THE final part of 2009 continued to be hectic for Denbigh table tennis twins Angharad and Megan Phillips.
During the last quarter of the year, they played in Bristol (twice), Stoke, Sheffield, Cardiff (on numerous occasions) and Stockton on Tees, as well as in Belgium and Portugal.
The English Open in Sheffield was a particular highlight as the two 15-year-olds rubbed shoulders with numerous Olympic and world champions.
The event also highlighted for Angharad and Megan the commitment required to reach the top of the table tennis world.
On the domestic front, the twins continue to claim some notable victories.
During this recent period, both of them have defeated five of the top-10 ranked UK U-19 players.
Highlights for Megan include twice defeating the England number four and five, as well as the Irish number one.
Meanwhile, amongst her victories, Angharad claimed wins against the England number three and five, as well as defeating the top-ranked Irish and Scottish seniors.
The closing event of a memorable year saw the Ysgol Brynhyfryd students representing Wales in the Portugal Open, an event which attracted competitors from more than 25 countries, including major table tennis powers Germany, France and Sweden.
In the team event, Angharad - who was playing with Charlotte Carey - finished seventh, while Megan, who partnered Chloe Thomas, finished eighth.
Both of these were commendable achievements in view of the standard and experience of the opposition.
This year promises to be a most exciting and demanding year.
Angharad and Megan, who will be taking their GCSEs in the summer, have a schedule which not only sees them visiting various parts of the UK but also numerous other countries such as Sweden and China.
The 2010 programme should all have begun last Saturday in Doncaster with the latest event in the English Grand Prix series, but like much of the sporting calendar in Britain, it fell foul to the snow and ice.
Weather permitting, this weekend, January 16 and 17, will see the twins playing in a 4 event in Grantham, Lincolnshire.
(Edit:Ruby) |
