TABLE TENNIS

THE West Essex league tournament proved that fairy tales do come true as 15-year-old Chris Penrose became the new men's singles champion.

The unseeded youngster was player of the tournament and produced the same form he has shown all season in division two - where he was top of the averages with 92 per cent - to defeat Steve Codrington 11-8, 11-6, 11-4 in the final.

In the restricted singles final (for players outside of division one) Penrose was top seed and beat number two seed Dave Charles in the final 10-12, 11-8, 11-2, 11-8.

In the women's singles, Pat Swann had to come from two sets down to beat Thana Zhairy 10-12, 6-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7. But she was unable to repeat her success in the mixed doubles as she and partner Steve Codrington lost to Marion and Dennis Sweeney.

In the veterans singles final, John Tendler and Mick Vigon fought a marathon of a match before the former was victorious 11-9, 7-11, 12-10, 5-11, 11-4.

Tendler and Vigon were top seeds in the men's doubles but lost in the semi-final to number four seeds Phil Jacobs and Ray Brown, who played some excellent angled shots in their 15-13, 11-5, 11-4 victory.

In the final, Jacobs and Brown beat number two seeds Paul Pells and Phil Walker 8-11, 11-9, 11-3, 14-12.