28/02/2026
Veterans Tournament Report 2026
The annual Hastings and District Veteran's table tennis tournament was held on Sunday 22nd February at the Bexhill Y.C.C. with the cream of the local (over 40s) on display in an action-packed day full of fabulous play and a few surprises!
In the over 60s nine players entered, split into two groups of five and four playing a 'round robin' (everyone plays each other) with the two most successful from each group going through to the semi-finals. In group one Roy Funnell and Martin Kellaway proved too strong for the other three players and comfortably made it through to the next stage while in group two all four were of a similar good standard capable of emerging victorious! As we expected some classic battles ensued resulting in three players all winning two games each so the 'count back system' (who won or lost most sets in their matches) had to be employed with John Ellis unfortunately missing out - after putting in some tremendous performances - while Nick Standen and Trevor Darby went through.
In the first semi-final the opening set proved decisive after some exciting push spin and attacking exchanges Martin Kellaway just squeezed passed Nick Standen on deuce 12-10 before establishing his trade mark quickfire short loop and smash routine to take the next two sets11-6,11-6.
The second semi-final was much closer as the two old hard hitting specialists Roy Funnell and Trevor Darby squared up for a really exciting battle as Roy's all out attacking style on both wings was quelled by some clever deep chop and push by Trevor, while smashing home any high balls! Roy took the first leg 11-6 but there on in there was hardly a point between them as the second set went to Trevor 16-14, the third to Roy 11-9 as they pushed, topped and attacked relentlessly on, but the luck went with Roy in the fourth as he crossed the line 13-11.
The over 60s final between Martin and Roy didn't quite live up to its billing as Martin learnt from his earlier encounter in the group stage where he lost to Roy - this time chopping deeper, top spinning more but with less open counter attacking (the game Roy excels in). After a close first set favouring Martin 13-11 he then went on to take the next two 11-7,11-5 and become a worthy winner, lifting the title from Roy who won it last year and has held the trophy four times altogether.
Report by Mike Funnell
Full story: https://trib.al/D4X2tGU
