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Despite the great result Ben Morley doesn’t have enough time on his hands to take table tennis further.
By Ben Donaldson
Ben Morley of Rodney College took out the Northland Secondary Schools Table Tennis Championship in June despite having little hope of winning prior.
The event was held at Whangarei’s ASB Leisure Centre in Kensington Park where the 16 year old dismissed 51 other hopefuls including Otamatea rival Danyon Tana.
“I hadn’t really been training before the tournament. I didn’t expect to make the final,” Ben says.
“When I beat Danyon I knew I could win.”
The tournament had two pool stages before the play-off rounds, where Ben beat Danyon 3-1 in the quarter-finals.
The final game was against Ryan Nankivell of Bay of Islands College, and went to five games, finishing 3-2.
“The final was pretty nerve racking. My opponent was very good.
“I usually try and target the player’s backhand because it’s weaker, but his wasn’t.”
Ben attributes his success to being relaxed going into the tournament and is happy to have a Northland award.
“I don’t think I will progress with my table tennis. The next level is a big step up and I am committed to other sports.”
