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ROUND 5
PENNANT ONE:
Round five of Sunraysia Table Tennis featured the top of table clash with the undefeated Exposed Signage & Apparel taking on Regional Taxation Services who suffered their first loss last round.
– Regional Taxation Services 6 (Nicholas Dorman 3, Mark Dorman 2) d Exposed Signage/Apparel 5 (Matt Ljubic 2, Dylan Wood, Casper McCarthy 1)
As expected this was a top class affair and went right to the wire with the Nicholas Dorman led Regional Taxation Services winning 6-5.
It was Dorman that proved to be the difference by winning three singles including an amazing three set win over Matt Ljubic 15-10 11-15 15-10, this was a match full of attacking forehand and back hand winners by both players. This defeat of Ljubic ended an amazing run as this was his first loss in singles play since the grand final of 2020 an outstanding achievement however Dorman was on in this match and this victory capped off a successful night for him personally and his team.
Dorman received good support from his father Mark who won two singles continuing his consistent season. Despite the loss Exposed Signage and Apparel remain on top of the ladder albeit by percentage, both teams enjoy a 4-1 win loss ratio after each team has now played each other.
– Cookes Pools & Spas 6 (Wayne Carmichael 3, Jackson Murphy 2, Ashley Morrison 1) d Tankard Dental 5 (Kate Carmichael 2, Thanh Nguyen 1)
In another close encounter Cookes Pools and Spas won their third match in succession defeating Tankard Dental 6-5. With the scores locked at five rubbers all Cookes, Ash Morrison proved too steady for Ed Hung winning 15-10 15-9.
Earlier Wayne Carmichael stamped his authority on the match by winning three singles while team mate Jackson Murphy produced his best form winning two singles.
Victory came for Cookes despite not winning a doubles and in the end Tankards could be considered unlucky as Kate Carmichael won two singles and took part in both doubles wins.
– Mallee Bearings 7 (Jackson Tung, Leon Brown 2, Michael Hensgen 1) d Max Miller Carpets 4 (Gavin Carmichael 2, Reece Kurrle, Russell Walder 1)
In the remaining match Mallee Bearings moved to fourth place on the ladder with a sound 7-4 victory over Max Miller Carpets. Success in both doubles was instrumental in the win and also the singles win by number three Michael Hensgen over Bearings skipper Reece Kurrle 11-15 15-12 15-11 played a big part in grabbing the vital four points. Hensgen capped off a good night by teaming up with skipper Jackson Tung to win the crucial second doubles.
Both Tung and Leon Brown won two singles for the victors whilst Gavin Carmichael won two for Mallee Bearings.
PENNANT TWO:
PENNANT THREE:
This week there were some excellent and close matches this round with some matches decided by the barest of margins.
– Dunkley Scales 6 (Marita Grace 3, Nhat Dat 2, Nick Kiapekos 1) d Sammy’s Slammers 5 (Rodney Galvin 2, Karly Leach 1)
This was a great contest from the outset with Dunkley’s Nhat Dat taking on Slammer’s young gun Leo Parker. Parker was quick out of the blocks as he raced through the first set 15-5 before the more experienced Dat steadied to take the second 15-12 to set up a ripping final set. It would be fair to say that both had their opportunities to win; however, it would be Dat that would prevail 16-14 in a hard-fought win for his team.
Match two of the evening was Dunkley’s Marita Grace up against Slammer’s Captain Karly Leach. Grace had been quietly plotting her revenge in this match as she had previously been pipped at the post by Leach in their last meeting. Grace was determined not to let her opponent get the better of her this time as this was shown as she ‘dismissed’ Leach in two fine sets 15-9, 15-6 to have her team up two rubbers to nil.
The third match of the evening was Dunkley’s Captain Nick Kiapekos up against Slammer’s Rod Galvin. The first set must have been a nightmare to umpire as long rallies were the order of proceedings with a long tie-break at the back end of this set to make matters even worse. Kiapekos would win this marathon first set 20-18 but in doing so used up most of his petrol tickers as Galvin would thankfully take the next two sets 15-3 and 15-9 to keep the Slammer’s in the hunt.
Galvin’s own reserves of strength, fitness and endurance were tested again a short time after he played Kiapekos when he took on an inform Marita Grace. Grace would take the first set 15-10 and in what is becoming customary when playing Galvin took the second in a tie-break 16-14. Grace then topped off an excellent evening in claiming her third singles scalp when she defeated Leo Parker in straight sets.
The battle of the Captain’s was also a classic encounter with Leach recording a consolation win in three sets 15-8, 9-15, 15-13 over Kiapekos. Kiapekos had a big night of close matches and will be missing in action next week (one can assume ‘rested’).
In conclusion Dunkley Scales has scrapped home (sounds a bit fishy) 6 rubbers to 5 (16 games to 11) against a very competitive Sammy’s Slammers team. Well done to Marita Grace who has for consecutive weeks won all three singles and proved the difference this week.
– Mallee Meats 7 (Levi Williams 3, Shaun Gifford 2, Ildi Healy 1) d Weightmans Packaging 4 (Gayle Cottrell 2, Ben Hosking 1)
The final score-line does not fully reflect the closeness of this match. Mallee Meats are a lot like Collingwood this year with their ability to win the close matches again fully on display. The first match of the evening saw Butcher’s Shaun Gifford take-on Packers Ben Hosking. In a close three set stoush Gifford got the upper hand in taking this match to get his team off to a solid start. The second set saw Gifford’s team member
Ildi Healy play Alicia Tyers. Both players were looking to reverse a lean spell of form and a close two set match was witnessed with Healy triumphant 16-14, 15-12.
The third match was the match of the night as Gayle Cottrell was looking to get her team back into the match as she took on Levi Williams. Williams has been in stellar form of late and would be difficult to beat. This script played out as planned in the first set as Williams took this comfortably
15-5. The second set saw Cottrell turn the match on its head by taking this 15-11 to set up a third set. During the third set Cottrell held a comfortable lead at varying points but Williams would not yield. Cottrell kept the pressure up, but Williams found a way to somehow win this set 18-16 in a great comeback. Although Cottrell played very well to win her remaining singles matches this would not be enough to get her team victory.
In conclusion Mallee Meats very a little too good this evening winning 7 rubbers to 4 (14 games to 11) against Weightmans Packaging in a very even contest.
PENNANT FOUR:
A great effort by our fill-in players this week with no less than five players being unavailable this week. A special thankyou to Gary Leach who is making his debut this week – yes Gary is the father of Karly in case you are wondering.
– Weightmans Packaging 6 (Liam Nicolaou 3, David Healy 2, Helen Healy 1) d Mallee Meats 5 (Tom Gilmour 2, Maria Starikov 1)
Mallee Meat’s debutant Gary Leach was immediately thrust into action as he played Weightmans Helen Healy. Healy didn’t waste any time and showed no mercy for her opponent as she won comfortably in straight sets. The second match of the nigh lasted quite a deal longer as Packers Liam Nicolaou played Meats Tom Gilmour in a classic three set encounter. It has been reported that
Nicolaou is giving the table at home a fair hiding during these closed practice sessions and is rapidly improving his game – hence Gilmour would need to play at his best this evening. The match was point for point with each player engaging in lengthy rallies and well-placed shots without over attacking. Nicolaou would prevail 16-14 in this lengthy match and as it turns out this was a very important win in the context of the evening.
The third match of the evening saw fill-in player David Healy (husband of Ildi Healy in P3 and sister of Helen whose team he is playing for tonight in case you are asking and are a bit confused like me) up against Maria Starikov. Healy played very well in this match and out rallied Starikov to win this contest comfortably in straight sets. With this win Weightmans now enjoyed three rubbers to nil lead over Mallee Meats.
The first doubles match was a must win for the Butchers with Gilmour teaming with Leach to take on the Packer’s duo Nicolaou and H. Healy.
This was a very entertaining match with the contest going to three sets. The Butcher’s would record a much-needed win in three sets and would also go on to win the second doubles match to keep their victory hopes alive. Alas, these hopes of a Mallee Meats victory were dashed by the inform Nicolaou who with the scores deadlocked at 5 rubbers all would defeat Leach in the last match of the evening to cap off a great evening for himself in claiming three singles victories.
In conclusion Weightmans have won 6 rubbers to 5 (13 games to 11) against Mallee Meats in a great contest.
– MJM Automotive 7 (Hamish Smyth 3, Steve Parker, Koby Grace 2) d Exposed Signage/Apparel 4 (Costa Skiadas 2)
MJM players all contributed in a significant way to get their team over the line. MJM’s Hamish Smyth kept his unbeaten singles run going as he won three singles matches even though he was severely challenged by Costa Skiadis in three sets. Smyth was well supported by Steve Parker (filling in) and the fast improving Koby Grace who both contributed two singles victories each. For Exposed Raylee Waugh played well but was on the wrong side of the ledger in losing two of her matches in 3 sets.
Waugh did team well with Skiadis to win their doubles match and Skiadis also featured in the second doubles victory when he teamed with Derek Hung.
Overall MJM Automotive have won 7 rubbers to 4 (16 games to 9) against Exposed Signage and Apparel.
It would be fair to say that those spotted at Monday night hitting are really improving their games to the next level and enjoying team success. Also, I know of a few of those secret training camps that are also making a huge difference. We are half-way through the season and there is still plenty of time to keep improving our games. Also don’t forget to read the fair play policy document on your scoreboards over the next five weeks.
Great job Alicia on the player photos. Much appreciated.