FOR the second year running, the Isle of Wight County Table Tennis Association held a charity tournament in aid of the Mountbatten Hospice. 

The event attracted 48 competitors, with 32 coming from the mainland, including a number of players ranked in the top 100 in England.

The tournament raised £1,651 for the charity.

Four Islanders made it through the group stages — Alex Rorke, Don Hobbs, Hugh Idle and Island Games medal winner, George Downing. 

In addition, three of the Island's top junior players entered — Ryan Cates, Lewis Johnstone and Ethan Millward, who all produced commendable performances.

Rorke and Downing both made it to the semi-finals, with Rorke playing Dorset’s Matt Ware, ranked 29th in England, while Downing faced Devon’s Dom Sussex, who lies just outside the top 50.

The final between Downing and Ware was closely contested, with the Island’s Downing eventually losing 3-1 to Ware, who collected £500 prize money. 

Ware, who was previously the British U21 Grand Prix champion, said it had been an excellent, well-organised event.

Local businesses donated raffle prizes.