Final fixtures round out the table tennis season

THE TOPSPIN by Allan Clarke

The final round of fixtures of open grade in both sections at the city’s Table Tennis Center on Leichhardt Park resulted in very little changes to the leaderboards in competitions that were decided on the first past the post basis.

In the top division the combination of Rayden Smith and Nick Green finished off a very competitive season with a solid Victory over James OSullivan and Kelsey Le Maistre to hold on to top spot by two points to the good of Matthew Pettett and Glen Mc Donald, who enjoyed a very good season.

The final match between Smiths and OSullivans outfits was a massive amount closer than the final scores indicated. Green performed excellently to extract a rare win over OSullivan 11-8 in the deciding fifth set while Smith survived an unexpected scare provided by Le Maistre when he won 11-9 in the fifth game of another classic clash. The doubles tie went in favor of the Victors 12-10 in the decider before Le Maistre ran down Green in straight sets. In the final encounter, even though Smiths side had the flag tucked away in the playing kit, most onlookers would have thought that the rubber between the top-liners would have gone in Smiths direction considering the difference in rankings between this pair as well as the fact that the match had been decided. However, OSullivan ignored the situation and really took on the challenge and was exceptionally impressive to extend his more fancied Rival to five long sets prior to Smith getting on top in the decider.

With Pettett and McDonald finishing the comp in second spot they made it by only one point over a very impressive performance throughout the season by Dane Coughlan and Erica Nolan. The final outing saw Pettett and Mc Donald perform too well for Matthew Steffen and Gerard Watts with the Captain undefeated as expected and McDonald coming up with his initial Victory over the Veteran campaigner stager in Watts. In the last outing Dane Coughlan and Nolan put a good win on eventual fourth place getters Joel Coughlan and Ann-Louise Stewart. The outcome emerged from the Victors winning the all-important doubles tie in quite a tight tussle that went the full distance. Joel Coughlan won both his singles rounds which was not surprising and despite some solid rallies Stewart was unable to put a win on either of her opponents.

The second section resulted in the side leading the competition for the past few weeks, Jakob Baker and Jeff Green, hold the lead following a very good win in the final hit-out. Green has been unavailable since the recently closed titles so some Handy substitutes have been engaged. Unfortunately, Dave Hockings and Linda OSullivan endured the bye in the last week, and as no points are awarded, they were unable to progress their score but had enough on the board to stay in second spot just ahead of Nolan Hao and Geoff Geddes.

The beginner junior coaching session for the fourth term will return in two weeks and school children are invited to attend this program that has produced many very good players over a long period of time. If children are looking at taking part in the CQ Schools Championships on Saturday 5 November in Rocky this session could provide them with a competitive edge for their schools.