JUNIOR table tennis in Weymouth is thriving judging by the number of entries for the Weymouth Schools Individual Tournament, held at the Wey Valley Tennis Centre.

There were 49 entries across six categories – Under-11, 13 and 17 boys and girls – and a number of schools were represented, including Budmouth, Wey Valley, All Saints, Sir John Colfox, Holy Trinity, Radipole, Chickerell, St John’s, Sunninghill and Southill.

The competition was of a very high standard and with so many entries just for Weymouth it was particularly encouraging to see the quality of table tennis that was played.

The event was sponsored by Redlands Sports Hub and trophies were donated by Dot and Heather Dowell, and presented to the winners by Simon Burke, son of Ron Burke, a former Wey-mouth League player.

Tournament organiser Andy Millar said: “I was delighted with the turnout and, considering the sweltering heat in the tennis centre, the players put on a fantastic show for the appreciative crowd of parents watching.

“The semi-finals and finals were of a very high quality and this backs up recent progress made in the sport in Weymouth where nine players now attend South West Regional training in Bournemouth.

“Several players are now being considered for county selection next season and we want to build on this success and visit more schools, particularly helping primary schools get into the sport.”

Ben Graham comfortably won both his games in the final and it was the battle for second place between Tom Cherry and Sam Millar that kept the crowd entertained.

Cherry was all out on attack while Millar defended away from the table in exhibition style and he raced away with the match in the decider.

Results Boys’ under-17s, semi-finals: Ben Graham 2 Brad Burroughs 0, Tom Cherry 2 Brad Webb 1, Sam Millar 2 Lily Cherry 1.

Final (round-robin): Graham 2 T Cherry 0, Graham 2 Millar 0, Millar 2 T Cherry 1.

Lily Cherry defended the under-17 title she won last year with a straight forward 3-0 win.

Her victory comes as she has been selected by top Dorset side Bournemouth Sports to play in the Junior British League next season.

Girls’ under-17s, final: Lilla Baktai 0 Lily Cherry 3.

Jamie Blair edged out Luke Dadds in the first game (9-11, 11-3, 11-6) then Blair beat Dom Webb 11-6, 12-10 to win the under-13s’ title.

Boys’ under-13s, semi-finals: Jamie Blair 2 Will Jolliffe 0, Dom Webb 2 James Mathie 1, Luke Dadds 2 Ben Hannigan 0. Final (round-robin): Blair 2 Dadds 1, Blair 2 Webb 0, Webb 2 Dadds 0.

April Heasman won the under-13 crown with a confident display of forehand attacking shots and the sort of form that has seen her called up to the South West Regional Development squad. The battle for second saw All Saints’ pupil Annalise Dive just see off Mya Williams from Wey Valley (11-7, 12-10).

Girls’ under-13s: 1 April Heasman, 2 Annalise Dive, 3 Mya Williams

Ollie James played superbly to defeat his opponents in the final, while the contest for second was much closer with Evan Oliver just coming through against Alex Rogan (9-11, 11-3, 11-8).

Boys’ under-11s, semi-finals: Alex Rogan 2 Louis Gear 0, Ollie James 2 Taylor Antell 0, Evan Oliver 2 Sam Burton 1. Final (round-robin): James 2 Rogan 0, James 2 Oliver 0, Oliver 2 Rogan 1.

Talented Year Five Holy Trinity pupil Rosa McKechnie won all of her matches but was made to work hard for victory against runner-up Erin Stow from Rad-ipole Primary.

In the only five-set match of the tournament, Rosa edged it 11-6, 10-12, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8.

Girls’ under-11s: 1 Rosa McKechnie, 2 Erin Stow, 3 Gabby Hannigan, 4 Willow Mather

The Ron Burke Memorial Trophy has been donated for the winners of the Junior League, which has been held between schools during the year.

The trophy was presented by his son Simon to the Budmouth A team of Tom Cherry and Sam Millar.