Winter 2025 Season – Semi Finals Wrap

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PENNANT ONE:

The finals of the Sunraysia Table Tennis pennant have arrived with the knockout first semi final and second semi final taking place last week. The first semi final featured third placed Weightman’s Packaging up against the fourth team Cooke’s Pools and Spas. Weightmans were coming in to the finals in the best form of any team winning their past two matches including an outstanding 8-3 win over ladder leader Regional Taxation Service in the final round of home and away games.

– First Semi: Weightmans Packaging 6 (Shannon Bowen. Reece Kurrle 2) d Cookes Pools & Spas 2 (Jackson Tung, Paul Kealley 1)

In this match Paul Kealley for Cooke’s gave his team a positive start by accounting for Weightmans number three Lee Leeson in straight sets. Weightmans skipper Shannon Bowen then as expected proved too strong for Cooke’s number 3 Russell Walder winning 11-2 11-8 11-3 to level the match at one rubber all.

Weightmans then were able to grab the ascendancy winning four matches on the trot and breaking the contest right open. Weightmans number two Reece Kurrle played opposing number one Jackson Tung in the third singles of this final. Tung grabbed the first two games in a positive start however Kurrle fought back to level at two games all and in a huge turnaround he would take the fifth comfortably, this had been an entertaining match with many strong forehands from both players , Kurrle also possesses a strong backhand and he eventually wore down the solid defence of Tung winning 5-11 9-11 11-7 11-6 11-3, Weightmans now took a 2-1 lead .

The first doubles was now crucial for Cooke’s and their combination of Tung and Paul Kealley took the first game before opponents Shannon Bowen and Reece Kurrle fought back to narrowly win the second game. Spectators witnessed some excellent rallies and the Weightmans pair of Bowen and Kurrle grabbed the third by the narrowest of margins. They then went on to take the fourth to continue their unbeaten doubles record over the past thirteen rounds. Weightmans now up 3-1.

The next singles was probably the match of the night with Cooke’s Paul Kealley attempting to arrest the run on of Weightmans. Kealley had a battle on his hands up against Weightmans number one Shannon Bowen. Kealley gave his team some hope by narrowly taking the first game , he had his chances in the second before going down just and then he was able to take the third by the narrowest of margins again. Kealley is a leftie who possesses a strong forehand and plays quirky angles. The experienced Bowen had his hands full but was able to take control in the fourth and fifth with some excellent attacking shots  and crafty angles. Bowen in an excellent fight back took the points 10-12 14-12 10-12 11-5 11-7 , a brave effort from Kealley. Weightmans now took a 4-1 lead.

The next two singles then went as expected with Cooke’s Jackson Tung scoring a much needed win over Lee Leeson to reduce the deficit to 2-4. Weightmans then extended the lead to 5-2 when Kurrle defeated Russell Walder in straight sets.

Cooke’s were now desperate for a win in the second doubles and their pair of Tung and Walder who had enjoyed a solid season took the first game over Bowen and Leeson to give their team some hope, unfortunately for Cooke’s the Weightmans pair popped in to action taking the second and third games. In a complete turnaround Tung and Walder only conceded two points in the fourth to level at two games all. The fifth was close all the way and despite the desperation of the Cooke’s pair it was Bowen and Leeson who took the match 7-11 11-8 11-8 2-11 11-9 a thriller.

Cooke’s had tried hard however losing each of the three five setters proved costly. Weightmans are in solid form and now advance to the Preliminary final. Both Shannon Bowen and Reece Kurrle won two singles each. Success in both doubles was crucial in the win.

– Second Semi: Regional Taxation Services 6 (Kate Carmichael, Jamie Kealley 2, Thanh Nguyen 1) d Mallee Bearings 5 (Arhuang (Wong) Lau 3, Mark Dorman 1)

This match featured first placed Regional Taxation Services up against the second team Mallee Bearings , the reward for the victor a spot in the upcoming grand final. For RTS number one player Matt  Ljubic was unwell and replaced by Kate Carmichael. This contest was always expected to be close however the evenness of the RTS trio of Carmichael, Thahn Nguyen and Jamie Kealley would see them go in as slight favourites against the strong team of Arhuang Lau, Mark Dorman and Tom Morrison.

The exciting youngster Jamie Kealley gave RTS the exact start they were looking for when he lined up against the experienced Mark Dorman in the first match of the night. Kealley took the first game in fine style before Dorman fought back as expected winning the close second with a mix of solid defence and attacking forehands. Kealley then took the initiative in the third in a strong display before going on to take the fourth in an excellent win 11-5 8-11 11-2 11-7.
The next two singles went as expected with Kate Carmichael for RTS defeating Tom Morrison and then Bearings number one Huang defeated Nguyen in straight sets.

The first doubles saw Carmichael and Nguyen start well against Huang and Dorman by taking the first game before the Mallee Bearings pair stepped in to action and confidently going on to win in four sets and level the match at two rubbers all.

In the next block of three singles there were no upsets with RTS winning two of the three as they had done at the beginning of the match. Victories came for RTS pair Kate Carmichael and Thanh Nguyen over Dorman and Morrison respectively. For Mallee Bearings skipper Huang proved too steady for Jamie Kealley in three sets. RTS now took a 4-3 lead.

The second doubles was now huge for both teams as RTS pair Kate Carmichael took to the table against Huang and Tom Morrison and what a match this proved to be. This eventuated in to an exciting five set marathon with both combinations desperate, spectators witnessed an outstanding match with Carmichael and Kealley hanging on to take the points 6-11 11-9 11-5 6-11 11-7. RTS now took a hold on the match leading 5-3.
The two number one players then took to the table. Earlier in the week Carmichael and Huang had met in the Super 8’s singles final where Carmichael had won in straight sets however on this occasion Huang was on fire and would not allow Carmichael in to the match with some fine attacking on the forehand and backhand sides. Huang’s team mate Mark Dorman then accounted for Thanh Nguyen in a tense four setter and all of a sudden the match was alive again with the score at five rubbers all, a great comeback by Mallee Bearings .
With a berth in the grand final on the line the two number threes , Jamie Kealley for RTS and Mallee Bearings Tom Morrison nervously stepped up to the table in what was to eventuate into a thrilling climax. Kealley raced through the first in attacking style and to his credit Morrison bounced back to take the second before Kealley again took control of the third , however Morrison fought back to level at two games all.
 Teammates now looked on nervously and in an amazing start to the fifth Morrison raced to a 6-1 lead forcing Kealley in to several errors. As he has done several times this season Kealley was then able to recover with some powerful forehands and in an amazing finish he would  come from behind to snatch the match in a powerful finish 11-4 9-11 11-4 6-11 13-11 , what a display from the two youngest players in this contest.

How close a match this proved to be and with a 6-5 win Regional Taxation Services have advanced directly to the grand final. Kealley had played a key role for his team winning two singles and teaming up with Kate Carmichael to win the second doubles. Carmichael won two singles while Nguyen picked up an important singles win.

The Mallee Bearings team will now regroup and meet Weightmans Packaging in the preliminary final and this is expected to be another close contest.

PENNANT TWO:

Cookes Pools & Spas 6 Quentin Clark (3), Duy Truong (1), Michael Tan (1) defeated Weightmans Packaging 3 John Fitzpatrick (1), Sony Sefer (1), David Sergi (0).

The first round of finals kicked off in fine fashion with fourth-placed Cookes Pools & Spas taking a decisive win over third-placed Weightmans Packaging. The last time these two teams met was in round 15 wherein Weightmans pulled off a solid 7-4 victory. But Cookes made headway early in the match, winning the first four rubbers in a row, including No. 3 Michael Tan defeating opposing captain John Fitzpatrick.

In the opening game, Truong won his only singles match by besting substitute David Sergi in straight sets 11-5, 11-7, 11-8. Next was the upset game of the night, Tan versus Fitzpatrick. Tan has shown massive improvement during the last half of this season, and it paid off for him against the opposing No. 1. Fitzpatrick won the first set 11-9, but then Tan knuckled down and got to work, winning the next three sets 11-8, 13-11, 11-9. After this disappointing loss, Cookes’ Sefer made a concentrated effort to topple Clark but he too went down in a heated five-set battle, 10-12, 6-11, 11-7, 11-5, 3-11, bringing the score to 3-0. Fitzpatrick and Sefer then paired up for the first doubles match but had no luck against Clark and Truong who took the game in four sets 11-9, 13-15, 11-4, 11-5.

Captain Fitzpatrick was able to push back against the fierce opposition with a win over Truong 11-7, 11-9, 11-7, but this didn’t deter Clark from claiming his side’s fifth rubber after he defeated Sergi in four sets 10-12, 11-7, 11-3, 11-7. The score now 5-1, Sefer then denied Cookes their sixth rubber by besting Tan in straight sets 11-4, 11-2, 11-3. The second doubles of the night would be one of the major highlights as Weightmans found themselves two sets down and on the brink of defeat but were able to thread the needle and come all the way back to win the match. Cookes came in swinging, winning the first two sets 11-9, 11-4; prompting Weightmans to think for a moment that this was the end of the line for them. But the duo of Fitzpatrick and Sergi got to work and turned the game on its head, struggling through the last three sets to take the win, 11-5, 11-3, 12-10.

It looked like Weightmans were about to make a big comeback, but it was not to be as Clark proved too strong for Fitzpatrick, taking the winning rubber in four sets 7-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-8.

With this win, Cookes will proceed to the preliminary final where they will face second-placed Choices Flooring. The winner out of these two will then go on to face Mallee Meats in the grand final.

Final score 6 rubbers to 3 and 20 games to 15.

Mallee Meats 6 Jason Gifkins (2), Peter Midgley (1), James Jarvis (2) defeated Choices Flooring Mildura 1 Ashley Morrison (1), Terry Martin (0), Andrew Jones (0).

Mallee Meats made it look easy in their match against Choices Flooring, securing the win 6 -1 after just seven rubbers. Luckily for Choices Flooring they have a second chance to get themselves into the grand final if they can defeat Cookes Pools & Spas in the semi-finals next week. Choices Flooring has beaten Cookes all

three times that they played against each other throughout the season, but as we all know, finals can be a tricky time where the unexpected can always happen.

Jarvis took the first scalp of the night by defeating Martin in four sets 11-4, 4-11, 11-5, 11-9 while skipper Gifkins took out Jones in four after dropping the first set, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9, 13-11. Morrison then pushed back in the third rubber by besting Midgely, winning in straight sets 11-5, 11-6, 11-4. The two teams then went at it in the first doubles, with Meats successfully fending off Choices Flooring, despite falling asleep at the wheel in the third, 11-9, 12-10, 3-11, 11-9.

Meats gave no quarter in the next two games, with Gifkins swiftly dispatching Martin in three 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 and in a shocker, teammate Jarvis cleaned up captain Morrison in straight sets 11-9, 11-9, 11-9. It had all gone like clockwork for Meats with the score now 5-1 in their favour. It was Jones who made a last-ditch effort to keep his side in the match when he went up against Midgley in the seventh rubber. Midgley won the first 11-2, Jones the second 11-8, back to Midgley in the third 11-5 and then Jones levelled it 2 sets all in the fourth 11-7. It was anyone’s game now, but Midgley had a slight edge and won the fifth set 11-9.

This win has granted Meats a spot in the grand final in two weeks’ time, while Choices Flooring will have to defeat Cookes Pools & Spas in the preliminary final next week if they hope to face off against Meats again in the final.

Final score 6 rubbers to 1 and 18 games to 8.

PENNANT THREE:

First Semi-Final (Knockout)

– First Semi: Regional Taxation Services 5 ( Hayden Wilson 3, Sam Campbell 1) d Sammy’s Slammers 4 (Koby Grace, Yen Hwak 2)

This was the clash of third Regional Taxation Services up against Sammy’s Slammers who finished fourth. Sadly, one team will advance and the other will prepare for the upcoming Summer Pennant.

Unfortunately, both teams were without their number one player. Regional Taxation Services skipper Sabrina Fitzpatrick and opposition captain Ryan Hensgen were both unavailable. This forced a two versus two match due to unavailability and/or lack of qualified replacements.

The star of the match which was always close was Regional Taxation Services number three player Hayden Wilson who won his two singles matches both in four sets. He then received a bonus win for the match that he didn’t get to play as all players do when there is a person from each team out.

In both matches Hayden lost the first game by the barest of margins only then to take control, the first match he played was against opposing number two Kobe Grace. Hayden possesses good concentration and a great ability to keep the ball in play and was able to win 9-11 11-7 11-6 11-5.

Later in the match with the scores at four rubbers all and one match to be played Hayden played Yen Hawk , victory was the only option for his team to continue in the finals race. Earlier Yen had defeated Sam Campbell who had finished well ahead of him in the aggregate so this match was going to be tough for Hayden. Yen took the first game narrowly playing some strong back hands however Hayden then was able to counter Yen’s attacking style and went on to win 10-12 11-6 11-6 11-6. 

This win by Hayden secured RTS a berth in the Preliminary Final. Earlier Hayden combined with Sam in the all important one and only doubles against Kobe and Yen and this resulted in a close four set tussle with Hayden and Sam getting over the line 11-8 11-8 10-12 12-10 

Of the three matches that he played , Hayden had won them all.

WInner: Regional Taxation Services 5 d Sammy’s Slammers 4 

Games  :  17 to 15 

– Second Semi: Exposed Signage/Apparel 6 (Karly Leach 2, Deegan Kerslake, Brenden Johnson 1) d Weightmans Packaging 3 (Nhat Dat 2, Leo Parker 1)

This was first versus second with a spot in the grand final up for grabs. These two teams are evenly balanced and some excellent table tennis was expected. The contest started with a five setter and concluded with another five set classic when the two skippers matched up .

There were topsy turvy results with a number three defeating a number one , a number three defeating a number two, with these two teams expect the unexpected.

The very first match of the final was a beauty when Exposed number two Deegan Kerslake played opposing number three Leo Parker. Both players gained points off their very good serves , Deegan took the first game comfortably however Leo then turned the match on its head taking the next two games, the second game went on and on with Leo taking the points 18-16 , he then grabbed the third 11-7 much to the delight of his team mates. Deegan then lifted , playing some fine forehands and again varying his serve. Leo had played very well forcing Deegan to change tactics and eventually it was Deegan who took the points 11-3 16-18 7-11 11-2 11-3 , a great tussle between to up and coming players. 

Deegan’s team mate number three Brenden Johnson who has improved markedly during the season then took the first game off Nhat Dat in an impressive start. Dat finished first in the aggregate and Brenden 8th. Their match was a close four setter both playing some big forehands and it was Dat who was just able to fend off Brenden 9-11 11-5 11-9 13-11 , the score line now stood at one all.

Weightmans number two “consistent” Steve Parker then took to the table against Exposed’s number one Karly Leach. These two players take a very steady approach and as expected many long rallies took place with their team mates offering encouragement. Steve took the first game narrowly , then lost the second by the narrowest of margins. He then took the third and the pressure was now on Karly. Steve had finished the aggregate in equal second place while Karly finished two wins back in third place. In the fourth and fifth Karly was able to gain a small lead and after numerous long rallies it was Karly who took the match 8-11 13-11 6-11 11-8 11-9 a great fight back by Karly against a tough opponent.

The first doubles saw Steve and Dat grab the first game before opponents Karly and Deegan lifted and it was the Exposed pair who took the match in four sets. They have been very consistent through the season, Karly with the steadiness and Deegan the more adventurous of the pair. Exposed now had opened up a good 3-1 lead.

Weightmans were looking for a fight back and it was skipper Nhat Dat who showed his authority against young gun Deegan , taking this match in three sets , two were comfortable while the second was a great tussle. Leading by example Dat took the match 11-6 12-10 11-6.

Spectators then witnessed another three setter , possibly not the result that was expected when Weightmans number three Leo Parker played some outstanding table tennis to defeat Exposed number one Karly Leach, Leo was able to overcome Karly’s steadiness to achieve an excellent 12-10 11-4 11-8 victory and all of a sudden the top team had recovered and the match stood at three rubbers all.

Next up Exposed number three Brenden took to the table against Steve Parker and has had been the case in this final expect the unexpected as Brenden was out of the blocks early stunning Steve with some big forehands , Brenden took the first two games in fine style before Steve steadied the run on to take the third, could Steve force his way back in to the match. Quickly Brenden took the lead in the fourth and much to the excitement of his team mates Brenden would go on to a tremendous four set win , 11-7 11-4 4-11 11-5. 

The second doubles was now crucial for the Weightmans pair of Dat and Leo and they matched up against Karly and Brenden who took the first game , Dat and Leo steadied to take the second , the third and fourth were close all the way however the Exposed pair of Karly and Brenden with a mix of Karly’s steadiness and Brenden’s big forehands  enabled them to fend off Dat and Leo and win 11-7 8-11 12-10 11-9 , another great tussle. Exposed now had strung two wins together to lead 5-3 and were one win away from a berth in the grand final.

Appropriately it was the two captains that took to the table for their respective team’s most important match of the season to date. Karly was away early in the point for point first game which she took narrowly , she then gained control to take the second again close but a little more comfortable. Dat could see the match slipping and stepped up to take the third and then he was able to repeat the dose in the fourth. The fifth was another close one and again this went point for point with Karly holding her nerve and in an excellent performance she won 12-10 11-7 8-11 7-11 11-9 what a match. 

Exposed had won 6-3 and now move in to the grand final in two weeks, a great effort against strong opponents who will gear up again next week against the third placed Regional Taxation Services.

For the victors Karly Leach led the way winning two singles both 11-9 in the fifth. She also took part in both doubles victories to play a key role in the victory. Her team mates Deegan Kerslake and Brenden Johnson offered great support winning an important singles each. 

For Weightmans skipper Dat won two singles while Leo Parker scored that impressive win against Karly. 

Winners: Exposed Signage/ Apparel 6 d Weightmans Packaging 3 

 Games: 19 to 18 

PENNANT FOUR:

What a week to be unwell, I missed some amazing matches, with my Team, Dunkley Scales, nearly sneaking into the next round of Finals, with 3^rd placed  Mallee Meats using their strength in the Doubles to get them over the line.

There was also an unexpected lose by the top of the Ladder Team, Tankard Dental, rewarding Weightman’s Packaging with a spot in the Grand Final. Tankard’s Captain Leanne Wilson was hampered by a Tennis Elbow, which wouldn’t have helped their cause, but overall Weightman’s played very well and captured both of the Doubles, which was a big boost to their win.

– Second Semi: Weightmans Packaging 6 (Glenn Leeson 2, Gary Leach 1) d Tankard Dental 2 (Leanne Wilson, Ildi Healy 1)

Tankard : Leanne Wilson, Ildi Healy and Jakob Grzan. Weightman’s : Glenn Leeson, Gary Leach and Eddy Parker.

The first block of Singles saw two Rubbers falling to Weightman’s with Jakob giving Eddy a run for his money in an exciting three set match, which had Jakob marking up three 9’s, but just couldn’t get over the line. Ildi fought hard in a great three setter against Glenn, with the last two sets being pushed out to 13 and 12, but Glenn found a way to take the win. Leanne played very well and didn’t seem to have too much trouble when she faced Gary in a quick three set match.

Glenn and Gary put the foot on the accelerator in the Doubles, when they came up against Leanne and Ildi. Although there were some very nice rally’s the Weightman’s pair marked up their third Rubber.

Gary got the upper hand in his match with Jakob, grabbing the first 2 sets, but Jakob battled hard in the 3^rd set to force the match to four sets, which fell in Gary’s favour. Leanne and Glenn went all the way in their encounter with Leanne getting the first break, before Weightman’s Captain turned on the focus switch to collected the next two. Leanne gave it her very best, but cecum to the pressure of Glenn’s tricky shots. This left Tankard in a sticky situation, needing to win all the remaining Rubbers, which was a tough ask.  Ildi was up to the fight, giving it her all with a rally filled five setter. Both players just kept on keeping on, neither wanting to give up a point. At the completion of the match, Ildi gained a Rubber for her team, to give a little hope.

Glenn and Eddy play well in the Doubles and they had a good reason to continue that habit, as they needed this one to get the over all win. Leanne and Jakob were determined to keep Tankard in the match and claimed the first set. The second and fourth sets belonged to Weightman’s, with some great shot play, but Leanne and Jakob certainly gave their utmost in the third set, forcing the score out to 16. The eventual win went to Weightman’s, moving them straight into the Grand Final.

Semi Final Winner : Weightman’s Packaging  6  to Tankard Dental  2.

Games : 20  to  10  

– First Semi: Mallee Meats 6 (Nathan Beard, Curtis Crabtree 2) d Dunkley Scales 4 (Maria Starikov 2, Jake Hines, Raylee Waugh 1)

Mallee : Curtis Crabtree, Nathan Beard and Connor Burnett.  Dunkley : Maria Starikov, Jen Leach (Fill in Raylee Waugh) and Jake Hines.

The contest in the first Singles block gave Mallee a good 2 to 1 start, with the only win coming from Dunkley, came from Jake after a super clash against Connor, with Jake’s confidence growing as the match went on, winning the last three of a four setter. Curtis and Maria battled it our for five sets, neither wanting to let a point go, with Curtis getting the Rubber. Nathan’s never say die game was too much for Raylee, but she did keep him on his toes.

Mallee also landed the win in the Doubles when Curtis and Nathan put up the blockades against Maria and Raylee, who put up a pretty good fight.

Maria wasn’t ready to lose another Singles and I can only imagine the amount of Rallies, as they both have the ability to just keep getting that ball back. Curtis didn’t mess around when he faced Jake, making it a lightning fast match, which produced another Rubber for Mallee. Connor stood tall in his match with Raylee, doing his best for his team, but a strong finish by Raylee, gave Dunkley a much needed win. This put the scores at 4 to 3 Mallee’s way.

Second Doubles and maybe a chance for Dunkley to even up the ledger ? Although they had their heart in it, Maria and Jake weren’t able to keep up with the Mallee pair of Curtis and Connor, with a 5^th win falling into Mallee’s lap.

This was do or die for Dunkley and it was Maria and Connor to front up and see who had it in them to work for the win. Both had the determination, with Maria snaring the first two sets. The 3^rd set saw some extra effort from Maria, to walk away with the win, to keep her team in the running, after some excellent pressure from Connor in a 14 to 12 finish.

Now it was Jake with the weight on his shoulders, to pull his side through to a 5 all score. And it was a true contest, with each player taking advantage of any little opening to hit the winner. Nathan grabbed the first two, the set number one a 13 / 11 win. Jake made a valient come back in the 3^rd, winning it 12 / 10. But the focus from Nathan was just too much for Jake and Mallee pinched the Rubber to keep them in the Finals for another week.

Winner : Mallee Meats  6 to Dunkley Scales 4.

Games : 19  to  16.

Congratulations to the Winners of the Semi’s Finals.

Tankard Dental will now play Mallee Meats in the Preliminary Final on Wednesday. Good Luck to both teams.

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stta

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