Winter 2024 – Rnd 14 Wrap

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Round 14

PENNANT ONE:

The highlight of round fourteen matches of the Sunraysia Table Tennis winter pennant was the form of the Regional Taxation Services trio of Andrew Cannard, Rohan Reimers and Edi Re. Despite sitting at the foot of the ladder they all showed excellent form winning two singles each to defeat the second placed Tankard Dental 8-3.

– Regional Taxation Services 8 (Andrew Cannard, Rohan Reimers, Edi Re 2) d Tankard Dental 3 (Reece Kurrle 2. Thanh Nguyen 1)

As well as winning the six singles RTS were successful in both doubles to cap off a strong performance. For the second round in succession number three player Edi Re won two singles both in lengthy five setters. His match against the talented Thanh Nguyen was a highlight as Re recovered from a 0-2 deficit to take the points 10-12 6-11 11-8 11-9 11-5. Later Re then accounted for opposite number three player Paul Kealley who has been in great form. This was another five set marathon with many brilliant rallies, the final score in Re’s favour 8-11 11-6 8-11 11-7 12-10.

Despite the loss Tankard Dental have held on to second position on the ladder by a narrow percentage margin from Choices Flooring Mildura who defeated Cookes Pools & Spas 7-4. The turning point in this match came when Choices fill in Lee Leeson outlasted Cookes Russell Walder 8-11 10-12 11-7 11-9 11-8. The next two matches went to five sets as well with Leeson and Wayne Carmichael winning the second doubles by defeating Walder and Kate Carmichael 11-9 in the fifth after trailing 0-2, a great comeback.

Then it was a lengthy five setter with Wayne Carmichael defeating niece Kate Carmichael in five sets 11-9 11-7 10-12 8-11 11-8.

Overall there were six five set matches played with Choices winning five of these.

Leon Brown showed a return to form winning two singles both in five sets, he was on the verge of a hat trick when he took a two games to love lead against Kate Carmichael but was unable to sustain the pressure going down in the only five setter his team lost. Brown’s skipper Wayne Carmichael continued his good run winning three singles again, he has only lost one match this season.

– Mallee Bearings 7 (Joel Thomas 3, Liam Wood 2, Daniel Jansen 1) d Weightmans Packaging 4 (Jackson Tung 2, Dylan Wood 1)

Ladder leader Mallee Bearings were under pressure early against Weightmans Packaging but recovered from a 2-4 deficit to win 7-4 and maintain their big lead from the remaining teams. As usual Joel Thomas won three singles although he did drop a game against mother Lee Leeson and Jackson Tung respectively.

The second doubles was interesting and potentially could have reshaped the battle for the four points when Jackson Tung and Dylan Wood for Weightmans were leading 10-6 in the fourth having a lead of two games to one, Joel Thomas and partner Daniel Jansen then survived four match points and recovered to win in five sets, a tremendous comeback

In an amazing finish Mallee Bearings won the last five rubbers to snuff out an excellent start by Weightmans Packaging.

PENNANT TWO:

This season the number of fill ins required in Pennant Two have been high and this round was no exception with five regulars out. Ladder leader Choices Flooring Mildura defeated Mallee Bearings who required two fill ins, Jamie Kealley for the Bearings team was back to his normal form winning three singles against very tough opposition.

 Weightmans Packaging continued their up and down season with a sound 7-4 win over Pinnacle Packers with Quentin Clark and Brendan Alderton both winning three singles while third placed Cookes Pools & Spas clicked and ran riot against Mallee Meats winning 9-2, for the Meats team Ash Morrison and David Sergi were unavailable. Despite the loss Mallee Meats still hold fourth position on the ladder with two rounds to play.

– Weightmans Packaging 7 (Quentin Clark, Brendan Alderton 3) d Pinnacle Packers 4 (Peter Midgley, Andrew Jones, Mark Cleary 1)

Two five set results proved to be the difference in this match when second placed Weightmans Packaging played bottom of the ladder Pinnacle Packers who gave it their all in their 4-7 defeat at the hands of Weightmans.

New player, fill in Mark Cleary, who is showing improvement each week placed enormous pressure on opposing captain Quentin Clark and late in their five setter Mark fought back from a deficit to grab a match point however Quentin stayed calm to win an entertaining match 13-11 2-11 11-7 5-11 12-10.

The second doubles was the other crucial five set win by Weightmans when Clark and team mate Riley Clemence proved too strong for their far more experienced opponents Peter Midgley and Andrew Jones. This match went on an on with many long rallies and the Weightman’s pair proved too steady winning 10-12 11-7 4-11 12-10 11-7.

In the washup both Quentin Clark and Brendan Alderton won three singles each in an impressive display against a good opposition. This was an important win for Weightmans, their second in as many weeks after losing three on the trot. With two rounds to play they are one win clear of the third placed Cookes Pools & Spas who are on the march having won five of their last six matches.

WINNER: Weightmans Packaging 7 d Pinnacle Packers 4, Games 23 to 18.

– Choices Flooring Mildura 7 (Jason Gifkins, Kevin Johns, Harry Gujral 2) d Mallee Bearings 4 (Jamie Kealley 3)

With two of their regulars out Mallee Bearings were expected to struggle against the ladder leader Choices Flooring Mildura however Bearings skipper Jamie Kealley was not going to give up without a fight and in an excellent display by him he was able to win 3 singles against the very good opposition of Jason Gifkins, Kevin Johns and the fast-improving Harry Gujral. Despite all these players being far more experienced than Jamie he was able to bounce back after a quiet round last week where he won one match.

Jamie defeated both Kevin and Harry in straight sets and against Jason he recovered in fine style from a 0-2 deficit to win 9-11 8-11 11-6 11-8 11-4 a great comeback.

Despite the resistance by Jamie, Choices Flooring Mildura were able to win 7-4 with all their team winning two singles each, Choices are now two games clear at the top of the ladder with two rounds to play.

WINNER: Choices Flooring Mildura 7 d Mallee Bearings 4, Games 25 to 15.  

– Cookes Pools & Spas 9 (Tom Morrison, Marcus Cimino 3, Josh Arnold 2) d Mallee Meats 2 (Shane Carmichael 1)

Cookes were out of the blocks early winning the first three singles against Mallee Meats who were without Ash Morrison and David Sergi. Cookes have shown good form all season however all their players were on fire with Tom Morrison and Marcus Cimino winning three singles each while Josh Arnold won two and they were able to score a resounding 9-2 victory. If they can maintain this form they will be difficult to deal with when it comes to the business end of the season.

Mallee Meats two wins both came in five sets, the first doubles saw fill in Shane Carmichael and Rasin Bhuiyan outlast Tom Morrison and Josh Arnold in five sets 11-8 8-11 11-9 3-11 11-8. Carmichael two games later defeated Arnold in another marathon five set match, the score line 12-10 11-13 11-9 5-11 11-5 a great tussle.

Carmichael later played his third five setter, this time a singles against Tom Morrison and it was Tom who took the points 6-11 11-8 9-11 11-7 11-7 to win his third singles and retain his lead at the head of the singles aggregate.

WINNER: Cookes Pools & Spas 9 d Mallee Meats 2, Games 31 to 11

PENNANT THREE:

This week Sammy’s Slammers had the bye but team captain, James Jarvis ensured to keep his team’s skill in tip top shape making Nhat Dat join James in Pennant two while Hayden Wilson played against ladder heads Weightmans Packaging. Both didn’t win a match but gained some great observations and tips from the P2 players to take home and practice, coming back to Pennant three, surprising their next opponents with their new skills.

Team captain Sam Campbell joined her new temporary teammates Dave Tanner and Ted Cleary who once again filled in for Regional Taxation Services Peter and Sabrina Fitzpatrick. Well done to Ted Cleary for the excellent amount of effort put into this round taking absolutely everyone in opposing team, Exposed Signage/Apparel, including the doubles round all to five sets.

It was a hard week for Mallee Meats as team captain Andrew Kremor was away once again this week. Fill in Hayden Wilson was helpful in winning their first match of the night but couldn’t fill Andrews shoes.

– Exposed Signage/Apparel 8 (Marita Grace 3, Nick Kiapekos 2, Wendy Simpson 1) d Regional Taxation Services 3 (Sam Campbell 2, Ted Cleary 1)

Regional Taxation Services put up a bigger fight this week but still losing 3-8 against Exposed Signage/Apparel.

Ted’s first game of the night was against Player two, Nick Kiapekos. Team captain Marita Grace says Nick was just “warming up” as he played Ted Cleary resulting 12-14, 11-7, 12-14, 11-9, 12-10. It may have been a bit more than just a warm up especially with all the amazing long rallies the two shared.

Ted continued with his head high also taking Marita to five sets scaring her quite a bit in the third set. The rallies were intense as they got to 10-10. Neither of them giving up, points went back and forth till Ted won two points in a row at 18-16. Marita was tired after that set that she got destroyed the next set 5-11. Ted kept his focus and played each point at a time, once again getting to 10-10 each. Marita was quick to end the match as they were both quite exhausted, but Ted didn’t let that happen without a fight. Marita, taking advantage of Ted’s exhaustion, won the final set 15-13.

At the end of the night, Ted Cleary and Wendy Simpson face off in another close match with Ted taking his first and only point of the night. 8-11, 11-1, 7-11, 17-15, 11-6. Ted’s not so much loving these long rallies, but they just keep on coming. In their fourth set, they ordered up some juice at 10-10 each. Ted pulled out his moves once again as he and Wendy go back and forth serving and gaining points, until Ted decided enough was enough and got two point in a row winning the set 17-15. Still quicker than his game against Marita Grace but a great effort throughout the nigh non the less.

A fantastic win by Wendy Simpson as she played Dave Tanner as she took him down 3-1 sets Giving him a beating 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 11-1. She also held up well against Sam Campbell

taking her to five sets but unfortunately, she couldn’t land the win for her team. 11-6, 5-11, 9-11, 11-7, 10-12.

With Sam winning her game against Wendy, she put her team on the board after losing six love to Exposed Signage/Apparel. Even though her team had already lost, team captain Sam continued to encourage her team to still play to their best ability as every point counts. Sam did as she preached and for the first time this season, she won her final game against Nick Kiapekos 3-0. She took Nick by storm as she pounded the ball at him just on the right angle and at the right time throughout their match. Games 11-8, 11-8, 11-6.

In the first round of doubles, Regional Taxation Services teammates Sam Campbell and Dave Tanner were a little scared of each other and chemistry was not quite right. Despite this they were still able to earn a few points but it wasn’t enough as they got obliterated by Marita and Nick 2-11, 3-11, 4-11.

Regional Taxation Services bounced back as Sam Campbell and Ted Cleary paired up for the second match of doubles as Sam helped her teammate continue his streak of five sets. With a clear friendship between opposing captains, the two teams had lots of great conversations and laughs between some great rallies. Exposed Signage/Apparel took yet another point for their team 11-3, 7-11, 4-11, 11-6, 14-12.

WINNER: Exposed Signage/Apparel 8 d Regional Taxation Services 3 Games: 28 to 16

– Weightmans Packaging 9 (Ryan Peterson 3, Koby Grace, Karly Leach 2) d Mallee Meats 2 (Hamish Smyth, Hayden Wilson 1)

It was a quick night for Mallee Meats as they got a beating from Weightmans Packaging losing the first eight rubbers; six to only three sets.

All hope was not lost as Mallee Meats’ fill in, Hayden Wilson, was able to keep his head up taking Koby Grace to four sets with some long rallies and some short rallies and winning the first point for Mallee Meats 11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 11-5.

Koby continuing to play well, he took Hamish to four sets. Hamish put up a good fight in the first set, winning the point, but he couldn’t hold up against Koby’s skill, him taking the next three set points and winning the match 11-13, 11-7, 11-3, 11-4.

In the second round of doubles, Mallee Meats teammates Hamish Smyth and Glenn Leeson put up an excellent fight against Weightmans Ryan Peterson and Koby Grace. The first set was particularly interesting, and fun to watch, as the two teams go back and forth earning multiple points each till finally reaching 15-17, Weightmans’ way. Hamish and Glenn came back in the next set winning 11-8. However, it wasn’t enough as Weightmans Packaging took the following two set points wearing them down 13-11 and finally Mallee Meats couldn’t go on any longer, losing the final point 11-5.

At the end of the night, Hamish Smyth and Karly Leach had some great rallies, Hamish taking the second win for his team 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9.

WINNER: Weightmans Packaging 9 d Mallee Meats 2 Games: 30 to 8

PENNANT FOUR:

Round 14 saw close matches in both encounters, with Dunkley Scales still remaining the team to beat. With all bar one Team needing a fill in, it was an interesting nights play. Selma Mayne was unable to play and Andrew Jeffries helped out the Dunkley Team. Jake Hines was another out for this round and Raylee Waugh put her hand up for Mallee Meats. And with Kat Clifford home on a Uni break, she was keen to fill in for Tankard Dental.

– Dunkley Scales 6 (Deegan Kerslake 3, Tom Gilmour 2) d Weightmans Packaging 5 (Curtis Crabtree 2, Raj Gujral, Gary Leach 1)

Deegan Kerslake has been outstanding of late and he put the pressure on Weightmans number one, Curtis Crabtree to take the match in four sets and mark up Dunkley’s first Rubber (6/11, 11/9, 11/7, 11/9). Weighman’s Gary Leach had Tom Gilmour on his toes in the first set, but Tom got the better of him and finished it in three (13/11, 11/9, 11/8). Raj Gujral put Weightman’s team on the board with a resounding win over Andrew, Dunkley’s fill in (11/4, 11/5, 11/2).

Gary and Curtis gave it a good run, but Tom and Deegan are a tough pairing and take some beating, adding another Rubber to Dunkley, in the first Doubles (11/9, 11/8, 9/11, 11/8).

The two number one’s, Tom and Curtis were next to fight it out and Tom dropped his guard, with Curtis snatching it in five after some great play by both (11/8, 10/12, 11/4, 4/11, 13/11).  Deegan got the Rubber for Dunkley after his contest, but Raj certainly didn’t make it an easy win (9/11, 11/9, 12/10, 11/5). Gary got his moe joe back in his second singles and made short work of Andrew with a conclusive win for Weightman’s (11/1, 11/3, 11/3).

Curtis and Raj brought the night score to four each in the second Doubles winning against Tom and Andrew (15/13, 11/9, 12/10).

Tom made sure of his win against Raj, not wanting to drop another match, in fear of dropping behind his friendly rival in the aggregate (11/6, 12/10, 11/1). Curtis started to run out of puff in his last match, but hung on to defeat Andrew in three, after a few shacky  moment, with Andrew playing a very nice game (11/9, 11/3, 13/11). With both teams sitting on 5, it was the match between Deegan and Gary which would decide the nights winner. As much as Gary was doing his best, he couldn’t cope with Deegan’s problematic serve. This led to Dunkley marking up their 10 for the season.

WINNER : Dunkely Scales 6  to Weightman’s Packaging 5. GAMES 20 to 18.

– Mallee Meats 6 (Maria Starikov 3, Jenny Leach, Raylee Waugh 1) d Tankard Dental 5 (Katrina Clifford, Nathan Beard 2)

First up in the Singles was Raylee Waugh, the fill in for Mallee Meats, facing up to Nathan Beard, which was a bit of a hard task for Rayee’s first match. Nathan grabbed the win (11/3, 11/5, 11/4). Mallee’s Maria Starikov, alias BW, or Brick Wall, made her match against Connor Burnett, who is definitely making great improvements with his game, seem easy and anyone who comes up against Maria would have that same feeling (11/2, 11/3, 11/7).

Jen Leach shocked herself, when she took the first set from Kat Clifford, Pennant four’s aggregate winner in 2023. But Kat didn’t take long to burst that bubble, although Jen fought it out to the end (9/11,12/10, 12/10, 14/12). Maria and Jen had a ding dong battle against Kat and Nathan which went out to five sets, falling the way of Tankard Dental, after some terrific rallies (2/11, 11/6, 11/9, 7/11, 11/5). Maria kept her run going, cleaning up Nathan in their match (11/4, 11/3, 11/7). Kat added another win to Tankards list, when she played Raylee (11/6, 11/4, 11/2).

Jen and Connor’s match went to three sets, with Connor bringing out some crafty shots, but Jen held her focus to make it three Rubbers for Mallee (11/5, 11/9, 11/7).

Maria and Raylee paired up against Kat and Connor, with the last Doubles going the way of Mallee, which put the scores both at four Rubbers (11/8, 11/5, 11/8). Maria made it a clean sweep for the night, once again collecting three wins, after she completed her match against Kat (11/9, 11/5, 11/5). It was rally after rally in Jen and Nathan’s match, which stretched out to five sets, in a see sawing affair, which Nathan won (6/11, 11/9, 11/8, 7/11, 11/7). Once again, the last game was the decider for these two teams. This was a battle between the number three’s, in Raylee and Connor, which was a ripper and both players were deserving of the win, but it was Raylee who wound up adding that winning Rubber, to give Mallee the Win for the night.

WINNER : Mallee Meats 6 to Tankard Dental 5. GAMES : 25 to 15. 

The Ladder after round 14, will see Dunkley Scales on 10, Mallee Meats on 7, Weightman’s Packaging on 6 and Tankard Dental on 3.

This puts Maria on 32, Tom on 31 and Deegan on 29, after Round 14 in the Aggregate.

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