ROUND eight of the Sunraysia Table Tennis senior pennant featured doubles matches only.
This was a new innovation introduced by the STTA for the first time last year and played on a trial basis. A survey of players indicated that it should be continued this year.
The round known as “Doubles Round” pitted all teams playing against each other on the one night with three doubles taking place and then moving on to the next team, four points up for taking for the top three teams on the night. These points are then included on the current season’s ladder.
The format for each team versus team contest was player one and two versus player one and two followed by 1&3 vs 1&3 with a final match of 2&3 versus 2&3.
There was some outstanding table tennis played and in all there were forty-five doubles matches with twenty-one going to a maximum of three sets.
Doubles is an exciting and important component of the sport and important to results each round during the season.
PENNANT ONE
The Cookes Pools & Spas trio of Jackson Tung, Paul Kealley and Russell Walder were the big achievers for the round by winning against every team and picking up an important four points to move from fourth to third on the ladder.
They were successful in eleven of their fifteen matches. In an outstanding performance number two Paul Kealley and number three player Russell Walder won their five matches in a dominant display, while Walder combined with skipper Jackson Tung to win four of their five matches.
Number three player Russell Walder played a key role for his team winning nine of the ten matches he took part in.
This had been an excellent team effort from Cookes and fortunate that Tung was able to line up to play as he had been doubtful during the week.
Second placed Regional Taxation Services also picked up an important four points winning four of their five contests.
Skipper Matt Ljubic and Thanh Nguyen were in good form winning their five matches including a straight sets defeat of leading Mallee Bearings pair Arhuang Lau and Mark Dorman.
In a solid team performance Ljubic also combined with Jamie Kealley to win three matches as did Nguyen and Kealley. The four points gained by Regional Taxation Services now draws them level on points with ladder leader Mallee Bearings who unusually did not score any points this round.
Choices Flooring (Wayne Carmichael, Liam Wood and Daniel Jansen) who have been languishing at the foot of the ladder all season were the third team on the night to pick up a valuable four points, and all of a sudden their season has been rejuvenated.
Sunraysia Table Tennis 2025 Winter Pennant results Round 8:
PENNANT One: Leading doubles combinations (five matches) – Matt Ljubic and Thanh Nguyen 5, Paul Kealley and Russell Walder 5, Jackson Tung and Russell Walder 4,
Players to perform well individually – Russell Walder 9 wins from 10 matches played, Matt Ljubic 8, Thanh Nguyen 8, Paul Kealley 7, Kate Carmichael 6, Jackson Tung 6.
PENNANT Two: Leading doubles combinations (five matches) – Jason Gifkins and Harry Gujral 3, Jason Gifkins and James Jarvis 3, Harry Gujral and James Jarvis 3, Ashley Morrison and Terry Martin 3, Ashley Morrison and Andrew Jones 3, Terry Martin and Andrew Jones 3.
Players to perform well individually – Jason Gifkins 6, Harry Gujral 6, James Jarvis 6, Ashley Morrison 6, Terry Martin 6, Andrew Jones 6.
PENNANT Three: Leading doubles combinations – Karly Leach and Deegan Kerslake 3 (from three matches), Deegan Kerslake and Brenden Johnson 3, Karly Leach and Brenden Johnson 2, Nhat Dat and Leo Parker 2, Ryan Hensgen and Yen Hwak 2.
Players to perform well individually – Deegan Kerslake 6 wins from 6 matches, Karly Leach 5, Brenden Johnson 5, Nhat Dat 3, Leo Parker 3, Ryan Hensgen 3, Yen Hwak 3.
PENNANT Four: Leading doubles combinations – Leanne Wilson and Ildi Healy 3,
Leanne Wilson and Jakob Grzan 3, Ildi Healy and Jakob Grzan 2, Glenn Leeson and Eddie Parker 2, Gary Leach and Eddie Parker 2, Tom Gilmour and Nathan Beard 2.
Players to perform well individually – Leanne Wilson 6, Ildi Healy 5, Jakob Grzan 5, Eddie Parker 4, Glenn Leeson 3, Gary Leach 3, Tom Gilmour 3, Nathan Beard 3.
PENNANT ONE LADDER
MALLEE BEARINGS 24
REGIONAL TAXATION SERVICES 24
COOKES POOLS AND SPAS 16
TANKARD DENTAL 12
WEIGHTMANS PACKAGING 12
CHOICES FLOORING 8
