Sport
19 April, 2024
Orford table tennis resumes
SIXTEEN players competed in the first round of the new season of the Orford and District Table Tennis Association.
The night’s winner was Aaron Rowbottom over Darren Smith, who advanced to the final after an exhausting five game rubber against Val Wortley.
He won 12-10 in the fifth game after long rallies throughout the rubber, leaving him to face an opponent who had spent less time on the court.
Gift voucher winners were Mark Murray and Ian Wortley, while Darren also had some success, winning a gift voucher.
Pennant starts next Wednesday, April 24 at the venue of the home team.
There are some new, returning players in this year’s eight teams.
Last year’s premiers Warrnambool Vikings are unchanged as is the Attunga family team.
Orford, Glengleeson and Myndarra will have the same line up and due to job shifts and illness the rest of the teams will have new players.
Week one games:
Warrnambool Vikings v Attunga
Both these teams’ line-ups are unchanged from last year. Warrnambool Vikings had the upper hand last year and is expected to again do so.
Warrnambool Warriors v Pt Fairy
Both these teams have lost players from last season - Port Fairy lost Wayne Krause, while Warrnambool Warriors will be without the services of Neil Ford for some of the year and Marshall Worthington has returned to Melbourne.
David Cranwell and Darren Smith have stepped into the void.
It’s believed Port Fairy has a mystery recruit who will join Ray Young and Tony Storer.
Warrnambool Warriors on their home ground should be too strong for Port Fairy.
Glengleeson v Orford
These two unchanged teams from last season will confront each other again.
They shared the results with a win each last year, but Glengleeson is expected to hold sway in this first round match.
Their more experienced players hold the edge over Orford’s lineup.
Tarrone v Myndarra
Tarrone will be without leader Andrew McGrath for the season leaving David Warhurst, Steve Young and Peter Johnson to represent Tarrone.
Myndarra, with its unchanged team, should be too strong for Tarrone, led by Aaron Rowbottom and youngsters Ally, Jensen Rowbottom and Nick Bartlett.
