Sport
9 August, 2026
Upsets in first round of finals
WEEK one of finals produced some upset results in the Orford and District Table Tennis competition.
They have pushed the Warrnambool Warriors in past matches, but when it counted St Helens delivered the goods, using their past losses as education.
The win propels last year’s B grade winner into the grand final with a week off, which may or may not be an advantage.
Attunga, who was also expected to win, went out in a night of upsets earlier this week.
Both the A and B grade preliminary finals will be played in the Orford Hall next Wednesday starting at 7.30pm.
A final is won by the side who wins six rubbers, although this week a couple of teams got a little enthusiastic and played one more.
Presentation night will be held at the Kirkstall Hall from 7pm on Wednesday, September 2 and all present and past members are welcome.
The A grade preliminary final will be played between Koroit and Warrnambool Warriors.
The Warriors have had convincing 7-3 wins against Koroit in both encounters this year.
The Warriors will be out to again play off in the grand final after losing just the one match for the season.
The B grade preliminary final will be between Broadwater and Tower Hill.
Tower Hill has won both matches this season and will go into the match as favourites.
Results from this week:
A grade, first semi-final saw Attunga go down to Koroit 4.13-7.22.
Unfortunately, Attunga played with two players, which meant they gave away three rubbers before starting.
Both Kelly Wortley and Gus Looney won two rubbers each but were unable to win a doubles or defeat Koroit’s Fergus Monsborough who won his three rubbers.
In the second semi-final, Warrnambool Warriors lost to St Helens 3.14-6.19.
Ally Rowbottom (St Helens) defeated Warriors’ David Cranwell and Neil Ford, both who had defeated her earlier in the year.
This helped set up the win, taking pressure off St Helens, winning both the doubles.
Neither were easy wins.
Ally defeated David 11-8, 9-11, 13-11, 6-11 and 11-8.
Neil’s rubber was 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 5-11 and 12-10.
Aaron Rowbottom won his three rubbers, while Peter Owen and Neil Ford won a rubber each for Warriors as well as a double rubber.
In B grade, the first semi-final saw Tower Hill defeated by Orford 3.15-6.18.
Win the doubles win the match rang true for Orford as they won both the doubles in long five game rubbers, 11-7, 9-11, 7-11, 11-7 and 11-9.
The second double was won 8-10, 10-12, 12-10, 11-8 and 11-9.
The other plus for Orford was Russell Hussey defeating both Darren Smith and Gavin Rowbottom.
In the second B grade semi-final, Broadwater defeated Glengleeson 7.21-1.7.
Again, winning the doubles contributed to this win although the second doubles was hard fought.
Broadwater won 12-10, 14-12 and 11-9.
Both Andrea and Peter Drendel won two rubbers each for Broadwater.
Gareth Spring was Glengleeson’s winner.
