The County Antrim Open tournament was held on Saturday 23rd September with a total of 91 entries over the 4 events contested, namely the Open Challenger, the Mixed Open, and the Des Flanagan Investment Solutions Over 40s and Over 60s Singles.
The Mixed Open event attracted the biggest entry of the 4 events with 33 players participating. The final was contested by Adam Faulkner and Daryl Strong with Adam recording his first ever victory over the Irish table tennis legend by the narrowest of margins 13.11 in the fifth set.
The Mixed Open Consolation was won by Mark McAllister defeating James Hanna in a tightly contested final.
The Challenger event which excludes the top 20 ranked Seniors and top 16 ranked Juniors was won by up-and-coming starlet Alex Lo who defeated a battling Euan Hanna in the final.
Local Ballymena player Peitr Jakowitz won the Consolation final defeating David McCaughern from the mighty Osmond Club.
The Des Flanagan Investment Solution Series Over 60s event final had sponsor Des Flanagan pitted against his old adversary and friend Sean McAnaney. In a game of much skill, sprinkled with the customary gamesmanship, it was Sean who edged passed Des in 5 sets 8, -7, -6, 5, 6. The Over 60s Consolation final was won by Torsten Jentsch who defeated the evergreen Roy Coard in the final.
The Des Flanagan Investment Solution Series Over 40s event final had two old adversaries Philip Wallace and Daryl Strong once again clashing in a final. Daryl won in straight sets 13, 4, 8. Torsten Jentsch reprised his Consolation victory in the Over 60s by defeating Ossie Patterson in straight sets.
The host club would like to thank sponsors Des Flanagan Investment Solutions and Mid and East Antrim Council and Ballymena Academy for the use of their Hall. Thanks also goes to tournament referee Norman McBride and Assistant referee Francis Shirley for all their hard work on the day and to all the players who participated making it another successful event. And last a thank you to Table Tennis Ulster and especially Ryan for advertising the event amongst the table tennis fraternity.