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PENNANT ONE:
The fifteenth and final round of Sunraysia Table Tennis leading in to the finals drew close results as expected. Two 6-5 matches have shaped the final four.
– Weightmans Packaging 6 (Reece Kurrle 3, Jackson Tung, Ed Hung 1) d Regional Taxation Services 5 (Matt Ljubic, Thanh Nguyen 2)
In an outstanding display bottom team Weightmans Packaging grabbed one of these narrow wins defeating Regional Taxation Services who were second going in to round fifteen. This was Weightmans second win for the season and in the wash up their opponents slipped to third and gave up the much important double chance.
On paper Weightmans were a good team and this round they recovered from a 1-3 deficit to win five of the final seven matches. The highlight match was an outstanding five set victory by Weightmans number two Reece Kurrle over aggregate leader Matt Ljubic 5-11 11-6 9-11 11-6 11-7 an outstanding win as Ljubic has been in fine form over the past two years.
– Mallee Bearings 7 (Gavin Carmichael, Mark Dorman 2, Rohan Reimers 1) d Max Miller Carpets 4 (Kate Carmichael 3, Liam Wood 1)
Going into the final round Max Miller Carpets knew if they were able to topple ladder leaders Mallee Bearings, they would be finals bound however the first match of the night may have put paid to that when Bearings number three player Rohan Reimers accounted for Carpeters number two player Leon Brown 11-6 4-11 4-11 11-7 11-8.
Later Brown was unlucky when he took a seven – two lead in the fifth against Gavin Carmichael only to go down narrowly 9-11 in the final game.
Mallee Bearings were able to win 7-4 despite Carpeters number one Kate Carmichael winning three singles, she was able to defeat father Gavin in four sets to avenge three narrow five set losses to him throughout the season. Victory in both doubles by Mallee Bearings also ensured victory.
– Tankard Dental 6 (Wayne Carmichael, Paul Kealley, Jackson Murphy 2) d Cookes Pools & Spas 5 (Joel Thomas 3)
By winning their second match in succession both 6-5, this round versus Cookes Pools and Spas, Tankard Dental have snatched second place and the double chance.
Victory came for Tankards despite opposing captain Joel Thomas winning three singes as well as participating in both doubles victories.
An even team performance by Tankard Dental featured Wayne Carmichael, Jackson Murphy and Paul Kealley all winning two singles each. Kealley in particular played a key role recovering from a 1-2 deficit against Russell Walder to win 11-8 9-11 10-12 11-4 11-6.
PENNANT TWO:
The three results this round will not change the composition of teams who play in the finals, but for the winners, it provides a confidence boost.
– Max Miller Carpets 6 (Jeremy Corrin, Daniel Jansen, John Fitzpatrick 2) d Weightmans Packaging 5 (Andrew Jones 2, Quentin Clark 1)
Weightmans Packaging has been the form side this season, and coming into this match were on top of the ladder and had won twelve of their previous fourteen matches. Max Miller Carpets, second on the ladder, could not boast such as impressive win/loss record, they had nine wins and five losses. However, last time these sides met, Max Miller Carpets went home the victors. The result of this match was not going to alter the fact that these two sides will play next week in the first round of semi-finals play.
Having said all that, there was still plenty to play for. For one, Weightmans Packaging captain Quentin Clark was still a chance of taking out the individual aggregate. Coming into this match Quentin was one game behind the aggregate leader Ashley Morrison, and with a maximum points haul here, i.e. three wins, and hoping that Morrison would falter, Quentin might grab the prize.
The game started with wins to expected players; Max Miller Carpets’ Andrew Jones defeated John Fitzpatrick in four sets, and Jeremy Corrin almost allowed Max Millers’ to jump out to two rubbers to love, but overcame a two set deficit to down Tom Morrison. Then the first hiccup – Clark’s dreams of the aggregate title went out the window in his first match. Daniel Jansen made short work of this match, conceding the first set to Clark, but then controlling the match to record a 6-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 win.
Clark and Jones made it two all after the first doubles, downing Corrin and Jansen in four sets.
Max Miller Carpets virtually won the match in the next round of singles. Jeremy Corrin played some of his best table tennis to dispose of Andrew Jones in straight sets, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8; then a big, no, huge upset, John Fitzpatrick took down Quentin Clark in a great five setter. Clearly, the idea of conceding is not in John’s head, down two sets to one, he dominated the last two sets, taking them 9 and 7. And when Daniel Jansen defeated the dangerous Tom Morrison in straight sets, the job was just about done, as they then led five rubbers to two.
Weightmans Packaging, however, are on top of the ladder for a reason, and so they took the next three rubbers to square the match. Clark and Morrison comprehensively defeated Corrin and Fitzpatrick 6, 8 and 7 in
the second, and thereby secured the doubles aggregate prize, with an amazing record of eleven wins from twelve played together. Next, Clark made (partial) amends for his earlier losses, and defeated opposing captain Corrin in four sets. Andrew Jones kept the rage going and defeated Jansen in four sets also.
So, five sets apiece, Tom Morrison to play John Fitzpatrick in the decider. Fitzpatrick took the early control of the match, and won the first two sets 11-9, 11-7. Morrison fought back, and the wheels started to fall from Fitzpatrick’s game as Morrison took the next two sets 11-8, 12-10 and then led 5-1 in the fifth. Then it was time for Fitzpatrick to fight back, and in a real nail-biter emerged the victor at 14-12.
Some great performances, just hope that Max Miller Carpets have not peaked too early in their run to the flag. We will find out next week.
Final scores: 6 rubbers to 5 and 22 games all.
– Pinnacle Packers 6 (Sony Sefer 3, Peter Midgley, Furqaan Ahmad 1) d Cookes Pools & Spas 5 (Ashley Morrison, Josh Arnold 2)
This was a real pressure game as both sides needed to win to make the finals. After last round Pinnacle Packers were fourth (equal on six wins and separated by percentage only with Mallee Meats). Cookes Pools & Spas were a game behind Pinnacle Packers, but importantly, had a better percentage. If they defeated Pinnacle Packers they would be in the four. As an aside, even after their defeat in this match, Cookes Pools & Spas still had a better percentage than Pinnacle Packers!! Obviously if Pinnacle Packers won, it would put them a further game ahead of Cookes Pools & Spas, and so safely out of reach.
In the event, Pinnacle Packers got the win, but they had to win the last two rubbers to do it.
Cookes Pools & Spas won two of the first three singles rubbers – Ash Morrison defeated Furqaan Ahmad in straight sets (no surprise), and Josh Arnold downed Pinnacle Packers captain Peter Midgley in four sets (that was a surprise). Sony Sefer grabbed the other rubber for Pinnacle Packers, a straight sets win against Ryan Hensgen.
Midgley and Sefer proved to be the stronger doubles pairing in their match with Morrison and Arnold, winning a close encounter 14-12, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7. Sefer and Midgley then followed up that doubles win with wins in the next two rubbers; Sefer too good for Morrison, winning in four sets, and Midgley disposing of Hensgen in straight sets. John Arnold
steadied things for Cookes Pools & Spas, taking the third rubber against Ahmad.
Cookes Pools & Spas in two rubbers in a row, and four rubbers all when Morrison and Hensgen outlasted Sefer and Ahmad to win the second doubles in five sets. Morrison put his team in front with a strong win against opposing captain Midgley 8-11, 11-2, 11-4, 11-6.
Sefer made it five rubbers apiece when he got the better of the tenacious Josh Arnold, winning 10-12, 15-13, 11-6, 11-6.
Cookes Pools & Spas’ season lay with their number three Ryan Hensgen. Only a win would get them into the finals. However, on this night Hensgen ran into a player who probably played his best match (certainly the most important match) of the season in Furqaan Ahmad. Admad played just the game required of him, winning in straight sets 13-11, 11-7, 11-7 and secured his side a spot in the finals.
Final scores: 6 rubbers to 5 and 22 games to 18.
– Mallee Bearings 6 (David Sergi, Marcus Cimino 2, Jamie Kealley 1) d Mallee Meats 5 (Kevin Johns 3, Terry Martin 1)
The Mallee Bearings has been a bit of whipping boy for much of the season. After winning the first two rounds, they did not taste success again until rounds ten and eleven. They have been bottom of the ladder since round six. This then was their last hurrah for the season, win or lose they were not going to be playing finals in 2023. This match, however, they played like they were like one of the favourites. They were certainly tenacious, winning five of the six five set contests in this match.
Their opponents here, Mallee Meats, have been locked in close combat with Pinnacle Packers and Cookes Pools & Spas, and have been hovering around third, fourth or fifth for most of the season.
Marcus Cimino got his side off to a good start with a five set against Mallee Meats’ Terry Martin. His captain Jamie Kealley followed that up with a five set win of his own, against James Jarvis. Mallee Meats captain Kevin Johns got his side on the scoreboard with a straight sets win against David Sergi.
Kealley and Sergi made a disastrous start to the first doubles, losing the first set 1-11, but then recovered to win in five sets, 12-10 in the fifth.
Mallee Meats grabbed two of the next three singles rubbers – Terry Martin just getting over the line in a five set thriller against Jamie Kealley, 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 2-11, 11-9. His captain Kevin Johns followed this up with a four set win against Cimino, then David Sergi outplayed James Jarvis in another five setter, winning 4-11, 11-9, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8.
Kevin Johns and James Jarvis levelled the match at four rubbers each when they won the second doubles, against Kealley and Cimino in four sets, a match were they were clearly the better pairing 9-11, 11-6,, 11-6, 11-5.
Johns put his side in front for the first time in the match with a devastating game against Kealley, winning 3, 8 and 4. But that was it for Mallee Meats, as David Sergi played on for the ages to get the better of Terry Martin 11-6, 2-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-9.
And in the final rubber, Marcus Cimino picked up his second win of the night, the best night he has had since round nine. He disposed of Jarvis in straight sets 9, 3 and 8.
Although they lost here, Mallee Meats stay in the finals race, albeit now in fourth spot, in stead of third. That makes no difference anyhow, as they would play team three or four anyway. They will meet the rejuvenated Pinnacle Packers next week.
For Mallee Bearings, they finished the season with five wins, the same number as fifth placed Cookes Pools & Spas, a team which for the vast majority of the season looked like a certainty to make the finals.
Final scores: 6 rubbers to 5 and 22 games to 25
PENNANT THREE:
No change to the ladder in this last round of competition; two of the matches hampered with a shortage of players, but one match, Mallee Meats and Regional Taxation Services showed that Mallee Meats are going to be a force in the finals.
– Tankard Dental 6 (Steve Pongrac 3, Steve Parker 2) d Weightmans Packaging 3 (Karly Leach 2, Dianne Hannig 1)
Tankard Dental won an easy match against Weightmans Packaging six rubbers to three.
Both sides had regular players absent, Tankard Dental were without Luca Capazzoto, and Weightmans Packaging had captain Sabrina Fitzpatrick and number three Nicole Hunt away, Nicole having left the district.
The match was therefore shortened, with only five rubbers actually played.
Tankard Dental captain Steve Pongrac captured two singles rubbers, a solid four set win against Dianne Hannig, subbing for Fitzpatrick, and later a close four set victory against Karly Leach.
Pongrac’s teammate, Steve Parker also defeated Hannig, and in straight sets. The only doubles played, saw the two Steve’s prove too strong for Dianne and Karly, winning 7-11, 11-4, 11-5, 12-10.
For Weightmans Packaging, only Karly could score a win, that against Steve Parker in four sets.
Final scores: 6 rubbers to 3 and 19 games to 12.
– Mallee Meats 6 (Michael Smyth, Nick Kiapekos 2, Hamish Smyth 1) d Regional Taxation Services 5 (Shaun Gifford 3, Rodney Galvin 1)
Mallee Meats hung on to third spot on the ladder with a close six rubbers to five win against second placed Regional Taxation Services.
They won five of the nine singles rubbers, captain Michael Smyth and number two Nick Kiapekos winning two apiece, and number three Hamish Smyth defeating fellow youngster Leo Parker to claim one win.
Michael Smyth and Kiapekos won the first doubles, a four set victory against Shaun Gifford and Leo Parker 11-5, 8-11, 13-11, 11-9.
Regional Taxation Services captain Shaun Gifford was undefeated in singles play, three set wins against Kiapekos and Hamish Smyth, and only Michael Smyth getting a set from him with Gifford winning 11-7, 11-13, 11-3, 11-4.
Gifford and Rod Galvin won the second doubles in straight sets against Michael and Hamish Smyth to keep their side in the contest. But at five rubbers to three down and three to play, it was an order too tall to fill, Gifford and Galvin defeated Michael Smyth and Hamish Smyth respectively, but Nick Kiapekos clinched the win for Mallee Meats by defeating Leo Parker in a good five set contest, 12-14, 11-7, 11-7, 10-12, 11-5.
Final scores: 6 rubbers to 5 and 20 games to 19.
– Exposed Signage/Apparel 5 (Levi Williams 3, Riley Clemence 1) d Sammy’s Slammers 4 (Marita Grace, Nhat Dat 2)
Exposed Signage & Apparel finished fourth for the season with a shortened match against Sammy’s Slammers.
Exposed Signage & Apparel captain Levi Williams won both his singles rubbers, a tight five set win against Nhat Dat 8-11, 6-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-8, and later a much easier straight sets win against Marita Grace 11-0, 11-5, 11-8.
The team’s third win came via the doubles rubber – Williams and Riley Clemence dropped the first set 7-11 to Grace and Dat, but powered back to take the next three 9, 8 and 8.
The remaining two rubbers were won by Sammy’s Slammers, Grace and Dat both defeated Riley Clemence – Marita in four sets, but Dat had to work hard to get the better of his younger opponent, eventually winning in five sets.
Final scores: 5 rubbers to 4 and 18 games to 15
PENNANT FOUR:
First placed Weightmans Packaging played third placed Tankard Dental, and had a resounding win; and in a surprise, bottom side Dunkley Scales upset second placed Mallee Meats.
– Weightmans Packaging 9 (Glenn Leeson, Chelsey Avers 3, Gary Leach 1) d Tankard Dental 2 (Liam Nicolaou, Maria Starikov 1)
Weightmans Packaging had an easy win against Tankard Dental and finished the season with thirteen wins from fifteen matches.
The Weightmans Packaging pair of Glenn Leeson and Chelsey Avers had a great night – both won three singles rubbers, Leeson paired to win both doubles, Avers of course being in one of those matches. Tankard Dental number three Curtis Crabtree probably caught Glenn off-guard in their first round clash; Curtis jumped away to a two sets to love lead 11-8, 12-10, but from then on Leeson reeled him back in and took the final three sets 5, 4 and 10. A good performance by the first year player Crabtree nonetheless. Leeson was fully warmed up when he played Maria Starikov and Liam Nicolaoou, as he won both those matches in three sets.
Chelsey Avers’ night was similar, two three set contests, and a five set match. Chelsey had little trouble against Nicolaou and Crabtree, but Maria Starikov took her to five sets, Chelsey eventually getting the win after a 11-5, 9-11, 2-11, 11-9, 11-9 scoreline.
Gary Leach picked up one singles rubber, a four set win against Crabtree in the final rubber of the night. He also paired with high captain Leeson to win the second doubles in four sets.
Final scores: 7 rubbers to 4 and 25 games to 16.
– Mallee Meats 7 (Wendy Simpson, Tom Gilmour 3) d Dunkley Scales 4 (Ildi Healy, Derek Hung, Katrina Clifford 1)
Dunkley Scales scored a surprise seven rubbers to four win against second placed Mallee Meats, and in so doing picked up their third win of the season, and broke a ten game losing streak.
Dunkley Scales captain Wendy Simpson and number two Tom Gilmour had a night out, both winning their three singles rubbers. Simpson defeated Mallee Meats number two Katrina Clifford in a close four set match 12-10, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, and then had easier wins against Derek Hung and Ildi Healy, winning both of them in straight sets.
Gilmour needed four sets to get past Healy and Clifford, before dealing with Hung in straight sets.
And in the first doubles rubber, Simpson and Gilmour got better as the match against Hung and Clifford went on, winning 14-12, 11-9, 11-3.
For Dunkley Scales, Healy, Hung and Clifford all took a singles win, and Healy and Hung were successful in the second doubles, winning 14-12, 6-11, 11-7, 11-5.
Final scores: 7 rubbers to 4 and 25 games to 20
