DaveR
08-18-2008, 08:26 AM
Scotland’s Number One player, Gavin Rumgay carved his name into the record books of The Liverpool Open Butterfly Grand Prix Event (formerly the Merseyside Open) with a third successive title win in the Men’s Open.
In the 80 year long history of this famous tournament, with past winners including Victor Barna, Richard Bergmann, and Dennis Neale, the enormity of this triple consecutive win never achieved before puts Rumgay into legendary status.
The Butterfly Men’s Open Champion in the last two seasons, Rumgay is in a class of his own, yet he was made to work for his Liverpool Open Butterfly Grand Prix title on Sunday 17th August.
Gavin, although never totally extended on his way to the Title, was given a scare by 12 year old Zak Zilesnick going one set, and 9-6 down, Rumgay then turned on the Scottish wizardry to nose ahead, winning the next three sets.
The reigning Champion was then successful with victories over Darren Reed, Stewart Crawford and then prove too strong for Saturday’s band one winner, Raphael Graf in a four set final.
The tournament had thrown up several earlier shocks with the departure of Matt Ware to Richard Marshall, Gavin Evans losing to David McBeath in the second round, and then top seed Darius Knight’s departure to the German visitor Raphael Graf in the quarter final.
The Women’s Open went exactly to seeding with Chinese favourite Lui Na, now resident in Ireland, not dropping a set on her way to the Title. Her final opponent and 2nd seed, Naomi Owen from Wales, took her close in two of the three sets played, but was always playing second fiddle. The hard hitting Lui Na with her dynamic reflexes proved just too quick for Naomi. Losing semi finalists, Karina Lefevre and Hannah Hicks took their seeded positions at three and four; however Lefevre had no answers against Na, with Hicks managing to win one set against Owen in the other semi final.
The Under 21 Women’s final was a classic encounter of two extremely talented young ladies in Karina Lefevre and Alice Loveridge, fighting tooth and nail with some crowd pleasing long rallies, going point for point, with the result always in the balance.
Karina managed to get her head in front in a photo finish in a tense and final set, gaining her revenge over Alice in yesterday’s semi final of Women’s band one.
The Under 21 Men’s Open proved to be yet again a wonderful tournament full of superb table tennis. Remi Petrosius gained a well deserved first title success in this event after several tries, getting the better of Under 21 Men’s reigning champion Damien Nicholls in the last match of the day.
Mark Simpson and Darren Reed were the two losing semi finalists.
Reed enjoyed good performances over Ross Wilson and Richard Marshall,
Whilst Simpson was simply “on fire” taking the scalps of Alim Hirji, and then Matt Ware in the qtr final. Reed lost in straight sets to Nicholls, whilst Simpson lost out in four sets to eventual winner, Petrosius.
The Veteran Men’s title went to Keith Williams, defeating Gerry
Campbell in a close five set final. Williams defeated Chris Tarr in the first semi final, with Campbell being successful against Julien Gittens in the other semi.
The restricted Men’s Champion was Simon Nouch who beat Adam Laws in the final match.
The Tees-Sport Player of the weekend award and a voucher for £50 went to junior player, Ashley Robinson from Ireland.
The two day Liverpool Open was once again a resounding success. Very many thanks to all the Liverpool heroes who put on another great show, including Tournament Organiser Arthur Garnett, Referee Dave Cochrane, plus the Etta team of officials and umpires for keeping the show on the road.
Sunday’s Results as Follows;
Men’s Open
Gavin Rumgay (SCO) beat Raphael Graf (GER) 11-8, 12-10, 3-11, 11-6.
Women’s Open
Liu Na (IRL) beat Naomi Owen (WAL)
14-12, 11-5, 15-13.
Under 21 Men’s
Remi Petrosius (Mi) beat Damien Nicholls (Sp) 11-4, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10.
Under 21 Women’s
Karina Lefevre (Cv) beat Alice Loveridge (GGY) 11-7, 7-11, 10-12,
11-9, 11-9.
Veteran Men’s
Keith Williams (La) beat Gerry Campbell (SCO) 14-12, 6-11, 11-7,
10-12, 11-6.
Men’s Restricted
Simon Noutch (Y) beat Adam Laws (Sy)
9-11, 11-3, 14-12, 13-11.
By Geoff Ware-Etta Butterfly Grand Prix Press Officer
In the 80 year long history of this famous tournament, with past winners including Victor Barna, Richard Bergmann, and Dennis Neale, the enormity of this triple consecutive win never achieved before puts Rumgay into legendary status.
The Butterfly Men’s Open Champion in the last two seasons, Rumgay is in a class of his own, yet he was made to work for his Liverpool Open Butterfly Grand Prix title on Sunday 17th August.
Gavin, although never totally extended on his way to the Title, was given a scare by 12 year old Zak Zilesnick going one set, and 9-6 down, Rumgay then turned on the Scottish wizardry to nose ahead, winning the next three sets.
The reigning Champion was then successful with victories over Darren Reed, Stewart Crawford and then prove too strong for Saturday’s band one winner, Raphael Graf in a four set final.
The tournament had thrown up several earlier shocks with the departure of Matt Ware to Richard Marshall, Gavin Evans losing to David McBeath in the second round, and then top seed Darius Knight’s departure to the German visitor Raphael Graf in the quarter final.
The Women’s Open went exactly to seeding with Chinese favourite Lui Na, now resident in Ireland, not dropping a set on her way to the Title. Her final opponent and 2nd seed, Naomi Owen from Wales, took her close in two of the three sets played, but was always playing second fiddle. The hard hitting Lui Na with her dynamic reflexes proved just too quick for Naomi. Losing semi finalists, Karina Lefevre and Hannah Hicks took their seeded positions at three and four; however Lefevre had no answers against Na, with Hicks managing to win one set against Owen in the other semi final.
The Under 21 Women’s final was a classic encounter of two extremely talented young ladies in Karina Lefevre and Alice Loveridge, fighting tooth and nail with some crowd pleasing long rallies, going point for point, with the result always in the balance.
Karina managed to get her head in front in a photo finish in a tense and final set, gaining her revenge over Alice in yesterday’s semi final of Women’s band one.
The Under 21 Men’s Open proved to be yet again a wonderful tournament full of superb table tennis. Remi Petrosius gained a well deserved first title success in this event after several tries, getting the better of Under 21 Men’s reigning champion Damien Nicholls in the last match of the day.
Mark Simpson and Darren Reed were the two losing semi finalists.
Reed enjoyed good performances over Ross Wilson and Richard Marshall,
Whilst Simpson was simply “on fire” taking the scalps of Alim Hirji, and then Matt Ware in the qtr final. Reed lost in straight sets to Nicholls, whilst Simpson lost out in four sets to eventual winner, Petrosius.
The Veteran Men’s title went to Keith Williams, defeating Gerry
Campbell in a close five set final. Williams defeated Chris Tarr in the first semi final, with Campbell being successful against Julien Gittens in the other semi.
The restricted Men’s Champion was Simon Nouch who beat Adam Laws in the final match.
The Tees-Sport Player of the weekend award and a voucher for £50 went to junior player, Ashley Robinson from Ireland.
The two day Liverpool Open was once again a resounding success. Very many thanks to all the Liverpool heroes who put on another great show, including Tournament Organiser Arthur Garnett, Referee Dave Cochrane, plus the Etta team of officials and umpires for keeping the show on the road.
Sunday’s Results as Follows;
Men’s Open
Gavin Rumgay (SCO) beat Raphael Graf (GER) 11-8, 12-10, 3-11, 11-6.
Women’s Open
Liu Na (IRL) beat Naomi Owen (WAL)
14-12, 11-5, 15-13.
Under 21 Men’s
Remi Petrosius (Mi) beat Damien Nicholls (Sp) 11-4, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10.
Under 21 Women’s
Karina Lefevre (Cv) beat Alice Loveridge (GGY) 11-7, 7-11, 10-12,
11-9, 11-9.
Veteran Men’s
Keith Williams (La) beat Gerry Campbell (SCO) 14-12, 6-11, 11-7,
10-12, 11-6.
Men’s Restricted
Simon Noutch (Y) beat Adam Laws (Sy)
9-11, 11-3, 14-12, 13-11.
By Geoff Ware-Etta Butterfly Grand Prix Press Officer