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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Quick-paced action marked the second ping-pong tournament held in Fort Simpson.

Kevin Anavilok-Roche returns the ball during a ping-pong tournament held in Fort Simpson on May 12. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The tournament on May 12 attracted nine competitors. Nathan McPherson, the village's recreation director, organized the first tournament last November.

McPherson said he organized the second tournament because of the success of the first, and for something to do. McPherson was one of only two people from the first event to compete.

It's good to have new people competing, McPherson said.

Trish Clough, who didn't compete in the first tournament, said she hadn't played ping-pong in awhile.

"After the first game it came back," she said.

Good reflexes and having a bit of strategy are assets for ping-pong players, she said. Good hand-eye co-ordination is also important.

During the tournament, Clough lost her first two sets and won the next two. In her fifth set, she and Allison Jacobson were tied with one win each. Her third game win advanced Clough to the B finals, where she played Nathan Jacobson.

Jacobson won the first and second game to take the set and advance.

"We were close in our games," Clough said, adding she had been hoping to play against Robert Gallant who won the first tournament. Gallant, however, was unable to make the event.

Double elimination

The finals pitted Jacobson against Thomas Roche. Following a double elimination round robin format, one of the two players had to win two of three games to win the tournament.

The finals started with a win by Roche. The second game went to extra points when Jacobson and Roche tied at 11. Jacobson took his first win by finishing the game 16-14.

With the set tied, Jacobson took the third game to win the first set.

Jacobson swept the second set to secure the championship. Jacobson said winning brought a good feeling.

"It's been a lot of fun," he said.

Jacobson said he hadn't played ping-pong in a long time, but people told him the tournament would be fun and it was a chance to participate in a community event. Jacobson said he hopes there will be more people at the next tournament.

There were no prizes for the tournament, so the winners came away with only bragging rights. McPherson said he might organize a third tournament with prizes later in the summer.

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