Table Tennis Wales (TTW)

Over the weekend 16th & 17th September Guernsey were hosts to the British & Irish Senior Championships. Wales sent a mens team of Stephen Jenkins and Stephen Gertson and a womens team of Naomi Owen and Bethan Daunton.

Wales men came home with a Silver Medal after beating Guernsey and The Isle of Man both 3-0 and Ireland and England both 3-1. Both Stephens' played excellent table tennis and both boys remained really focused throughout the team events. We were unfortunate to lose 1-3 to Scotland. The matches were really close and our boys fought really hard and were unlucky to lose this match. Silver medal position, in this event is really excellent for us.

In the Womens team event both Naomi and Bethan played brilliantly. We beat Guernsey, Isle of Man, Ireland and Scotland all 3-0. Naomi and Bethan had to face England early on Saturday morning and played some fine table tennis winning 3-1. The Gold Medal belonged to Wales who on the day outshone all the other countries. This score added to that of the mens, gave us an overall Gold Medal. A superb result.

Sunday saw the individual event. Both Naomi and Bethan were seeded 3 & 4 and were in separate halves of the draw. After our team results against England women there was a chance of an all Welsh Final. Both girls reached the semi-finals without too much trouble and it was Bethan versus Natalie Bawden the England number three and Naomi versus Joanna Parker the England
number one. Bethan played some magnificent table tennis, there were glimpses of the 'old' Bethan before her retirement and she beat Natalie 3-2 to gain her place in the final.

Unfortunately with Naomi it was not to be and Joanna seemed to go up a gear whilst Naomi did'nt play her best. Naomi lost 3-0. Bethan played some really good table tennis in the final, but eventually lost 3-1, but secured another silver medal for Wales.

In the mens singles, Stephen Gertson was unfortunate to have been drawn in a very strong group and failed to qualify. Stephen Jenkins won his group but was drawn against the Scottish No. 1 in the next round. After protests were lodged by the Welsh and Scottish Delegation, the referee stood firm and Stephen had to play. Unfortunately he lost 3-0

Two Gold and Two Silver medals was a great result for the Welsh Team.