Hanau to Hatfield for hat-trick hero

The Worksop teen, currently plying his trade with a professional club in Germany, travelled back to England on Friday night and spent over 12 hours at the table on Saturday in the Junior and Cadet National Championships at Hatfield.

Walker’s first title of the day came in the Junior Boys Singles, after coming from behind to win his quarter-final tie in the fifth set.

A rapid fire victory in the semi-final was followed by an equally quick final victory.

He joined forced with Tressa Armitage to take top seed billing in the Mixed Doubles and again came back from 2-0 down to win the final set.

In the final event, the Junior Boys Doubles, he was partnered by Lewis Gray and the duo won 3-0 in the final to secure a treble of trophies for Walker.

Dad Steve said Sam’s move to Hanau Germany was paying off. “He’s loving it out there, he’s picking up the language and playing with world class players every day,” he said.

“He really is improving, he was far too strong on Saturday, much more powerful and being a full-time athlete is making a big difference.”