Southend and District Table Tennis League Annual Championships
Finals Night Thursday 2nd March at Plumberow Primary Academy, Hockley
the home of Hockley Table Tennis Club
Due to Covid the last championships were held in 2019 but they returned this year being played initially over the weekend of the 24th – 26th February at Rayleigh Leisure Centre. No less than 14 competitions were decided then but the major finals were held in a new venue this year at Hockley TTC.
The evening turned out to be a real family affair as life partners Matt Spero and Wanda Syderenko (both Rawreth TTC) appeared in every final of the night that they could do and won 5 out of the 6 titles on offer. Add to that Wanda had already won the Ladies Singles and Ladies Doubles at the weekend so the Mixed Doubles title gave her a personal hat trick. The only final that she lost, somewhat ironically, was the Vets Over 40’s final which she lost to Matt!
The only disappointment on the night for Matt was his loss in the Men’s Singles, the last match of the evening, to Duncan Taylor (Rayleigh Mill) who won in five sets. Bearing in mind that Matt had competed in every match previously over a period of some 2 ½ hours and played 28 sets, it may have explained how Duncan managed to come back from two sets down to win in five sets 2/11, 9/11, 11/6, 15/13,11/5. This was a classic match of attack versus defence with renowned defender Duncan eventually outlasting Matt in many exciting rallies.
Earlier in the evening Matt and Wanda started in style winning the Mixed Doubles against the young pairing of Liam Squirrell (Rawreth) and Evie Knaapen (Hullbridge) albeit in five sets with the youngsters coming back from two sets down before succumbing 11/8 in the decider. Prior to this final Evie had already enjoyed personal success winning the Division Two Restricted and Under 21 Div 2 and Div 3 titles at the weekend, and had lost to Wanda in the final of the Ladies Singles.
The Men’s Singles semi – finals had pitched Matt and Liam against each other in one while the second would have seen Duncan up against Steve Tilson (Rawreth) but unfortunately Steve had to withdraw due to injury. This turned out to be pretty one sided as Matt won 11/8 11/5 11/5.
The Men’s Doubles final saw Matt team up with club mate Zayd Mauthoor and they took on the established pairing of Duncan and Kevin Read (Rawreth). At one set all this match hinged on the third set and both sides had chances before Matt and Zayd nicked it 12/10 closing out the match in the fourth 11/6.
In one of the most intriguing and longest matches of the evening (34 minutes) the Over 40’s Vets final between Matt and Wanda saw Wanda ease into a two set lead before Matt edged the third 15/13 to keep himself in the game. This seemed to give Matt the extra boost that he needed taking the next two games 11/7 11/9 but there was a hug at the end of the game so no hard feelings!
Matt and Wanda came together again in the Vets Doubles final which saw them up against Duncan and Kevin. The first two sets were closely contested 12/10 11/13 but Matt and Wanda’s attacking play proved decisive in the next two sets which they won 11/7 11/5.
All in all it was a long but entertaining evening with some top class table tennis on display. Southend League Chairman Ken Field was on hand to address the formalities extending thanks to players and organisers, umpires and audience alike.
Results
Mixed Doubles
Matt Spero & Wanda Syderenko bt Liam Squirrell & Evie Knaapen
11/5 11/2 12/14 8/11 11/8
Men’s Doubles
Matt Spero & Zayd Mauthoor bt Duncan Taylor & Kevin Read
11/6 8/11 12/10 11/6
Vets Over 40’s Singles
Matt Spero bt Wanda Syderenko
9/11 8/11 15/13 11/7 11/9
Vets Doubles
Matt Spero & Wanda Syderenko bt Duncan Taylor & Kevin Read
12/10 11/13 11/7 11/5
Men’s Singles
Duncan Taylor bt Matt Spero
2/11 9/11 11/6 15/13 11/5
