Micah Cohen is the new name on the GTTA Individual Handicap trophy as the 14-year-old continued his fine run of recent form beating Maija Hansen in the final.
The annual competition attracted its usual healthy entry from across the local table tennis leagues, with many of the club’s social and junior players competing against the cream of the top division.
The tournament features a format whereby matches are played best-of-three up to 21 points, incorporating handicaps to account for differences in skill levels.
Cohen was drawn in a difficult group, featuring Green player Josh Stacey and another fast-improving junior, Olivia Gilbert.
While he overcame a 12-point deficit to defeat Gilbert, Stacey used his tactical nous to good effect to come through 27-25, 24-22. Division 4 averages leader Rolands Tracums was also in good form as he defeated in-form Ollie Sparks and Simon Carter in three sets.
After two knockout rounds, the quarter finals still featured players from across the GTTA leagues, as Craig Dunning won the all-Division 1 clash with Jez Powell, while Juliette Yeaman ended the fine run of Division 4’s Frank Coppolo in straight sets.
By this time, Hansen was coming into form as she made light work of a six-point handicap to out-attack Derek Cave and then played some excellent smashes and forehand loops to counter the defensive play of Dunning in the semi-final. On the next table, Cohen got the better of Yeaman 21-14, 21-9 to set up an intriguing final.
However it proved a somewhat cagier affair between the two Division 3 regulars as both players initially tested each other’s durability with some extended pushing rallies.
Hansen opened up effectively and caused her opponent some problems, but ultimately the defensive prowess of Cohen came through strongly 21-18, 22-20.
