Sport
24 April, 2026
Table tennis underway
A STRONG contingent of 20 players, “one of the best for years” according to president David Rowbottom, have met to start the Orford and District Table Tennis Association new season.
The bats, balls and tables were dusted off and players compared notes on what has happened since they last met in September.
The final was a high standard rubber between Aaron Rowbottom and returning player Darren Smith - the closeness of the scores an indication of the state of play with Aaron winning 11-8, 11-9 and 11-7.
Lucky door prizes were won by Ian Wortley, Gavin Rowbottom and Steven Young.
There will be eight teams in this year’s pennant.
Tarrone failed to field a team due to retirements - the last man standing, Steven Young, has been cleared to Orford who are a player down.
Warrnambool Vikings are having a year’s hiatus.
The Drendel family has formed its own team and will be called Broadwater, while Myndarra becomes St Helens with the Rowbottom family.
Orford, Broadwater, St Helens and Glengleeson will play in the Orford Hall.
In the Warrnambool stadium, the Warrnambool Warriors will do battle, and the Wortley family’s Attunga team has its own venue in Warrnambool.
The new playing venue for the pennant will be the Koroit Scout Hall where Fergus Monsbourgh will lead the Koroit team which also includes Tony Storer and Ray Young.
David Rowbottom has recruited to form the second side, to be known as Tower Hill, and he is joined by Mary Wealleans, Darren Smilth and Gavin Rowbottom, all three players returning to play table tennis after time off.
Because of the retirements and new teams, any player who still wishes to try their hand at playing this pennant is welcome to approach any of the teams - spare players are always welcome to cover absentees.
Play is Wednesday nights at the home team venues.
As teams weren’t finalised until Wednesday night, the draw for the pennant remains a mystery.
Results from the first week’s play and a review of upcoming play will appear in next week’s edition (courtesy of ‘Nightowl’).
