The games proved to be invaluable experience for our young Welsh team which also threw up some impressive results along the way.
Patrick Thomas (aka Paddy Balboa to the locals) was the star of the group stages as he remained undefeated and produced a stunning win against the number 2 seed and junior world number 38 Mario Yiangou of Cyprus. Patrick received a bye in the first round before coming up against Robert Frank of Australia in the last 16. Unfortunately this was a step to far but an excellent learning curve none the less.
Angharad Phillips produced some excellent results in the group stage and went into the last 32 as runner up in her group. Angharad then came through a tight game against Ayesha Khan of Pakistan showing her fighting qualities to win 4 -2 before meeting her match in the last 16 against Isabelle Li on Singapore.
FIXTURES - SENIOR DIVISION 1
Sunday 12th October Jubilee Hall W.I.S. Cardiff
10.00 hrs
St Petersburg October 2008
Wales men’s team gain promotion & women just miss out by one place
The Welsh men’s team of Adam Robertson, Ryan Jenkins and Stephen Gertsen won the men’s Standard Division team event at the European Championships held in St. Petersburg, Russia from the 4th to 12th October. Following a 100% win record for all three players in the group stage, they then went on to beat Finland 3 – 2 in the semi-final and Israel 3 – 1 in the final. Adam Robertson playing some scintillating table tennis in winning all his games. The team captained by George Evans received medals and should also be getting a cup. Next year the men’s team will be promoted to play in the Challenge Division.
The Welsh teams of Ceri James and Patrick Thomas for the boys and Angharad Phillips and Chloe Thomas for the girls faired well on the opening day. Attached is the first days results
for results and analasys go to http://results.cygpune2008.com/RIS_CYG/resultbysport.action?sportid=TT&sportName=Table%20Tennis
The next British Primary Schools Championships will take place in Blackburn, England in April 2009. The TTAW will select four boys and four girls for this event in January 2009.
A player is eligible for selection if he/she is Under 12 on the 1st September 2008.
The selectors plan to organise Talent Identification Camps in North and South Wales so that they get the chance to see all of the young talent in Wales and to ensure that no up and coming talent is missed.