Sport
29 August, 2026
Table tennis premiers crowned
SPECTATORS were treated to some action packed grand final matches for the Orford and District Table Tennis Competition.
An appreciative group of spectators watched both the A and B grade grand finals in the Orford Hall.
The results in each grade were the reverse of the pervious encounter between the sides.
While the balls flew thick, hard and fast down the A grade end, tension heightened as the night progressed.
Warrnambool Warriors were too strong for last year’s B grade winners St Helens - the old heads getting them over the line in the closest of finals.
B grade may have been more sedate but the tension was lived through every point and Tower Hill proved too strong for Orford.
In the A grade grand final, Warrnambool Warriors defeated St Helens 6.21-5.18.
After the first six rubbers the score was three all.
Warriors had won the first doubles while Aaron Rowbottom had won both his singles (and Peter Owen did the same for Warriors).
The night rested on the result of the second doubles between Peter and David Cranwell, and Aaron and Jensen Rowbottom.
Warriors won that match 11-13, 5-11, 6-11, 11-9 and 11-9.
Aaron then played Peter, winning in four games 11-4, 11-9, 9-11 and 11-6.
The Warriors’ Neil Ford then played Ally Rowbottom.
After some tight play from both players Ally won 6-11, 11-8, 11-13, 8-11 and 11-9.
The Warriors’ David Cranwell then played the youngest association player, Jensen Rowbottom (St Helens); the older head prevailing for this year.
Aaron Rowbottom won his three rubbers for St Helens, and Ally Rowbottom the other two.
The ability of the Warriors to win both doubles tipped the final their way.
Best for Warriors was Peter Owen with two rubbers while Neil Ford and David Cranwell won one each.
In the B grade grand final, Tower Hill defeated Orford 6.20-3.12.
With Tower Hill’s Darren Smith winning his three rubbers and anchoring both winning doubles, this set up their winning final.
Three rubbers were extended, with Tower Hill able to win two of them.
Darren and Gavin Rowbottom defeated Russell Hussey and Jaden Clapp 10-12, 11-4, 11-5, 8-11 and 11-4.
In the next rubber Russell defeated Gavin 10-12, 11-7, 12-10, 9-11 and 11-9.
It was 4-3 going into the last doubles.
Tower Hill’s Darren and David Rowbottom defeated Russell and Steven Young 11-8, 11-8, 9-11 and 11-9.
Darren defeated Russell 11-4, 11-7 and 11-8.
Russell was best for Orford with two rubbers.
A reminder that presentation night will be held next Wednesday, September 2 from 7pm at the Kirkstall Hotel. All welcome.
