Bespectacled Shubham Ambre turned out to be the hero of Santacruz Gymkhana as they scored a stunning 3-2 win ovewr defending champions Andheri YMCA in the men’s final of the MSDTTA 1st division inter-club table tennis leagu, hosted by Juhu Vile Parle Gymkhana here today. Shubham not onlywon a narrow win over Shaurya Pednekar by three gamesd to two, he played at his best, while lowering the colours of Eric Fernandes in the deciding tie that saw Santacruz outfit clinching the title for the first time in ages.
Santacruz Gymkhana foursome- Shubham Ambre, Nishaad Shah, Ajinkya Shintre and Aditya Shinde, who toppled defending champions Andheri 3-2 to bag the men’s title.
Much was expected from India ranked Nishaad Shah, but he lost to opener to Eric 3-1. Later, however, he redeemed himself by thrashing Shaurya 3-0 to take the tie to the decider, which later dominated. The other loss to Santacruz side came from Ajinkya Shintre, who lost to Dheera Rai in another nail-biting tie.
However, for the Santaacruz women’s team, it was all Divya Despande show. She virtually steamrolled both Priti Mokash and Charvi Kawle in straight games. But her teammate Shruti Talnikar failed to provide her adequate support, especially in the doubles tie as well as in the decider, where Priti outplayed her.
Santacruz Gymkhana Women’s team( Right) congratulating Mulund Gymkhana Women’s team for their narrow 3-2 win to claim the women’s honours.
RESULTS OF THE FINALS: (1ST DIVISION):
MEN: Santacruz Gym ‘A’ bt Andheri YMCA 3-2: Nishaad Shah lost to Eric Fernandes 11-6, 6-11, 8-11, 10-12; Shubham Ambre bt Shaurya Pednekar 12-10, 6-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8; Ajinkya Shintre lost to Dheeraj Rai 5-11, 14-12, 7-11, 11-7, 6-11; Nishaad S bt Shaurya P. 11-6, 11-9, 11-6; Shubnham A bt Eric F 11-7, 11-3, 11-9.
WOMEN: Mulund Gym bt Santacruz Gym 3-2: Priti Mokashi lost to Divya Deshpande 7-11, 2-11,5-11; Charvi Kawle bt Shruti Talnikar 4-11, 8-11, 14-12, 11-7, 11-7; Priti/Charvi byt Divya/Shruti 11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 5-11, 11-8; Priti M bt Shruti 11-6, 11-7, 11-6.