HARLOW’S Ralph Pattison justified his top seeding as he became under-13 boys’ champion at the Mark Bates Ltd National Championships.

Pattison, who plays at the BATTS club in the town, was in dominant form as he reached the final without dropping a set as he searched for his second national title after winning gold in the under-11 category in 2019.

His opponent was second seed Isaac Kingham, who had also not dropped a set before the final, but it was Pattison who struck first as he opened up a 2-0 lead.

Kingham fought back by winning the third set, but Pattison held a narrow advantage throughout the fourth and completed a 3-1 (11-6, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9) victory.

The 13-year-old, a pupil at Mark Hall Academy, said: “I’m over the moon. I was confident but I know Isaac has talent.

“The whole event was a big challenge, a big ask – hard qualifying, hard final, hard semi-final. My hard work’s really paid off for me, so I’m really happy.”

At the same event, held by Table Tennis England under covid protocols, BATTS player Charles Donald was a silver medallist in the under-10 boys’ event.

Donald reached the final with a superb 3-2 (11-8, 14-12, 7-11, 8-11, 11-9) victory over Sultan Adeleke in the semis, but he found top seed Teagan Khazal too strong in the final and was beaten 3-0 (11-4, 12-10, 11-6).

The event at the University of Warwick saw the crowning of the sport’s first national champions in any age group since March 2020.

Photos courtesy of Michael Loveder