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| Womens Doubles Winners |
The Table Tennis National Championships took place at Nottingham University between the 3rd and the 5th of March with a number of games being streamed live and the final stages shown at SportsBible.
Maria's Under 21s journey started on the Saturday facing at the Quarter Finals Kate Cheer who qualified through the group stage the previous day and Maria comfortably came through 4-0 ( 1 4 5 8). Then later on Emily Bolton was the semi finalist opponent with Maria winning 4-2. After a 2-0 lead for Maria (4 9) Emily came back stronger to equalise at 2 all (-9 -10) but Maria bounced back with 11-7 and 11-8 to face, who else, Tin Tin Ho at the final.
Maria's game with Emily can be seen at the following link (Time:5:02:33)
Maria vs Emily YouTube Link
Tin Tin disposed Lois Peake 4-0 and the same final of the past few years was set up once again. Statistically, it was Tin Tin's turn since the past 4 years both girls won it in alternative years and that was true with Tin Tin winning 4-1 (-10 9 -9 -9 -8). The final was closely competed but it lacked the passion of previous years.
For the Mixed Doubles Maria partnered once more Tom Jarvis and they went through the first round versus Alim Hirji and Denise Payet with a 3-1 scoreline (-10 8 6 8). Next round they faced Commonwealth duo Daniel Reed and Kelly Sibley and they were unlucky to lose on the fifth set (9 -8 4 -6 -12) but showed a much improved picture as a doubles partnership than previously.
On a busy Saturday Maria's first opponent for the Womens Singles was Lettitia McMullan who again came through the Friday groups. Maria progressed with a 4-0 win (8 4 3 8) to face once again Emily Bolton for the second time on the day. This time Maria had a very good game concentrating hard and attacking at all times to win 4-0 (7 6 6 6) with the game available at this
Maria versus Emily Womens Singles YouTube Link
Her next opponent was the number one seed Kelly Sibley that Maria has only faced once beforehand - again at the Nationals. In a very closed encountered Maria lost 4-1 (-9 -12 -7 13 -3) but she deserved more than one set with all the ffort and good play. The game is also available at time 2:01:53
Maria versus Kelly Womens Singles YouTube link
For the doubles Maria and Tin Tin won once again the title for the third time running versus Kelly Sibley and Joe Drinkhall with a 3-0 scoreline (6 9 8). Please watch at 4:25:25
Womens Doubles Final
In previous rounds Maria and Tin Tin beat Kate Highes/Naomi Jackson 3-0 (7 2 7) and Karina Le Fevre/Emma Vickers 3-0 (7 7 8).
