Winter 2026 Season – Semi’s Wrap

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Scoresheets-Winter-2026-Semis.pdf

PENNANT ONE: – RED CLIFFS CLUB SHIELD:

– Second Semi:- Cookes Pools & Spas 6 (Kate Carmichael 3, Paul Kealley 2) d Regional Taxation Services 4 (Jackson Tung 2, Rohan Reimers 1)

In a match of excellent standard Cookes Pools & Spas have advanced to the Sunraysia Table Tennis grand final by winning their fourth match in succession. Their 6-4 victory over ladder leaders Regional Taxation Services contained two late exciting five set matches which were decided by the barest of margins.

Early in the contest Cooke’s enjoyed a good start to lead 3-1 and later 4-2. The early singles matches went as expected with Cooke’s Kate Carmichael and Paul Kealley winning two and one respectively however it was their doubles victory in four sets 11-6 11-5 8-11 12-10 over Jackson Tung and Rohan Reimers which played a huge part in the team’s success.

When Regional Taxation Services Rohan Reimers accounted for Ashley Morrison in four sets the deficit had reduced to 3-4 and the top team were desperate to grab the second doubles when Tung and Lee Leeson lined up against Cooke’s Carmichael and Morrison and what a match this turned would be. Carmichael and Morrison raced through the first game only conceding two points before Tung and Leeson bounced back to take the next two games and in the fourth they enjoyed match point on three occasions however could not seal the deal. Carmichael and Morrison were determined to take the contest to a fifth and did so narrowly. The fifth was one sided early with Carmichael and Morrison racing to an 8-2 lead and spectators assumed they were home however Tung and Leeson had other ideas and in an amazing comeback levelled the match at four rubbers all, the scoreline in the second doubles 2-11 11-5 11-9 12-14 13-11 what a match.

With the match at four rubbers all it was the two skippers RTS Tung and Cookes Carmichael who took to the table. Earlier in the week Tung had defeated Carmichael in straight sets in the Super 8’s singles tournament and again he was off to a quick start controlling the first game comfortably with attacking forehands and solid defence. Carmichael then lifted her game and a real tussle was taking place with many long rallies, Carmichael attempting to force the pace however Tung continued to defend well however it was Carmichael who drew ahead two games to one. In a tense fourth Tung came out on top by the barest of margins after again many long rallies.  

The fifth was set up for an exciting finish however Tung grabbed the ascendancy early and when he took a 10-6 lead it looked like he was home. Tung was on the attack, and Carmichael could only defend however she was proving stubborn and managed to pick up four points in succession with the aid of a couple of fine edges. The score now stood at 10 points all in the fifth and the result huge for both teams. It was Carmichael’s turn now to get on the front foot and attack and in an amazing turn around Carmichael would win 6-11 11-6 11-9 10-12 12-10 an outstanding match.

Cooke’s now took a 5-4 lead with number two, the in-form Paul Kealley to play Rohan Reimers in the battle of the two talented lefties. Kealley was able to grab the early lead and while Reimers tried hard Kealley would control the first game and in similar style he would win the second and third 11-8 11-8 11-9. Reimers gave his best and will be better for the hit out after a recent break from the game.

With his second singles win of the night Kealley had given his team a 6-4 victory and a berth in the grand final in a week’s time. To cap off a successful semi final Kealley had also combined with Carmichael to win the first doubles. Skipper Carmichael was also instrumental in the victory by winning her three singles.

Regional Taxation Services will now regroup and look to bounce back in this week’s knockout preliminary final.  

– First Semi:- Tankard Dental 6 (Shannon Bowen, Reece Kurrle 2, Jason Gifkins 1) d Weightmans Packaging 5 (Wayne Carmichael, Mark Dorman 2)

In a nail biter the knockout first semi final was decided in the last match of the night. With the scores at five rubbers all Tankard Dental number three Jason Gifkins held his nerve to defeat Weightmans Packaging’s Ed Hung 9-11 11-9 11-8 11-6. Earlier Weightmans levelled the match at two rubbers all after the first doubles when veteran pair Wayne Carmichael and Mark Dorman after a slow start out played talented pair Shannon Bowen and Reece Kurrle to win 6-11 11-5 11-7 14-12.

The next singles would turn the semi final on its head when Tankards number two Reece Kurrle met opposing number one Wayne Carmichael. This was an outstanding match with many excellent rallies, as expected Carmichael was out of the blocks early to take a two games to love lead however Kurrle then played arguably his best table tennis for the season to recover from this deficit to then take control. He was outstanding hitting many strong forehands and going on to cause an upset winning in five 11-13 6-11 11-6 11-7 11-8.

In the next game Tankards skipper Shannon Bowen accounted for Ed Hung as expected, and Tankards had taken a grip on the match leading 4-2. Weightmans Mark Dorman when he accounted for Jason Gifkins had reduced the deficit to 3-4 and the second doubles was now vital for Weightmans.

During the season the Weightmans pair of Carmichael and Hung had been very successful however their opponents Bowen and Gifkins raced to a 2-0 lead before the close third was won by the Weightmans pair. In the fourth Bowen and Gifkins were able to hold a narrow lead and win the match taking their team to a 5-3 lead.

Knowing their season was slipping Wayne Carmichael then played an excellent match against the talented Shannon Bowen winning in three tight sets 11-8 11-811-8. The score now was 5-4 in Tankard’s favour with Reece Kurrle to play Weightmans number two Dorman. Dorman started extremely well to take the first two games before Kurrle like he did against Carmichael lifted to win the next two games with some powerful play. Could Kurrle take his team to victory or would the deft touch of Dorman come out on top. In a tense fifth it was the consistency of Dorman which Kurrle could not handle and it was Dorman who kept his team alive winning in a top class five set match 11-7 11-9 5-11 7-11 11-7. The score was now 5-5 with both teams’ season on the line.

It was at this point that Tankard Dental number three Jason Gifkins enjoying his greatest moment of the season to date defeated Ed Hung and took his team to the preliminary final. Tankard Dental’s bid to get to the grand final was still intact.

Weightmans had been brave in defeat and enjoyed a solid season, however a loss in round sixteen, the final round before the finals had been costly bumping them from second to third and losing the double chance.

Cookes Pools & Spas into Grand Final;

Regional Taxation Services vs Tankard Dental in Preliminary Final.

PENNANT TWO: 

Sammy’s Slammers 6 Quentin Clark (3), James Jarvis (1), Ryan Hensgen (0) defeated Choices Flooring Mildura 3 Therese Fitzpatrick (2), Shiva Rottela (1), Andrew Jones (0).

Ladder leaders Choices Flooring were without their valuable No. 2 player Josh Arnold on the night of the semi-finals; a loss which no doubt contributed to their defeat at the hands of Sammy’s Slammers. After a slow start to the season, the Sammys have won the last three rounds in a row and now are now looking like real contenders for the premiership.

In the opening match, substitute Jones was no match for the formidable Jarvis who took the win in straight sets, 11-6, 11-7, 11-4. Captain Fitzpatrick then took out Hensgen likewise in three sets, 11-8, 11-9, 11-6, whilst Rottela and Clark engaged each other in a ripper five-setter. Rottela played hard in the first two sets, winning both 11-6, 12-10, but then Clark seemingly found his Achilles heel and snatched up the third and fourth, 11-4,11-4. 2 apiece in the fifth and the two went at it with Clark winning by a hair, 13-11. Clark and Jarvis then joined forces to take on Choices in the first doubles, dropping the first set but coming back to win 9-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-2.

Fitzpatrick then took out Jarvis, 8-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9, while Clark confidently defeated Jones in a three-setter 11-4, 11-5, 11-3. Hensgen found no luck in his game against Rottela; the latter winning 11-2, 11-8, 11-5, bringing the score to 4-3 in the Sammys favour. Had Choices won the night’s second doubles it would have helped their odds significantly, but it was not to be as their opponents got the drop on them and won 11-7, 11-4, 5-11, 11-6.

With the game score now 5-3, the Sammys were closing in on Choices Flooring as Fitzpatrick and Clark faced off. Fitzpatrick has been known to win some big upset matches on occasion, but on this night Clark had her right where he wanted her, taking the win in just three sets 11-9, 11-7, 12-10; ending the night at 6-3.

The Sammys will now go straight into the grand final in two weeks’ time, whilst Choices Flooring will play off against Mallee Meats next week in the preliminary final.

Final score 6 rubbers to 3 and 19 games to 13.

Mallee Meats 6 Michael Tan (2), Harry Gujral (1), Deegan Kerslake (1) defeated Pinnacle Packers 5 Duy Truong (3), Peter Midgley (2), Steve Parker (0).

After dropping from 1st to 3rd position on the ladder, Mallee Meats have showed there’s still some fight left in them by knocking Pinnacle Packers out of the running for the 2026 winter premiership.

Kerslake and Midgley began the night with a tense five-setter, the latter winning the first two 11-5, 11-5, Kerslake then digging his heels in and taking the next two 11-7, 11-7, but failing to keep pace with his opponent in the fifth, losing 5-11. Parker could do little against skipper Tan, going down 2-11, 4-11, 4-11, while Truong took out Gujral in straight sets as well, 11-7, 11-3, 11-6. Meats then fought Packers back in the first doubles, winning 11-6, 11-7, 12-10, leveling the score 2 rubbers apiece.

Midgley then went all the way against Tan in another five-setter, losing the first 6-11, getting up in the second and third 11-8, 11-8, but succumbing in the final two to lose 2-11, 2-11. Truong then marked off his second singles win, besting Kerslake in three, 11-4, 11-9, 11-2, whilst teammate Parker found no luck against

Gujral, losing 11-9, 11-4, 11-7. Onto the second doubles wherein Meats took another clean win, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10, putting themselves on the edge of victory at 5-3.

Packers however knew it was do or die and launched a counterattack. Truong squared off against Tan, losing the first 9-11, scraping by in the second and third 12-10, 13-11, stumbling hard and losing the fourth 5-11, but recovering to take the win in the fifth 11-9. Midgley then went up against Gujral and claimed his second singles for the night, 12-10, 10-12, 11-8, 11-6, levelling the score yet again 5-5.

The decider would be Kerslake versus Parker with the former taking the first set 11-4, Parker the second 11-5, and then Kerslake battling hard to take the last two sets 11-9, 14-12.

Thus ends the season for Pinnacle Packers while Mallee Meats will go on to face Choices Flooring Mildura in the preliminary final next week.

Final score 6 rubbers to 5 and 23 games to 18.

Sammy’s Slammers into Grand Final;

Choices Flooring Mildura vs Mallee Meats in Preliminary Final.

PENNANT THREE: 

– Second Semi:- Cookes Pools & Spas 7 (Koby Grace 3, Yen Hwak 2, Anthony Fox 1) d Exposed Signage/Apparel 4 (Chris Cen 2, Karly Leach 1)

With Peter Fitzptrick unavailable Cookes number two Koby Grace stepped up to the captain’s role in this match and what a match he played. Koby would go on to win three singles and partner Yen Hwak to victory in the second doubles against Karly Leach and Hayley Wilson in what was a crucial win for Cooke’s.

In his first singles Koby was able to outlast the persistent Karly Leach winning a tense five set contest 10-12 12-10 4-11 13-11 12-10 a thriller and again important in the final result. In his second singles Koby after dropping the first game accounted for the talented Chris Cen. Later Koby won his third singles against the persistent Hayden Wilson in four sets to book his team Cookes Pools & Spas a spot in the grand final, Koby defeating Hayden 11-9 7-11 11-8 11-9.

In a solid team performance, apart from Koby winning three singles each of his team mates Anthony Fox and

Yen Hwak were able to win a singles each. Cookes will now go into the grand final as favourites given they have sat at the head of the ladder since round five. An added bonus for Cooke’s will be the expected return of skipper Peter Fitzpatrick to the starting lineup.  

Exposed Signage/Apparel will lick their wounds and go into this week’s preliminary final expected to win however as we know finals can be different.

Exposed number two Chris Cen was the best performer for his team winning two singles while Karly Leach won one. They will be keen to redeem themselves this week.

– First Semi: –

Cookes Pools & Spas into Grand Final;

Exposed Signage/Apparel vs Regional Taxation Services in Preliminary Final.

Sadly this match did not take place with third team Weightmans Packaging unable to provide a team due to unavailability and health reasons. With two of their players unable to play and one of the fill ins not available it was too difficult to arrange a team given there were not sufficient qualified fill ins.

This was  a disappointing way to decide a final and it will be the Regional Taxation Services team of Andrew Kremor, Brenden Johnson and Curtis Crabtree who will line up in this weeks knockout preliminary final against Exposed Signage/Apparel.

PENNANT FOUR:

Pennant Fours Semi’s produced some sensational matches, with tensions high in anticipation of who would get the free ride through to the Grand Final and who may be knocked out.

With the Super Eights seeing Tankards number two, Darren Bottams being victorious over, Mallee’s number one, Kym Sykes, who had not lost a match over the Winter season, their match would be one all would be keen to see the outcome of.

Plus the battles between the Captains of both Weightman’s Packaging and Dunkley Scales, Glenn Leeson and Rod Galvin, over the season, having been very close, would lead to an exciting conclusionThe .

– Second Semi: – Mallee Meats 6 (Kym Sykes 3, Nathan Beard, Jenny Leach 1) d Tankard Dental 3 (Tom Gilmour, Darren Bottams 2)

Mallee – Kym Sykes, Nathan Beard and Jen Leach. Tankard – Tom Gilmour, Darren Bottams, and Jake Hines.

First to make their way to the Table were Jen and Jake, with Tankards number three showing some real improvement in his game. Jen didn’t have too much pressure in the first two sets, but Jake turned up the heat in the third, with a run of winners to have Jen on the ropes. Unfortunately Jake wasn’t able to keep the hold on and the first Rubber went to Mallee.

The much awaited clash between Kym and Darren was on show early in the night, with the opening set showing excellent skills from both, seeing the 11/13 score go to Tankards number two. A quick response from Kym saw the second set coming to a fast end, with 11/4. With the match playing out in four sets, the last two could have gone either way, with results of 11/9 and 11/8 landing with Mallee’s Captain. Another nail bitter.

Tom stopped Mallee’s run when he and Nathan wrestled it out for four sets. The second was a tight one with Nath grabbing the points in a 12/10  rally filled game. Both players were doing their darndest to get the win, but Tankards Captain in the finish had control and marked up their first Rubber.

Doubles, Doubles, Doubles … how important are they ! They can make or break a team and this season they have pulled Mallee to a win on numerous occasions.

Kym and Nathan made very short work of Tom and Jake in the first Doubles, with a very comfortable victory in three.

Jake came out shooting in the first set against Kym, gaining nine points, before Mallee’s number one aimed high and walked away with the win.

Jen and Tom, well, what can I say …. Why ?? or What a come back ? Every set of the five sets were totally full on. There were plenty of curly shots coming from both players, with the opening two games falling to Jen and her heart pumping in the hope of making the third. But to Tom’s credit, he made the come back of the night, not before some amazing rallies, in a well fought match.

The Rubbers now sit at 4 to 2, Mallee’s way, with Nathan about to see if he had what it takes to get the better of Darren. It would be a difficult ask, but Mallee’s number two did sneak in one set, but the strength of Darrens game was always going to stand tall, as it did, with this Rubber closing the gap and giving Tankard a little breathing space.          

The last Doubles played out to be a ripper match, with the pairing of, Kym and Jen, up against Tankards top two, Tom and Darren.  Mallee got off to a lighting start,  pocketing the first two sets, both 11/7, but the Tankard double got themselves into action claiming the third 11/9 and fourth 12/10, to send it to a five set thriller. The stakes were high, with Tankard desperately needing this win to stay in touch. The serving, spin and slams were constant from both teams and in the end, the last set fell to Mallee 11/9.

With Mallee only needing one more Rubber, it was a fight between the two Captains. Tom struggled to take any ground from Kym in the three sets, which were completed in record time and gave Mallee the overall win for the night.

WINNERS : Mallee Meats  6  to Tankard Dental  3.

GAMES : Mallee 22  to Tankard  12.

– First Semi:- Weightmans Packaging 6 (Glenn Leeson, Jakob Grzan 2) d Dunkley Scales 4 (Rodney Galvin 3, Maria Starikov 1)

Weightman’s – Glenn Leeson, Jakob Grzan and Connor Burnett. Dunkley – Rodney Galvin, Maria Starikov and Raylee Waugh (Fill-in).

With only two of the matches in this encounter going the full distance, Maria would feature in both. First up she faced Connor, with a super start giving Weightman’s number three the first two sets, but as Maria does on most occasions, she erected that barrier once again and blocked out Connors run, enabling her to notch up Dunkley’s first Rubber.

Raylee didn’t really stand a chance against Glenn’s game, but she put up a great fight and did her very best, in a very quick three sets, going to Weightman’s.

Rod and Jakob, this would test Weightman’s number two. There were some dramatic rallies, which saw Rod taking the first two sets, before Jakob lite the fire and broke through for a win in the third game. It was a wake up call for Rod to switch on his focus button and pull in a second Rubber for his team.

Although not in total control, Weightman’s did pencil in the first Doubles. Rod and Raylee gave it a pretty good shot, gathering 7,7 and 8 points in the respective sets, but it wasn’t enough to take the win, with Glenn and Jakob pumping out some amazing shots.

Maria showed good composure in her battle against Weightman’s Captain, pinching the second set and making Glenn work for his win. Glenn had the moves and was able to grasp another Rubber for his team, in four sets.

Connor and Rod had a nice tussle, with Conner coming up with very good returns to keep himself in the game. Rod plays a tricky game and you need to be on the ball to get through him and Conner couldn’t find that little extra, with the Dunkley number one collecting their third Rubber, to draw the scores to even.

Raylee was finding it difficult to build any momentum in her match against Jakob, with the consistency of his match at a high point. It’s never easy to fill in for someone’s, when you haven’t played for a length of time, but the fact that you put your hand up to help out, is appreciated. Weightman’s now held a mini lead of 4 to 3 as the last Doubles was about to begin.

Rod and Maria forced Glenn and Conner out to nine in two of the three sets, giving it a red hot chance, but the Weightman’s pair were much too strong, putting them within one Rubber of victory.

Dunkley’s Captain had to push hard in this next match, to stop Weightman’s run. Glenn was cracking the whip early, with excellent serves catching Rod off guard on several occasions, which allowed him to grab the first set. It was a fair dinkum tussle in the following two sets, with Rod not ready to relinquish the night winning both on 11/13. Glenn was unable to recover after the previous two tuff sets and Rod took full advantage, sneaking one Rubber closer.

A five set block buster was next to play out, with Jakob throwing everything he had at Maria, in countless Rallies. The initial set went to Jakob, in a tight 12/10 skirmish. The following four sets see sawed between them, with neither willing to give an inch in a patient game from both. When push came to shove, Jakob was able to find what was needed to give his team the victory and sixth Rubber.

WINNER : Weightman’s Packaging  6  to Dunkley Scales 4.

GAMES :  Weightman’s  22  to  Dunkley’s  15.  

PRELIMINARY FINALS :  

Mallee Meats will now have an automatic entry into the Grand Final.

It will be a very close contest between Tankard Dental and Weightman’s Packaging on Wednesday in the Prelim, to see who will play off against Mallee Meats in the last game of the season.

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