The Fred Holden Handicap Cup Final between the Merlins & the Tigers was played at HTTC on Wednesday night and what a thrilling match it was. Third Division Merlins were represented by father and son Martin and James Astle along with Sam Bell, whilst Second Division's Tigers fielded Sam and Ollie Bradshaw along with Josh McLean. The Tigers gave the Merlins a 60+ start and worked hard to try to catch this up. Ged Simpson umpired and Bernard Milnes kept the scorecard.

It has to be said that the standard of play throughout the evening was really high with some exceptional rallies. The game ebbed and flowed with the Tigers gradually reducing the handicap but then Merlins gaining some points back. In the end it all came down to the final match of the evening between Josh and James. Josh played really well in the first three games to get the score equal going into the final game, however James then hit a hot patch and sealed the game and the match. After an evening of thrilling table tennis Merlins won by a mere 8 points.

All the players have to be congratulated for providing a night of great table tennis, which the spectators really enjoyed. it was a shame that there had to be a losing team.