Seventy-five players from as far as Albury-Wodonga contested the Warrnambool Table Tennis Association’s annual junior tournament, but it was Melbourne players who dominated in the trophy takings.

Tournament director Mark Taylor said it was a day of “incredible success”.

“South-west kids always find it a challenge to play Melbourne players but the way the tournament is structured they’re playing the same kids in every tournament, so everyone knew what they were up against,” he said.

“It is really nice having a local event where (south-west) kids don’t have to travel very far and all-in-all the day was an incredible success.”

In show court action 14-year-old Rossa To from Croydon took home three gold medals in the girls’ under 15, under 18 and division five singles events.

Dynamic local duo Emma Manderson and Sarah Manderson defeated Hamilton’s Ashley Minney and local girl Rachel Manderson — a last-minute fill-in — three sets to two in the girls’ doubles.

Local players continued to impress with Warrnambool association champion Simon Johnson defeating Albury-Wodonga’s Jarryd Tormey in the open men’s competition four sets to one.

In the south-west match, Rachel Manderson defeated Maddy Taylor, three sets to one. The annual event was held at the Arc for the first time after increased entries forced the tournament out of its Cramer Street stadium.

Taylor said the move was “well worth it”.

“The comments from most of the players who played at stadium the previous year commented on how fantastic the venue was,” he said.

“The move provided spectators with a heated room and better seating and stadium manager Roger Learmonth said he could see us out here for the next few years at least.”

The competition was the second last tournament on the playing calendar and attracted 75 players, including 20 locals, who vied for state team points across 14 tables.

On the other courts Leon Suy from Dandenong defeated Dillon Chambers of Mildura in the boys’ under 13 event (two sets to one), Steven Phan of Croydon defeated Dandenong’s Leon Suy in the boys’ under 15 event (three sets to one) and Croydon’s Joshua Cheung defeated teammate Phan in the boys’ under 18 event (two sets to one).

Taylor said a change of schedule helped boost player numbers.

“We think that having it in the school holidays was a success because it encourages more players coming down for a bit longer and staying in the region,” he said.