Morris slams hard in Tennis tourney

Richard Morris turned out to be the “Knight of the Green Table,” when the 2005 Vinlec Schools’ Table Tennis championship concluded last Friday.

Morris, a 16 year-old Fourth former at the Georgetown Secondary School student, procured the Boys Under-20 Singles title and triumphed in the Mixed Doubles and Boys Doubles. It was Morris’ first titles as the tournament wound up at the established venue at the Campden Park Secondary School.{{more}}

“That’s my boy,” were the words of father and Coach Elford Charles, as he witnessed his offspring take the winning point in the Boys Singles.

The more sedate Morris had to ward off a cocky Kamal Hunte of the Campden Park Secondary School, whose histrionics may have cost him the top spot.

Morris won 13-11,11-9,13-11.

Hunte was at the receiving end of Morris in the Mixed Doubles. The combination of Morris and Kandice Franklyn ousted Hunte and Nickesha Mc Lean 11-6,11-5,7-11,11-6.

And with Roman Cole, Morris secured another trophy for his school.

The two took out St. Elbert Walters and Akeem Green of the Camden Park Secondary 11-8,11-9,11-5.

Georgetown Secondary also took the Girls Singles Open champion, through the Franklyn’s efforts.

The 15 year-old Franklyn made it her fourth consecutive lien on the title. She brushed aside Mc Lean 11-9,12-10,5-11,11-7.

But the sport may be without the skills of Franklyn, as Table Tennis is not her first love.

A lover of male dominated sports, Franklyn plans to channel her energies to football.

The Campden Park Secondary’s lone title was by Keron John. He thwarted the efforts of the Georgetown Secondary’s St. Elbert Walters, beating him 11-8,11-9,11-5.

Alan-Dee Ballantyne of the St. Vincent Grammar School was adjudged the Most Improved player.

Vinlec sponsored the tournament, a deal procured by former Table Tennis Association President Donnie De Freitas.

Based in St. Lucia, DeFreitas fulfilled a promise made at last year’s Closing Ceremony.

Stanley Harris a representative of the sponsors was on hand at the closing last Friday.

The championship also benefited from the financial input by Caribbean Court of Justice Adrian Saunders.