Summer 2025 Season – Semi’s Wrap

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SEMI FINALS

PENNANT ONE: 

Ladder leaders Weightmans Packaging have advanced to the grand final of the Sunraysia Table Tennis Summer pennant but not before surviving a scare against fourth placed Regional Taxation Services.

 It was only a week ago in Round 10 that Weightmans defeated RTS soundly by a margin of eight rubbers to three and earlier in the season in their other meeting the result was 9-2 in Weightmans favour. 

– Second Semi Final: Weightmans Packaging 6 (Jamie Kealley 3, Rohan Reimers 2, Marcus Cimino 1) d Regional Taxation Services 5 (Paul Kealley 2, Mark Dorman 1)

 In the knockout semi-final it was Weightmans who took the initiative early leading 3-0 however the first could have gone either way when father and son Paul and Jamie Kealley played an outstanding five set match just as they did the previous week. 
Paul was quickly away early against the singles aggregate winner Jamie and took the first game, the second was point for point and despite Paul having his chances it was Jamie who took the points, Paul then dominated the third to take a two games to one lead and Jamie was under pressure. Jamie lifted with some power hitting and took the fourth. The fifth was an exciting watch and at 10-9

Paul had a match point but could not force the victory with Jamie defending well. Jamie then had a couple of match points of his own and much to the relief of his teammates, he had won 7-11 16-14 3-11 11-6 13-11, an outstanding contest. 

The next singles saw Weightmans Marcus Cimino defeat Quentin Clark in straight sets to extend Weightmans lead. The two lefties RTS skipper Mark Dorman and Rohan Reimers took to the table and if was Reimers who continued his good record against Dorman this season by winning in four sets.

Weightmans now took a 3-0 lead and was it to be another one-sided result between these two teams? 

 The first doubles was now a must for RTS and their combination of Dorman and Paul Kealley took the first game against Jamie Kealley and Reimers. This eventuated into an exciting five set match and finally RTS were on the scoreboard when Dorman and Kealley won the hard-fought battle 11-7 3-11 11-4 7-11 11-7. 

Regional Taxation Services then reduced the deficit further when Paul Kealley accounted for Marcus Cimino in straight sets. The short-lived comeback was then stopped in its tracks when Jamie Kealley proved too consistent for Mark Dorman winning in four sets while Weightmans Reimers then won his second singles defeating Quentin Clark in straight sets. 

The ladder leaders were now leading 5-2 and feeling comfortable, however in an amazing turnaround Weightmans would win the next three games to turn the match on its head and level at five rubbers all. The first of these three was an amazing doubles victory when RTS pair Mark Dorman and Quentin Clark won the fifth by the barest of margins, victory came with a score line of 5-11 11-9 12-10 11-13 13-11 over Jamie Kealley and Cimino. 

Dorman then defeated Cimino in straight sets and it was then RTS number two Paul Kealley who won a further exciting five setter defeating Rohan Reimers for the first time this season 16-14 7-11 11-6 8-11 11-8, all of a sudden the match score stood at five rubbers all with Weightmans number one Jamie Kealley to play RTS number three Quentin Clark for a spot in the grand final. Kealley was the hot favourite however Clark did not play that way just going down in the first, Kealley won the second comfortably however the third went on and on and it would be Clark who took the third amazingly 24-22 virtually two games in one. Unfortunately, Clark could not sustain this form and Kealley raced away to take the match in four sets and in doing so Weightmans had won 6-5 and booked a spot in the grand final. 

For Weightmans, Jamie Kealley had continued his good form winning three singles while the consistent Reimers won two and Cimino one. 

RTS had been brave in defeat winning both doubles while Paul Kealley played well to win two singles and also holding a match point in the very first game of the final against son Jamie.

– First Semi Final: Choices Flooring Mildura 6 (Jackson Tung, Liam Wood 2) d Cookes Pools & Spas 4 (Arhuang (Wong) Lau 3, Russell Walder 1)

 In the other semi-final third placed Choices Flooring Mildura scored a 6-4 victory over the second placed Cookes Pools & Spas for the right to play in the Grand Final. Doubles are a key component of any contest and this match was no different with the Choices team winning both which went a long way toward them gaining a berth in the grand final.

 The first doubles saw Choice’s pair Jackson Tung and Liam Wood combine well to down Arhuang Lau and Russell Walder in straight sets.

In the second doubles it was Tung and Ashley Morrison who accounted for Lau and Jason Gifkins in a close four setter.

 After Choices won the first doubles, they took a three rubbers to one lead and from here Cookes were always playing catch up table tennis.

 With Choices Flooring Mildura leading five rubbers to four Choices number two Liam “Hawkeye” Wood took to the table against Cooke’s Russell Walder, on the singles aggregate there was only one win separating these two players.

Wood was able to grab the early ascendancy and would go on to win 11-4 11-7 11-9 enabling his team to advance to the grand final. Wood could be the X factor in this week’s grand final if he can maintain this form of winning two singles and a doubles. His skipper Jackson Tung also played a key role in their team’s victory with two singles victories, he also participated in both doubles successes.

 For Cookes Pools & Spas Arhuang Lau continued his good form winning three singles, he lost only one singles throughout the season however unfortunately missed four rounds.

Weightmans Packaging vs Choices Flooring Mildura in the Grand Final

 This week’s grand final should be a great spectacle as head-to-head both teams have had a win each. Back in round four Choices Flooring Mildura were victors 7-4 while in round nine Weightmans Packaging took the four points with the same scoreline. Not only will the Tung versus Jamie Kealley match up be exciting but also the Liam Wood match versus Rohan Reimers.

Head to head the number threes Weightmans Marcus Cimino against Ashley Morrison are one each. Again, the doubles could be the decider.

PENNANT TWO:

Mallee Meats 6 Harry Gujral (3), Therese Fitzpatrick (1), Peter Fitzpatrick (0) defeated Pinnacle Packers 3 Josh Arnold (1), James Jarvis (2), Ryan Hensgen (0).

Pinnacle Packers are out of the grand finals race after losing 6-3 to Mallee Meats in the semi-final. Packers’ No. 2 James Jarvis did what he could, taking two singles wins but teammates Arnold and Hensgen couldn’t help him out, winning one match between them.

Arnold won said match by besting Peter Fitzpatrick in the opening rubber, winning in three 11-7, 11-6, 11-8.

Gujral then started his attack on Packers, defeating Hensgen 11-9, 11-6, 11-5. Jarvis and Therese Fitzpatrick then got into it in a gripping five-setter with Therese taking the first two sets 13-11, 11-8, Jarvis fighting hard and levelling the score two sets apiece, 11-6, 13-11, and then delivering the killing blow to Fitzpatrick in the fifth 11-7. Meats then levelled the game score 2-2 in the first doubles, besting Packers after four sets 11-5, 5-11, 11-5, 11-6.

The two captains then faced off, with Gujral taking the win 11-4, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, whilst Jarvis sorted out Peter Fitzpatrick in three 11-7, 11-6, 11-7.

Therese then went up against Hensgen and after dropping the third set, 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, got her team ahead 4-3. But Packers were determined to hold the line, giving Meats a tough time in the second doubles. Packers duo Arnold and Hensgen took the first set 11-7, Meats fought back and won the second 11-8, Packers snatched the third 11-8, but Meats weren’t swayed, winning the last two 11-8, 11-7, bringing the score to 5-3.

Packers still had a chance going into the last three rubbers, but Gujral dashed their hopes down when he defeated Jarvis in straight sets 11-2, 11-7, 12-10. Thus ends the season for Pinnacle Packers who haven’t had the best luck this season but gave it their all. Mallee Meats will now go on to face Cookes Pools & Spas in the Grand Final next week.

Final score 6 rubbers to 3 and 20 games to 14.

Cookes Pools & Spas 6 Duy Truong (3), David Sergi (1), Deegan Kerslake (0) defeated Weightmans Packaging 3 Rasin Bhuiyan (2), Michael Tan (1), Steve Parker (0).

Cookes Pools & Spas did the seemingly impossible in this semi-final by defeating top team Weightmans Packaging. Weightmans, who have racked up 8 wins and 2 losses, have been atop the ladder for most of the season, while Cookes, who only have 3 wins and 7 losses, dropped to fourth place several rounds ago. Despite having the odds very much against them, Cookes found a way around Weightmans, with captain Truong winning three singles and he and his teammates taking both doubles.

Sergi took the first rubber of the night by defeating Parker after a four-set tussle, 11-9, 12-10, 11-13, 11-9. Bhuiyan kept pace with his opponents by downing Kerslake 11-5, 11-8, 11-3, while teammate Tan fell to Truong, also in three 5-11, 8-11, 2-11. The two sides then battled it out in the first doubles with Cookes winning the first set 11-7, Weightmans cutting in and taking the second 12-10, but being unable to contain their opponents in the next two, going down 5-11, 11-13.

Bhuiyan continued to fight hard, besting Sergi in four sets 8-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-9, while Truong made the score 4-2 by defeating Parker, 11-4, 11-5, 11-8. Tan held the line for his team a while longer by taking down Kerslake 11-2, 11-8, 11-3, as the two teams then went into the second doubles. The pair of Truong and Kerslake proved a strong match, as the two cut down Weightmans in a confident three set win, 11-8, 11-7, 11-5.

It was drawing near to the end for Weightmans after this loss, with Cookes now 5-3 up. It was up to Bhuiyan to rally his teammates to come back and win as he now took on opposing captain Truong. He made a stab in the first set, winning a solid 11-6, but Truong outplayed him in the next three sets, winning the match and the night, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7.

Weightmans would be very disappointed with this result after having played very well all season only to be beaten by the bottom team in the semi-final. A big congratulations to Cookes who pulled off a very unexpected win and have earned themselves a spot in the Grand Final.

Final score 6 rubbers to 3 and 19 games to 12.

Cookes Pools & Spas vs Mallee Meats in the Grand Final

PENNANT THREE: 

Finals are here, Sammy Slammer’s who finished on top of the ladder play fourth team Exposed Signage/Apparel while second and third teams Regional Taxation Services and Mallee Meats. The winner of each match will advance to the grand final.  

– Second Semi Final: Sammy’s Slammers 6 (Sam Campbell 3, Koby Grace 2) d Exposed Signage/Apparel 3 (Steve Pongrac, Nick Kiapekos 1)

 The Slammers went in to this match as favourites given they had occupied first spot on the ladder all season however it was Exposed Signage/Apparel number two Nick Kiapekos who managed to get his team off to a perfect start by defeating Dianne Hannig in straight sets. Nick’s team- mate Curtis Crabtree then started well defeating aggregate winner Sam Campbell in their first game, Sam struck back quickly to dominate the second game, while Curtis was able to fight back and be more competitive in the third which Sam won. Sam stamped her authority on the match in the fourth with some trademark forehands and went on to win 8-11 11-1 11-7 11-4.

 Sam’s teammate Koby Grace then came out on fire against Exposed skipper Steve Pongrac and in an amazing display Koby took his team to a 2-1 lead winning with an impressive scoreline of 11-0 11-4 11-6.

 Steve gathered his thoughts quickly and he and his teammate Nick then outlasted Sam and Koby in the first doubles which went on and on, the experienced pair of Steve and Nick proved too consistent taking the win 13-11 13-15 7-11 14-12 11-7, wow!!!! The score now two rubbers all.

 Sam then gave her team the lead again fighting off a stubborn Nick, this game went to four sets and Sam showed why she has won the singles aggregate by proving too steady, her winning score line 11-2 11-7 8-11 11-8.

 After dropping the first game against Dianne, Exposed skipper Steve levelled the match at three rubbers all finally winning 8-11 11-9 11-4 11-7, the fourth team were giving the top team a run for their money.

 The next match was the second five setter of the night and featured Slammers number two Koby up against Curtis Crabtree and what a spectacle it was between the two youngsters. It was point for point in the first with Koby taking the game by the barest of margins, Curtis took the second more comfortably and after many long rallies Koby again won the third by the two points, the fourth was decided by two points again and this time Curtis proved too steady. At two games all Koby then increased the pressure and unfortunately Curtis could not match him and Koby went on to win 14-12 7-11 12-10 9-11 11-3, some close scores there!

The second doubles would be important however the Slammers pair of Sam and Dianne did not let their opponents Steve and Curtis into the match winning comfortably in three sets to take their team to a 5-3 lead and within reach of the grand final.

 Sam took to the table knowing victory would get her team to that grand final while Exposed’s Steve knew victory was the only option to allow his team to continue their season. Teammates watched on closely and the first three games were point for point with many long rallies; Steve was able to take two of these games while Sam won the second. All three games were decided by a margin of two points; Steve had won 32 points while Sam had grabbed 30.

Despite trailing against her more experienced opponent Sam was now able to lift in the fourth and fifth, Steve had fought bravely however Sam took control and would go on to win a tough match 9-11 11-9 10-12 11-5 11-6 and with that Sammy’s Slammers had landed a berth in the grand final with a scoreline of 6-3.

For the Slammers Skipper Sam had won three singles while the improving Koby won two singles, team mate Dianne had played a key role teaming up with Sam to win the second doubles.

Steve and Nick had tried valiantly for Exposed Signage/Apparel  winning a singles each as well as tasting success in the first doubles.

Winner: Sammy’s Slammers 6 defeated Exposed Signage/Apparel 3  

Games: 21 to 15

– First Semi Final: Regional Taxation Services 6 (Karly Leach 3, Leo Parker, Cooper Kalms 1) d Mallee Meats 5 (Sabrina Fitzpatrick, Brenden Johnson 2)

This was second against third and expected to be close as both teams had recorded a five-win 5 loss ratio over the ten-round season. During the season head-to-head Mallee Meats held the ascendancy of two victories to one however all were close.

 Early in this match someone forgot to tell the Mallee Meats trio of Sabrina Fitzpatrick, Brenden Johnson and Hayden Wilson that the scores were meant to be close as they took a three – one lead early and then later managed to lead 4-2.

 The first game of the night was amazing when Brenden lined up against RTS number three Cooper Kalms, and this went on and on for half an hour. Brenden raced through the first before the very steady Cooper fought back to take the second and the third both by a margin of two points, The fourth went even longer than the second and third with Brenden showing some great concentration to level the contest at two games all. The fifth was even a longer game with each player benching most of their attacking shots and both were prepared to work the ball around to different areas of the table in a controlled fashion. With the score at 17 all in the fifth it was Brenden who took the next two points and the match 11-3 9-11 10-12 15-13 19-17 what an unbelievable start to the semi-final.

 As expected, Karly Leach then accounted for the busy Hayden Wilson in three sets however Hayden maintained the pressure against his more highly ranked opponent. The next singles featured RTS number two Leo Parker against Sabrina who was expected to win however someone forgot to tell Leo and he would win two of the first three games all which were decided by two points. Was there an upset brewing, Sabrina fought hard in the fourth and again the game was decided by two points in Sabrina’s favour. Sabrina managed to grab the ascendancy in the fifth and go on and defeat the brave Leo 13-15 11-9 9-11 14-12 11-6, another marathon.

 Regional Taxation Services pair Karly and Leo fronted up in the first doubles needing a win however it wasn’t to be as Brenden and Hayden combined well to win in three. Mallee Meats now took a dangerous 3-1 lead. Karly then reduced the deficit by proving too consistent for Brenden, Karly winning in three sets. At this stage Karly was the only player to score a win for Regional Taxation Services and things would get worse at the conclusion of the next singles when Cooper would lose in four sets although after scoring only one point in the first game against Sabrina he did make her earn her win by taking the second game and narrowly losing the third and fourth , the score line in Sabrina’s favour 11-1 10-12 11-9 12-10 , Meats now leading 4-2, were they in sight of a grand final berth ?

 The next singles was the third five setter for the evening when Leo and Hayden played another long match , when Hayden took a two games to one lead Regional Taxation Services were under extreme pressure, Leo played well to win the fourth and the fifth went on and on , despite both players being nervous they played some excellent rallies and in the end Leo snatched the match 7-11 11-9 9-11 11-7 14-12 , what a finish.

Buoyed by their teammate winning the previous singles Karly and Cooper combined to win the second doubles in straight sets over Sabrina and Brenden although the first two were very close.

In a solid fight back by Regional Taxation Services the scoreline was now four rubbers all as Karly and Sabrina took to the table and normally these two would fight out a lengthy five set match however on this occasion Karly was able to maintain control to take the first and second games comfortably before Sabrina mounted a comeback in the third but it wasn’t to be with Karly winning 11-4 11-5 11-9. Regional Taxation Services now had strung three victories together to take the lead 5-4 a big turnaround.

With his team under pressure Brenden knew victory against Leo was the only option, these two players have similar records over both seasons in 2025 and have had several close results. On this occasion Brenden proved too consistent and when he won in three sets he had levelled the semi-final at five rubbers all.

 There now was a nervousness in both camps as Cooper for Regional Taxation Services would match up against Mallee Meats Hayden and what a match this proved to be. This would eventuate into a four-set thriller. It’s always tough for the number three players when they have the pressure of playing at five rubbers all especially when it’s a knockout final.  

The first game was point for point and Cooper with steady play managed to get over the line. The second was entertaining to say the least as Cooper looked certain to take a two games to love lead when the scoreline read 9-3 in his favour however in an extraordinary comeback Hayden levelled at one game all by winning 13-11 with some outstanding concentration. The third was almost a mirror image of the second however this time it was Hayden with a 7-3 lead only for Cooper to stage a fighting comeback to claim this game, a real steadiness to his game now. For the fourth game in succession spectators witnessed a close game with many long rallies and much to the relief of his teammates Cooper was able to prevail in what was an exciting climax to an entertaining final. Cooper took the match 12-10 11-13 119 12-10.

Hayden had given his all and is improving each week, the Monday night training does help.

Cooper had played a key role for his team winning this singles as well as partnering Karly in the successful second doubles. Karly herself had won three singles while Leo chipped in with an important win.

 For Mallee Meats both Sabrina and Brenden played well to win two singles each.

  Winner: Regional Taxation Services 6 defeated Mallee Meats 5

 Games: 23 to 18

Sammy’s Slammers vs Regional Taxation Services in the Grand Final

PENNANT FOUR:

The Semi’s saw number one playing number four (Dunkley Scales V Tankard Dental) and number two contesting number three (Mallee Meats  V  Weightman’s Packaging).

The Mallee verses Weightman’s encounter saw the Doubles being a pivotal part of the outcome of the night. The Weightman’s team put up a good fight, but luck didn’t fall their way.

– First Semi Final: Mallee Meats 6 (Yen Hwak 3, Nathan Beard 1) d Weightmans Packaging 3 (Tom Gilmour 2, Eddy Parker 1)

Mallee : Yen Hwak, Nathan Beard and Conner Burnett. Weightman’s : Tom Gilmour, Eddy Parker and Lain Milton.

The first bracket of Singles actually saw Weightman’s finishing with the advantage, winning two of the three.

Connor came up against Eddy to start the night off, with Mallee’s number three struggling to put any pressure on his opposition, with a very quick three sets giving Weightman’s the first Rubber. (11/4, 11/5, 11/4).

Liam’s first game had Yen a little worried, but it didn’t take long for the number one to get his game in order and even the ledger. (12/10, 11/6, 11/3).

Nathan snatched a set from Tom in their clash, but he wasn’t able to get around Tom’s curly shots, which saw Weightman’s sneak their second win. (11/6, 11/7, 10/12, 11/9).

The first Doubles was very tight, with Weightman’s, Tom and Eddy, taking a two game lead in an exciting tussle. Mallee’s Yen and Nathan, then put together three mighty sets to turn the tables and pinch the win. (8/11, 7/11, 11/6, 11/9, 11/4).

Eddy has been fairly steady through the season, but he couldn’t find his mojo when he came up against Yen, where he had no answers to the back hand flash. (11/5, 11/4, 11/4).

Connor did a terrific job in his battle with Tom and although he was beaten in three, there were plenty of rallies, which now saw both sides sitting on three Rubbers. (11/9, 11/8, 11/8).

Nathan and Liam had a good scuffle, with the first game reasonably even, before Mallee’s number two took control. (11/9, 11/3, 11/2).

Once again it was Weightman’s who made the first move in the Doubles, with Tom and Liam winning the first game and putting the pressure on in the second, but the Mallee pair of Yen and Conner, hammered home the win, in a four setter. (7/11, 13/11, 11/3, 11/9).

With Mallee only needing one more win to be rewarded with a spot in the Grand Final, it was the two Captains who were to face off. Neither seemed to have an outright advantage, with Tom able to mark up the first set. But it was Yen who was able to hold his nerve and capture the victory for his team. (9/11, 11/7, 11/9, 11/8).

WINNER : Mallee Meats  6  to Weightman’s Packaging  3.

GAMES :  19 to 13.         

The next Semi Final was a different picture all together. With first playing fourth, which was unfortunately for Tankard Dental, was not a good finish. Every time you face your opposition on the other side of that Table, you are naturally giving it your very best, to help your Team. But I don’t think any of the players in either Team would have expected the end result.

–   Second Semi Final: Dunkley Scales 6 (Glenn Leeson, Jakob Grzan 2, Jenny Leach 1) d Tankard Dental 0

Dunkley : Glenn Leeson, Jenny Leach and Jakob Grzan. Tankard : Maria Starikov, Ildi Healy and Andrew Jefferies.

Tankards Captain, Maria and Dunkley’s number three were the first to make their way to the Table. Maria has always been a very defensive player, to the point of gaining the nickname of Brick Wall. But on this occasion, Jakob, who has come ahead in leaps and bounds, found a way to remove the mortar from those Bricks and take the first Rubber. (11/8, 11/8, 11/4).

Andrew played very well in his first game against Glenn, pushing it out to 12, until Glenn got his eye in and grabbed the match in three. (12/10, 11/7, 11/6).

Ildi found it hard to pinch a point in the first set against Jen, before pulling her game together in a close second, then snaring the third. A determined Jen pushed forward to seize the next and the third Rubber for Dunkley. (11/4, 12/10, 8/11, 11/7).

Glenn and Jen zoomed through the first game of Doubles with ease, but Maria and Ildi fired up in the second to make it one each. The following two games were tight, with the Rubber falling to Dunkley. (11/2, 9/11, 11/9, 11/9).

With Tankard struggling to notch up a Rubber, they were now desperately needing a win, with Dunkley sitting on 4.

Could Maria give her team some breathing space and sneak a win, over Dunkley’s Captain ? The first set did go to Maria, with some great rallies, but it was Glenn who came home with the goods in a four set contest. (7/11, 11/6, 11/7, 11/2).

With Dunkley only needing one more Rubber to complete the night, an action packed four sets was played out between Jakob and Ildi. There were some amazing shots from both players, as each tried to find a way to win. In the end, it was young Jakob, who stood tall and marked up the winning Rubber. (12/10, 11/6, 5/11, 11/9).

As much as Dunkley Scales Team were excited and relieved to be through to the Finals, it was an unexpected way to win, seeing your opposition unable to pick up a Rubber, with the score line not showing the true ability of Tankard’s Team.

WINNER : Dunkley Scales  6  to Tankard Dental  0.

GAMES :  18  to 4.

These results will now see Dunkley Scales contesting the Finals against Mallee Meats. Good Luck to both Teams and may the best team on the night be rewarded with the win.

Dunkley Scales vs Mallee Meats in the Grand Final

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