Summer 2025 Season – Grand Final Wrap

0 0

PENNANT ONE: 

In an entertaining grand final ladder leaders Weightmans Packaging are the Sunraysia Table Tennis summer pennant premiers with a 6-4 victory over Choices Flooring Mildura.

These two teams had met twice during the home and away season with each scoring a 7-4 win. Their most recent meeting was two weeks ago in round nine with Weightmans taking the points on that occasion.

PENNANT ONE:

– Weightmans Packaging 6 (Rohan Reimers, Jamie Kealley 2, Marcus Cimino 1) d Choices Flooring Mildura 4 (Jackson Tung 2, Thanh Nguyen 1)

In the grand final it was Weightmans who started well taking the first two matches. In the first Rohan Reimers accounted for Choices number three Ashley Morrison as expected however Morrison did not go down without a fight and stretched the match out to four sets.

The second singles was a huge match when Weightmans young gun Jamie Kealley matched up against opposing number one Jackson Tung. Seventeen-year-old Kealley enjoyed a very good season and finished the singles aggregate in first place. Head-to-head they had scored a win each throughout the season and this singles in the grand final would potentially shape the result.

Despite Tung having his chances in the first game it was Kealley who came out on top by the narrowest of margins and after many long rallies and going point for point it was Kealley who also took the second. Tung fought back to take the third as both players entertained the spectators with some fine rallies. The fourth again was close however Kealley showing great maturity was able to hold the ascendancy and go on and win 15-12 13-11 8-11 11-9, a first-class match.

Choices Flooring were then able to get on the score board when fill in Thanh Nguyen, in a solid display, accounted for Weightmans number three Marcus Cimino in three sets. Nguyen had come in to the team to cover the absent Liam Wood.

The first doubles would prove to be crucial and in the first game Kealley and Reimers proved too consistent for Tung and Nguyen. The latter pair lifted to take the second easily before the Weightmans pair of Kealley and Reimers fought back to take a 2-1 lead.

The fourth was close however Kealley and Reimers held their nerve and pushed on to a four-set win 11-6 3-11 11-7 12-10 to enable their team to take a three rubbers to one lead.

Needing to reduce the deficit Choices skipper Jackson Tung was expected to account for Rohan Reimers and when Tung took the first 11-3 it looked like a comfortable victory coming up however Reimers then clicked as he can steaming through the second and third games to throw a scare into the Choices camp, when Reimers took a lead late in the fourth trouble loomed for Tung however in an excellent comeback under pressure he took the fourth by the narrowest of margins before he then raced through the fifth to win in five sets much to the delight of his team mates.

The next singles featured a match up of the two number three players Marcus Cimino for Weightmans against Ashley Morrison. Cimino took the first playing measured table tennis before Morrison steadied to win the second. The third was close all the way however Cimino held his nerve to narrowly take the advantage and then he was able to pull away to win the fourth and the match 11-8 8-11 11-7 11-8, Weightmans now leading 4-2.

Weightmans Kealley then took to the table against Thanh Nguyen, and it was Nguyen who surprised by taking the first game before Kealley was able to steady and he methodically would take control and go on to win in four sets despite Nguyen fighting all the way.

Weightmans were now in sight of the premiership taking a 5-2 lead.

In the second doubles the Weightmans pair of Kealley and Cimino raced away to win the first two games against Tung and Ashley Morrison, and it appeared the match was about to conclude however in a stunning comeback the

Choices pair of Tung and Morrison would fight back in fine style to win 10-12 6-11 11-3 11-7 11-8.

As expected, Choices Jackson Tung then defeated Marcus Cimino in straight sets and Weightmans lead had been reduced to 5-4

with the consistent Weightmans Rohan Reimers to play Thanh Nguyen in the next singles, Nguyen fought hard in the first and narrowly went down before Reimers took control in the second and third to go on and win in straight sets.

In doing so he had secured the premiership for the Weightmans Packaging team.

This was a deserved win as Weightmans had been the most consistent team over the second part of the season and this can be attributed to the form of number one player Jamie Kealley who did not lose a singles over the last five weeks and the consistency of teammate Rohan Reimers. Teammate Marcus Cimino had also played his role throughout the season.

Choices Flooring Mildura had enjoyed a solid season and did well to make the final from third position.

STTA champion and life member Wayne Carmichael congratulated the winning team and presented the Bill Rowe and Kevin Johns Perpetual Shield to the winning team.

PENNANT TWO:

Cookes Pools & Spas, who came from fourth position on the ladder and who beat top team Weightmans Packaging in the semi-finals, have won the premiership in the 2025 summer grand final. Their opponents, Mallee Meats had a decent enough start to the night by winning the first two rubbers but Cookes got away from them, with captain Truong winning three singles and both doubles matches.

Cookes Pools & Spas 6 Duy Truong (3), David Sergi (0), Deegan Kerslake (1) defeated Mallee Meats 3 Harry Gujral (2), Therese Fitzpatrick (0), Peter Fitzpatrick (1).

Peter Fitzpatrick won the first rubber of the evening, defeating Sergi in four sets 9-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-4.

Gujral followed up this win by taking down Kerslake in the next rubber, 11-4, 11-2, 11-3, just as Cookes were gearing up for a counterattack.

Truong and Therese Fitzpatrick battled it out, with Truong winning the first set 11-7, Therese cutting in with a win in the second 11-8, Truong then dominating in the third 11-2, and finally sealing the win in the fourth 12-10.

Cookes then levelled up the score 2-2 by taking the first doubles match. Their opponents took the first set 11-8, but Cookes got the upper hand in the next three sets and won 11-6, 11-9, 12-10.

Gujral then sorted out Sergi easily enough, winning in straight sets 11-6, 11-7, 11-5. This would be the last rubber that Meats would win as Cookes went on to take the next four in a row.

Truong cleaned up Peter Fitzpatrick soundly, 11-6, 11-2, 11-4, while in a shocking twist, Kerslake defeated Therese Fitzpatrick in four sets.

She took the first set 11-7, but seemingly came apart in the next two 11-9, 11-7 and then made a desperate attempt to win in the fourth but to no avail, losing 12-14. With Cookes now 4-3 ahead,

Truong and Kerslake showed Meats no mercy in the second doubles, winning the first two sets 11-8, 12-10, then falling off hard in the third 2-11, but recovering to take the fourth set 11-9.

And finally, at 5-3, old rivals Gujral and Truong stepped up to the table; Gujral set on winning this rubber and pushing Cookes back, Truong confident he could take down his opponent and secure the premiership.

Gujral started the match with a scathing win in the first set 11-3, but Truong had figured him out and took the next two 11-6, 11-8. Gujral pushed hard in the fourth, winning 11-8, and then the two went head-to-head in the fifth, with Truong coming out on top, 11-7.

And with that, Cookes claim the premiership title for Pennant 2 in the 2025 summer season.

Well done to Mallee Meats who have been a consistent team all season but just couldn’t quite get themselves over the line in this grand final. A big congratulations to Duy Truong, David Sergi and Deegan Kerslake who have fought long and hard to get into this final and have made it all pay off.

Final score 6 rubbers to 3 and 19 games to 15.

PENNANT THREE: 

Ladder leader for most of the season, Sammy’s Slammers are the pennant three premiers after defeating Regional Taxation Services 6-4 in an entertaining grand final.

Going into the final the Slammers were slight favourites over second placed RTS. During the season their head-to-head meetings had been shared. Back in Round four Regional Taxation Services enjoyed an 8-3 victory while in Round 7 the Slammers scored a 7-4 win.

Sammy’s Slammers team included Captain Samantha Campbell who won the pennant three singles aggregate and the Super 8’s final. Number two Koby Grace was the best performed number two in this pennant, Koby played very well and showed tremendous improvement and because of this he was also awarded the most improved player in pennant three.

Leanne Wilson who had just been promoted from pennant four was named in the original team at the start of the season however had to withdraw after the first three rounds due to injury. Her replacement was the reliable Dianne Hannig who has a long connection with table tennis in the Walpeup district. We were fortunate to have Dianne in the right place at the right time.

Opponents Regional Taxation Services consisted of Karly Leach a most experienced finals campaigner and the runner up in the singles aggregate this season

and the only player to defeat Sam over the summer pennant. Number two player Leo Parker is an up and comer who is developing his game and has recorded some excellent wins against higher ranked players, number three Cooper Kalms has returned to table tennis after a long break and has proven to be a very steady and consistent player. He last played with the STTA in the junior pennant around 10 years ago. Cooper and Karly were the winners of the doubles aggregate this season. Cooper also received the trophy for the best performed number three in pennant three.

PENNANT THREE:

– Sammy’s Slammers 6 (Sam Campbell, Koby Grace 2) d Regional Taxation Services 4 (Karly Leach 3, Leo Parker 1)

THE PLAY

The grand final started with two thrillers both decided in five sets. The first featured Cooper Kalms up against Koby Grace and in a quick start Cooper won the first two games before Koby settled and fought back to win 9-11 7-1 11-5 11-9 11-8 a great challenge by Cooper and a tremendous comeback from Koby.

The second match was almost a big upset when Slammers number three Dianne Hannig placed extreme pressure on opposing number one Karly Leach. These two went game for game with Karly taking the first by the narrowest of margins, rallies went on and on as both players were prepared to push their back hands waiting for the other to make a mistake. Both sets of teammates were nervous as the match went to a fifth. Regional Taxation Services could not afford a loss here even though it was early in the grand final. The fifth went point for point and in the end much to her relief Karly grabbed the win 11-9 7-11 11-9 6-11 11-9 wow what a match. Dianne had won two games and scored nine in three other games, oh so close.

Skipper Sam then gave Sammy’s Slammers a 2-1 lead when she fought off the persistent Leo Parker in four sets, some big rallies took place which included several strong forehands from either player. In the end Sam took the points 11-7 14-16 11-7 11-8, Leo was impressive in defeat.

Sam and Leo were also involved in the next match when the first doubles took place. Karly and Leo were off to a good start comfortably taking the first before Sam and Koby narrowly took the second before they took control in the third to now lead two games to one. The fourth was a real tussle with Karly and Cooper forcing the match to a fifth, this being the third fifth setter in the first four games.

The fifth saw Karly and Leo race away to a commanding lead of 8-2 what a start however the match wasn’t over as Sam and Koby edged their way back and amazingly drew level at nine points all, they had won seven points to one with the games being played in two halves. In an amazing turnaround and an exciting finish Sam and Koby had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat 6-11 11-9 11-6 9-11 11-9. The Slammers now took a 3-1 lead.

RTS desperately needed a win, and it was skipper Karly up against Koby and surprise surprise it was another five set marathon, this being the third five setter Karly would play in her first three matches. Koby placed extreme pressure on Karly who won the first game by the barest of margins with Koby doing the same in the second. Karly with great concentration took the third while Koby levelled at two games all and again Karly was under extreme pressure. As she did in her first singles Karly was able to obtain the ascendancy in the fifth and eventually would win 11-9 11-13 11-8 7-11 11-6 a top-class match.

The result of the next two singles went as expected although they were great battles. Firstly, Sam accounted for the plucky Cooper 11-7 11-7 14-12

while RTS number two Leo just took the points over the difficult Dianne 12-10 12-10 11-9, a great battle. The score now stood at 4-3 in favour of Sammy’s Slammers.

The second doubles was now huge for both teams when Slammers pair Sam and Dianne matched up against Karly and Cooper. This proved to be slightly one sided as Sam and Dianne combined well to win in straight sets and give their team a commanding 5-3 lead.

The play now moved into the final block of singles with both captains Sam and Karly taking to the table into what would eventuate to be the fifth five set match of the final, what a match it proved to be. With her usual consistent play Karly took the first two games, the opening game was a comfortable victory with the second a close ending. Sam fought back courtesy of some big forehands to win the third and fourth. Karly knowing the final was slipping away lifted again in the fifth and they went point for point.

In an exciting climax and much to the delight of her supporters Karly was able to hold her nerve and take the match 11-3 11-9 8-11 6-11 11-9. This was Karly’s third singles victory and her fourth fiver setter in the five matches she had played.

With Sammy’s Slammers leading 5-4 Koby now took to the table against Leo Parker, head to head Koby had won their two matches in the home and away season and it was Koby who narrowly took the first before Leo took the second by the barest of margins, the third saw Koby race away to take a two-one lead, the grand final was within the Slammers grasp and in the fourth Koby took the lead and despite a big effort by Leo it was Koby taking the match much to the excitement of his team mates , 11-8 11-13 11-2 11-7.

The grand final had been a great battle with Sammy’s Slammers winning 6-4 over the plucky Regional Taxation Services. For the Slammers both Sam and Koby had won two singles and their doubles. In an important win number three Dianne Hannig had teamed up with Sam to win the second doubles.

The winning team were presented with the Henderson Family shield by committee member Lee Leeson.

A big thank you to those that umpired.

PENNANT FOUR: 

The anticipation of the Grand Final was a mix of excitement and nerves. The two teams who were lucky enough to hold their form, throughout the season and into the Semi’s, had been very close in their battles over the 10 weeks. With Mallee Meats having the Aggregate winner, Yen and Dunkley Scales, the most improved, Jakob, it was likely this encounter would be fought out all the way.

Dunkley Scales had won the toss and chose to be the home team on the results sheet and Captain, Glenn selected the nights play. With neither team privy to the others line up, Mallee Meats entered their players and the challenge was about to begin.

Dunkley : Glenn Leeson, Jenny Leach and Jakob Grzan. Mallee : Yen Hwak, Nathan Beard and Conner Burnett.  

PENNANT FOUR:

– Dunkley Scales 6 (Glenn Leeson 2, Jakob Grzan 2, Jenny Leach 1) d Mallee Meats 5 (Yen Hwak 3, Conner Burnett 1)

The opening game was between Jakob and Nathan and it was a beauty. Jakob got the first break, with an 11/6, before Mallee’s number two fought back to pocket the next two games, 11/5, 11/8. But as has happened on many occasions this season, Jakob rallied to mark up a solid win, taking the last two games 11/6, 11/5.

Mallee’s number three, Conner, was next to the table, against Dunkley’s number one, Glenn. Conner has definitely found an extra gear over the last few weeks, but it was a high hurdle for him to jump, with Glenn collecting the Rubber in three 11/4, 11/5, 11/7.

Yen’s bullet back hand had Mallee’s number two searching for answers. The three games were close, but as hard as Jen tried, Yen came back bigger and better, marking up Mallee’s first Rubber 11/9, 11/9, 11/8.

Glenn and Jen had been successful in the past Doubles against Yen and Nathan, it would be Mallee who were the more tactical in this match, filing away another great three set win, to level the scores to 2 Rubbers each 11/7, 11/9, 11/6.

Glenn had a convincing win against Nathan in the first game 11/4, before Nathan turned it around, with Glenn struggling to get the ball to listen 11/2. How ever the third game saw Nathan drop away again, to give Glenn the momentum, sneaking the next two to finish the match in four 11/4, 11/9.

With Jakobs last meeting against Yen going to five and landing an amazing win to the young gun, this time Yen was on his toes and not ready to leave any doors open as he worked his magic to end the match in three 11/7, 14/12, 11/5.

Conner was totally focused in his tussle against Jen and after a word or two of encouragement from Nathan, he had no trouble snaring the win, throwing in numerous perfectly placed shots to put his team one ahead   11/9, 11/6, 11/8.

Dunkley couldn’t afford to lose a second Doubles as this would give Mallee an overwhelming advantage.

It was up to Glenn and Jakob to find a Rubber to square the ledger, as they were about to stand up against Yen and Conner. It was a good start for the Dunkley pair, smashing out an 11/4 win, but as expected, it wasn’t going to be easy and Mallee countered that with their own 11/9. The next two games from Glenn and Jakob were not easy, but played with focus and grit, were enough to pencil in the Rubber needed by Dunkley 11/9, 14/12.

It was time for the Captains to wrestle it out to see who could give their team the upper hand. Glenn gave it his very best, but until you have stood on the other side of the Table to Yen, you haven’t experienced the woosh of his backhand flick, as it whizzes past you, which made it an impossible task for Dunkley. With Yen now winning his third Singles it would be Mallee who would move to 5 and the pressure would now be on the shoulders of Dunkley 11/8, 11/7, 11/8.

With Mallee only needing one more win to take the Premiership and neither Jen or Nathan having won a singles match yet, who would be able to hold their nerve in this crucial match ?

Nathan had pushed through five and four set matches on the night, so was fired up and ready to rumble. Jen had been struggling to bring her A game in her first two matches. With a few words of wisdom from her team and practice partners Jen, with sweating hands and her heart beating out of her chest, knowing this was do or die, the moment had arrived.

Nathan’s game is usually very consistent and can be tricky to get around. But Jen was able to get into the zone and use the shots she’d been practicing. It was the confidence boost she was looking for and was enough to bring home a much needed win and give her team an equal chance, with both sides now sitting of 5 Rubbers 11/7, 11/5, 11/6.

The pressure was now immense on these two young number three’s. They had both won one of their Singles and now had to build on that thought to capture the win for their Team.

The first game was extremely tight, with some great rallies, which at 12/11 fell in Jakobs favor. Conner played quite a few amazing forehand slams and seemed to be very confident, but the calm patient Jakob found a way to break through Conners game, picking up the next two games and showing why he claimed the most improved player for the season. After an exhilarating and very even tussle, it was six Rubbers to Dunkley Scales in a fantastic nights Table Tennis.   

An absolutely ecstatic Dunkley Scales were over the moon with the effort given by all three team members. Dunkley Scales would like to thank Mallee Meats for a fair and even Match with friendly rivalry from both teams.

We would also like to Congratulate Yen on his Aggregate and Super 8’s wins.  Glenn, Jen and Jakob are still on Cloud nine.

WINNER : Dunkley Scales  6  to Mallee Meats  5.

GAMES :  18  to 19

About Post Author

stta

stta57@gmail.com

Happy

0 0 %

Sad

0 0 %

Excited

0 0 %

Sleepy

0 0 %

Angry

0 0 %

Surprise

0 0 %