Ljubic in hot form

AFTER four rounds of the Sunraysia Table Tennis pennant, Mallee Bearings is the only undefeated team, while second-placed Regional Taxation Services opened up a one-game break courtesy of their 6-5 victory over Cooke’s Pools & Spas.

In another close encounter, Max Miller Carpets scored a narrow win over Weightmans Packaging in a match where both teams were looking for their first victory.

RTS skipper Matt Ljubic was in tremendous form, winning three singles against Cooke’s Pools & Spas, including a four-set win over Joel Thomas.

This was the match that many had looked forward to and the players did not disappoint with many long rallies. An excellent victory by Ljubic 11-3 3-11 11-7 11-8.

Ljubic received excellent support from team mates Thahn Nguyen and Michael Hensgen who won two and one singles match respectively.

With both teams looking for their first victory, Max Miller Carpets hung on to record a narrow 6-5 victory over Weightmans Packaging.

The Carpeters raced to a 5-1 lead and appeared to be coasting to victory, however, the match then turned completely and an amazing recovery by Weightmans saw the match levelled at five rubbers all.

Then Weightmans, via fill-in Shane Carmichael, took a two games to love lead over Liam Wood. With the four points slipping away, Wood then sprung in to action and in an amazing comeback, he went on to win 6-11 10-12 11-7 11-6 11-6 a tremendous recovery and victory for his team in a topsy turvy battle for the four points.

In an even display, the Mallee Bearings trio of Gavin Carmichael, Mark Dorman and Rohan Reimers won three, two and one singles respectively against opponents Tankard Dental, enabling their team to record a 7-4 and remain undefeated.

Carmichael has been in solid form over the first four rounds, remaining undefeated in singles and he was able to record a rare straight sets victory over brother Wayne.

The highlight match in this contest was the last when Bearings number three Rohan Reimers took to the table against Tankard two Jackson Murphy.

Reimers was away to a 2-0 lead early and Murphy was in trouble. He came out strongly in the fourth to reduce the lead Reimers recovered strongly to all of a sudden take a match point.

Murphy played well under pressure, taking the fourth after saving two match points. The fifth was tight and Murphy took the match in an excellent fighting comeback 9-11 9-11 11-4 14-12 11-8.

For further information on Table Tennis contact Gavin Carmichael 0408 237 907.

Sunraysia Table Tennis 2023 Winter Pennant results Round 4:

PENNANT ONE: Regional Taxation Services 6 (Matt Ljubic 3, Thanh Nguyen 2, Michael Hensgen 1) d Cookes Pools & Spas 3 (Joel Thomas 2, Russell Walder 1); Mallee Bearings 7 (Gavin Carmichael 3, Mark Dorman 2, Rohan Reimers 1) d Tankard Dental 4 (Wayne Carmichael 2, Jackson Murphy 1); Weightmans Packaging 6 (Jackson Tung, Reece Kurrle 2) d Max Miller Carpets 5 (Kate Carmichael, Leon Brown 2, Liam Wood 1)

PENNANT TWO: Max Miller Carpets 7 (Jeremy Corrin, Daniel Jansen, John Fitzpatrick 2) d Mallee Meats 4 (Sony Sefer 3); Pinnacle Packers 6 (Peter Fitzpatrick 3, Zac Galbraith, Stephan Ljubic 1) d Mallee Bearings 5 (Marcus Cimino 2, Therese Fitzpatrick, David Sergi 1); Weightmans Packaging 7 (Quentin Clark, Andrew Jones 2, Tom Morrison 1) d Cookes Pools & Spas 4 (Ashley Morrison 3, Josh Arnold 1)

PENNANT THREE: Exposed Signage/Apparel 7 (Levi Williams 3, Dave Tanner 2) d Mallee Meats 4 (Michael Smyth 2, Nick Kiapekos, Hamish Smyth 1); Weightmans Packaging 6 (Sabrina Fitzpatrick, Karly Leach 2, Ashton McMullan 1) d Sammy’s Slammers 5 (Marita Grace 3, Koby Grace 1); Regional Taxation Services 6 (Leo Parker 3, Shaun Gifford 2) d Tankard Dental 5 (Luca Capizzoto 2, Steve Pongrac, Steve Parker 1)

PENNANT FOUR: Mallee Meats 6 (Ildi Healy 3, David Healy, Nathan Beard 1) d Tankard Dental 5 (Liam Nicolaou, Maria Starikov 2); Dunkley Scales 9 (Costa Skiadas, Ryyan Doherty 3, Curtis Crabtree 1) d Weightmans Packaging 2 (Glenn Leeson, Chelsey Avers 1)