classic final against Rawle Frederick on Saturday.

It took two gruelling matches to decide the championship, as Frederick won the first 3-1 (21-8, 21-10, 22-24, 21-16) before Waltham came back to take the second by a similar score 14-21, 21-15, 23-21, 22-20.

But it could be said that Frederick let the championship slip away rather than Waltham grabbing it as the former twice surrendered sizeable leads in the second final.

Leading 19-16 in the third game Frederick seemed to lose his poise which allowed Waltham to come back, and a similar thing happened in the next game, as Frederick stood on match point -- 20-15 -- but could not put the defending champion away.

Earlier, Waltham emerged unbeaten as the top player in the winners' bracket, while Frederick was the best from the losers' bracket.

Also performing well was Mansfield Smith, who engaged in spirited duels with both Frederick and Waltham. He first knocked Frederick out of the winners' bracket in the second round and was then himself eliminated by Waltham in the third round.

Smith lost out in his bid for the final as Frederick gained revenge in the losers' bracket rematch.

Bermuda Table Tennis Association have announced venues for the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup to take place on March 7, starting at 7.30 p.m.: Prison Officers v BAA (at Prison Officers); Bermuda College v Hamilton Parish (at Bermuda College).

The Bermuda Table Tennis League will be holding an emergency meeting tomorrow at The Centre, starting at 6.30 p.m. All affiliates are asked to send a representative.