PHIL Payne was back on the winners’ podium in the Taunton Table Tennis League’s Closed Tournament last Sunday, appearing in three finals and winning two.

It was back in 1997 when Payne last played and won the Open Singles for the fifth time but, in an absorbing final against number one seed Steve Joel, Payne demonstrated that his defensive capabilities were still second to none.

Now qualified as a veteran, Payne also took the Steve Hayman Cup, defeating team-mate Dave Adeniji who had overcome Messrs Troke, Shephard and Whale en-route, and gave Payne plenty to think about, before losing in four sets.

The one that got away was the Open Doubles where Payne and Adeniji lost out to Steve Joel and Paddy Shephard.

Emma Kirby also won two events – regaining the Ladies Singles title and becoming the first female winner in over 30 years to take the Division 1 cup. Unseeded Derek Mayall won the Vintage Veterans cup against fourth seed Paddy Shephard, while Ricky King defeated team-mate Ethan Hodge in the Junior Final.

The league would like to thank Martin Reading, Emma Kirby, Mel Horner and Phil Jones for their sterling work and Ark Removals for their continued sponsorship.

Open Singles Final – Phil Payne beat Steve Joel 11-8, 14-2, 7-11, 12-10. Division 1 Final – Emma Kirby beat Wendy Pryce 11-5, 10-12, 11-7, 11-4. Mary Miller Commemorative Trophy – Emma Kirby beat Caroline Berkley 12-10,11-7,11-9. Jim Miller Juniors Cup – Ricky King beat Ethan Hodge 11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9. Steve Hayman Final – Phil Payne beat Dave Adeniji 11-3, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8. Open Doubles Final – Steve Joel and Paddy Shephard beat Phil Payne and Dave Adeniji 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-7. Vintage Veterans Final – Derek Mayall beat Paddy Shephard 7-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7.

NO SAINTS have won for the first time since October in their bid to escape relegation from the Premier Division of the Ark Removals Taunton Table Tennis League, despite conceding to a maximum to Art Angles’ Mike Crook.

Terry Key and Vince Court won two apiece as No Saints picked up four 3-0 wins to end a run of nine league defeats.

The former England ranked player Phil Payne, who last played in the Taunton league some 13 years ago, could not save Saints Valiants from defeat at the TMCA Reds, where the in-form Mark Morley won a maximum. Payne did secure two singles, as did Dave Yarde for the Reds.

James Gillard and Mike Hurley both hit possible as Saints Sabres won for only the second time, but it was a timely double over bottom side TMCA Old Stars.

Saints Spinners still lead Division 1, despite conceding a maximum to Tiverton Touchdowns’ Dave Woodland, while the ‘YM derby’ Ron Cann won three, Jon Cross and Mike Gillingham two each, as the rainbows defeated the Marauders.

Premier Division – YMCA Old Stars 13, Saints Sabres 25; Ilminster Saints 27, Levellers 12; YMCA Reds 22, Saints Valiants 20; Ark Angels 17, No Saints 21. Division 1 – Monday Knights 21, Little Saints 15; Saints Spinners 21, Tiverton 16; YMCA Rainbows 27, YMCA Marauders 16.