Sport
2 August, 2024
Table tennis finals begin
THE finals series for the Orford and District Table Tennis Association has begun.
In finals, once the winner has reached six rubbers no others are played – which can make for an earlier night.
However, it seems only one A grade followed this rule while B grade played out the night (it must have been colder at Orford than Warrnambool!).
A grade
First semi-final:
Attunga defeated Port Fairy 6.23-5.19.
The last rubber was needed when Ian Wortley was sent out at five-all to play Port Fairy’s Tony Storer, winning in three games.
Six of the 11 rubbers were extended, with the longest game 17-15 during Kelly Wortley’s defeat of Ray Young 11-6, 15-17, 13-11, 11-5 and 11-5.
Both teams won a five game doubles rubber.
For the winning side, both Kelly and Val Wortley won two rubbers while Fergus Monsbourgh won his three rubbers for Port Fairy.
Ray Young won a long, come-from-behind rubber against Ian 8-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-8 and 11-7.
Second semi-final:
Warrnambool Vikings defeated Warrnambool Warriors 6-3.
Of the nine rubbers played, six were extended.
Warrnambool Vikings’ Rehan and Tess won their two rubbers.
Tess defeated David Cranwell 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 6-11 and 11-6 while Rehan defeated Peter Owen 11-9, 12-14, 8-11, 11-3 and 14-12.
Vikings won the first doubles 9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5 and 11-9.
Warriors then won the second doubles 12-10, 11-9, 5-11 and 11-9.
Peter Owen was the Warriors’ singles winner.
Preliminary final:
This will be played at the Warrnambool table tennis stadium next Wednesday, August 7.
Warrnambool Warriors will face Attunga.
With a win each this year, it is anticipated that Warriors’ combination of Peter Owen, Darren Smith and David Cranwell will be too strong for the Attunga team.
However, if Attunga’s Val, Kelly and Ian Wortley can win both doubles then anything could happen.
A close 6-5, late night is expected after high scoring games and long rubbers.
B grade
First semi-final:
Glengleeson defeated Tarrone 6.21.341-5.17.335.
As the score indicates, this was a closely fought final with five extended rubbers and a sprinkling of long games – with five-all going into the last rubber.
Glengleeson’s Mark Murrey won his three rubbers which helped set up this final’s win for his side.
He was supported by Gareth Spring who won two rubbers and teamed to win the first doubles 11-7, 11-6, 9-11 and 11-6.
Mark survived a strong challenge from Tarrone’s David Warhurst 11-9, 11-6, 8-11 and 11-6 to win his three rubbers.
Gareth defeated Steven Young in the last rubber.
The only five-game rubber was Tarrone’s win in the second doubles, coming from behind 8-11, 10-12, 11-7, 11-2 and 11-8.
Second semi-final:
Myndarra defeated Orford 7.23-4.16.
Aaron Rowbottom was ably supported by the Myndarra youngsters when he won his three rubbers.
He defeated Russell Hussey 6-11, 11-7, 11-9, 8-11 and 11-5 to open Myndarra’s account in the first rubber.
Myndarra continued to win both the doubles while Ally Rowbottom won two rubbers.
Jensen Rowbottom won the nail-biting rubber of the night 9-11, 13-11, 11-4, 6-11 and 14-12 against Orford’s Chloe Bartlett.
He had another long rubber, going down to Jaden Clapp 10-12, 12-10, 12-10, 3-11 and 2-11.
Russell was Orford’s best with two rubbers.
Preliminary final for B grade will be played at the Orford Hall next Wednesday, August 7.
Glengleeson will face Orford.
Orford won both times this year, 6-5, however much will depend on Russell Hussey winning his three rubbers.
The Orford team will need to win both doubles as they have previously.
Either Jaden Clapp, Chloe Bartlett or David Rowbottom will also need to win a rubber to advance to the grand final.
If Gareth Spring, Mark Murray or Lindsay Morton upset any of those players, they will advance.
Glengleeson has been one of the most improved sides this season and anything could happen in this final.
The playing order, and winning the doubles, will play an important role in this game.
All the best to the Orford players representing Warrnambool in the Donough Shield this weekend in Mt Gambier.
