ADTTL Summer League 2008
QUAINTON TAKE SUMMER TITLE
David Styles, Mick Simmonds and Neil Mack as Quainton Rebels have resisted all comers in Aylesbury's Summer Table Tennis competition.
Finishing as runners up in their group, they qualified for the semi finals and took on the all conquering Golden Oldies, Dave Shapter and Gerald Saunders, from Tring who won their group. Gerry was unbeaten at this stage of the competition but lost out to Mick Simmonds, despite having a start of 4 points, over three sets. Mick then edged past Dave, having the benefit of 8 points, again in three sets. With Neil having already beaten Dave in the first rubber, this gave the match to Quainton. They refused to ease up and went on to win 5 – 0, taking the doubles in three sets.
In the other semi final, winners of the Wednesday group, Oxfords Vikings, Mike Aistrop and Bill Mason, played Monday's runners up, Tring C, represented by Roger Shelton and David Mosley. The Vikings appeared to be cruising having sneaked into a 2 – 0 lead, but David Mosley did his best to turn things around for Tring. Having lost the first set to Mike Aistrop, he clawed his way back from behind to take the second 31 -29. Again Mike appeared to have it all sewn up in the third set, leading 30-23, but David never gave up and pulled back to deuce. Mike kept his nerve and won the vital deciding point to give his team the match. The teams continued in competitive spirit with the remaining legs going to three sets and the doubles proving particularly exciting, Vikings winning 31-30 in the third.
All was set for a rousing final between Quainton and Vikings and we were not disappointed. On a very warm evening, Vikings eased into a 1 – 0 lead with Mike using his 7 point advantage to keep ahead of David Styles. Neil Mack continued his form from the semi finals, however, and with a lead of 12 points, overwhelmed Bill Mason to win the second rubber. Bill got some revenge with a quality game against David, both players using all round skills for a fast flowing, exciting encounter, Bill winning 31 -26 in the third set. Mike Aistrop fought hard in the next game to overcome a handicap of 9 points against Neil and levelled after losing the first set. Neil took the third to put the match at 2 – 2. Using good strategy the Quainton duo edged a 31-29 win in the first set of the doubles and pulled out a healthy lead in the second, before running out 31-24 and winning the match by 3 games to 2.
Well played Quainton and thanks to all this year's participants.
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