A Journey from Silver to Gold in the YBCL
Fusion Table Tennis Club has reached a historic milestone: for the first time ever, our boys’ team has won the Premier Division of the Youth British Clubs League (YBCL). This is the culmination of years of dedication, talent, and teamwork, and it’s a story that every club member can relate to.
Credit goes out to all the player in the squad.
Weekend One – Setting the Pace
- Larry Trumpauskas – a consistent force, winning key matches to give Fusion an early edge.
- Francesco Bonato – demonstrated calm under pressure, crucial in tight five-set matches.
- Peadar Sheridan – guided the team with youthful experience and determination, helping secure first place after the first weekend.
Weekend Two – Cementing the Title
- Larry Trumpauskas and Francesco Bonato maintained their form.
- Rohan Dani stepped in brilliantly, winning vital matches.
- Peadar Sheridan, though unable to play due to illness, provided invaluable support and encouragement from the sidelines.
Together, this team showed resilience and teamwork that went beyond individual talent.
Fusion’s journey to gold has been a long one. Last season, the team came agonizingly close to winning, only to lose the title by a single point. After taking a commanding 3-0 lead over champions Grantham Academy, Fusion were unable to close out the final match, leaving them with a silver medal. That experience became a driving force behind this year’s success.
For Fusion Table Tennis Club, this season’s triumph in the Youth British Clubs League (YBCL) Premier Division is more than a title; it is the culmination of years of effort, resilience, and dedication. The story of how a group of young players, guided experience of Larry Trumpauskas and the passion of Francesco Bonato, turned near heartbreak into historic victory reads like a tale of heroism.
The journey began with familiar faces taking the court on the first weekend of matches with the new addition of Peader Sheridan playing for the first time in the premier division. Local boy Larry , with his characteristic calm under pressure, led the charge, while Francesco brought driven by a steely determination, and Peadar Sheridan’s steady hand guided the team through tense encounters. Together, they navigated through every match , every five-set thriller, and emerged at the end of the weekend at the top of the Premier Division standings. Their teamwork, their courage, and their willingness to fight for every point set the tone for the season.
The second weekend brought a change in the lineup, as Rohan Dani stepped in to join Larry and Francesco. Peadar, though sidelined by illness, remained a vital presence, helping the team from the sidelines. It was a weekend that demanded grit. Each match tested the young athletes’ nerve, with moments where victory hung by a single point. the started of the first day with a fantastic 6-0 over Draycott, then went of to take down Plymouth 5-1. Both matches were closed than the scoreline suggests, But each of the rose to the occasion, with Larry and Francesco sustaining their relentless form and Rohan delivering vital victories that kept Fusion in command.
The 4-2 defeat to eBaTT on Saturday evening was difficult one to accept, with three five-setters that could have swung either way. Max Radiven’s 3-2 (10-12, 11-9, 11-8, 11-13, 11-7) win over Rohan Dani could have been different, but matches are won and lost on small things. That was the teams only defeat, as they secure two draws by both Woodford and Grantham on Sunday – coming from 3-2 down on each occasion. This was enough to secure the points need to become the British Champions.
Click on the link to see the final table and the results – https://british.ttleagues.com/league/3797/division/10572/table
None of this would have been possible without the wider Fusion community. Coaches, volunteers, and club members have created an environment where young players can grow, develop, and thrive. Special recognition must go to the New Bermondsey Foundation Charity, whose support and provision of a home for Fusion has been pivotal in giving these young athletes the space to reach their potential.
Fusion TTC’s story this season is more than a tale of victories and losses; it is a story of resilience, dedication, and teamwork. For every member of the club, it is a reminder that persistence pays off, setbacks are merely stepping stones, and true heroism is found in the courage to keep striving until the goal is achieved.