Minton's spring table tennis friendly: the High Court, Huangpu government, Huawei and Minton teams
On 20 March the Xianglian table tennis hall hosted a joint training session and spring friendship tournament between four teams: Minton, the Shanghai High People's Court's Pujiang Tianping team, the Huangpu district government's team and the Huawei table tennis club's team. Played as a single round robin, each tie was best of three over five matches, four singles and one doubles, with a woman required in every line-up. Minton beat Huangpu and Huawei but lost the deciding tie to the High Court team, which took the trophy. Director Shen Mo presented the prizes.
On 20 March the "Shanghai Minton joint table tennis training and spring friendship tournament" was held at the Xianglian table tennis hall. Four teams took part: the Shanghai Minton table tennis team (Minton), the Shanghai High People's Court Pujiang Tianping team (the High Court Pujiang Tianping team), the Huangpu district government's table tennis team (the Huangpu government team) and the Huawei table tennis association's Yizhe club team (the Huawei Yizhe team).
The format was a single round robin, each tie best of three over five matches: singles, singles, doubles, singles and singles. Before play began the players of each team warmed up and practised in an orderly way.
Play began at 1.30 in the afternoon. The players could hardly wait to get on court, and the spectators watched and cheered them on.
The Minton cheerleaders urge the team on
The first round paired Minton with the Huangpu government team and the High Court Pujiang Tianping team with Huawei Yizhe. Zhu Liliang, captain of the Minton team, played first and beat his opponent, and the High Court Pujiang Tianping team also won its first-round tie.
The second round paired Minton with Huawei Yizhe and the High Court Pujiang Tianping team with the Huangpu government team. Minton's doubles pair were Luo Deqing and Su Jie, and experience told: Mr Luo's fine drive brought the hall to its feet. Minton and the High Court Pujiang Tianping team both won again in the second round.
Luo Deqing of Minton in action
The third round paired Minton with the High Court Pujiang Tianping team and Huawei Yizhe with the Huangpu government team, and this round decided first and second place. Because the rules require every team to field a woman, Minton was represented by Che Minyi, whose fine play and striking presence drew every eye in the hall. The tournament reached its height amid loud cheering and fierce exchanges, and the High Court Pujiang Tianping team won the tie and with it the trophy.
The women players in action
After several rounds every team was drenched in sweat but in high spirits, and fine moments came one after another. A short prize-giving followed on court: Shen Mo, director of Minton, presented the trophies to the winning teams as guest of honour, and the teams posed for a photograph. The joint training and spring friendship tournament thus closed in a cheerful atmosphere; the teams exchanged technique, made friends and agreed to meet again.
Shen Mo of Minton presents the prizes
Photograph of the four teams
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