Former Lithuanian international Lawrence Trumpauskas lifted the mens singles and mens doubles titles at the Finals Night of the M&G Chelmsford Closed tournament, but only after a superb struggle with Steve Dettmar which went all the way to 24-22 in the third.

The evening began with Trumpauskas looking slightly ill at ease as he beat team-mate John Holland 21-8, 21-19. Steve Dettmar booked his place in the final with a 21-17, 15-21, 21-15 win over Rik James.

Lawrence Trumpauskas and team-mate Paul Lucas were certainly expected to win the mens doubles finals against Essex veteran first-team starts Terry Guymer and Neil Brierley and they did not disappoint producing a flawless display of controlled attacking table tennis to triumph 21-13, 21-10.

The Mixed Doubles final saw 13-year-old Leanne Bentley produce a remarkably mature performance to partner Steve Dettmar to a shock 21-18, 21-17 win over the favourites Marilyn Bawden and Duncan Taylor. Leanne is one of the youngest winners of a senior title in the Chelmsford league.

The veterans final was a repeat of the match two years ago and again it was Terry Guymer who got the better of John Holland, this time by a 21-17, 21-16 margin.

The U21 Mens final provided the perfect contrast to the Veterans final, the modern big-serving big hitting battle. Ben Warner was a complete revelation and showed some superb touches before succumbing to Paul Lucas 21-16, 23-21.

So to the mens singles final and what a game it was; Dettmar drew first blood as he overcame a poor start with some superb hitting which left Trumpauskas well off the pace.

In the second end Lawrence went for a more controlled forehand and was always ahead as he took the game 21-10.

And in the third end he again raced away as he moved 12-4 ahead. Steve is no quitter and really played well to edge back. The last ten points or so were amongst the most dramatic seen on Finals Night and Steve edged ahead at 20-19 and 21-20.

At 22-22 the game was anybody's; Steve produced a typical huge crunching third-ball kill only for Lawrence with a full-blooded block-kill of his own to return it. The audience were spellbound and Lawrence sealed victory a point later after another loop-to-loop rally.

The trophies were presented by the League's two special guests the Mayor and Mayoress of Chelmsford, Councillor Lane and Mrs Lane, and by Mr Adrian Sharp of the Tournament's sponsors M&G Ltd.

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