triumphing to win gold, and Shekleton claiming silver. Megan Carson put in a sound performance to finish in 3^rd position with Lydia McConkey defeating Ellie Purdy in 5 close games to finish in 4^th position.

U10 Girls

Carys Mawhinney proved to be too strong for the rest of the field remaining undefeated to clinch gold. Lucy Craig displayed excellent potential losing only to Mawhinney to finish in 2^nd position with Jordyn Hazzard defeating her team-mate Lauren Matthews to finish in 3^rd position.

Thanks go to the Valley Leisure Centre who very generously sponsored this event. Thanks also go to Jennifer Thompson and Andrew Dennison who ran the top table ensuing the smooth running of the event.

Results