National champion Joseph Dibbs (facing camera) hits the ball back at Bruce Cormack in Saturday's St. James Table Tennis Association 2007 Systems & Blastking Tournament, staged at the Montego Bay Cricket Club. Dibbs copped the men's Open Singles title. - photo by Adrian Frater

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

National champion Joseph Dibbs gave a clinical display of his class on Saturday when he captured the coveted men's Open Singles title at the St. James Table Tennis Association (St. JTTA) 2007 Systems & Blastking Tournament, staged at the Montego Bay Cricket Club.

In an action-packed final, Dibbs, who disposed of the likes of former St. James star Peter Tomlinson on his way to the final, ran into a stiff challenge from national invitee Paulton Madden, and after taking some time to fully assess his south-paw-style opponent, he ran away a straight sets winner at 11-8, 11-4, 12-10, 11-7.

However, while Dibbs was easily the best player on show, for Jamaica Table Tennis Association president, Keith Garvey, it was the performance of the junior players, the majority of whom came from the Montego Bay Boys' Club, which impressed him most.

On the rise again

"Based on what I saw here today, I believe St. James' table tennis is on the rise once again and it would appear that the parish is well on the way to producing outstanding players such as former parish stalwarts Ian Spencer and Courtney Wilson," said Garvey. "I am truly impressed."

Among the outstanding junior players were 16-year-old Lamar Cunningham and 11-year-old Aiesha Blake, who both emerged double champions.

Cunningham first took the boys Under-18 title, defeating Glenroy Williams 10-12, 12-10, 11-7, 12-10 and later returned to outclass Fabian Gifford 6-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-4, 12-10 to win the male Under-21 title. Blake first won the girls' Under-12 title, beating Amoy Allen 11-9, 5-11 and 11-9 and when they met again in Under-15 final, she again prevailed 11-5, 11-6, 11-4.

The other junior winners were Ryheim Cole, who defeated Joel Powell 11-9, 11-7, 11-9 in the boys' Under-12 final; Andre Simpson, who blew past Yahanda Lewis 11-3, 11-8, 11-6 to take the boys Under-15 title; and Tweety-Ann Reid, who had a straight sets 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 win over Renece Smither.

In the seniors' section, St. JTTA president, Bruce Cormack, role back the clock in fine style, beating Peter Tomlinson twice to win both the St. James men's singles and St. James veteran singles titles. He won the men's singles 11-6, 11-3, 11-3 and returned to cop the veteran's crown 11-7, 11-8, 11-6.

Reigning Jamaica female darts champion, Deanna Marsh, showed her versatility in the St. James women's singles final, turning back the challenge of the youthful Renece Smither 11-6, 11-7, 11-6.