A story of inspiring talent, teamwork and true Carisbrooke spirit!

Fresh off their double victory at the Isle of Wight Championships, Carisbrooke College’s U13 and U16 table tennis teams travelled to Blue Coat School in Basingstoke to represent the Island on the Hampshire stage. They knew the challenge ahead would be immense facing the very best players in the county, including several England-level competitors, but what unfolded was a remarkable show of courage, determination and heart.

U13s Year 7s Playing Up and Punching Above Their Weight!

Our U13 squad, made up entirely of Year 7 students competing in the U13 category, displayed maturity and bravery far beyond their years.

Their first match against Brighton Hill was a nail-biter, with Joshua P leading the charge and pushing his opponent to the edge in two incredibly close games. Those early battles lit a spark and from there, the boys truly came alive.

In their second match, Carisbrooke secured a brilliant win against Woodlands A, thanks to strong victories from Joseph P and Joshua P, and the relentless determination of Owen M and Harry G who fought for every point.

Even when facing powerhouse teams from Kings School and Salesians A, our boys refused to back down. One of the standout moments of the entire tournament came when Harry G launched an extraordinary comeback from 10–5 down, almost turning the match around before a narrow 13–11 finish. The crowd loved it and so did we!

With grit, growing confidence and unwavering team spirit, the U13s finished 3rd in their group and an incredible 6th overall out of 10, despite having played only one competitive match before this tournament!

U13 Personal Highlights

• Joseph P – Won his first match at Hampshire level!

• Joshua P – Also secured his first Hampshire-level win and led by example.

• Owen M – Improved with every match, earning vital points that shaped the final standings.

• Harry G – Delivered one of the comeback moments of the day and showed huge personal growth throughout.

U16s Year 9s Taking on the Big League and Reaching the Semi-Finals!

Our U16 boys, competing two age groups up, produced a sensational performance worthy of huge praise. In a competition featuring ten elite teams, Carisbrooke rose to the challenge and soared all the way to the semi-finals, finishing 4th overall.

After being awarded wins in their first two matches, the team headed into a tough clash with Horndean. Logan M shone brightly here, securing a superb win while the rest of the team kept the pressure on.

Their final group match against Court Manor was a turning point. Dylan M opened the match with an inspiring performance, narrowly missing out but firing up his teammates. From there, Ted M, Logan M and Harry M each delivered fantastic victories, clinching an overall match win and placing Carisbrooke second in the group.

This set up a semi-final showdown with tournament favourites Salesians. With Noah K stepping up as a confident and motivating team coach, the boys went in believing anything was possible. Though Salesians ultimately progressed, our players walked away proud, knowing they had pushed some of the best players in the county to raise their game.

U16 Personal Highlights

• Dylan M – Led the squad as the No.1 ranked Carisbrooke player, hit outstanding forehand smashes, and even claimed a point against the top-ranked player in the entire competition.

• Harry M, Ted M & Logan M – Each celebrated their first-ever Hampshire-level victories!

• Noah K – Excelled as the team’s No.1 official and supportive sideline coach.

A Team to Be Proud Of

Every single player represented Carisbrooke College with pride, resilience and impeccable sportsmanship. Their teamwork and determination were inspiring to watch and made them a credit not only to the school, but also to their families and the Isle of Wight. They did so well they were treated to a film on the way back which turned out to be Ted's favourite, but we won't mention the name. 

Well done, boys, you were an absolute pleasure to take and your Carisbrooke spirit shone through in every match. We can’t wait to see what you achieve next!