The Rowledge Cricket Club Table Tennis Association 2006 World Championship

Hi Sports Fans and welcome to the Inaugural Rowledge Cricket Club Table Tennis Association 2006 World Championship, or as it is known in some quarters the R.C.C.I.T.T.F. International 2006. Its a sunny evening for this event and will for the first time be held outside, yet another obstacle for these superstars to overcome.

The Venue - Lloyd Arena.

The Date - 9th of August 2006.

The Participants (only the top 5 Internationals Invited - they were...)

Chris "THE POWER" Yates Jnr

Ian "ONE SHOT WONDER" Metcalfe

Ricky "THE DESTROYER" Yates

David "QUICK HANDS" Lloyd

And the International Flavour, Scotty "HAS HE THE BOTTLE" McNaughton.

This is what the Stars were playing for -

A simple format was created for this Tournament, everyone would play each other once, with names drawn out of a hat to define the order, and then the Semi-Finals, Third Place Play Off and Final would take place. The Fifth placed superstar would then be banished from the competition and forced to cook the BBQ for the remainder of the participants. This is how the round robin went down...

Lloyd Vs McNaughton - 16-21

The Australian off to a flyer in this competition and a much needed confidence boosting win against Lloyd, highly fancied to feature in the final rounds. McNaughtons "stay in the rally" mentality proving a match winner here. Lloyd with the pressure on, and this was shown directly after the match, burning 5 burgers.

The Power Yates Vs Metcalfe 21-10

Metcalfe, a virtual unknown and accepting an invitation only after the Chinese Grand Master Chin-Gon Wag-Ing withdrew with tonsilitis, showed extreme promise during the warm up making some extremely aggressive shots look painfully easy. The Power Yates looked nervous, but shook these off like yesterdays clothes winning comfortably. Metcalfe the one to watch for mine Sports Fans, The Power looking good early.

Ricky "The Destroyer" Vs Lloyd 19-21

Lloyd with something to prove, oh and didn't he here. Looking sharp against the highly unorthodox and not-so-good-looking master of the 2-handed backhand Ricky "Destroyer" Yates, whose only destroying was his own ship sinking faster than an Israeli Battleship. Lloyd looking bouyant and showing he can cook a BBQ now, looking sharp with bat, tongs, and well, he just looks comfortable with anything in his hands. R.Yates with lots of work to do here, my money for a fifth place finish here.

Bottler McNaughton Vs The Power Yates 15-21

McNaughton with an unexpected stumble against the consistent looking Yates, both with a rally -based game this was one of the longest games in the Championship. In the end, The Power too consistent, and looking a million dollars half way through the tournament. McNaughton starting to show signs of choking.

One Shot Metcalfe Vs Destroyer Yates 13-21

Well, looks like Metcalfe has some work to do here - Destroyer gets a win, my mortgage on that being the last in the tournament for him.

Lloyd Vs The Power 17-21

On a roll the power, 3 from 3 and looking sharper than a set of Stanley Knives. Lloyd 1 win from 3 and work to do, his last match against Metcalfe - that could be the one to look forward too Sports Fans.

McNaughton Vs Metcalfe 21-14

Well, was expecting Metcalfe to try and take apart that mouthy Tasmanian, who now has a semi place guaranteed with 2 wins. Metcalfe now sweating on Lloyd choking when it counts. McNaughton looking good, as that mirror mirror on the wall described. Metcalfe better not cost me my mortgage, feeling a little nervous here - hasn't hit his straps in this tournament.

Destroyer Vs The Power 16-21

Has he got The Power? Answer is a big fat yes as he completes an undefeated Round 1 and takes the number 1 seeding into the semis. Destroyer again looked out of his depth, and may be tinkering on the end of the plank if he doesn't defeat pre-tournament favourite McNaughton. I'm Excited.

Quick Hands Vs One Shot 21-12

There goes my house, and Lloyd into the semis. The Peoples Champion, Metcalfe, bows out to what one can only call one of the greatest upsets of RCCITTF history. Lloyd looking dangerous, and slightly turned on by his ultra-tight bike shorts and long socks...

Bottler Vs Destroyer 18-21

Yep, he bottled it. The Power the only undefeated player in Round 1 and McNaughton shows why a semi draw against him could prove a bonus. Was down here but fought back, the unconventional stroke play of Destroyer Yates proving as distracting as it is effective.

FINAL STANDINGS

THE POWER 4 WINS 0 LOSSES +26 POINT DIFFERENCE
QUICK HANDS 2 W 2 L +24 PD
BOTTLER 2 W 2 L +4 PD
DESTROYER 2 W 2 L +4 PD
ONE SHOT 0 W 4 L -35 PD

And so we are into the part of the competiton that counts - Semi Final Action!

FIRST SEMI

THE POWER 21 VS QUICK HANDS 16

And Yates turns on The Power to dispatch Quick Hands to fight for 3rd place. As convincing a win as you will see, and The Power looking slightly disappointed he has gone from crowd favourite to being booed off court - I guess everyone loves an outsider, and Yates has looked anything but from the outset. Who will he face in the final? Lloyd extremely upset at his "early exit" from the tournament and was last seen heading for the trampoline with his comfort toy and a burnt burger.

SECOND SEMI

THE DESTROYER 21 VS HE HAS NOT GOT THE BOTTLE 16

And thats why the questions have been asked - he chokes when it counts. Pre-Tournament Favourite has been flushed out, and even though The Destroyer's backhand has been reported to the RCCITTF Commission, he cannot be banned until after the Tournament. Expect McNaughton to appeal here, sore loser he is.

FINAL FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

And so here we are sports fans, a battle for the Yates sporting stranglehold, an epic encounter expected here. A capacity crowd at Lloyd Arena, lets get to it. 3 sets for the final, first to win 2.

CHRIS "THE POWER" YATES VS RICKY "THE DESTROYER" YATES

FIRST SET - 19-21

The expectant crowd were not left disappointed here, a tense first set sees the underdog Ricky pick up first honours. He has the momentum, he has the unorthodoxisity, he has the consistency and it seems the big shots - highlights of this set include some great diving saves and forceful coverdrives across table from The Destroyer. The Power has been switched off for now. Can he find that spark to get the turbine running again? He is fighting against a violent crowd and vicious opponent...

SECOND SET 21-8

Oh, can he find the power. What a way to come back here, an absolute annihilation of the inconsistent Ricky. Not much more to be said apart from yet another swing in this epic. What will happen in the Third and Final Set? Stay Tuned...

THIRD SET 23-21

And we have our first WORLD CHAMPION!!! It is fair to say The Destroyer absolutely bottled this one, but a winner we have and a well deserved champion at that. He takes away the innagural championship and all the glory...

Until next time Sports Fans, Stay Classy and say hi to the Mrs for me.