Darren dazzles!

LINDLEY laps up consecutive titles.

Jan 23 2008 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

DARREN LINDLEY is feeling ‘just champion’ after retaining the men’s singles title at Huddersfield’s Closed Table Tennis Championships.

It was a fine performance from the 32-year-old who beat Russell Senior, of Brooks, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-7. Senior, seeded fourth, had played outstandingly well all day, picking up the veterans title and his semi-final victory against Shaun Ellis was an absolute cracker. The 12-10, 4-11, 11-8, 11-9 result was the produce of sustained power.

His backhand and forehand hitting was a joy to watch, but it also highlighted the speed, power and guile that encompasses Lindley’s game. Such is his current mastery that he will perhaps be the one to equal, or better, Raymond Hinchliff’s nine victories.

Another outstanding performance, during the day-long event at Newsome Sports College, came from Oliver Shaw. At 15, he is probably one of the most improved players in the League. He scooped the Under 18 and Under 21 titles but just missed out on a hat trick when he was beaten by Ryan Ackroyd in the Handicap event. Shaw won the first four-game set 41-37 but, after handicaps were added to both scores, he finished up losing by two points 71-69. Ackroyd stuck to his task well and his strong forehands won him several points, but he did find it difficult to break down Shaw’s resistance.

Half an hour later and two 15-years-olds, Shaw and Jack Farrar, contested the Under 18 final. Farrar, with a foot in height advantage, greater reach and a strong forehand, seemed to possess all the advantages, but Shaw’s determination, steadiness under pressure and a lovely winning forehand, cross and drive proved decisive. Shaw won 11-8, 4-11, 12-10, 13-11, having been 10-3 down in the fourth game.

Finally, in the penultimate match of the night, Shaw confronted 19-year-old Chris Proud in the Under 21 showpiece. On paper it appeared to be a mis-match but the set went to a deciding fifth game with Proud winning the first and third games 11-9 and 11-3. Shaw was 10-8 down in the second but rallied to win by 13-11 and he also won a dramatic fourth 15-13. In the decider Shaw took an early lead but was caught at 9-9 before bravely winning the final two points.

Woodfield Park A, current leaders in the Huddersfield League, had plenty to cheer. Keith Skarz, who teamed up with Ellis, won the men’s doubles title comfortably beating fellow Woodfield Park players David Wood and Mark Pugh in the final. The sustained attack of Ellis’ backhand and Skarz’s forehand carrying the day.

Pugh also lost out to Lindley in the singles semis and was runner-up in the veterans event but, in the mixed ability doubles, for the Raymond Hinchliff Trophy, he partnered Kingsley Smith to success over Mohammed Ali and Wood (Kingsmith) by 11-8, 11-5, 11-9.

Due to time restraints the consolation events, for first round losers, had to be cancelled. But a bumper entry delighted the organisers at Huddersfield's premier table tennis event.

SCORES

Handicap: Ryan Ackroyd beat Oliver Shaw by 71-69.

Veterans (40+): Russell Senior beat Mark Pugh 11-1, 11-8, 11-6.

Under 18s: Oliver Shaw beat Jack Farrar 11-8, 4-11, 12-10, 13-11.

Under 21s: Oliver Shaw beat Chris Proud 9-11, 13-11, 3-11, 15-13, 11-9.

Mixed Ability Doubles: Mark Pugh and Kingsley Smith beat Mohammed Ali and David Wood 11-8, 11-5, 11-9.

Men’s Doubles: Keith Skarz and Shaun Ellis beat Dave Wood and Mark Pugh 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4.

Men’s Singles Semi-finals: Russell Senior beat Shaun Ellis 12-10, 4-11, 11-8, 11-9; Darren Lindley beat Mark Pugh 11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9.

Men’s Singles Final: Darren Lindley beat Russell Senior 7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-7.