Lau, Carmichael in form

IN an interesting twist the draw for Round 4 of the Sunraysia Table Tennis senior pennant featured first playing second, third versus fourth and fifth and sixth meeting to decide who would win their first match of the season.

Arhaung Lau continued his excellent form in singles winning three again, as did the experienced Wayne Carmichael. They will meet in round five in what is expected to be a real highlight match. To date both players are undefeated.

Up against second placed Tankard Dental, Lau led his team Mallee Bearings to a solid 7-4 victory, his three singles victories included a straight sets win over opposing number one Kate Carmichael. Carmichael actually had taken a 10-6 lead only for Lau then to propel into action taking the first 17-15 before winning the second and third 11-4, 11-9.

A key factor in the top team retaining their undefeated record was the form of fill in Reece Kurrle who was subbing for Mark Dorman. Kurrle was on fire winning three singles in a busy night.

Leading into this match both teams were undefeated in doubles matches. In the first doubles Carmichael and Rohan Reimers proved too steady for Lau and Kurrle winning in four sets, while later Lau and Tom Morrison hung on in a five set thriller to defeat Carmichael and Ed Hung 7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-9, 12-10.

Regional Taxation Services are beginning to hit their straps and with their outstanding 8-3 victory over Cooke’s Pools & Spas they have moved from fourth to second on the ladder.

Skipper Matt Ljubic, after an extended break, is now in top form winning three singles in each of the past two rounds. In this round Ljubic had to come back from a one game to two deficit against Jackson Tung to win 11-7, 10-12, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6.

Ljubic’s team mates are also playing their role with young gun Jamie Kealley now stringing together two singles wins each round over the past three rounds, an excellent effort for a number three. His match against father Paul was a close affair with Jamie taking the points 11-9, 12-10, 5-11, 11-9, an interesting twist both players winning the same amount of points.

With both teams, Weightmans Packaging and Choices Flooring looking for their first win, a topsy turvy match eventuated with each team grabbing the initiative at certain times.

With Choices leading 2-1 going in to the first doubles this match was huge, Weightmans pair Shannon Bowen and Reece Kurrle started amazingly conceding only one point in the first game before the Choices duo of Wayne Carmichael and Liam Wood bounced back to win the second.

The next two games resulted in a win apiece by the narrowest of margins, however, in the fifth the Weightmans’ pair of Bowen and Kurrle raced away to win 11-1, 12-14, 14-12, 9-11, 11-3.

The following singles matches went as expected and the second doubles again was crucial as the Choices pair of Wayne Carmichael and fill in Jason Gifkins knew a victory would again level the match.

Opponents Bowen and Lee Lesson took the first game and in a tense struggle Carmichael and Gifkins won a thriller 9-11, 11-7, 14-12, 14-12, the score now four rubbers all.

The two captains then met with Wayne Carmichael giving Choices a 5-4 lead with a solid straight sets victory over Shannon Bowen. With his team desperate for their first four points Weightmans’ Reece Kurrle then levelled the match, winning his second singles over Liam Wood.

With the match at five rubbers all, both Lee Leeson and Jason Gifkins gave their all, each winning a game in the first two, however, it was the steadiness of Leeson who went on to win in four sets and give Weightmans their first victory 6-5 in what had been a close fought affair.