Rising star Nigel Bryan won two titles while Trenace Lowe drew first blood against rival Michelle John as play in the National Sports Commission-sponsored national table tennis championships continued at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall yesterday.
Bryan was in fine form. He defeated Darwain Walcott 3-1 in the boys’ 18-years-and under final and made light work of Denzel Hopkinson in the boys’ 15-years and under final, winning 3-0.
Bryan took the first game easily 11-5 against Walcott only to see Walcott bounce back with a 11-7 win. But from there on it was all Bryan and he reeled off the next two games 11-5, 11-9 to take the crown.
Against Hopkin Bryan won easily winning 11-4, 11-5, 11-6.
Hopkinson had earlier gained revenge on Samuel Fraser beating him 11-4, 11-4, 9-11, 11-6 in the semi-final while Bryan breezed past Dillon Mahadeo 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 in an earlier semi-final.
Ronaldo Bharrat defeated Warren Hackshaw 11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 13-11 for third place in the boys’ 18-years and under category.
But the night belonged to Lowe and John. They had put aside their rivalry earlier when they teamed up to sweep the opposition aside in the girls’ doubles played earlier and yesterday was the first of three possible encounters between the two rivals. John started out playing positively and took a 4-2 lead before Lowe won four straight points to lead 6-4.
Lowe eventually took the first game 11-6 and led for most of the second only to falter in the closing stages of the game and allowing John to level the match with a hard-fought 12-10 win.
Lowe took the third game 11-7 and led 10-6 in the fourth before a determined John won the next four points to tie the game.
However, Lowe held her composure and triumphed 12-10.
The competition continues today with play in the mixed doubles and `C’ Class events.
