Bearing down on rivals

THERE was a sombre mood leading into the fourth round of the Sunraysia Table Tennis pennant one competition after the school holiday break.

The players gathered for a minute’s silence and reflected on the passing of local sporting identity Michael Hogarth.

While more well known for his football and cricketing skills, Hogarth was a very talented table tennis player, a past pennant one premiership player and long-time supporter of the STTA.

Once play began Mallee Bearings were the major achievers of the round with their outstanding 8-3 victory over previously second placed Tankard Dental.

The very first match of the night set the scene for Mallee Bearings when number three Tom Morrison, up from pennant two this season, recorded his best win in pennant one with a four-set victory over the talented Paul Kealley.

The Bearings trio of Jackson Tung, Liam Wood and Morrison then raced to victory winning seven of the next eight rubbers. Tung won three singles, Wood two and Morrison one, and by winning both doubles they have moved to third on the ladder pushing their opponents from second to fourth.

Ladder leader Weightman’s Packaging maintained their undefeated record with a narrow 6-5 victory over bottom of the ladder Choices Flooring Mildura. They are yet to win a match but did place their opponents under pressure. The lack of success in the doubles played a big part and the fact that Weightman’s Wayne Carmichael again won three singles to remain undefeated over the first four rounds.

For Choices Flooring Mildura both Reece Kurrle and fill-in Jamie Kealley won two singles, while number three Daniel Jansen won one. In particular Kealley played well defeating Lee Leeson in five sets and the in-form Russell Walder in four sets. Kealley is showing very good form in his first pennant one season.

In another close contest, Regional Taxation Services recorded their third victory of the season defeating Cookes Pools & Spas 6-5. For RTS Kate Carmichael was in good form winning three singles while fill-in Casper McCarthy offered good support winning two singles. With the score at 5-4 in his teams’ favour McCarthy recorded a very good win defeating Dylan Wood 4-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-3.

The doubles were shared but the second proved to be a decider when Kate Carmichael and Jason Gifkins matched up against Cookes Mark Dorman and Ed Hung. The RTS pair were able to just hold the ascendancy winning 12-10, 11-9, 11-9 and in particular Gifkins played well in the victory against a very experienced pair. He would have gained confidence from his performance in this doubles.

Earlier Gifkins had placed Dylan Wood under extreme pressure before going down in five sets. For Weightman’s Mark Dorman continued his solid season winning two singles for the fourth round in succession.

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Sunraysia Table Tennis 2024 Summer Pennant results Round 4: –

PENNANT ONE:

Regional Taxation Services 6 (Kate Carmichael 3, Casper McCarthy 2) d Cookes Pools & Spas 5 (Mark Dorman 2, Dylan Wood, Ed Hung 1);

Mallee Bearings 8 (Jackson Tung 3, Liam Wood 2, Tom Morrison 1) d Tankard Dental 3 (Rohan Reimers, Paul Kealley, Jamie Kealley 1);

Weightman’s Packaging 6 (Wayne Carmichael 3, Russell Walder 1) d Choices Flooring Mildura 5 (Reece Kurrle, Jamie Kealley 2, Daniel Jansen 1).

PENNANT TWO:

Weightman’s Packaging 7 (James Jarvis, Harry Gujral 2, Josh Arnold 1) d Pinnacle Packers 4 (Rasin Bhuiyan 3, Ryan Peterson 1);

Cookes Pools & Spas 8 (Marcus Cimino 3, David Sergi 2, Nhat Dat 1) d Mallee Meats 3 (Duy Truong 2, John Fitzpatrick 1).

PENNANT THREE:

Dunkley Scales 7 (Koby Grace 3, Hayden Wilson, Ildi Healy 1) d Regional Taxation Services 4 (Steve Pongrac, Tom Gilmour 1);

Weightman’s Packaging 6 (Sabrina Fitzpatrick 3, Maria Starikov, Gary Leach 1) d Sammy’s Slammers 5 (Sam Campbell, Deegan Kerslake 2);

Exposed Signage/Apparel 6 (Steve Parker, Beh Hwak 2) d Mallee Meats 5 (Karly Leach 3, Jenny Leach, Curtis Crabtree 1).

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