National table tennis title for Perse Prep pupil
Perse Prep pupils performed with distinction at the IAPS (Independent Association of Prep Schools) national table tennis finals at Edge Grove.
Sophie (Year 6) was crowned girls’ singles champion, while Willow (Year 6), Lillian and Arabella (both Year 5) all finished in the top eight overall following an initial round-robin group stage.
In her pool, Sophie won every match and moved into the semi-finals, where she faced a tough opponent. She won 2-1, after taking a tense deciding set 11-9, and went on to win the final 2-0 to take the IAPS title.
Meanwhile, a big field of 64 competitors featured in the boys’ tournament, with four players in each preliminary pool from which the winners and runners-up would play off for a place in the last 16.
Etienne, Robert and Atharv (all Year 6) won their groups, while Beau (Year 6) came second in his section, as they all qualified for the play-offs. Both Etienne and Robert made it through to the last 16, but were unable to progress further.
Prep teaching assistant Jacob Butler, who led the team at the IAPS finals, was delighted with how the pupils had played.
He said: “All the children did amazingly well, considering none of them play table tennis for a club or competitively, and they were up against high-ranked opponents whose main sport is table tennis.
“Their experience comes only through playing at lunch and breaktimes at the Prep and participating in the House table tennis tournament.
“It was a brilliant tournament and the children all supported one another and stayed until the very end to cheer and celebrate with Sophie in the final.”
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