The final Women and Girl’s event of this season saw the circuit step up and trial a 2* tournament format with new extended event categories. Progressing from the original 1* format of U21s and O21s this time we saw U13, U15, U19, Restricted and Veteran age categories with an Open in the afternoon for all.

With a 59 strong field with players from as far as Blackpool, Jersey and Wales, this was the biggest all female singles event of the year and was just short of beating the current record (of 61 players) for the highest number of women’s singles entries in a single tournament.

First to kick off were the under 13s with 4 groups from across 5 counties. The 4 seeds saw their way through to the semi finals with only Evie Knaapen dropping 1 set though she made sure to see off a good challenge from Eunice Lam in 3 sets to reach the final. Brighton’s Bly Twomey, also convincing, saw off Greenhouse’s Eva Yared to seal her final place. The top two seeds then went head to head with a fast paced selection of hard hitting which saw Bly win the event in 3 straight sets (11-9, 11-4, 11-9). Pictured above L to R Organiser Sally Hughes, Winner Bly Twomey, Runner Up Evie Knaapen and South East Area Manager Alan Lane.

The consolation event also gave the crowd much to watch with 4 local Sussex girls in action to fill the semi finals. Hastings’ Amalina Gorridge saw off Worthing’s Ava Muggeridge in 4 sets with Brightons Makia Gomeda seeing off twin sister Evie Muggeridge consistently 11-8, 11-8, 11-8.

Makia then was able to just sneak over the line in 5 thrilling games to take the U13 consolation 11- 13, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4 over Amalina.

The U15 was full of surprises so buckle up! Caron Charles saw off Eleanor Turner-Samuels to prevent a family semi final with sister Isabella. Julie Tokova then saw off Cheuk Ki Chow – the quarter finals all in 4 sets. Julia then saw off Surrey’s Akshita Subramanium in 4 sets to book her place in the final. Isabelle Turner-Samuels (Eng no 11) needing a full 5 sets (6-11, 15-13, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7) to see off the challenge of Caron Charles (Eng no 20). This led us to a hot final between Isabella and Julia (Eng no 25) which ebbed and flowed before Julia overcame Isabella in 4 sets (11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 11-5).

To the consolation which was played as a 3 person group between Kent’s Lydia White, Jerseys Freya Allaway and Sussex’s Kate Smith. Kate beat both Freya and Lydia in 4 leaving the decider for 2nd place between Freya and Lydia – a 5 set thriller 11-13, 11-6, 14-12, 11-13, 9-11 in Freya’s favour.

Parmis Ahsani led the seedings for the junior event but Eva Eccles gave us the shock of the group rounds by overcoming 2nd seed Rachael Iles to top their group. This meant Eva faced Darcey Taylor in the semis are she had passed Emily Koester in 3 sets and Rachael was thrown into the path of Parmis after seeing off Fusions Abbie Hurley. Eva saw off Darcey in 3 straight sets (11-7, 11-7, 11-7) but Parmis needed the full length of 5 games as Rachael looked to make up for the group (11-3, 4-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-4). This setup the biggest hitting final of the day between Parmis and Eva. Eva took the first but Parmis didnt look back at stormed the next 3 to take the title and prize money 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6.

The consolation started with Sussex newcomer Hasali Kurappurachchi overcome Georgie Hunter to set up a semi final with Alison Webb. Evie Turner- Samuels then overcome another Sussex newbie Frankie Abbotts to reach the final with Alison seeing off Hasali in 4. Evie demonstrated her growing experience to take the title in 4 sets against Alison 11-3, 4-11, 11-7 and 11-6.

On to the restricted event for those aged 19-39 or as I like to call it ‘Not yet a Vet’. Though the smallest event on the day it may well be the mightiest. Top seed Leitish Mcmullan took group 1 and though needing 5 sets against Byng Hall team Jurate Brazaityte made it through quite comfortably. Group 2 was a 3 straight affair with Sally Sum taking the top spot. Straight into the semi finals and Letitia met Chloe Ireland and made sure in 3 games where Jurate took all 5 against defender Sally. This left a repeat of the earlier group game in the final (which was streamed live on Facebook) between Letiti and Jurate but this time 3 was all it needed and Letitia had earned her placing.

The consolation was a group which Holly Holder marched to the top of seeing off Emma Ritchie of Brighton and Isobel Webb of Kent.

Last but not least were our veterans and the event was full a long way before the deadline with entries from the English Channel to the Yorkshire Dales. Teresa made no mistakes seeing off Barbara Chabior in the quarters and Clare Styles in the semis to take her final place. Anita Jermyn was equally sharp seeing off Anita Mahatme and Over 60s national finalise Christine Wicks on her way to meet Teresa. The final was always going to be a crowd pleaser and didn’t disappoint Teresa leading 2-0 but Anita fighting on but ultimately the experience and knowledge of Brighton’s Women’s coach too much and Teresa took the match in 4 sets. (11-8, 1102, 6-11, 11-6)

There’s then nothing better than a home derby to finish the morning and we saw Essex girls Sarah Ball and Debbie O’Neil take to the court. Sarah took the accolades beating Debbie O’Neil in a final going either way at times 5-11, 11-7, 14-12, 11-9.

The afternoon saw the Open Event and 12 groups of 4 competitors battle out for their place in the next round. By far the biggest event held in the Womens Circuit.

Matches to note: Darcey Taylor reversed the mornings result to overcome Eva Ecckes in 4, Rachael Iles made quite certain and fought until the end ot see her way past Darcey and then Veterans Winner Teresa Bennett to take her place in the final.teresa having taken out Jurate in her quarter final. Letitia took out Anita Jermyn who had a great run to the quarters. Sally Sum saw off Junior winner Parmis and then a fantastic 2-0 deficit turned to 5 set win for Sally against Letitia to line up a final of Sally Sum and Rachael Iles. This was a 3 straight finale with 4th Seeded Sally taking home her first Open title.

Kate Smith reached her 2nd final of the day in terms of the Open Consolation after seeing off a fiercely contended competition but found Surrey’s Akshita Subramanium too good. Akshita took her title in 4 sets.

All wrapped up for 7pm in time for dinner.

For a full breakdown of all events and results you can visit:
Sussex Women and Girls Summer 2* Results Page

If you are looking for the next opportunity to take part in the Women and Girls circuit below are the next 2 events:

• Sussex Women and Girls Winter 1* October 22nd entry form found here: https://www.tabletennisengland.co.uk/event/sussex-women-girls-winter-1/
• Nottingham Womens 1* December 10th entry form found here:

For the more experienced female players the Corona Cup is also running a dedicated Womens Singles Event this year on July 29th:

If your club or league would like to find out more about hosting a Women and Girls event please reach out to Sally Hughes on: [email protected] or 07837406996