Warrington's U15s 3rd team wins NCL division 3 title.

Warrington's U15s 3rd team retained its division three title in style today, running out convincing winners, topping the table from the first day to the last across the 2013-14 season.

The team comprised Alex Flint, Alex Weatherby, Konark Pathak, Lizzie Poyner and George Hill. Going in to match-day four, Warrington had won 14 of its 15 matches and was the strong favourite to finish the season champions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Division 3 Champions: Konark Pathak, George Hill, Alex Weatherby, Alex Flint and ​left, in action, Lizzie Poyner 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Several absences in Warrington's first and second teams meant that the third team found itself supporting the higher teams, loaning players out in each match and all was far from certain at the start of the day. Had the team done enough in the earlier part of the season? Would loosing key players, Alex Weatherby and Konark Pathak, for key matches enable Halton's teams, which were snapping at Warrington's heels, to close the gap?

The team's first match was against it's own fourth team. Ashley Taylor got the better of the more experienced Lizzie Poyner, winning in five, but that was to prove the team's only upset and Lizzie got back to winning ways in her next match to help the team to a 5-1 victory. 

The team then proceded to again prove that it had more than enough - the team was now in winning mode and more league points started to come Warrington's way. With Lizzie unavailable for the afternoon session, the team looked to its experienced players, Alex Flint and Alex Weatherby, to push them ahead and trust that Konark Pathak and George Hill could nick a few wins to get the job done - and boy did they deliver!

George Hill, showing a cool head under pressure and the kind of sporting temperament that could take him far in table tennis, delivered win after win. And in Warrington's fixture against Wigan, Konark Pathak beat Nathan Gallagher in a gripping five-game match - one of the most remarkable results of the day - and it now looked certain that Warrington would retain the title. With the two chasing Halton teams dropping points, further wins from Alex and Alex secured the title.

Team coach Peter Flint said: "Our team was magnificent today, as it has been all season. Each stood their ground in the key fixtures when it really mattered. There were exceptional performances from each of our players."

Alex and Alex are back in action next weekend for the last day of the National Junior League; and Alex, Alex, Konark and Lizzie are taking part in the North West Trials in two weeks time, each attempting to secure a place at the English National Finals.

 

About Warrington Table Tennis Club
Warrington Table Tennis Club is one of the top clubs in the North West, offering training for junior table tennis players and supporting players through the various leagues and tournaments - locally and nationally - check out the video! The club is currently recruiting beginners - no experience necessary - for its intro training session on Mondays 6-7 pm. Apply online.