Suffolk Veterans Table Tennis Championships 2024-25

Report

Sunday 12th January saw this season’s County Veterans Championships held here in the main hall at Stowupland. It was well attended and, for those entered in multiple events, the matches seem to come thick and fast, with little time for a breather.

We were pleased to see Dave Unwin present as he doesn’t often enter tournaments aside for the Bury League one. He did very well too. Despite a couple of unlikely losses, he had some impressive wins, including over strong players such as Paul Broxton and Andrew Warner on his way to reaching both the over-40s and over 60s finals. 

He wasn’t quite able to overcome Richard Hutchinson, however, in the over 40s final.

Dave’s progress in multiple events may have worked against him in the stamina department as he was also runner-up in the over-60s, losing to Andrew Dosher whom he had beaten twice in the league this season.

The over 40’s Womens final was a familiar spectacle featuring Alice Flatman and Clair Westlake, Alice just coming out on top after 5 sets.

The restricted singles final was another close match, Thurston Spitfires’ Colin Baxter defeating an impressively in-form Antonio Beckles (who had earlier beaten Dave Unwin in another close 5-setter).

had many of the closest matches of the day, with 6 of the 9 knock out matches going down to the deciding leg. Derek Wood kept his nerve and composure the best prevailing in a tight final against Ken Lewis. 

The Open Doubles final between two Richards and two Andrews, saw R Hutchinson & R Goodhand overcoming A Warner and A Dosher

Lat, but not least, the handicap singles was won impressively by STTC Chairman Richard Stokes, playing with his now familiar hard bat, beating the ever-consistent Colin Baxter. We are so used to seeing the younger Davies-Stokeses winning everything in sight, it’s great to see their father getting a look in!

Summary of finals results

Over 40’s Mens Singles – Richard Hutchinson defeated Dave Unwin

11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6

Over 40’s Womens Singles – Alice Flatman defeated Clair Westlake

9-11, 11-5, 11-3, 7-11, 11-7

Over 60’s Mens Singles – Andrew Dosher defeated Dave Unwin

11-6, 11-4, 9-11, 11-8

Restricted Singles – Colin Baxter defeated Antonio Beckles 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-13, 11-9 

Handicap Singles – Richard Stokes (24) defeated Colin Baxter (13)

31-27

Over 40’s Open Doubles – Richard Hutchinson / Richard Goodhand defeated Andy Warner / Andrew Dosher

6-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-8