Winter 2025 Season – Preliminary Finals Wrap

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Scoresheets-Winter-2025-Prelim-Final.pdf

PENNANT ONE: 

Third placed Weightmans Packaging have earned a berth in this week’s Sunraysia Table Tennis winter pennant grand final after an exciting 6-5 victory over second placed Mallee Bearings.

Going into the finals series Mallee Bearings held a 2-1 lead in their head-to-head meetings during the season while both teams finished with a 9-6 win loss record over the fifteen round season.

– Weightmans Packaging 6 (Shannon Bowen, Reece Kurrle 2, Lee Leeson 1) d Mallee Bearings 5 (Arhuang (Wong) Lau 3, Mark Dorman 1)

Regional Taxation Services vs Weightmans Packaging in Grand Final on Wednesday

This was an outstanding match containing some excellent individual achievements. Early in the match Weightmans Packaging took a 3-1 lead courtesy of Weightmans pair Shannon Bowen and Reece Kurrle winning the first doubles over Arhuang (Wong) Lau and Mark Dorman. Bowen and Kurrle have been the dominant pair this season winning fourteen doubles matches on the trot however in this match Lau and Dorman started well winning the first game 11-9 and again in the second they played well to grab a game point however in a real tussle they could not secure the points and went down 14-16 , oh so close to a 2-0 lead. Bowen and Kurrle then settled winning the third and fourth comfortably in what eventuated to be a crucial match.

Mallee Bearings then fought back. Knowing their season was on the line the Bearings trio took two of the next three singles. The score now 4-3 in favour of Weightmans.

The second doubles featured Lau and Tom Morrison for Mallee Bearings while Shannon Bowen and Lee Leeson were their opponents. The Bearings pair started confidently winning the first before Bowen and Leeson narrowly grabbed the second however Lau and Morrison proved too steady winning 11-6 9-11 11-5 11-4. The scoreline now stood at four rubbers each and the tension was building.

What followed next were three five set matches of top class. The first featured Mallee Bearings skipper Arhuang Lau up against Shannon Bowen and they put on display of excellent table tennis, both players possess a special ability of their own and Bowen was able to grab a two games to one lead in an attempt to score his first win against Lau for the season. In the fourth Lau mounted a comeback and levelled at two games all as the excellent rallies continued. The fifth saw Lau take an early lead and despite Bowen giving his all it was Lau that enabled his team to forge ahead 5-4, Lau took the points 9-11 11-8 10-12 11-7 11-6.

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Mallee Bearings were now in sight of victory when Mark Dorman took an early two games to zero lead over opponent Reece Kurrle in the next match. Dorman was able to blunt the normally aggressive Weightmans number two however Kurrle was able to lift in the third and fourth and in a complete turnaround the match was now level at two games all. The fifth eventuated into an unbelievable game, Kurrle took the initiative early and was able achieve an 8-3 lead and later looked home at 10-7 up however Dorman can never be discounted and suddenly he levelled at 10 points all.

Both sets of teammates were on the edge of their seat as Dorman had previously saved three match points however, he then was able to get three match points in succession of his own which would have took his team to the grand final however each time Kurrle stayed in the point. Kurrle then had a couple of his own match points and eventually he would win 7-11 9-11 11-7 11-7 17-15 in an amazing finish. The score now stood at five rubbers all.

As is the case in all close matches the pressure finishes on the shoulders of the number three players and on this occasion, it was Mallee Bearings Tom Morrison up against the experienced Lee Leeson. With a spot in the grand final on the line both players started nervously, and it was Leeson who proved the steadiest in the first two games. The pressure was now on young Morrison as the match was slipping for Weightmans. The third and fourth were a real tussle with a mix of attacking forehands and defensive backhands from both players and to his credit Morrison was back in the match levelling at two games all.

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Throughout the season these two players had met three times with three victories in favour of Morrison. The tension was evident all around the stadium as both players prepared to decide the preliminary final. With some big forehands Morrison had turned the match and he was able to take a healthy lead in the fifth of 7-4 before Leeson then mounted an excellent comeback to level at 9 points all, she then was able to remain calm and she took the last two points to win 11-8 11-6 6-11 9-11 11-9 an amazing finish.

What a match this had been between these two sides and in particular the last three singles which were top class, and all could have gone either way. With a 6-5 victory Weightmans Packaging have advanced to the grand final.

Victory came for Weightmans despite Bearings number one Arhuang Lau winning three singles in fine style. For the victors Shannon Bowen and Reece Kurrle won two singles each as well as continuing their hot run in doubles play. The hero was Lee Leeson winning her singles when the pressure was at its greatest.

Bring on the grand final.

PENNANT TWO: 

Cookes Pools & Spas got themselves a spot in the 2025 grand finals with what was something of an upset match over Choices Flooring Mildura. All three times these two teams met throughout the season Choices Flooring took the win, but on this night Cookes were able to flip the script, taking the win 6-4.

– Cookes Pools & Spas 6 (Quentin Clark, Duy Truong 2) d Choices Flooring Mildura 4 (Ashley Morrison 3, Terry Martin 1)

Mallee Meats vs Cookes Pools & Spas in Grand Final on Wednesday  

Hard-hitter Truong was up first, soundly defeating Jones in a three setter 11-3, 11-7, 11-5. Morrison then won his first rubber by defeating Tan also in three 11-8, 11-7, 11-6 while teammate Martin struggled against Clark, putting up a good fight but going down 9-11, 9-11, 17-15, 10-12. Cookes then put their foot down hard in the first doubles, with Choices Flooring getting left behind, 2-11, 5-11, 5-11.

The score now 3-1 to Cookes, Morrison kept the fight going with a win over Truong 11-8, 12-10, 11-9. Clark marked down the fourth rubber for his team by besting Jones, again in three 11-3, 11-7, 11-7. Martin then got his only singles win for the night, downing Tan 11-8, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7. The second doubles pitted Morrison and Jones against Clark and Tan, with the Cookes crew grabbing the first two sets 11-5, 11-7 but Choices Flooring biting back hard, winning the third and fourth sets 13-11, 12-10. In the fifth, Choices worked hard to seal the deal but Cookes beat them to the finish line, taking the set 11-9.

This was bad news for Choices as Cookes were now 1 rubber away from the win. Morrison managed to beat back Clark soundly 11-5, 13-11, 11-6, while Martin stepped up to face off against Truong. Martin won the first 11-9, Truong then went on the attack and took the next two 11-3, 11-6. Martin nabbed the fourth 11-9 but couldn’t hold off against his opponent, losing 3-11 in the fifth.

Commiserations to Choices Flooring who have had a solid season of table tennis this year and congratulations to Cookes who now go on to face Mallee Meats in the grand final next week.

Final score 6 rubbers to 4 and 19 games to 17.

PENNANT THREE: 

– Weightmans Packaging 5 (Steve Parker 3, Leo Parker 1) d Regional Taxation Services 4 (Sam Campbell, Hayden Wilson 2)

Exposed Signage/Apparel vs Weightmans Packaging in Grand Final on Wednesday

Coincidentally both number one players were late withdrawals before the all-important Preliminary final. Weightmans Packaging skipper Nhat Dat withdrew with a shoulder while RTS leader Sabrina Fitpatrick was unwell. The washup was that this match would be a two versus two contest and what a match it proved to be.

 Weightmans were represented by the Parker duo of “Consistent” Steve and son Leo, while Samantha Campbell and last week’s star Hayden Wilson were the Regional Taxation Services team, both team’s were very keen to advance to the grand finale.

The first game of this final was a beauty when Leo Parker matched up against Hayden. Hayden took the first before Leo bounced back in fine style to go to a two one lead, both players desperate to record the first victory. Late in the fourth Leo grabbed a match point however Hayden dug deep to steal the fourth and level the match at two rubbers all. Hayden then was able to control the fifth winning the match in fine style 11-7 9-11 4-11 13-11 11-6 a great match between two very good young players.

 The one and only doubles was now huge for both teams particularly Weightmans, who now trailed, and the Parker boys were able to start well winning the first game however with some big forehands Hayden and Sam took the second game before Steve and Leo wrestled back the initiative to go on and win in four sets 11-7 7-11 11-6 11-8.

 The scores now stood at one rubber all when Steve took to the table against Hayden, and last week’s matchwinner Hayden was out of the blocks quickly winning the first two games narrowly to show he meant business, Steve had no choice but to lift or the game would slip away quickly, he proved too steady in the third and then the fourth was close with Steve levelling the match by the barest margin in a nail biter, the fifth was close as Steve edged ahead to win 8-11 9-11 11-5 14-12 11-8 an outstanding five setter. Weightmans were now in reach of a grand final berth leading 2-1.

To decide the preliminary final, it was Weightmans number two Steve Parker up against RTS number two Sam Campbell. Head-to-head this season Steve had won three of their four matches played. Steve had finished equal second on the aggregate while Sam had finished fifth. The first game was very close and both players were nervous but the standard of play was good with Steve able to take the first game by the barest margin. Sam was trying hard but Steve started to take control in the second and third and it was “Consistent” Steve who was able to take his team through to the Grand Final winning 12-10 11-6 11-7 much to the delight of his teammate Leo.

 Sam and Hayden had fought hard to keep their team alive. By winning his two singles and teaming up with Leo to win the one and only doubles Steve Parker was the star of the match.

 Weightmans finished on top of the ladder and will meet second team Exposed Signage/Apparel in what should be a close grand final.

 WINNER: Weightmans Packaging 5 d Regional Taxation Services 4

Games 18 to 15

PENNANT FOUR:

What a night ! This Pre Lim was amazing, with the Duel between Tankard Dental, the Team which has led the race 95% of the season, with their number one player, Leanne Wilson, on the top of the aggregate, up against third placed Mallee Meats, with Curtis Crabtree’s game growing exceedingly with every week.

With the absence on several occasions of their number one, Curtis and number two, Nathan Beard, Mallee had a slow start to the season, but on the other hand, Tankard lost their number two for a good stretch at the later end, so it was all set up for a very close encounter.

 – Mallee Meats 6 (Curtis Crabtree 3, Nathan Beard 2) d Tankard Dental 4 (Ildi Healy 2, Jakob Grzan 1)

Weightmans Packaging vs Mallee Meats in Grand Final on Wednesday

Tankard : Leanne Wilson, Ildi Healy, Jakob Granz. Mallee : Curtis Crabtree, Nathan Beard and Connor Burnett.

The first Singles of the Match turned out to be a shock to both players. With Leanne and Nathan in a thrilling first game, which fell to Nathan at 12 / 10. The next two games didn’t go well for Leanne and although she was hindered by an injury to her elbow, Nathan’s defensive game enabled him to pocket his first win over Leanne for the Season, which may have come at the most critical time.

Connor arrived with a new Bat and played some remarkable shots, which helped him out in grabbing the first game from Tankards Idli. But it didn’t take long for Ildi to put on her focusing face and capture the next three, to make it a Rubber for each team.

Jakob had to face Mallee’s number one, Curtis, next, which was always going to be a difficult task for Tankard’s number three. Jakob put up a gallant fight, but it was Curtis who took the honours, in straight sets.

The first Doubles had some spectacular shots from all player, with the first game going all the way, with Mallee sneaking the win 12 /10. The following three went to Tankard, resulting in a win and making it two Rubbers each.

One of the best matches of the night was between Ildi and Nathan, with a countless number of rallies and both players not ready to give up a point. Ildi battled it out to win the first, in a lengthy game going to 13 / 11. But then lost the next two 11/8. The fourth game read like a novel, producing a thrilling watch, where Ildi forced the play to 14/12 and kept her in the match. The five setter gave Ildi her second singles win, putting her team one up.          

It was obvious that the following match, between the two number ones, was set to be an exciting one. Leanne and Curtis both play a very patient game, waiting to find that moment to throw in the winning shot. So it wasn’t surprising to see this clash go all the way, with total concentration behind every shot. It was looking very positive for Leanne, after she snared the first two games, but with some tricky serves Curtis clawed his way back to once again bring the scores back to even.

Jakob and Connor have had some doozies over the course of the season, with both making enormous improvements to their games. What would separate these two number three players, was it going to be Connor’s new bat that would spark something in him, or the newly perfected forehand from Jakob. Connor made the first move, collecting the first game, but as hard as he fought, he couldn’t get the upper hand over Jakob, with the four setter landing Tankard the win.

With the see sawing Rubbers of this Prelim, It was on the cards for Mallee to take this Doubles match. Leanne and Jakob, were now up against Curtis and Connor, with the Tankard pair pulling in the first two games and looking like pinching it, a massive turn around by Mallee saw a 15 / 13 third set give Connor and Curtis the momentum, which made it the fourth time in this the night to see the scores move back to even.

Would the trend continue over the next two matches, or would one team take control ?

Ildi came up against a strong Curtis in the last block of Singles with the first game seeing Mallee take total control and a very short work of the match to give them a fifth Rubber.

It was mentioned earlier, about a best match of the night, but it was a toss up, as this next one was a beauty. With both players having won one Singles each and Tankard needing this to stay in the running to continue in the Finals, it was bound to be an exhilarating match. Nathan was right on target with his game  through the evening, but a very determined Jakob wasn’t letting this go with out a fight. Nathan looked very comfortable in the first two games, marking those up, then Jakob found his forehand and played some super shots, to pull it back to two each. It was a very emotional last game, as the leading Team were unable to hold on. But hats off to Mallee for turning their season around enough to place them in the Grand Final. A great effort from both teams in an exciting night of Table Tennis.

WINNER : Mallee Meats 6  to Tankard Dental 4.

GAMES : 23 to 18.

Good Luck to Weightman’s Packaging and Mallee Meat, who will battle it out next Wednesday to see who takes the Honours in Pennant Four.

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