JAKE Collins successfully defended his men’s singles title in thrilling style at this year’s Colchester and District Table Tennis League closed tournament.

Collins won the title for the second successive year after beating 2005 men’s title winner Rik James in a super match, at Tollgate.

James won the first set 11-7 but Gt Horkesley’s Collins played a lot closer to the table in the second set and won by the same scoreline.

James played similarly in the third set to win 11-6 but the tension grew in the fourth set, with tiredness beginning to kick in.

Collins, who is ranked 119th in the country, hit a cross-court forehand winner to win 11-7 and become champion for the second year running.

The match was high class from start to finish and one of the best contests the tournament has seen for many years.

Tollgate’s Jane Li matched Collins’ achievements by successfully retaining her ladies’ singles title.

Li, who is 22nd in the junior girls’ rankings, took on Annabelle Rodriguez in the final.

Li got off to a good start after winning the first set 11-6 and played several superb passing shots in the second, to ease past Rodriguez 11-4.

Rodriguez found some form in the third set but Li was just too strong for her and won it 11-9, to retain her title.

Li also won the junior girls’ singles and then clinched the junior doubles title with Sam Hume, following a comfortable win in the final.

Hume also won this year’s junior boys’ singles title after beating Lewis Bardell in straight sets, in addition to claiming the cadet singles crown.

James made up for his defeat in the men’s singles final by lifting the veterans 40+ trophy, after claiming a straight sets win over Tollgate’s Colin Stallwood in the final.

Charles Fulcher beat Ian Whiteside, in the veterans 50+ final.

But with Fulcher ineligible for the 60+ competition, Whiteside made up for his earlier loss by winning this title.

Tollgate duo Andy Warner and Nigel Hodder beat Collins and Richard Hutchinson of Gt Horkesley in the men’s doubles final.

Junior duo Li and Gracie Edwards beat Rodriguez and Lauren James to win the ladies’ doubles title.

But Rodriguez made up for her loss by teaming up with Stallwood to win the mixed doubles final against Edwards and Warner.

Hume won the division one title after beating fellow St James C player, John Hatley.

Roger Warren won the division two title, while Mark Glenister was victorious in division four.