Sport
5 September, 2025
Warriors claim A grade title
THE outside temperature may have been chilly but there was plenty of heat coming off players in both grades of the Orford and District Table Tennis grand finals.
In reverse of previous years, B grade occupied the top table while A grade took the Melbourne 2006 ex Commonwealth table.
Long rallies made for long games and extended rubbers in the A grade final.
A hush descended on the hall after the second doubles when Attunga drew level at four rubbers all – the last singles round decided the winner.
In the A grade final, Warrnambool Warriors defeated Attunga 6.19-5.22.
The Warriors opened the night winning four of the first six rubbers.
While they looked to be in a winning position, Attunga had other ideas and winning both doubles put them in reach of victory.
Five rubbers were extended and long games sprinkled throughout the scoresheet, making for a late night.
Kelly and Ian Wortley defeated Neil Ford and Peter Owen 11-9, 8-11, 3-11, 11-6 and 13-11.
Kelly Wortley (Attunga) won a long rubber against Peter Owen (long rallies 20 plus hits) 9-11, 5-11, 11-9, 12-10 and 11-6.
Peter found it hard to hit Kelly’s shots and she dragged him into her defensive game.
Val Wortley (Attunga) played the Warriors’ Neil Ford.
Neil’s ability to bide this time set up the winning shot, winning him the rubbers 11-6, 11-7, 10-12 and 11-4.
David Cranwell (Warriors) played Gus Looney in the decider.
David used his experience to out-play the Attunga youngster, 12-10, 11-8 and 11-6.
Neil Ford won his three rubbers for Warriors, while Kelly Wortley was Attunga’s best with two rubbers.
In the B grade final, Myndarra defeated Tarrone 6.18-2.5
Myndarra’s Ally Rowbottom’s defeat of Andrea Drendel in the first round of singles took the pressure off Myndarra, winning 11-7, 11-7 and 11-3.
She also defeated Steven Young 7-11, 11-8, 11-5 and 11-4.
Myndarra’s Aaron and Jensen Rowbottom rounded out the night by winning the doubles over David Warhurst and Seven Young 11-9, 11-6, 7-11 and 11-9.
Both Aaron and Ally won two rubbers each for Myndarra, while David Warhurst and Andrea Drendel won one singles each for Tarrone.
A reminder to all players that presentation night will be held on Wednesday, September 10 at the Kirkstall Hotel from 6.30pm. All welcome.
