OT Thought I should let you know

Well being as I've been banging on a about it for weeks it's only right and proper I let you know what happened in my TT tourney on Saturday.

I was entered in three comps, the restricted (there are restrictions on who can enter) the handicap and the division 3/4 singles which was the one I was second seed and desperate to win.

My first match was in the restricted against a very good friend who plays in div 1. He battered me in three legs and I played like a total donkey trying to hit everything and failing. I was happy though as I got it out of my system and realised that I would have to smarten up if I was to do well later.

Not long after that I had my first game in the 3/4 against an old rival Ken Norris. I've always found him awkward he never gives up and plays a strange style. He used to run for Great Britain and was in the Olympics many many years ago. The game went really well and I beat him 11-5 11- 8 11-4 rather comfortably.

The only person I didn't want to face before the final was Chris COllins, lo and behold he was to be my semi final opponent. I started well attacking at all the right times and dominsated the first leg 11-5. But he sussed me out and started constricting my game and not letting me bring out my big shot and playing tight boring table tennis. He took the next two legs 11-7 11-8. I fought back though attacking some unplayable short serves and making him play my game rather than the other way round to make it 2-2 in legs. In the final leg we both played brilliantly had some amazing rallies and didn't have a gap of more than one point betwenn us at any time. Unfortunately I missed at 10-9 up and he took the4 game when I sent a forehand long at 10-11 down to lose 12-10 in the fifth. I was gutted but later realised I could not have played better and he told me after he had to be at his best to win.

I won my first int he handicap easily 21-11 21-5 off a scratch start. In the second round I faced a premier palayer and I had a 12 point start per leg up to 21. I won the first 21-13 lost a tight second 21-23 and just didn't have enough in me to win the third going dow 20-22.

It weas a great weekend though and I really enjoyed myself even if I am a bit gutted.

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice and wished me luck.

Mr F