Smash maniacs dominate table tennis tourney

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Monday March 25, 2013 00:00

 

After an easy passage to the finals as unbeaten Group A leaders, Maniacs men smashed their rivals Nhabe 3-0 in the final. Former number one, Bonolo Mabote set Maniacs on the way to the convincing victory by defeating Nhabe's Santudu.

The bulky Santudu had earlier displayed impressive form in the group stages and probably fancied chances of further humiliating the out-of-sorts Mabote. However, in a fight to redeem himself after a disastrous campaign last year, Mabote was resolute in the final. He had a somewhat sloppy start to the first set, allowing his opponent to take control in the early stages. Thrice he came from behind but once he got going, he never looked back. He won the set 11-7.

Mabote shot to an early 5-1 lead in the second set before Santudu levelled scores at 10-10. However, he won it 12-10 after Santundu committed two errors. Santudu put up a more convincing display to win the third set 11-9 to bounce back to contention. With the scores 2-1 in favour of Mabote, Santudu knew a win in the next set would throw the game open.

But he found his opponent more direct and purposeful in the exciting fourth set. The two made quick exchanges, but the scores were not kept too close this time. Mabote quickly shot to a 4-1 lead and never looked back. He won the set 11-7. 'It was important for me to win the opening game for my team, but I must admit that it was quite a tough one.

But, overall, we all played well as a team and I am glad we have won this tournament,' Mabote said.The second match of the final was equally pulsating with Joseph Kgatlane edging out Mcdonald Qalinga 3-2 before Tshepo Modisane beat Dafrien Goppani 3-0 to complete a 3-0 win. In the women's competition, Maniacs' star-studded side with the likes of Boitshwarelo 'Bizo' Butale, Matshidiso Osi, Phemelo Gaborapelwe, Namibo Mbulawa and Lovie Chilisa proved too strong for BDF who finished second.

Like the men, the Maniacs women finished the tournament unbeaten. 'We started training on January 27 and other clubs were asking us what we were training for, but I think after today they can see what we were preparing for,' Osi said. The club competition was the first tournament of the season.