Table tennis star of the future James Smith declared that every point counted as Whitgift School reached the London Schools final of the Jack Petchey Foundation team competition.
Smith, 13, with Reiss Vydelingum, 13, Jason Kwok, 14, and 15-year-olds Callum McKeague and Kobi Mintah won the U16s regional final last weekend to reach next month’s London finals.
It was a close run thing however, as Whitgift and Wilson’s School ended the regional final all square on four games each.
Whitgift were declared winners by winning 16 sets to 14 on count back.
Smith, who has won singles titles at U11 and U13 in the London Schools event and he has represented England, said: “This competition had a great atmosphere and every game, every point counted.”
Coach Goran Maric said: “This is the first year we have been working together. This is a good team and we can’t wait for the final.”
Wallington County Grammar School will also be at the January showdown after coming through their U13s south London regional final.
Tin-Chi Wong, 11, Samuel Pang, Ajay Potavado, both 12, and 13-year-olds Arjun Pereira and Billy Edgar beat eight teams to stake their place in the finals on January 31.
Wallington winners: Tin-Chi Wong, Samuel Pang, Ajay Potavado, Arjun Pereira and Billy Edgar
Pereira said: “We like this competition because it is well organised and gave us good competition against other players.
“We can’t wait for the final. Table tennis is a great sport and really good for developing hand to eye coordination and footwork.”
There will also be representatives from Ernest Bevan College, who won the U13s regional central London final.
Joel Attah, Matteo Williams, Matthew Burnett and Emmanuel Oba, all aged 13, came out on top of 37 schools to stake their place.
Burnett said: “It’s the first time we have won and it felt amazing, but we were nervous.”
Coach Brendan Wiese, from Brazil, has been at the school for two months and brings his 16 years of professional playing experience to the young side.
He said: “The boys are doing well. I can share my playing skills and help them win more competitions.”
Ernest Bevan winners: Joel Attah, Matteo Williams, Matthew Burnett and Emmanuel Oba
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