Sport
22 May, 2026
Close matches for round four table tennis
SOME close results were recorded for round four of the Orford and District Table Tennis Association.
The first battle between the two home-ground sides did not go as expected, with Tower Hill starting the night one player short.
The longest match of the evening saw Koroit’s Fergus Monsborough defeat Tower Hill’s Darren Smith 11-7, 5-11, 11-4, 4-11 and 11-6.
Fergus was Koroit’s standout player, winning all three of his rubbers.
Final scores were Tower Hill defeated by Koroit 4.7-15.21.
Attunga defeated Glengleeson 8.3-24.13.
With Attunga struggling to field a consistent third player for the singles matches, captain Ian Wortley came off the bench to test his fitness in the doubles.
Getting through his first game back, and occasionally using his mobility aid during play, Wortley showed he can still consistently return the ball without having to move his feet.
Several close matches were played during the night, with Glengleeson’s Lindsay Morton and Linton Price producing quality shots and sneaky edge balls against Attunga’s Val and Kelly.
The four-game scorelines reflected just how competitive the contests were.
Orford defeated Broadwater 6.5-24.17.
A close encounter between two evenly matched sides began with two five-game matches.
Broadwater’s Leah Drendel claimed victory over Orford’s Steven Young 10-12, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8 and 7-11.
Remarkably, both players finished with 47 points each, highlighting how tight the match was.
Another standout contest followed, with Broadwater’s Peter Drendel defeating Orford’s Russell Hussey in a thrilling five-set battle, 8-11, 1-5, 14-12, 4-11 and 13-11.
Orford’s Jayden Clapp won two rubbers for the night, while the team’s success in both doubles matches ultimately secured victory in what was expected to be a close contest.
Broadwater’s best player was Peter Drendal who won all three of his rubbers.
St Helens lost to Warrnambool Warriors 5.6-17.22.
This was the match of the round, with top spot on the ladder up for grabs.
The Warriors emerged victorious, resulting in St Helens dropping to third position.
St Helens’ Ally Rowbottom featured in several lengthy matches, with two singles and a doubles match all extending to five games.
After Aaron and Ally Rowbottom claimed the opening doubles in five games, Ally backed up with another tough five-game loss to Warriors’ Neil Ford, 10-12, 2-11, 11-4, 13-11 and 5-11.
She later defeated Warriors’ David Cranwell in another five-game battle, 11-5, 5-11, 11-8, 8-11 and 11-4.
St Helens’ Aaron Rowbottom was their best player, winning all three of his rubbers, while Warriors’ Peter Owen and Neil Ford each claimed two rubbers.
Week five will see Tower Hill face Attunga, Glengleeson will play Broadwater, St Helens will meet Orford,and the Warrnambool Warriors will take on Koroit.
Ladder: Warrnambool Warriors 16, Attunga 16, St Helens 12, Koroit 8, Broadwater 4, Orford 4, Tower Hill 4 and Glengleeson 0
