FINAL'S DAY IN CHS' TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2014

CHS’ Table Tennis Champion 2014 is.......

Today (Friday 28^th February) saw the final day of CHS’ second annual Table Tennis Championships. Over the past month over 50 students and staff have been battling it out to become CHS’ Table Tennis Champion. Last year was a huge success and so has this year.

Semi-Finals

The first semi-final was between defending champion, Mr de Souza against IT technician Mr Naylor, both very competitive players. Before the match, Mr Naylor said that he had been working on his serve but I am sure he would be disappointed with his performance from the serve. Mr de Souza said he “didn’t even have to break a sweat” in progressing through to the Grand Final in straight sets.

The second semi-final was a repeat of last year’s semi-final in the ‘Battle of James’’. Last year saw James Garside win the battle with James Hodgetts but Hodgetts was vying for revenge and said he was “much improved”. His improvement was shown in the opening few points with James Hodgetts leading 6-1, at one point, in the first set but Garside never gave up and fought back to win the match and reach the Grand Final for the second successive time.

Grand Final

This meant that it was a repeat of last year’s final with Mr de Souza looking to defend his title. However, he found himself immediately on the back foot losing 6-1 after the first seven points of the opening set. Pressure hadn’t got to him, had it? No not the defending champion. James Garside had enough to see out the first set but the 2^nd set was much closer with both players finding it hard to break the opposition’s serve. Garside kept his composure and forced Mr de Souza to be defensive in the final points of the match but Garside had too much for the PE teacher and took the crown and title of ‘CHS Table Tennis Champion’.

After the final, Mr de Souza said he was “really pleased” for James who thoroughly deserved the title. Although, I am sure inside he was a little gutted. The champion described winning as “brilliant”.

Well done James!

Interviews to follow.

Written by Adam Bailey