Lau, Carmichael in good form

IN very warm conditions round two of the Sunraysia Table Tennis winter pennant again featured some excellent play despite being so early in the competition.

Individually both Arhuang Lau and Wayne Carmichael won three singles for the second round in succession, and both look to be in good form.

Kate Carmichael also managed three singles victories to be equal second in the singles aggregate with Shannon Bowen.

The two doubles matches are important in the battle for four points and both Mallee Bearings and Tankard Dental, who occupy first and second on the ladder, are undefeated in doubles play over the two rounds.

Mallee Bearings with their second victory are looking solid and their trio of Lau, Mark Dorman and Tom Morrison proved too steady for Cookes Pools & Spas who tried hard in their 7-4 defeat.

The only five set singles was the first of the night when Cookes’ Russell Walder surprised the consistent Dorman to take a two games to one lead before Dorman lifted his game to win 11-4, 9-11, 9-11, 11-1, 11-4 in very humid conditions.

Two tight doubles matches took place, however Mallee Bearings were in front at the right time in each. The two captains Bearings’ Lau and Cookes’ Jackson Tung played an outstanding singles with some solid defence but it was the looping top spin forehands from both players which stood out.

For the victors, Lau won three singles while Dorman won two. Tung for Cookes won two singles but lack of success in the doubles was costly.

Regional Taxation Services in an even team display recorded their first win of the season, narrowly defeating Choices Flooring Mildura 6-5. In an even team performance, the RTS trio of Matt Ljubic, Jamie Kealley and Thanh Nguyen won two, two and one singles respectively.

Wayne Carmichael for Choices continued his undefeated run winning three singles. His match against Matt Ljubic was top class with Carmichael holding sway narrowly in each set winning 12-10, 11-9, 11-9 a very close tussle. Carmichael combined with Liam Wood, who won one singles, to win the first doubles in straight sets but it was the second doubles when Ljubic combined with youngster Jamie Kealley to defeat Carmichael and Daniel Jansen which proved important in RTS gaining the four points. The final scoreline 7-11, 12-10, 14-12, 9-11, 11-5.

At five rubbers all Jamie Kealley outlasted Liam Wood to win in a tight four setter to enable his team to grab the four points. By winning two singles and taking part in a successful doubles the RTS number three Kealley was the player of the match.

Tankard Dental won their second match of the season 7-4 over Weightmans Packaging. Tankards’ Carmichael showed excellent form winning three singles including a four-set victory over the talented Shannon Bowen. Carmichael also participated in both doubles victories to cap off a good night. Her teammates Rohan Reimers and Eddie Hung won a singles each to enable their team to remain undefeated and second on the ladder.

For Weightmans Packaging, Bowen and Reece Kurrle won two singles each.

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Sunraysia Table Tennis 2025 Winter Pennant results Round 2:

PENNANT ONE:

Tankard Dental 7 (Kate Carmichael 3, Rohan Reimers, Ed Hung 1) d Weightmans Packaging 4 (Shannon Bowen, Reece Kurrle 2);

Regional Taxation Services 6 (Matt Ljubic, Jamie Kealley 2, Thanh Nguyen 1) d Choices Flooring Mildura 5 (Wayne Carmichael 3,Liam Wood 1);

Mallee Bearings 7 (Arhuang (Wong) Lau 3, Mark Dorman 2) d Cookes Pools & Spas 4 (Jackson Tung 2, Paul Kealley, Russell Walder 1)

PENNANT TWO:

Mallee Meats 8 (Jason Gifkins, Harry Gujral 3, James Jarvis 1) d Pinnacle Packers 3 (Marcus Cimino, Peter Midgley 1);

Choices Flooring Mildura 7 (Ashley Morrison, Andrew Jones 2, Terry Martin 1) d Cookes Pools & Spas 4 (Quentin Clark, Duy Truong 2)

PENNANT THREE:

Weightmans Packaging 7 (Nhat Dat 3, Steve Parker 2, Leo Parker 1) d Regional Taxation Services 4 (Sabrina Fitzpatrick 2, Sam Campbell 1);

Exposed Signage/Apparel 9 (Karly Leach, Deegan Kerslake 3, Brendon Johnson 1) d Sammy’s Slammers 2 (Ryan Hensgen, Koby Grace 1)

PENNANT FOUR:

Mallee Meats 6 (Tom Gilmour 3, Conner Burnett 2, Nathan Beard 1) d Weightmans Packaging 5 (Glenn Leeson 2, Gary Leach 1);

Tankard Dental 8 (Leanne Wilson 3, Nathan Beard, Jakob Grzan, Conner Burnett 1) d Dunkley Scales 3 (Maria Starikov 2, Jenny Leach 1)

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