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PENNANT ONE:
Second placed Exposed Signage/Apparel will play fourth team Mallee Bearings in this weeks’ Sunraysia Table Tennis Grand Final.
In the elimination finals it was ladder leader Cookes Pools & Spas up against Mallee Bearings for a place in the grand final. Going in to the finals Cookes had won eight matches in succession and were on a roll, their last defeat way back in round two at the hands of their opponents in the final Mallee Bearings.
Mallee Bearings 6 (Jackson Tung, Leon Brown 2, Michael Hensgen 1) d Cookes Pools & Spas 4 (Wayne Carmichael 3)
Mallee Bearings path to the elimination final was rocky finishing fourth with only three wins and soundly defeated in the last round before the finals. In the first block of three singles Mallee Bearings took a 2-1 lead courtesy of Leon Brown defeating a game Lee Leeson in three sets and later Jackson Tung accounted for Cookes Jackson Murphy in an entertaining three setter 15-10 13-15 15-6 , a strong finish by Tung avenging an earlier in the season loss to Murphy.
The first doubles was now important for Cookes and in another three set match Wayne Carmichael and Jackson Murphy outlasted the Bearings pair of Tung and Brown , the score now two rubbers all.
In the next block of three singles Mallee Bearings again won two to one and it was here that the match was virtually decided. With the scores at three rubbers all Mallee Bearings number three Michael Hensgen took to the table against the talented Jackson Murphy, In a surprise Hensgen narrowly took the first game and as most spectators anticipated Murphy fought back to take the second comfortably. Would Murphy now press on to victory ? In the third Hensgen took complete control and would not yield. A tremendous three set 15-13 10-15 15-5 victory by Hensgen now saw his team take a four – three lead and again Cookes were under pressure in a doubles match.
The Cookes pair of Carmichael and Leeson took the first game against Tung and Hensgen before narrowly going down in the second. The match was now on the line for Cookes however Tung and Hensgen proved too steady winning 13-15 15-13 15-10 and this gave the Bearings team a 5-3 lead.
Mallee Bearings skipper Jackson Tung and Cookes Wayne Carmichael played an outstanding match with many excellent rallies and it was Carmichael who took the points 15-7 13-15 15-11 his third singles win , this had been the sixth three setter in nine matches indicating what a close tussle it was. Mallee Bearings now led 5-4.
Mallee Bearings number two Leon Brown then matched up against Jackson Murphy and despite Murphy giving his all he could not bridge the small lead that Brown was able to maintain in both games, Brown winning 15-11 15-10 and booking his team Mallee Bearings a spot in the grand final. Both Brown and Tung had won two singles while Michael Hensgen had won one singles and partnered with Tung to win the vital second doubles.
Exposed Signage/Apparel 6 (Matt Ljubic, Dylan Wood 2) d Regional Taxation Services 4 (Nicholas Dorman 3, Mark Dorman 1)
In the other elimination final Exposed Signage/Apparel outlasted Regional Taxation Services 6-4 , these teams head to head were one each during the season and had both won seven of their ten matches throughout the home and away season.
In the final round of the season only a week earlier Exposed Signage/Apparel had defeated RTS 8-3 however finals can always be different and it was RTS who took a 2-1 lead and all of a sudden the first doubles was crucial for Exposed pair Matt Ljubic and Dylan Wood and against the Dorman combination of Nicholas and father Mark , they proved too steady winning 15-13 15-13 in a close encounter.
With the scores level at two rubbers all after the first doubles Exposed took two of the next three singles as expected however Casper McCarthy number 3 did take RTS skipper Nicholas Dorman to three sets before Dorman grabbed the match as expected.
McCarthy then combined with Matt Ljubic in the second doubles and a further three setter saw the Exposed pair successful over Nicholas Dorman and Ash Morrison.
With Exposed Signage/Apparel now leading 5-3 RT S skipper Nicholas Dorman kept his team alive by defeating opposing captain Matt Ljubic 15-8 15-13 in impressive style , this was only Ljubic’s second loss for 2022 and both have come at the hands of Dorman.
Exposed number two Dylan Wood then took to the table against the experienced Mark Dorman, these two met a week earlier and the young Wood had won impressively in straight sets, this match was top class with Wood narrowly grabbing the first, Dorman came back in the second as expected to level the match and the third featured several long rallies with Wood narrowly holding the ascendancy and going on to win 18-16 11-15 15-12 his greatest win to date in his short pennant one career.
Victory in both doubles had been huge for Exposed Signage/Apparel as well as two singles each to Matt Ljubic and Dylan Wood. Regional Taxation Services had been brave in defeat and Nicholas Dorman with three singles victories ad enjoyed an impressive season after a break from the game prior to this season.
Exposed Signage/Apparel now take on Mallee bearings in this week’s grand final and the doubles will be vital to both teams.
PENNANT TWO:
Mallee Meats and Weightmans Packaging, the teams that finished the home-and-away season first and second, qualified for the grand final after this week’s elimination finals.
Mallee Meats 6 (Rohan Reimers 3, Jamie Kealley 2, Jamila Belbaze 1) d Tankard Dental 5 (Quentin Clark 2, Marcus Cimino 1)
First-placed Mallee Meats faced fourth placed Tankard Dental in the first elimination final. The sides had met twice during the season, with a with apiece.
Tankard Dental were without their regular number three Tague Morris, and Tague was ably replaced by Daniel Jansen.
Number three Jamie Kealley drew first blood for Mallee Meats after a very close two set contest with Tankard Dental number two Marcus Cimino 20-18, 15-13. His captain Rohan Reimers made it two rubbers to love with an easy win over substitute Jansen.
Tankard Dental captain Quentin Clark got his team on the board with a careful game against Jamila Belbaze 15-12, 15-12.
Clark and Cimino levelled the score with a win in the first doubles against Reimers and Belbaze. These two combinations both finished the regular season with six wins from the ten rounds, but Clark and Cimino probably deserved favouritism as the stronger pairing as they accumulated their wins over eight rounds, and Reimers and Belbaze over the full ten rounds. And to show that the favouritism was justified they disposed of the Mallee Meats pair in straight sets 15-13, 15-8.
Reimers and Cimino met in the next match, the result a comfortable win to Reimers 15-10, 15-13. Clark evened the score again, but had a huge battle with the equally hugely talented Jamie Kealley. Kealley struck first taking the first set 15-12, Quentin pulled all the stops out to take the second set 16-14, and went blow for blow with Jamie in the third, and managed to do enough to win 15-12. The next match was equal to the one prior in terms of drama – Jamila Belbaze took the first set against Daniel Jansen 15-13, as in the previous match, in a great fightback in the second Jansen equaled at a set apiece taking the set 17-15. Once again the third set was very close, but this time the Mallee Meats player prevailed, Belbaze winning it 15-12.
The next match, the second doubles loomed large for both sides – a win for Mallee Meats would see them lead 5-3, a win for Tankard Dental
would keep them well-and-truly in the contest at four rubbers each. Rohan Reimers and Jamie Kealley, the most successful doubles pairing this season (nine wins from ten rounds) felt justifiably confident as they warmed up. The only blot on their otherwise perfect worksheet was their loss in round 8, to, yes, this side, but that was to Clark and Tague Morris, who as explained, was absent this time around. How would Clark and Daniel Jansen go? They had never played together, and it was certainly a big ask to expect a win. Once they started playing that thought did not seem to enter their minds, as they played like a well-oiled combination to take the first set 15-13. Reimers and Kealley hit back with some aggressive play of their own in the second set, dominating it to win 15-9. That mindset then transferred to other end of the table, as Clark and Jansen were untroubled the take the third set 15-5 and once again the scores were level, at 4 all.
Reimers showed why he finished on top of the aggregate, when he clinically disposed of opposite number Clark in rubber number nine. In each of the two sets, Clark made the running, and led Reimers when the score reached 10. And with unnerving regularity, Reimers made his move, and stole the match from Clark, winning 15-13, 15-11.
The next rubber was probably the most nerve-wracking of the night. Jamila Belbaze had the chance to win the match, Marcus Cimino was fighting tooth-and-nail to keep his side in the contest. Belbaze employed her strong forehand drive to good effect in the first set, winning it 15-12, Cimino retaliated with his mix of curious spin and power and took the second set 15-10. The third set was close throughout with the score edging towards the required 15. Both players put a lot of thought into their serves, hoping to catch the other out. Cimino had two chances to close the match out before he eventually did 18-16, much to the relief of his captain. Now for the decider.
Jansen started well against his younger opponent, Kealley, taking the first set 15-13. His use of spin was putting Kealley off, but come the second set, Jamie reverted to what he knows best, driving anything that had any height and was on his forehand. In this way he picked up a lot of points, keeping Jansen on the back foot, winning the set comfortably 15-7. So, the season for both these teams was down to one set … Kealley took up from where he left off in the second set, established a break, and was never really threatened, and won the third set 15-9 to put his side into the grand final.
Tankard Dental may have lost, but they lost no supporters after their effort in this match. It was a match worthy of a grand final, and although there were some one-sided scores, the loser never gave in. Winners had to win their matches, not get a win because of their opponent lost.
Final scores: 6 rubbers to 5 and 15 games to 12.
Weightmans Packaging 6 (Shane Carmichael 3, Peter Fitzpatrick, John Fitzpatrick 1) d Max Miller Carpets 3 (Jeremy Corrin, Jordan Cole 1)
Weightmans Packaging finished the season second on the ladder, Max Miller Carpets third. Both sides had won six of their last seven matches, Weightmans Packaging maintaining second spot on the ladder, whilst Max Miller Carpets were making a run from deep in the ladder to secure third spot.
In form Jordan Cole, promoted to number two for this encounter, opened the scoring for Max Miller Carpets over an out-of-sorts Weightmans Packaging number three Peter Fitzpatrick 15-9, 15-5. Weightmans Packaging captain Shane Carmichael put his team on the board defeating Max Miller Carpets number three Michael Smith, subbing for David Sergi. Jeremy Corrin took the final singles rubber in the opening stanza, downing Weightmans Packaging number two John Fitzpatrick.
The first doubles followed, Max Miller Carpets two winners from the singles Corrin and Cole against Carmichael and John Fitzpatrick. The Max Miller Carpets pair played a disciplined game and did enough to win in two sets 16-14, 15-12.
Next up, Shane Carmichael did battle with Jordan Cole, winning the first set with a degree of comfort 15-8, but then Cole did the same to him, reversing the score in the second 15-7. At the start of the final set, Carmichael was very careful, and ensured he gave away no cheap points. His frame of mind paid dividends, and he did not allow Cole to get the upper hand in the final set, winning it 15-10.
Max Miller Carpets captain Jeremy Corrin blitzed Weightmans Packaging number three Peter Fitzpatrick in the first set of their match, which came up next, 15-4. Fitzpatrick clearly was still very much out of touch. But something changed in the second set. Corrin got off to a good start, and led 5-1, but Fitzpatrick pegged him back, simply by keeping the ball in play. Jeremy made a few errors, and suddenly his opponent was back on his game, and accelerated away with the set 15-9. The third set was much closer, but once again Corrin made too many mistakes,
Fitzpatrick kept a lot of balls in play, and a rubber which Max Miller Carpets probably “should” have won, was now in the Weightmans Packaging list of wins, Fitzpatrick winning the third set 15-11.
John Fitzpatrick kept the wins coming for his side, defeating Michael Smyth in straight sets in the third of this set singles. John won the first set fairly easily 15-5, but a resurgent Smyth made him work a lot harder for the second, which Fitzpatrick took 15-11.
From a deficit of 1-3, Weightmans Packaging now led 4-3, and the second doubles loomed, pretty much last chance territory for Max Miller Carpets, and for Weightmans Packaging, almost a guarantee of a spot in the grand final.
The Max Miller Carpets pair of Corrin and Smyth made sure that Carmichael and Peter Fitzpatrick did not spent too much time thinking about the future by taking the first set 15-10. Carmichael and Fitzpatrick regrouped for the second set, and took it 15-7. The third set was close, the Weightmans Packaging pair led 7-6 at the change of ends, and that slim margin turned into a winning score of 15-12 by the end of the set. Start thinking grand final again.
From here, it was going to be a difficult task for Max Miller Carpets to win. They had to win the final three rubbers, and Weightmans Packaging needed just the one.
The two captains played next, Carmichael making more winners than Corrin in the first set to win it 15-12. The second set was pretty much the same as the first, and as the game came to Carmichael he started playing with more authority, and he closed the match out 15-11.
Max Miller Carpets played well, but with Corrin losing to Fitzpatrick in the sixth rubber, this pretty much turned the game around. Had that rubber gone as was expected, the teams would have been locked at four rubbers all after the second doubles.
Weightmans Packaging took advantage of the unexpected win, and in fact after being down 1-3, won the last five rubbers.
Final scores: 6 rubbers to 3 and 12 games to 9.
Mallee Meats vs Weightmans Packaging in Grand Final Wednesday
PENNANT THREE:
Well it was an early night in pennant 3 action with the two top seeds easily progressing through to next week’s Grand Final.
Mallee Meats 6 (Steve Parker, Shaun Gifford 2, Levi Williams 1) d Weightmans Packaging 0
Mallee Meats have turned up the heat and have announced that they appear to be the team to beat after a crushing victory over Weightmans Packaging. The writing was on the wall early for the Packers as their gun finals playing Ben Hosking suffered a straight sets defeat at the hands of Shawn Gifford. Next up to the table were Alicia Tyers and “Super Sub” Steve Parker. In a gripping first set that saw many momentum swings Parker was able to outlast Tyers 19-17. The second set saw Tyers take control as she was able to account for this set 15-9. The third set was again point for point before Parker pulled away late to claim the set 15-12 and the rubber. With the match slipping away Gayle Cottrell needed to beat Super 8’s Champion Levi Williams to get her team back in the match. Cottrell started will all guns blazing to take the first set 15-10 before Williams got his game going in the second to take this 15-11.
Williams had all the momentum and would go on to win the third set comfortably 15-7 to have his team off to the perfect start. The Packers now had their backs well and truly to the wall and could not afford to lose the second doubles featuring the Cottrell/Hosking combination against the pairing of Gifford/Parker. Although they tried their best Cottrell and Hosking went down fighting in a tight three set contest to hand the ‘Butcher’s’ a four-rubbers to love lead.
The night would not get any better for the Packers as they succumbed to a red-hot Mallee Meats with the final margin of victory 6 rubbers to nil (12 games to 3).
Dunkley Scales 6 (Marita Grace, Nhat Dat 2, Nick Kiapekos 1) d Sammy’s Slammers 2 (Rodney Galvin 1)
Dunkley Scales have collectively enjoyed an excellent night as they have defeated Sammy’s Slammers. The tale of the night can be summarised in the first three singles matches that all went the way of Dunkley Scales – this early deficit proved too much to breach for the ‘Slammers’. The first game of the night pitted Super 8’s runner up Marita Grace up against Rodney Galvin. Galvin was out of the blocks early and took the first set 15-10. Grace then upped the ante in the final two sets and overcame her early nerves to power home 15-6, 15-10. Next up was the experienced Nick Kiapekos up against rookie Leo Parker. Parker has been a surprise packet in his first season and has taken some big scalps along the way – could he do the same to Kiapekos?
Kiapekos was prepared and ready for action as a tight first set tussle ensured. It would be Kiapekos using all his experience and guile that would see him garner the final points of this first set to win 15-13. Kiapekos kept the pressure up in the second set to take this 15-11 to now have his team 2 rubbers to nil. The next game of the evening became critical as Slammers Captain Karly Leach had to win to keep her team in striking distance. With this in mind, Leach came out with a determined mindset to take the first set 15-13 against Nhat Dat. Dat has had a great season to date and again would not be easy to beat as he took the second set 15-4 in a dazzling display of power hitting. The third set was tight with Dat winning the big points when needed to take this set 15-12 and with it his team now held a commanding 3 rubbers to nil lead.
Sammy’s Slammers had to regroup quickly as their season was slipping away. The first doubles match saw Leach and Galvin taking on Kiapekos and Dat in a must win game for the Slammers. Going on earlier form in the evening one would have expected Dunkley’s to take this match comfortably. Slammers had other ideas and they were able to team well to deliver their first win of the evening in straight sets 15-12, 15-11 to keep their hopes alive. Galvin kept Slammers momentum rolling with a great win against Kiapekos 15-10, 8-15, 15-11 to now tighten the overall match score 3 rubbers to 2 in favour of Dunkley Scales.
Well unfortunately the fightback for Sammy’s Slammers was short lived as Grace beat Leach in straight sets followed by Dat defeating Parker also in straight sets to now have Dunkley’s on the precipice of victory. The second doubles of the evening saw Grace and Dat deliver the final knockout blow when they won in straight sets against Leach and Parker.
The final analysis of this match finds that Dunkley Scales have progressed to next week’s Grand Final with a clinical 6 rubbers to 2 (13 games to 6) victory over Sammy’s Slammers.
Next week’s Grand Final should be a great match with the undefeated Mallee Meats taking on the in-form Dunkley Scales. These two teams have had some close tussles during this season, and I expect exactly to same next week – however the final result is nowhere near certain!
PENNANT FOUR:
Just as in Pennant 3 it was an early night with some fast finishing matches on display.
Exposed Signage/Apparel 6 (Costa Skiadas, Keith Sharman 2) d Mallee Meats 2 (Tom Gilmour, Maria Starikov 1)
These two teams meet as recently as last week where Exposed won 7 rubbers to 4 with Derek Hung on fire. This week it would be Hung’s teammate Keith Sharman that would shine in an impressive display. In the first match of the evening Sharman took on Jim Vale – that on paper seemed a very even contest. Sharman has gradually improved his play this season and this was again evident as he swept past Vale in straight sets to get his team off to the perfect start. The second match featured Mallee Meats Captain Tom Gilmour up against Derek Hung. Gilmour showed little mercy in completing a quick straight sets victory to now have the teams deadlocked with one rubber a-piece. Next up was Exposed Captain Costa Skiadis and Maria Starikov. Although the Butchers were beaten last week Starikov showed her best form of the season in that loss. The question was could Starikov upset Skiadis?
The answer was no as the unflustered Skiadis would play a steady and calculating game to defeat Starikov comfortably in two sets. The first doubles match of the evening featured Skiadis and Sharman up against Gilmour and Vale. Gilmour and Vale started well in taking a tight first set 16-14 but from there were outgunned 15-11, 15-8 to now give Exposed a break 3 rubbers to 1. This lead would grow as Keith Sharman would pull off a surprise win over Tom Gilmour in a comeback win in three sets 12-15, 15-9, 15-12. Skiadis would further extend his team’s lead with a straight sets win over Vale to now have his team within sight of the finish line. The following game was Hung up against Starikov. Last week Hung prevailed 18-16, 17-15 in a nail-biter so in this game it would be impossible to predict a winner. As per last week there were some very lengthy rallies with Starikov this time taking the first set in a tiebreaker 17-15. The second set was a repeat of the first with Starikov just able to edge out a determined Hung 18-16 in a great match. With this win Mallee Meats kept their season alive – but for how long. The end did come quickly with the Skiadis and Hung pairing defeating Gilmour and Starikov in three sets.
In conclusion Exposed Signage and Apparel were Waygu good for Mallee Meats in claiming their spot in next week’s Grand Final with by winning 6 rubbers to 2 (12 games to 7). Sorry about my poor attempt at humour above!
MJM Automotive 6 (David Healy, Koby Grace 2, Hamish Smyth 1) d Weightmans Packaging 0)
With MJM Automotive Captain Wendy Simpson unavailable this week this may well have given rise for some optimism from the Weightmans Packaging playing group. This optimism soon disappeared as MJM’s secret replacement weapon ‘David Healy’ took control in a seek and destroy mission.
The first assignment of the night was given to young gun Koby Grace and he didn’t disappoint as he dispatched Helen Healy in straight sets. The ‘Weapon’ then followed as he beat Gary Leach (filling in for Liam Nicolaou) in straight sets. The undefeated Hamish Smyth was then up against Glenn Leeson. This was a great match with Smyth taking the first set 15-12 before Leeson returned fire to win the second set 15-12. The last set was a point for point struggle with neither player wishing to give up territory. In the end it would be Smyth who would win by the slender margin of 16 points to 14.
The first doubles of the night featured the pairing of Smyth/Healy up against Leeson/Healy. Now just to let you know there are no double agents here as David is playing against sister Helen. MJM started off strongly by winning the first set 15-12 before Leeson and Healy fought back from match point down to secure the second set 18-16. This set did take its toll with Leeson and Healy using up all their ammunition early and were defeated in the third set 15-9 to now give MJM the lead 4 rubbers to nil.
The next match featured the Healy’s with David in no mood for a late night and defeated Helen in straight sets. Grace then delivered the knockout blow when he had all guns blazing to easily account for a battle-weary Leeson.
The final analysis finds that MJM have kept their unbeaten run going this season with a resounding 6 rubbers to nil (12 games to 2) win over Weightmans Packaging.
Next week’s Grand Final will be MJM Automotive V Exposed Signage and Apparel. Exposed will have to be at their absolute peak to take it up to the undefeated MJM Automotive team.
Well, you may have had the disappointment of being beaten this week but please come along next week to support the Grand Finalists. It would be great for you to come along and build a special atmosphere (as well as umpiring one or two matches would be greatly appreciated). Family members and friends are more than welcome to come along and enjoy the evening.
See you all Wednesday.
