Table tennis aces third in national finals

UCS’s Under-19 table tennis team have achieved the distinction of taking third place in England by winning the bronze medal at the Butterfly Schools Team Championships in Wolverhampton.

Under the careful tutelage of coach John Enemuwe, the UCS Under-19s clinched their third ranking with a 6-2 triumph over Lincolnshire’s Grantham College at the WV Active Wolverhampton arena. Although the team lost heavily, 7-1, to the eventual champions London Academy from Barnet, they were involved in a roller-coaster tie with St Mary’s College, Kingston upon Hull which ended in a narrow 5-3 reversal against the eventual silver medallists.

The students who showed such quality and resilience to earn this memorable podium finish were: Toby Crawcour (Year 12), Ben Barbarash (Year 12), Leo Sassoon (Year 13), Mac Galatis (Year 13) and Aidan Pick (Year 12).

The boys had come through the regional, London qualifiers in early January to earn their tilt at the national title. “Third in England is a marvellous achievement,” said Headmaster Mark Beard.

To underline the talent within the UCS table tennis ranks, the Wolverhampton event represented a fifth experience of the national finals for a couple of team members. Our table tennis stars’ achievement will now be documented and displayed on photo montages at UCS Active.