Worthing Table Tennis Club recently hosted a thrilling 2* Team Challenge, introducing a fresh format for the event. The progressive knockout system ensured that every team played multiple matches, guaranteeing competitive action throughout the day.
The day began with groups of three. Group winners advanced directly to the top 16, while second- and third-placed teams entered a “last chance” shootout. Winners of the shootout joined the top eight teams to contest positions 1–16, while losers competed for 17th–24th places.
With a capped entry of 24 senior teams, the event was fully booked, with a waiting list of teams eager to participate. Entries came from across the UK, including Wales, the Isle of Wight, Jersey, Sussex and neighbouring counties.
Senior event highlights
Top seeds AA Academy, represented by Romayne Stewart and Ioan-Alexandru Anghel, lived up to expectations. They required a decisive third match against F&M to top their group – the only game they lost all day.
Lewis Mayhew of The Plonkers came close to defeating Anghel in the semi-final, leading 2-0 before eventually succumbing. The Plonkers, initially ranked third, topped their group through determination and went on to secure third place, defeating Jersey in another dramatic third-match decider. Jersey had themselves needed a nail-biting 12-10 victory in the fifth set over ICM2’s Darren Wu, with Theo De Poreck holding his nerve to reach the semi-finals.
Second seeds Horsham OG’s Jacob Evans and Harry Yip made a remarkable run to the final, defeating Special K and Jersey without the need for a third-game decider.
The final was a high-quality battle of topspin and counter-attacking table tennis, but AA Academy proved too strong, claiming the championship.
Junior event highlights
A smaller junior tournament featured seven teams. Waterside Warriors, represented by James Roberts and Daniel Scotchmer, went unbeaten, only needing a third-match decider against Will and James. Porters Pepsi’s James Fryer and Nathanael Craig were runners-up, losing only to Waterside but requiring several five-set matches to secure victories, including an epic match against Lewick where all three matches went the distance.
Final Standings – Seniors: AA Academy, Horsham OG’s, The Plonkers, Jersey, IOW Crusaders, F&M, ICM2, Special K, Thanet Vikings, Dynamic Duo, Swansea Scum, Matthew Porter Fan Club, AV Predators, Bat to the Future, Temu Cloudwalkers, Jollie TT, Matrix TT, Waterside J’s, Ashford, Team 3, Telecasters, Para Bros, Isle of Wight, Papaya Rules.
Final Standings – Juniors: Waterside Warriors, Porters Pepsi’s, Lewick, Will and James, Ashford Ashtriods, Net and Edge, Spin Doctors.
A full programme of results can be found here.
