THE Okehampton and district Table Tennis League Pretoria Handicap Cup final for 2010/11 was played at the Okehampton Table Tennis Club between the current cup holders Tavistock A and close rivals Anchorage A.

Tavistock A players Fred Phillips, Peter Hicks and Roger Bowkett were out to retain the trophy but Anchorage A who have played well in the competition this year and fully deserved their place in the final had no intentions of settling for second place.

Anchorage 'A' players Martin Fowler, Bob Vella and Dave Edwards also brought travelling support from Tavistock but it turned out to be not enough on the night as a confident Tavistock team ran out 5-2 winners. 

Fred Phillips faced Martin Fowler in the opening game and won a close contest in three sets 18-21, 21-14, 21-12. Roger Bowkett then beat Bob Vella 21-16, 21-15 before Fred Phillips teamed up with Peter Hicks to take the doubles against Bob Vella and Dave Edwards 17-21, 21-15, 21-17. Martin Fowler tried to keep Anchorage's hopes alive with a 19-21, 19-21 win over Roger Bowkett but Peter Hicks sealed the victory by beating Dave Edwards 21-14, 21-12 to establish a 4-1 lead. Fred Phillips went on to beat Bob Vella before Martin Fowler and Dave Edwards took the final doubles for Anchorage against Roger and Peter 18-21, 25-23, 14-21. The 5-2 win means Tavistock 'A' retain the cup for the second season in a row. Congratulations are due to both teams for their performance and competitive spirit.

League players can now look forward to the ODTTL 'closed championships' to be held in Okehampton on Saturday, April 16. This will be followed by the 'finals and presentations evening' on Tuesday, April 26 at the Okehampton Table Tennis Club in Castle Road, Okehampton.

n Anyone interested in joining a club or entering a team in the league next season is welcome to come along on the night. For more information contact ODTTL secretary Nick Jackson on 01837 52260 or through the website at http://www.odttl.co.uk">www.odttl.co.uk