Sport
9 August, 2024
Prelim finals produce close games
BOTH preliminary finals of the Orford and District Table Tennis Association went down to the wire this week.
The last rubber decided the night, with the results resting on the shoulders of those players to carry their sides through to the grand final.
Both the A and B grade grand finals will be played at the Orford hall next Wednesday, August 14 from 7.30pm.
Preliminary final results:
A grade
Warrnambool Warriors defeated Attunga 6.25.430/5.18.377.
Darren Smith from Warriors and Attunga’s Ian Wortley were sent out by their sides to play the last rubber.
Darren won in a three-game rubber – quite the turn around from the opening rubber, going down to Kelly Wortley 11-5, 11-5, 9-11, 9-11 and 9-11.
This rubber set the tone for the night’s play; six extended rubbers and long games.
Warriors’ Peter Owen and Darren won the first doubles against Kelly and Val Wortley 10-12, 10-12, 11-7, 11-6 and 11-3.
Attunga’s Kelly and Ian Wortley won the second doubles 9-11, 11-7, 11-5, 9-11 and 14-12 over Darren and David Cranwell.
The Warriors’ Peter Owen won his three rubbers while Kelly Wortley was Attunga’s best with two rubbers after surviving a scare against David Cranwell, winning 10-12, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9 and 11-4.
Val and Ian Wortley won a rubber each while Darren won two.
B grade
Glengleeson defeated Orford 6.20.334/ 5.18.310.
A solid performance from the Glengleeson players, Mark Murray and Gareth Spring, who combined well to win the first doubles in a close five game rubber 11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 4-11 and 14-12 against Russel Hussey and David Robwbottom.
This saw them advance to the grand final.
Gareth played Jaden Clapp, with the scores five-all (winning in three games).
Only three rubbers were extended for the night.
Orford’s Russell Hussey won his three rubbers and had a close encounter with the improving Mark Murray, winning 1-11, 11-9, 6-1, 11-8 and 11-5.
Both Mark and Gareth won two rubbers for Glengleeson while Lindsay Morton was their other rubber winner.
Jaden Clapp also won a rubber.
The A grade grand final will be contested by Warrnambool Vikings and Warrnambool Warriors.
These two sides have fought a win each during the year, while the Vikings won the semi-final in convincing 6-3 style.
Dom, Rehan, Gillies and Tess are a strong combination who are aiming for back-to-back grand final wins.
The Warriors’ Peter Owen, Darren Smith and David Cranwell will fight to the end but Vikings are tipped to come out on top.
The B grade grand final will see Myndarra take on Glengleeson.
These two teams are very close, with both having a win each during the pennant.
Glengleeson has had two improving players in Gareth Spring and Lindsay Morton and the inclusion of Mark Murray has strengthened the side from last season.
Myndarra relies heavily on Aaron Rowbottom to win his three rubbers while Ally and Jensen Rowbottom will need to add to the scoreline.
How the scoresheet is filled in will have a bearing on this 6-5 result.
The scales are slightly in Glengleeson’s favour with a more experienced team.
