The English Sports Table Football Association (ESTFA), 2009- 2010 season got off to a flyer on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

With the fixture calendar in place and a guarantee of a spot in the England World Cup squad for each category up for grabs, coupled with it being an International Open, it saw a good number (21) of players in attendance.  This included some of the ‘top’ British Players! to name a few: Justin Finch, Kasper Bennett, Chris Thomas, Adrian Ritoridis, and Monkey (John Lauder) in attendance.

The venue was excellent and complimented the nature of the event and the participants.  We were playing in a private room at one of the David Lloyd Sport Clubs.  We had plenty of room for seats, food and drink was available, and we were also playing on the best pitches – San Siro.  Each player played at least 3 games for £10 each, which represents really good value for money.

One of the first things to mention is the variety of bases being used by players.  Chris, Adrian, and Jeremy were using the Extreme works bases (more to come).  Justin and Kcarrie Valentine were using ‘Bodo’ bases, whilst top youngster Brandon Lavender, and the new NETFA signing Andrew Hillerby were using the Stefan Corda G2A Raptor bases.  Martin Hodds, superbly played well with the ‘cheapest’ and the most cost effective bases the Sure-Shots.

Extreme works bases – special report: They seems to be a slight shift in the top players using these bases as opposed to the Astrobases.  They are of a similar shape but the main difference is that the inner part of the base is lower down within the main component.  It is also quite light.  This seems to generate a good lift of the ball when shooting and it also seems to knock the opposition figures further.

Kevin Dyson, played with the traditional flat bases.  Those that have played Kevin will hopefully agree that the ‘flats’ can be equally affective in the ESTFA / FISTF events as they are in the ‘big ball’ events.  With the ability to curl and nice long flicks it does show that the modern game is not all about playing in straight lines.  He was unlucky to not progress through his groups, but he then managed to win the Veteran category by beating Phil Holmes. Maybe this does show that the game is open to those traditional ‘big ball’ players.  If you like the big ball events why not try this as well!

The rest of the field played with G2, or a variety of Astro bases, this showing that they is a chance for players to choose from a wide range of bases with the ability to curl and still do well.

The full results are shown on the next page.

 

Junior:

What was particular good to see were that at least 4 juniors in attendance.  From speaking to teacher, Adrian, I was informed that he runs a nice after school Subbuteo club which attracts a good spread of youngsters, up to 30 at a time.  I am aware that Kcarrie Valentine also runs a similar club, and the association would like to thank you for the work you do in promoting the game.  Two of these youngsters were at the event and they seemed to have a good time, scoring some goals to boot.  I remember Chris Thomas as a youngster and we hope to see more youngsters at events

 

Plate:

For those not fortunate to get through the groups the Leicester IO saw an opportunity for players to play against similar levels.  The plate consisted of a group of 3, myself, Gary Pearson  (Leeds), and Kcarrie Valentine.

Kcarrie won all of his two group games and I have to admit that over the last two years his game his come on lots.  This shows that with regular practice and tournament experience anyone new can prosper.  On a similar vein, Gary Leeds, scored his first couple of tournament goals, and his game is always developing.

 

The next event is the Liverpool Open and we hope to see as many players, no matter what ability in attendance.

 

Open

 

Group 1 Country/Club                                                                  G     N Pts

  1.     Kasper Bennett ENG/ses   6                       4     2                      3     0   9

  2.     Justin Finch ENG/epl                   6     9              1                      2     0   6

  3.     Dimitris Stemitsiotis ENG/atl               0        0        4                  1     0   3

  4.     Gary Pearson ENG/yor      1        0                         0                  0     0   0

 

Group 2 Country/Club                                                                   G     N Pts

  1.     Chris Thomas ENG/car   2              4     4                                  3     0   9

  2.     Matt Lampitt ENG/epl     1          4                5                           2     0   6

  3.     Kcarrie Valentine SCO/yor    5        1           1                           1     0    3

  4.     Shawn Dickinson ENG/-         0    0        1                                  0     0   0

  

Group 3 Country/Club                                                  G     N Pts

  1.     Martin Hodds ENG/yor         6               2     0           2     1   7

  2.     Paul Lawrenson ENG/yor          0     7          0           1     1   5

  3.     Julio Candelas ESP/mai             0          1          6      1     1   4

  4.     Richard Matthews ENG/-     1          1               0      0     0    0

 

Group 4 Country/Club                                                  G     N Pts

  1.     David Lauder WAL/car     4                4             1     2     1     7

  2.     Adrian Ritoridis ENG/tsp        0     6                   1     1     2     5

  3.     Steve Hawkins ENG/epl         0           0     7             1     1     4

  4.     Kevin Adderley ENG/yor   1          0           0             0     0     0

 

Group 5 Country/Club                                                                                  G     N Pts

  1.     Jeremy Bradley ENG/tsp                           3   1        0        3                     1     1   10

  2.     Andrew Hillerby ENG/yor              1   10             3        9                          2     2     8

  3.     Dave Pawsey ENG/epl                  1                0        0           2                 2     1     7

  4.     Brandon Lavender ENG/wor                     2        1                 0    2           1      0    3

  5.     Alex Turpin ENG/tsp                            2                       0    1       1            0     0    0

 

Barrages

Matt Lampitt              -                      Paul Lawrenson                                2-1

Adrian Ritoridis          -                      Andrew Hillerby                                1-0

Quarter final

Kasper Bennett         -                       Matt Lampitt                                1-0

Jeremy Bradley         -                      David Lauder                                0-1

Martin Hodds             -                      Justin Finch                                0-3

Adrian Ritoridis          -                      Chris Thomas                             1-0

Semi-final

Kasper Bennett         -                     David Lauder                                6-0

Justin Finch               -                     Adrian Ritoridis                             2-1gg

Final

Kasper Bennett         -                     Justin Finch                                3-2gg

 

U15                               

Semi-final                                                                                                            

Brandon Lavender         -                  Richard Matthews                              9-0

Dimitris Stemitsiotis        -                  Shawn Dickinson                                3-1

Final

Brandon Lavender         -                  Dimitris Stemitsiotis                            4-0

 

Veterans                      

Group 1 Country/Club                                                   G     N Pts

  1.     Kev Dyson ENG/tsp   2     4         3                              3     0   9

  2.     Phil Holmes ENG/tsp   1          5                  1               1    1     4

  3.     Rudi de Smet BEL/aal        0                1     1               0     2   2

  4.     John Turpin ENG/tsp              0    2     1                      0     1   1