LEWISTON - For the third straight year, the gold medal and $300 cash prize for winning the Maine Spring Table Tennis Open is heading nearly 300 miles south to Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Richard Dewitt, who has been playing the game for 30 years, lived up to his billing as the man to beat in the state's only open table tennis tournament May 10 at the Lewiston Memorial Armory.

The 42-year-old did not lose a single game throughout the event, thanks in large part to his style of play.

"I play an older man's style now, a smart style," he said. "I have a very deceptive, tricky game."

Dewitt's victory came at the expense of Maine Table Tennis League (MTTL) member Sonu Bhatia, a three-time state champion and first time participant in the open final.

Prior to the marquee match, Bhatia was confident.

"Before getting to the finals, I played on the same level as him," he said. "His style is so unorthodox it makes you play out of your comfort zone. He doesn't have big top spins or a big slice, he has a flat shot that makes the ball dead. Either you have to lift it up and he smashes it or you play on the defensive."

Dewitt won the best-of-five match (11-point games) in straight sets: 11-2, 11-5, 11-8.

"Sonu gave it a good shot," said MTTL founder and president Guy Boisse. "He did a good job representing Maine. Richard Dewitt has too many tools to offer."

Fellow MTTL members Al Landry and Irena Stepan teamed up for the first time in doubles competition. The formula worked to perfection with an easy win over Bhatia and his partner John Simpson.

"We played within ourselves. We kept the ball on the table and forced them to make the errors," said Landry.

As for the chemistry, the evenings spent competing and practicing at the MTTL paid dividends "We know each others sytle," he said. "I've got to rely upon her strenghts and she's go to rely upon mine."

Other winners included Babak Pajoohi (Under 2000 rating), Scott Smittner (Under 1600), Phat Tran (Under 1300), Paul Ohno (Under 1000), Slawomir Marczak (Over 40), John Blois (Over 50), Roger Jack (unrated) and Jacob Imes (Junior).

Over 50 players representing all six New England state participated. Play began at 10 a.m. and concluded at 8:30 p.m.