JONATHAN Found came of table tennis age as he produced a series of top-class performances to become the Clacton and District League's handicap singles tournament champion for 2017.

In the final, the 19-year-old (+1) defeated Jason Lloyd (-5) 11-8, 15-13, 4-11, 8-11, 11-8 in a compelling and highly-competitive encounter.

The tension continued to the final point where Found, leading 10-2 in the decider, set the nerves jangling as he conceded six cheap points - until Lloyd netted a return to give Found the precious point he needed to take a well-deserved first senior league title.

It capped an excellent day for the often under-rated Found who, in the first three rounds, beat Graham Parkes, Jason Gale and mum Debra!

Debra Found (+1) had enjoyed a notable 11-9 in the fifth win over top-flight Paul Woolnough (-8) in her first match.

However, Jonathan (-1) showed no filial mercy, beating Debra (+3) 3-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-9 in round two.

In the semi-final, he came up against another talented youngster, 16-year old Scott Campbell - the 2016 handicap singles runner-up.

The spectators were not to be disappointed as the two teenagers produced the best match of the tournament, both displaying uninhibited aggression in a match of quality and entertainment. Found (+1) eventually took it 12-10, 12-14, 12-10, 11-7.

Lloyd's journey to the final had seen him dispose of three division one opponents, including two former handicap singles champions, Colin Dearman and Kevin James.

He started (+1) with a narrow 11-8 in the fifth win over Dearman (-3) before (on -17) having to concede a hatful of points each set to overcome Sue Lee (+2).

And patience in the extreme was needed in his quarter-final against dogged and determined defender Derek Willis.

But Lloyd (+1), forsaking his normal attacking and showing remarkable self-discipline, eventually wore down the patience of Willis (-6) 6-11, 11-5, 11-6, 14-12.

In the semi-final, he met Kevin James, who'd earlier enjoyed a nail-biting 11-9 in the fifth victory over Paul Hume.

However, James (-6) was surprisingly off-key to allow Lloyd (+1) to take his final place in three-straight.

The tournament attracted an entry of 32 players and again lived up to its reputation of providing an unexpected winner, with Found being the 28th different player to take the title in the tournament's 35-year existence.

Main results - Final: Jonathan Found (+1) beat Jason Lloyd (-5) 11-8, 15-13, 4-11, 8-11, 11-8; Semi-finals: Found (+1) beat Scott Campbell (-3) 12-10, 12-14, 12-10, 11-7; Lloyd (+1) beat Kevin James (-6) 11-8, 11-7, 11-5; Quarter-finals : Found (+1) beat Jason Gale (-6) 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-9; Lloyd (+1) beat Derek Willis (-6) 6-11, 11-5, 11-6, 14-12; Campbell (+1) beat Martin Edwards (-6) 11-0, 11-6, 11-4; James (-5) beat Russell Hillier (+1) 11-9, 13-11, 5-11, 11-7.

In the consolation doubles, Paul Hume and Graham Parkes (-3) took the honours 11-5, 11-9, 11-5 against Fred Button and Ferdy Rodriguez (+1).