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Sunraysia Table Tennis Winter Pennant results round 12:
PENNANT ONE:
– Pinnacle Packers 8 (Shannon Bowen 3, Shane Carmichael 2, Brodie Thomas 1) d Fishers IGA 3 (Darren Robinson 2, Andrew Cannard 1)
– Weightmans Packaging 7 (Mark Dorman, Graeme O’Neill 2, Peter Midgley 1) d Mallee Bearings 4 (Wayne Carmichael 3, John Gray 1)
PENNANT TWO:
– Mallee Bearings 6 (Ashley Morrison 3, Trevor Gebert 2, Peter Fitzpatrick 1) d Pinnacle Packers 5 (Daniel Jansen 2, Alex Keegan 1)
– Spanline 6 (Arthur Paar 3, Arnold Jago 1) d Fishers IGA 5 (Sony Sefer, Seval Fuat 2, Colin Moore 1)
– Tankard Dental 7 (Andrew Jones, Robert Chiswell 2, Connor Lavery 1) d Max Miller Carpets 4 (Ross Humphreys, Matthew Burns 2)
PENNANT THREE:
– Fishers IGA 6 (Peter Kelly, Harrison Cottrell 2, Vaughan Waters 1) d Pinnacle Packers 5 (Kyle Moore 3, Garry Hughes 1)
– Weightmans Packaging 6 (Darren Greaves, Lachlan Kelly 2, Jeremy Corrin 1) d Mallee Bearings 5 (Bernadette Fitzpatrick 3, Sabrina Fitzpatrick 1)
PENNANT FOUR:
– Fishers IGA 6 (Ryan Hensgen 3, Matt Johns 2) d Bishop Builders 5 (Sam Hensgen 2, Paul Fitzpatrick, Lee Thomas 1)
– Max Miller Carpets 7 (Cole Keegan 3, Ben Hosking 2, Matt Ljubic 1) d Mallee Bearings 4 (Claire Ljubic 2, Shirley Whitecross 1)
PENNANT ONE
Going into this round bye team Mallee Bearings (Wayne Carmichael, Ed Hung and Jackson Murphy) sat two games clear at the top of the ladder from Fishers IGA (Dillon Chambers, Kevin Johns and Peter Bishop) and Weightmans Packaging ( Mark Dorman, Graeme O’Neill and Peter Midgley). This was an important round given that Fishers and Weightmans matched up against each other with the victor to go one win clear of the other in the race for the double chance as the finals near.
– Weightmans Packaging 7 (Mark Dorman, Graeme O’Neill 2, Peter Midgley 1) d Mallee Bearings 4 (Wayne Carmichael 3, John Gray 1)
With their third win in as many rounds, Weightmans Packaging has moved to the top of the Sunraysia Table Tennis pennant one ladder. Their 7-4 win over previous ladder leaders Mallee Bearings came about despite Wayne Carmichael winning three singles for the Bearings combination. Weightmans are playing consistent table tennis at the right time of the year.
Both Mark Dorman and Graeme O’Neill won two singles and combined in the first doubles to outlast Wayne Carmichael and fill in John Gray 16-14 9-11 3-11 11-9 11-5. This five setter was one of four for Gray in a busy night, all his singles went to five as well. His match with Graeme O’Neill was a real close struggle with O’Neill grabbing the points 5-11 11-7 12-10 9-11 11-9. Earlier Gray came back from a two games to love deficit against Weightmans number one Mark Dorman to force the match to a fifth before Dorman steadied to win 11-1 11-9 13-15 7-11 11-5.
This loss by Mallee Bearings is their second in succession and places their double chance position in jeopardy given they still have a bye to come in the final three rounds. All is set for an exciting climax to the season.
– Pinnacle Packers 8 (Shannon Bowen 3, Shane Carmichael 2, Brodie Thomas 1) d Fishers IGA 3 (Darren Robinson 2, Andrew Cannard 1)
Pinnacle Packers have been languishing at the foot of the ladder all season however this round they were on fire and defeated Fishers IGA 8-3 in a resounding victory which now gives them a mathematical chance to play finals table tennis when earlier this did not look possible. Due to player unavailability Andrew Cannard and Darren Robinson came into the Fishers team while Pinnacle Packers included Brodie Thomas in their team. Welcome back Brodie, good to see you having a hit with us!!!!!!!!!
Shannon Bowen for the victors continued his good form of late winning three singles and to cap off a good night he was involved in both doubles victories each going to five and won 11-9 in the fifth. Bowen had a great match against Andrew Cannard who has made a return to cover the loss of Dillon Chambers.Bowen started well in this match winning the first two games before Cannard fought back however Bowen steadied to win 11-7 11-5 14-16 9-11 11-6.Bowen’s team mate Shane Carmichael showed possibly his best form for the season winning two singles. 
His only blemish was a five set loss to fill in Darren Robinson who played well for Fishers winning two singles.
Whilst the score line looks one sided five of the eleven rubbers went to five sets with four of these won by the Packers in what was an important result for both teams. Fishers will need to win one more match in the final three rounds to cement their position however this won’t be an easy task as they meet the three top teams in the run home.
PENNANT TWO
Both aggregate leaders Sony Sefer and Daniel Jansen had the opportunity to draw a game clear of each other in this round, but neither did, as they both lost a singles. Ashley Morrison, on the other hand, is now only 2 games behind, and whilst still in third place on 29, again scored 3 wins, and moves one game closer. On the teams ladder, the net result is that there is no change. Teams second, third and fourth were equal on points going into this round, and by virtue of winning they remain in their respective positions. Instead of Fishers IGA having a two game break at the head of the ladder, it is now only one.
– Mallee Bearings 6 (Ashley Morrison 3, Trevor Gebert 2, Peter Fitzpatrick 1) d Pinnacle Packers 5 (Daniel Jansen 2, Alex Keegan 1)
This was a very tight game, and winners Mallee Bearings were seemingly out of it with three games to play. Ashley Morrison was the stand out player in this match, winning three singles, and importantly the scalp of Daniel Jansen. Mallee Bearings failed to win either doubles, so the team had to do it the hard way. The Bearings side got off to a good start with wins to Trevor Gebert having a straight sets win over Leon Brown, and Morrison over fill-in Alex Keegan in four. Pinnacle Packers then levelled at 2 all, Daniel Jansen’s superior skills outplaying Peter Fitzpatrick, and Jansen then joining Leon Brown to take the first doubles in four sets over Morrison and Fitzpatrick. The Bearings pair were always in this match, even though they lost the first two sets 9-11, 11-13. They came back strongly in the third and took it 11-5. The fourth was a set of lost opportunities. Leading 9-3, the Bearings pair seemed helpless to prevent Jansen and Brown creeping closer and closer, until they caught up at 10 all. Having the momentum, Jansen and Brown went on to a 13-11 win. Pinnacle Packers took three of the next four games; Jansen having to work hard against Gebert, but winning in five, Keegan in a straight sets win over Fitzpatrick, and the second doubles between Jansen and Keegan against Morrison and Gebert. This was a hugely entertaining match, with rallies of 20 or more shots not uncommon. All these players have good topspin shots, and they were not afraid to play them in this encounter. In the end, the Packers pair won 11-5, 10-12, 12-10, 7-11, 11-9. Prior to these three games, Morrison had chalked up the Bearings third win with an easy victory over Leon Brown, 11-5, 11-5, 11-8. So, now the score was Pinnacle Packers 5 rubbers, to Mallee Bearings 3. 
With their backs to the wall, Mallee Bearings took no prisoners, Morrison downing Jansen 11-7, 4-11, 11-5, 11-5; Fitzpatrick helping the cause with a 9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 13-11 win over Leon Brown, and then Trevor Gebert overcoming Alex Keegan 6-11, 11-7, 11-9, 13-11 to seal victory. At the end of the third set, Gebert was heard to say, “What do you do when you do a hamstring?” Well, Keegan knew what to do, he had Gebert stretching alternately from forehand to backhand and back again, desperately trying to force the game to a fifth set. But the wily Gebert had a few tricks too, and was good enough to see Keegan off. So, an entertaining night, a 6 rubbers to 5 and 23 games to 19 win by Mallee Bearings.
– Spanline 6 (Arthur Paar 3, Arnold Jago 1) d Fishers IGA 5 (Sony Sefer, Seval Fuat 2, Colin Moore 1)
Spanline’s Arthur Paar, Arnold Jago and Laurie Plummer for the third time in as many meetings this season, proved too strong for ladder leaders Fishers IGA. This is the only combination that Sony Sefer, Seval Fuat and Colin Moore have been unable to work out. And the win could have been bigger – Laurie Plummer failed to win a singles, but failed to convert four match points; when leading his opposite number Colin Moore 10-6 in the fifth, Plummer “went for a smoke”, and Moore was home 12-10. Arthur Paar returned after a week off, and was in top form, needing only nine sets to rack up three singles victories. Arthur started slowly in the very first game of the night against Colin Moore. After a long first set 16-14, Paar had Moore covered and took the next two 11-9, 11-8. Arthur’s next match was the first doubles with Arnold Jago, and they took that convincingly 11-6, 11-5, 11-8 against Sefer and Moore. Returning immediately to the table, Paar, now warmed right up, shut Sefer down 11-9, 11-9, 11-6. His third visit to the table was the second doubles, this time with number three Laurie Plummer. They were pitted against the numbers one and two for Fishers, Sefer and Fuat. A very entertaining match, firstly the advantage going to Spanline in the first 12-10. Fishers came back and regained the advantage 14-12, 11-5 in the second and third sets. But Paar and Plummer hung in there, and the fourth set was theirs 11-8. After the change of ends in the fifth, Paar and Plummer proved too good for Sefer and Fuat and won the set, and match, 11-7. Arthur had to play the persistently consistent Seval Fuat in the last round of singles, but had enough gas left in the tank to win 11-9, 12-10, 11-6. 
So, Arthur won each of the matches he played in, and really carried the side. The last match to be played (at 5 all) was between Colin Moore and Arnold Jago. Arnold took the first two sets convincingly enough 11-5, 11-9, but got the jitters in the third and gave Moore a glimpse, Moore taking that 11-8. Moore stuck with Jago in the fourth, but made one mistake too many, and Arnold snuck home 11-9. Fishers did not play all that badly in this match, both Sefer and Fuat won two singles, Moore won 1, but they could not manage a doubles, and with Paar in such good form, it was going to be tough. Spanline’s win then was 6 rubbers to 5 and 23 games to 18. Should these two teams meet in the Grand Final, the early money would be on these “Elder Statesmen”.
– Tankard Dental 7 (Andrew Jones, Robert Chiswell 2, Connor Lavery 1) d Max Miller Carpets 4 (Ross Humphreys, Matthew Burns 2)
Tankard Dental collectively were much too good for Max Miller Carpets in this match, despite both Matthew Burns and Ross Humphreys winning 2 singles each for the losers. Tankard’s Andrew Jones and Robert Chiswell also took 2 for their side, with number three Connor Lavery contributing 1. Tankard’s had the upper hand in both doubles, so this gave them a 7 rubbers to 4 win. Connor Lavery continued his good recent form, defeating Karina Sullivan 12-10, 11-9, 11-8, and extending Matthew Burns to the full five sets, before losing to him 11-9, 13-11, 9-11, 6-11, 11-7. No one player stood out in the singles matches; the number one’s and two’s of each team losing one match, however Robert Chiswell played in both of his team’s winning doubles confrontations, and that set his side up for this good win. Tankard’s doubles combinations are not their strength – this year the team has won only nine of the twenty four doubles games played, making them only one victory more than the worst performed team, Mallee Bearings. Yet they sit third on the ladder, and seem to be hitting their straps, 
Robert Chiswell and Andrew Jones between them have won eighteen of their twenty four singles clashes in the last four rounds. With the end of the “Home and Away” games in sight, this team is coming good at the right time. Scores were 7 rubbers to 4, and 24 games to 16.
PENNANT THREE
Darren Greaves lost only his third singles match for the season, but with Matt Ljubic having the bye, remains at the head of the aggregate.
– Fishers IGA 6 (Peter Kelly, Harrison Cottrell 2, Vaughan Waters 1) d Pinnacle Packers 5 (Kyle Moore 3, Garry Hughes 1)
Fishers IGA kept Pinnacle Packers at the bottom of the ladder, and assured themselves of fourth place, and a spot in the finals, with this win. Fishers were only one game clear going into the match, but now have a two game buffer with three rounds to go. Added to that (and a much superior percentage), Fishers do not have a bye in any of those rounds, and Pinnacle Packers do. An all-round even performance by Peter Kelly (2 wins), Harrison Cottrell (2 wins) and Vaughan Waters (1 win), with a doubles victory by Kelly and Cottrell was enough to get the four championship points in this match-up. Games were generally decided fairly quickly, seven of the rubbers being decided in three sets. There were three five setters, all going to the victors. The thorn in Fishers’ side was fill-in Kyle Moore. Moore, home on holidays from university, managed three singles victories (all in three sets), this being his third match in as many weeks. He and Gary Hughes also snared the first doubles in three sets against Vaughan Waters and Peter Kelly, to keep their team in the contest. 
Gary Hughes, after earlier accounting for Vaughan Waters, almost pulled the game out of the fire in the very last rubber of the night when he had to play the decider against Harrison Cottrell. These two were only separated by two games on the aggregate (10 to 8) and the closeness of the score indicates just that. Hughes has had a very quiet year, and came agonisingly close to pulling off victory for his team. Cottrell, however, was up to the task, taking the win with a close 11-5, 11-13, 14-12, 9-11, 11-6 score. Fishers scraped in 6 rubbers to 5 and 19 games to 21.
– Weightmans Packaging 6 (Darren Greaves, Lachlan Kelly 2, Jeremy Corrin 1) d Mallee Bearings 5 (Bernadette Fitzpatrick 3, Sabrina Fitzpatrick 1)
Despite Weightmans’ Packaging captain Darren Greaves losing only his third singles for the year, Mallee Bearings could not capitalise, and went down narrowly 6 rubbers to 5. 
Mallee Bearings captain Bernadette Fitzpatrick almost pulled her side through single handedly, but a loss in the first doubles saw her win four of her five matches. She and Mick Bacon paired well to take this game to five sets, going down to the more experienced pair of Greaves and Jeremy Corrin 11-9, 8-11, 11-3, 5-11, 11-5. Later, she and her mother Sabrina blitzed Greaves and Lachlan Kelly 11-8, 11-1, 11-5 to put their team back into the game, and level at 4 rubbers all. And the next match on the table was her and Darren Greaves in the last round of singles. Greaves matched his younger opponent in the first three sets, leading two sets to one (11-8, 8-11, 11-7), but failed to withstand the constant barrage of big forehands and faded in the final two sets, losing them 11-6, 11-2. Greaves did beat Sabrina Fitzpatrick (12-10, 11-8, 11-8) and Mick Bacon (11-7, 11-9, 11-5); Lachlan Kelly likewise defeated these same two (Sabrina 11-8, 11-9, 11-8; Mick 11-9, 11-4, 11-6) to keep the games coming in for his team. Importantly, Jeremy Corrin snared one win, this being the last and deciding match of the night. He outplayed Bacon to win that one 11-6, 11-5, 11-4. Corrin could have made things a whole lot easier for himself had he been able to hold his concentration in his match with Sabrina Fitzpatrick. Jeremy led two sets to love 11-7, 11-8, before Sabrina worked her way into the match to level 2 sets all, taking the third and fourth 11-5, 11-6. And so it came to the fifth set; Jeremy had match point at 10-7 and hit what would have been the winning shot, but for an errant ball from another table. “Let”!! Play the point again, big backhand from Jeremy … out – 10-8. Next point, big forehand from Jeremy … out – 10-9. Next point, another forehand drive goes long from Jeremy 10-10. Sabrina continued her game, Jeremy trying desperately to get a winner to land on the playing surface … to no avail, Sabrina won 12-10. Games in this match went 23 to Weightmans and 17 to Mallee Bearings. Weightmans are deservedly at the top of the ladder, it seems that even when they are down, they can grab games from somewhere to get them over the line. They are by no means sure things for the flag, even though they have not been defeated all year and sit three games clear of second placed Max Miller Carpets. The Max Miller Carpet trio of Matt Ljubic, Emily Carmichael and Karly Leach are proving harder and harder to play each week, and this team looks like the one which will play them in the Grand Final.
PENNANT FOUR
The feature of this round was the absenteeism in this pennant. Unfortunately due to several reasons five players were unavailable. Interestingly two replacements Lee Thomas and Matt Ljubic came down from higher grades but played left handed. Thanks to these two players to help make up the numbers. Also thanks to Sonya Shalliker (Jeremy Corrin’s better half) for coming in at late notice. Sonya was there in her outstanding foot wear to watch Jeremy and did not expect a call up. Thanks Sonya you did a great job!!!!!!!!
– Max Miller Carpets 7 (Cole Keegan 3, Ben Hosking 2, Matt Ljubic 1) d Mallee Bearings 4 (Claire Ljubic 2, Shirley Whitecross 1)
This was the match up of first versus second. Georgia Tilley was a late withdrawal from The Carpeters and was replaced by the left handed Matt Ljubic while the unwell Ellie Midgley had to withdraw from the Mallee Bearings team and she was replaced by Sonya Shalliker. This was an important match as going in Mallee Bearings were second one win from Max Miller Carpets however the Carpeters with “Consistent” Cole Keegan in top form winning three singles proved too strong winning 7-4 and again opening up a two game break with three rounds to play after the school holiday break.
The school holidays will allow the players to get over their injury niggles and all is set for an exciting finish to the season. Carpeters’ skipper Ben Hosking won two singles to support young Keegan however he found opposing number one Claire Ljubic too difficult to handle going down 5-11 7-11 10-12. Ljubic also won two singles for her team and she did not hold back on her brother Matt winning 11-0 11-0 11-3 a trouncing, but Matt will say he was playing left handed and that was his excuse. Here is a nice pic to remember your sister by!
That being said we think that might be the lowest score total in Stta History. Something young Claire can hold over Matt for years to come!!!!!!
Matt and Sonya fought out the highlight match which went to five sets with Matt getting up 13-15 11-7 11-8 8-11 11-8 a marathon from the two fill ins.
– Fishers IGA 6 (Ryan Hensgen 3, Matt Johns 2) d Bishop Builders 5 (Sam Hensgen 2, Paul Fitzpatrick, Lee Thomas 1)
This was two battles in one, third versus fourth and the clash of the Hensgen brothers Sam and Ryan who sit at the head of the singles race. “Lethal” Lee Thomas came into the Bishop Builders team replacing Geoff Keegan. Lethal will now be known as “Lefty” Thomas as she played left handed. Unfortunately Lee had to withdraw from pennant one due to a right shoulder injury. Hopefully that will come good soon!!
Fishers had two changes with Kerryn Greaves replaced by first gamer Matt Johns, a relation of association stalwart Kevin Johns, while Michael Hensgen replaced the in form Helen Frania.
This was expected to be a good contest and that it was with the score at four rubbers all after the second doubles. To that stage four five setters had taken place with all the singles in the second bracket going to five sets. Matt Johns for Fishers showed what an asset he will be taking Sam Hensgen to five sets before Sam breathed a sigh of relief winning 11-9 9-11 12-14 11-9 11-5 a close tussle all the way until Sam made a break in the last. Michael Hensgen for Fishers also showed the improvement he has made over the past few weeks when he pushed Paul Fitzpatrick all the way before going down 9-11 in the fifth set.
The second doubles was crucial in the final result with the Hensgen boys, Ryan and Michael combining for Fishers in a thriller to overcome brother Sam and Lee Thomas 8-11 14-12 11-4 5-11 11-8. 
The next two singles saw Fishers take the points when Ryan joined Sam in first position on the singles aggregate when Ryan was successful 11-8 11-8 9-11 11-8. In the very next match Matt Johns then defeated difficult opponent Paul Fitzpatrick in straight sets 14-11 11-4 11-9 a great win. Lefty Lee Thomas made the score more respectable for Bishop Builders by defeating Michael Hensgen in four sets.
The final result of 6-5 in favour of Fishers IGA has seen them join the Builders on five wins only one victory behind Mallee Bearings. This pennant is hotting up.
Sunraysia Table Tennis Winter Pennant results round 12:
PENNANT ONE:
– Pinnacle Packers 8 (Shannon Bowen 3, Shane Carmichael 2, Brodie Thomas 1) d Fishers IGA 3 (Darren Robinson 2, Andrew Cannard 1)
– Weightmans Packaging 7 (Mark Dorman, Graeme O’Neill 2, Peter Midgley 1) d Mallee Bearings 4 (Wayne Carmichael 3, John Gray 1)
PENNANT TWO:
– Mallee Bearings 6 (Ashley Morrison 3, Trevor Gebert 2, Peter Fitzpatrick 1) d Pinnacle Packers 5 (Daniel Jansen 2, Alex Keegan 1)
– Spanline 6 (Arthur Paar 3, Arnold Jago 1); d Fishers IGA 5 (Sony Sefer, Seval Fuat 2, Colin Moore 1)
– Tankard Dental 7 (Andrew Jones, Robert Chiswell 2, Connor Lavery 1) d Max Miller Carpets 4 (Ross Humphreys, Matthew Burns 2)
PENNANT THREE:
– Fishers IGA 6 (Peter Kelly, Harrison Cottrell 2, Vaughan Waters 1) d Pinnacle Packers 5 (Kyle Moore 3, Garry Hughes 1)
– Weightmans Packaging 6 (Darren Greaves, Lachlan Kelly 2, Jeremy Corrin 1) d Mallee Bearings 5 (Bernadette Fitzpatrick 3, Sabrina Fitzpatrick 1)
PENNANT FOUR:
– Fishers IGA 6 (Ryan Hensgen 3, Matt Johns 2) d Bishop Builders 5 (Sam Hensgen 2, Paul Fitzpatrick, Lee Thomas 1)
– Max Miller Carpets 7 (Cole Keegan 3, Ben Hosking 2, Matt Ljubic 1) d Mallee Bearings 4 (Claire Ljubic 2, Shirley Whitecross 1)
