Enfield and Camden take London Youth Games honours

There was a double triumph for north London at the London Youth Games table tennis event as Enfield won the girls’ competition and Camden the boys.

A total of 17 London Boroughs took part in the girls’ tournament and 25 competed in the boys’ event as there was plenty of keenly contested action at Redbridge Sports Centre.

Jamie Ravetto and Daisy Watson from Ellenborough TTC formed the Enfield team and they won their four group matches against teams from Haringey, Tower Hamlets, Haringey and Hounslow.

The quarter finals versus Lewisham saw the Enfield girls manage to win the doubles 11-9, 11-9, while both singles also finished 2-0 in Enfield’s favour.

The strong Borough of Kensington & Chelsea were next and the Enfield girls held their nerve in the deciding third end of the doubles to claim victory, followed by a close win for Ravetto, with Watson making it 3-0.

Meanwhile, Sutton’s team of Alena Bondar, Cheuk Ki Chow, Yoyo Chan and Hei Shun Lee were also unbeaten in the group stage and knuckled down to secure wins in both the quarter and semi-finals, the latter against Redbridge.

In the final, Sutton took a win in the doubles match – ensuring they remained unbeaten all day in that discipline – but Enfield hit back as Ravetto won in three close games and Watson won 11-9, 11-9.

Team Manager Sandy Nash from the Ellenborough club said of the Enfield victory: “The boys staying late to support the girls’ team in their final was really appreciated. There was a super team spirit from all and lots of fun.”

Sutton Team Manager and Coach, Jagrat Patel, said: “I could not have asked for any more from my squad. It was a joy to see so many girls competing for their Boroughs on the day, a huge credit to their Team Managers. Also, a big thanks to organisers at LYG for making it happen!”

Camden earned the boys’ title with a 4-1 win over Kingston in the final. Barnet edged out Harrow 5-4 to take the bronze.

Camden actually finished second in their group, having lost to Richmond upon Thames. But they were unbeaten through the knockouts, while Richmond went out to Barnet in the quarter-finals.