Sam Walker pipped in national singles table tennis final but wins mixed doubles with Tin Tin Ho

Paul Drinkhall took has taken his fifth England national singles title with a 4-2 win over Worksop's Sam Walker.
Worksop's Sam Walker. Photo: Steve EllisWorksop's Sam Walker. Photo: Steve Ellis
Worksop's Sam Walker. Photo: Steve Ellis

Walker had brought to an end the three year reign of Chesterfield’s Liam Pitchford in the semi-finals but the experience of Drinkhall proved a hurdle too far for the ex Vulcan player.

Earlier Pitchford and Drinkhall were in blistering form as they made it four men’s doubles titles in a row with the demolition of Chris Doran and Mike O’Driscoll.

Walker gained some consolation as he celebrated a hat-trick of Mixed Doubles titles alongside the newly crowned women’s champion, seventeen-year-old Tin Tin Ho, defeating David McBeath and Emma Vickers in straight games.

*South Yorkshire juniors have completed their county championship season with a 6-4 win over Lincolnshire, as Harry Saxton, Jake Cutts and Amy Gittings went unbeaten.

Over the two weekends the team played five matches winning two. Michael Taylor, Edmund Lau, Jessie Truman and Emily Walker all played

their part in the campaign.

* See Sheffield Table Tennis League and KO Cup round-up in Grass Roots on Friday.