The ADTTA U1000 Banded Singles tournament took place at Balgownie Pavilion ADTTA Training Facility on Saturday 26th September, bringing together 13 players for a day of competitive and enjoyable table tennis.
With the 13 entrants divided into two bands, players competed in round-robin groups, facing every other player in their band. Band 1 featured seven players, while Band 2 had six.
The event was particularly well supported by players from Westhill TTC and Inverurie TTC, helping to create a friendly but competitive atmosphere throughout the day.
With the tournament not reaching the maximum number of entries, the day had a slightly more relaxed feel than usual. There was even time to enjoy a proper lunch break before getting back to the tables!
Band 1 – Yuechen remains unbeaten
In Band 1, Yuechen Low produced an excellent performance, winning every match to finish the day undefeated and take the Band 1 title.
Brian Smith finished in second place, but he still had a chance to win the band going into the final match of the day. His opponent was Yuechen, meaning everything was on the line. Brian made the perfect start, taking the first game 11–6. Yuechen, however, responded strongly and turned the match around, winning the next three games 11–7, 11–9, 11–6 to maintain his unbeaten record and secure first place.
One of the day’s other notable results came from John Herron, who finished seventh. John produced an excellent performance against runner-up Brian Smith, winning their match 12–10, 11–6, 11–9. That result highlights one of the great features of the banded format: every player has a genuine opportunity to make an impact, regardless of where they are ranked within the group. Preparation, concentration and being ready to perform on the day can make all the difference.
There was also an extremely close encounter between Brian Smith and Oliver Norman. Brian eventually came through in the 4th, but there was almost no room for error. The match score was: 15–17, 12–10, 13–11, 11–8.
Band 2 – Gracie’s fantastic day
Band 2 produced another outstanding performance, this time from Gracie Ralph, who enjoyed a fantastic day and finished as the undefeated winner of the band.
Her club mate John Percival finished second, suffering just one defeat – against Gracie. John was particularly impressed by Gracie’s performance and had plenty of reason to be pleased with his own showing too.
Joanna Rozycka finished third and clearly enjoyed the competition. One of her highlights was a win against higher-rated Cammy McKay, which also gave Joanna a welcome boost to her rating.
The tournament also provided Colin Shields and Simon Darwin, who are joining the ADTTA League this season, with their first taste of competitive match play. It was a valuable opportunity for both players to experience the intensity and atmosphere of table tennis tournament.
One of the closest matches of the entire day came in Band 2, when Cammy McKay faced Simon Darwin. It was a real nail-biter, with Cammy eventually edging out the win in the 5th: 10–12, 11–9, 7–11, 11–9, 12–10.
An excellent day of competitive play
Overall, the ADTTA U1000 Banded Singles proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable day of table tennis, combining competitive matches with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. All scores from the tournament are available to view on Stadium TT and on Ratings Central, where the full results and match details can be found.
The results also demonstrated exactly why the banded format works so well. Players get plenty of matches, every game matters, and there is always the possibility of an upset. As John Herron’s win over Brian Smith showed, rankings and expectations can quickly go out the window once the players step up to the table.
A huge thank you to everyone who took part and helped make the event such a memorable day. The support from players from Westhill TTC and Inverurie TTC was greatly appreciated, and it was fantastic to see both experienced competitors and players new to league competition enjoying the tournament.
ADTTA is planning to run another series of Banded Singles tournaments early next year. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the tables for more competitive matches, close finishes and, hopefully, a few more surprises!
