New boys sparkle at NSTTL

After a top-of-the-table duel at group stage, the Junior Final saw a re-run of the Wembley against Radlett clash and, ably supported by Ben Dallal, Wembley produced a high-tempo performance that Radlett had no answer to.

Match of the Day was undoubtedly between Wembley’s Joe Kaye and Radlett’s Freddie Coverman. Kaye staged an incredible comeback full of top-notch rallies, fighting back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in a match that brought the house down.

Norrice Lea’s Junior Consolation Trophy victory had its own surprise package in 10-year-old Jacob
Zakaim, who went through the entire event without losing a match and, alongside Benjy Callman and Sonny Gayer, stormed to the title after finishing bottom at group stage.

As if the old hands had not endured enough new boys Redbridge, featuring Michael and Simon Feingold, Scott Wigul, Ben Abrahams and Simon Bitton, beat Muswell Hill in the Senior Consolation final.

It was left to the irrepressible Mill Hill to take the only trophy won by a previous entrant and once again they did it in fine style running out Senior Champions for a third year in a row.

Team Maccabi GB’S Maccabiah star Dov Katz, the experienced Leslie Samuels, Len Siskind and Alan Rayne proved too much for third-time runners up, Norrice Lea, where Katz’s European Maccabi Games team-mates, Adam Black and Michael Gerrard, alongside Peter Wilson, were unable to provide the upset.

It was a day of big performances from some of the newest faces in Jewish table tennis.