Perse Prep pupil takes national table tennis title

Joyce (Year 6) was a smash hit after being crowned champion in the IAPS (Independent Association of Prep Schools) national table tennis finals at Edge Grove.

She won gold in the girls’ U11 competition with a series of sensational performances, including a 2-1 victory over fellow Perse Prep pupil Ellie (Year 6) in the semi-final – the only set she dropped during the whole tournament.

Joyce showcased her talent throughout with an impressive backhand and forehand, as well as displaying plenty of guile when using spin and serving, as she went on to win the final 2-0.

Ellie ended up in a third-place decider where she lost 2-1 in a very tight match with the deciding set going 11-9 to her opponent, having earlier beaten Lavanya (Year 5) in the play-off round. Lavanya went on to claim an impressive sixth place overall.

Meanwhile in the boys’ U11 event, which featured 60 competitors, Andy (Year 5) played amazingly well to reach the quarter-finals, where he lost to the eventual champion 2-0.

Dhruv (Year 6) made it to the round of 16 after progressing through a tough group and play-off before narrowly missing out on a place in the last eight, while Charles (Year 6) did an excellent job of getting to the play-offs for the round of 16.