THE finals of the Sunraysia Table Tennis pennant have arrived with the knockout first semi-final and second semi-final taking place last week.
The first semi-final featured third placed Weightman’s Packaging up against the fourth team Cooke’s Pools and Spas.
Weightman’s were coming in to the finals in the best form of any team, winning their past two matches including an outstanding 8-3 win over ladder leader Regional Taxation Service in the final round of home and away games.
In this match Paul Kealley for Cooke’s gave his team a positive start by accounting for Weightman’s number three Lee Leeson in straight sets. Weightman’s skipper Shannon Bowen then as expected proved too strong for Cooke’s number 3 Russell Walder winning 11-2 11-8 11-3 to level the match at one rubber all.
Weightman’s then were able to grab the ascendancy, winning four matches on the trot and breaking the contest right open.
Weightman’s number two Reece Kurrle played opposing number one Jackson Tung in the third singles of this final. Tung grabbed the first two games in a positive start however Kurrle fought back to level at two games, all and in a huge turnaround; he would take the fifth comfortably. This had been an entertaining match with many strong forehands from both players; Kurrle also possesses a strong backhand and he eventually wore down the solid defence of Tung winning 5-11 9-11 11-7 11-6 11-3. Weightman’s now took a 2-1 lead.
The first doubles was now crucial for Cooke’s and their combination of Tung and Paul Kealley took the first game before opponents Shannon Bowen and Reece Kurrle fought back to narrowly win the second game. Spectators witnessed some excellent rallies and the Weightman’s pair of Bowen and Kurrle grabbed the third by the narrowest of margins. They then went on to take the fourth to continue their unbeaten doubles record over the past thirteen rounds. Weightman’s now up 3-1.
The next singles was probably the match of the night with Cooke’s Paul Kealley attempting to arrest the run on of Weightman’s. Kealley had a battle on his hands up against Weightman’s number one Shannon Bowen. Kealley gave his team some hope by narrowly taking the first game, he had his chances in the second before going down just and then he was able to take the third by the narrowest of margins again. Kealley is a leftie who possesses a strong forehand and plays quirky angles. The experienced Bowen had his hands full but was able to take control in the fourth and fifth with some excellent attacking shots and crafty angles. Bowen in an excellent fight back took the points 10-12 14-12 10-12 11-5 11-7, a brave effort from Kealley. Weightman’s now took a 4-1 lead.
The next two singles then went as expected with Cooke’s Jackson Tung scoring a much needed win over Lee Leeson to reduce the deficit to 2-4. Weightman’s then extended the lead to 5-2 when Kurrle defeated Russell Walder in straight sets.
Cooke’s were now desperate for a win in the second doubles and their pair of Tung and Walder who had enjoyed a solid season took the first game over Bowen and Leeson to give their team some hope. Unfortunately for Cooke’s, the Weightman’s pair popped into action, taking the second and third games. In a complete turnaround Tung and Walder only conceded two points in the fourth to level at two games all. The fifth was close all the way and despite the desperation of the Cooke’s pair it was Bowen and Leeson who took the match 7-11 11-8 11-8 2-11 11-9 a thriller.
Cooke’s had tried hard however losing each of the three five setters proved costly.
Weightman’s are in solid form and now advance to the preliminary final. Both Shannon Bowen and Reece Kurrle won two singles each. Success in both doubles was crucial in the win.
Second Semi-Final
THIS match featured first placed Regional Taxation Services up against the second team Mallee Bearings, with the reward for the victor being a spot in the upcoming grand final.
RTS’ number one player Matt Ljubic was unwell and replaced by Kate Carmichael. This contest was always expected to be close, however the evenness of the RTS trio of Carmichael, Thahn Nguyen and Jamie Kealley would see them go in as slight favourites against the strong team of Arhuang Lau, Mark Dorman and Tom Morrison.
The exciting youngster Jamie Kealley gave RTS the exact start they were looking for when he lined up against the experienced Mark Dorman in the first match of the night. Kealley took the first game in fine style before Dorman fought back as expected winning the close second with a mix of solid defence and attacking forehands. Kealley then took the initiative in the third in a strong display before going on to take the fourth in an excellent win 11-5 8-11 11-2 11-7.
The next two singles went as expected with Kate Carmichael for RTS defeating Tom Morrison and then Mallee Bearings number one Huang defeated Nguyen in straight sets.
The first doubles saw Carmichael and Nguyen start well against Huang and Dorman, taking the first game before the Mallee Bearings pair stepped into action and confidently went on to win in four sets and level the match at two rubbers all.
In the next block of three singles there were no upsets with RTS winning two of the three as they had done at the beginning of the match.
Victories came for RTS pair Kate Carmichael and Thanh Nguyen over Dorman and Morrison respectively. For Mallee Bearings skipper Huang proved too steady for Jamie Kealley in three sets.
RTS took a 4-3 lead.
The second doubles was now huge for both teams as RTS pair Kate Carmichael took to the table against Huang and Tom Morrison and what a match this proved to be.
This eventuated in to an exciting five set marathon with both combinations desperate, spectators witnessed an outstanding match with Carmichael and Kealley hanging on to take the points 6-11 11-9 11-5 6-11 11-7. RTS took a hold on the match leading 5-3.
The two number one players then took to the table. Earlier in the week Carmichael and Huang had met in the Super 8s singles final where Carmichael had won in straight sets, however on this occasion Huang was on fire and would not allow Carmichael in to the match with some fine attacking on the forehand and backhand sides. Huang’s team mate Mark Dorman then accounted for Thanh Nguyen in a tense four setter and all of a sudden the match was alive again with the score at five rubbers all, a great comeback by Mallee Bearings.
With a berth in the grand final on the line the two number threes, Jamie Kealley for RTS and Mallee Bearings Tom Morrison nervously stepped up to the table in what was to eventuate into a thrilling climax. Kealley raced through the first in attacking style and to his credit Morrison bounced back to take the second before Kealley again took control of the third, however Morrison fought back to level at two games all.
Teammates now looked on nervously and in an amazing start to the fifth Morrison raced to a 6-1 lead forcing Kealley in to several errors.
As he has done several times this season, Kealley was then able to recover with some powerful forehands and, in an amazing finish, he would come from behind to snatch the match in a powerful finish 11-49-11 11-4 6-11 13-1; what a display from the two youngest players in this contest.
How close a match this proved to be and with a 6-5 win Regional Taxation Services have advanced directly to the grand final.
Kealley had played a key role for his team winning two singles and teaming up with Kate Carmichael to win the second doubles. Carmichael won two singles while Nguyen picked up an important singles win.
For Mallee Bearings Huang played excellent table tennis to win three singles while team mate Mark Dorman won one and teamed up with Wong to win the first doubles.
The Mallee Bearings team will now regroup and meet Weightmans Packaging in the preliminary final and this is expected to be another close contest.
Sunraysia Table Tennis 2025 Winter Pennant results Semi-Finals:
PENNANT ONE:
First Semi: Weightmans Packaging 6 (Shannon Bowen. Reece Kurrle 2) d Cookes Pools & Spas 2 (Jackson Tung, Paul Kealley 1)
Second Semi: Regional Taxation Services 6 (Kate Carmichael, Jamie Kealley 2, Thanh Nguyen 1) d Mallee Bearings 5 (Arhuang (Wong) Lau 3, Mark Dorman 1);
Regional Taxation Services through to Grand Final. Preliminary final this week Mallee Bearings vs Weightmans Packaging
PENNANT TWO:
First Semi: Cookes Pools & Spas 6 (Quentin Clark 3, Duy Truong, Michael Tan 1) d Weightmans Packaging 3 (John Fitzpatrick, Sony Sefer 1)
Second Semi: Mallee Meats 6 (Jason Gifkins, James Jarvis 2, Peter Midgley 1) d Choices Flooring Mildura 1 (Ashley Morrison 1);
Mallee Meats through to the grand final. Preliminary final this week Cookes Pools & Spas vs Choices Flooring Mildura
PENNANT THREE:
First Semi; Regional Taxation Services 5 (Hayden Wilson 3, Sam Campbell 1) d Sammy’s Slammers 4 (Koby Grace, Yen Hwak 2)
Second Semi: Exposed Signage/Apparel 6 (Karly Leach 2, Deegan Kerslake, Brenden Johnson 1) d Weightmans Packaging 3 (Nhat Dat 2, Leo Parker 1);
Exposed Signage/Apparel through to the grand final. Preliminary final this week Weightman’s Packaging vs Regional Taxation Services
PENNANT FOUR:
First Semi: Mallee Meats 6 (Nathan Beard, Curtis Crabtree 2) d Dunkley Scales 4 (Maria Starikov 2, Jake Hines, Raylee Waugh 1)
Second Semi: Weightmans Packaging 6 (Glenn Leeson 2, Gary Leach, Eddy Parker 1) d Tankard Dental 2 (Leanne Wilson, Ildi Healy 1);
Weightmans Packaging through to the grand final. Preliminary final this week Tankard Dental vs Mallee Meats
For further information on Sunraysia Table Tennis, contact Gavin Carmichael 0408 237 907.
