Newsday Tuesday, March 25 2008

THE UNIVERSITY of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) opened their account with 3-0 victory over Oxford at the Oxford Club, San Fernando in the Petrotrin-sponsored Table Tennis competition.

National player Curtis Humphreys got UTT off to a sound start with an 11-6, 11-8, 7-11 and 11-8 victory over “A1” player Naresh Jodhan for a 1-0 UTT lead.

And later Kris Frank, a reserve player on the Trinidad and Tobago team turned back a spirited challenge from Kirk Mohammed with an 11-8, 11-7, 7-11 and 11-9 victory for a 2-0 lead.

The brothers Curtis and Alaric Humphreys, both students from the UTT and former national champions in doubles combined well to score an 11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6 victory over the Laquis/Mohammed tandem.

UTT will next play Carenage Blasters on Saturday at 1 pm, at Chaguanas Regional Indoor Auditorium, in a clash that will feature some of the best young talent in Trinidad and Tobago

Meanwhile Petrotrin bounced back from their opening loss against Arima Hawks with an away from home 3-1 victory over Oxford Club.

Oxford showed that they were not going to be pushovers, despite their underdog status. Indeed Anthony Laquis surprised Courtney Pugh by winning the first game but Pugh stormed back to win 3-1.

Captain Kurt Mohammed then produced a patient, thinking performance to edge pass Selwyn Singh11-7, 9-11, 11-7 and 11- 9.

With the scores tied at 1-1 apiece, Selwyn Singh and Bob Roopnarine combined well to stop the Laquis/Jodhan tandem 11-5, 7-11,11-7 and 11-8 for a 2-1 lead.

Courtney Pugh then ensured victory with a straight sets 11-7, 11-5 and 11-7 victory.

Petrotrin will hope to continue their winning ways when they meet Wazuri Wizards in a home encounter at Chaguanas Indoor Regional on Saturday from 2.30 pm.

Other fixtures for Saturday include a UTT vs Petrotrin match-up, while the Hawks will have a date with Oxford in another clash at Arima Community Centre.